My first meet in many years is fast approaching and I would like some advice on what to eat the day of the race. More particularly: What is a good breakfast menu that provides energy and will not weigh me down? I imagine that steak and eggs with a bloody mary may be a mistake, while cereal alone may not be enough. What are good foods and drinks to take to the meet and use for lunch or snacks? How often or when do you eat at the meet (e.g., after events, no later than one hour before next event)? Also, advice on what to eat the day before would be great.
I rather suspect it's how long your races are, how many races you intend to swim and what time of day they are. I pretty much only swim long distance stuff (like postal swims). For that I tend to consume Accelerade or other carb/protein supplement for a few days before the swim. If the swim is longer than about 3000 yds I will also suck down a GU gel or something similar and maybe a splash of water every 2000 yds or so.
Your pre-meet day meals might include something like Accelerade, but assuming your races are much shorter than postal swims and are therefore not likely to deplete your muscle glycogen, then something light for breakfast (cereal, banana) would seem sufficient to me unless you have a very early morning race. I'd stick with light stuff during the day as well, maybe a Clif Bar or other carb/protein bar. Something that's got a little more appetite satisfaction in it than a GU, but still not too heavy.
Skip Montanaro
I rather suspect it's how long your races are, how many races you intend to swim and what time of day they are. I pretty much only swim long distance stuff (like postal swims). For that I tend to consume Accelerade or other carb/protein supplement for a few days before the swim. If the swim is longer than about 3000 yds I will also suck down a GU gel or something similar and maybe a splash of water every 2000 yds or so.
Your pre-meet day meals might include something like Accelerade, but assuming your races are much shorter than postal swims and are therefore not likely to deplete your muscle glycogen, then something light for breakfast (cereal, banana) would seem sufficient to me unless you have a very early morning race. I'd stick with light stuff during the day as well, maybe a Clif Bar or other carb/protein bar. Something that's got a little more appetite satisfaction in it than a GU, but still not too heavy.
Skip Montanaro
