I enjoyed participating in the St. Nick's meet at Ga Tech on Saturday! It was a well-run meet, everybody was very friendly, and the facility is beautiful. Thanks to Atlanta Rainbow Trout & everybody who worked on the meet. It was great.
Here's the question -- I don't like eating anything very heavy on the day of competition, so for breakfast I had a banana, a bagel with cream cheese, and about 6 cups of coffee. Warmups were at 10 am, I swam the 800 around 11:30, a few more events, and finished with the 400 around 5:30. Throughout the day I had plenty of water, red grapes, two more bananas, and three carbo power bar type things.
By the time the meet wrapped up around 6, I was RAVENOUS and about ready munch my way through downtown Atlanta. So I'm not sure this is the best eating plan for the day of competition, and even less sure how well it would work for a multi-day event.
What do you eat on the day of the meet?
I always focus on the "right" carbs starting three days before the meet. But I try not to over do it. I avoid all forms of greasy or spice foods. No carbonated drinks. This past weekend I swam tappered at the TYR meet in Chicago. btw -- a great venue... I started eating 2 or three bananas a day throughout the week leading up to the meet. I also forced myself to drink extra water for three days prior to the meet. Then on the day of the meet I am very careful about quantity. I eat small quantities but just enough to keep my sugar level balanced. I find just the right amount of fruit starting in the morning and right after warmup. It replenishes my simple sugars without making me feel "heavy". I avoid energy bars and complex carbs, which are harder to digest. A great combination includes strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Then I add a large banana early in the morning plus after each race i have 1/4 to 1/2 a banana (small amounts). Add to that gatorade-like drink to stay hydrated-almost constantly. Not large amounts, but consistent hydration is key.
At the meet this past weekend, my regiment worked perfectly. I felt great before and after the races. The key for me is to guage my intake based on how my stomach feels. It comes down to personal preference, but a balance / consistent sugar level most important to me. I use good old-fashion mother nature (fruit) to accomplish that balance.
"Winning is a state-of-mind"
I always focus on the "right" carbs starting three days before the meet. But I try not to over do it. I avoid all forms of greasy or spice foods. No carbonated drinks. This past weekend I swam tappered at the TYR meet in Chicago. btw -- a great venue... I started eating 2 or three bananas a day throughout the week leading up to the meet. I also forced myself to drink extra water for three days prior to the meet. Then on the day of the meet I am very careful about quantity. I eat small quantities but just enough to keep my sugar level balanced. I find just the right amount of fruit starting in the morning and right after warmup. It replenishes my simple sugars without making me feel "heavy". I avoid energy bars and complex carbs, which are harder to digest. A great combination includes strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Then I add a large banana early in the morning plus after each race i have 1/4 to 1/2 a banana (small amounts). Add to that gatorade-like drink to stay hydrated-almost constantly. Not large amounts, but consistent hydration is key.
At the meet this past weekend, my regiment worked perfectly. I felt great before and after the races. The key for me is to guage my intake based on how my stomach feels. It comes down to personal preference, but a balance / consistent sugar level most important to me. I use good old-fashion mother nature (fruit) to accomplish that balance.
"Winning is a state-of-mind"
