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?
Former Member
The funny thing is I'm not joking.
I doubt I will actually do it, by going to a meet with a very mild hangover, but I'm guessing certain levels of wine in the body raises testoserone, which easily explains changes in output I commonly note.
Back on topic, as far as my plan for nutritian, the day prior will consist of 4 small meals with veggies, meats, breads and etc (lunch will include a 12oz can of garbonzo beans for proper bouancy). The day of the meet will consist of banana's, bagels, and protein/creatine supplement while avoiding greasy and spicy foods that can upset the stomach and fruits that ferment in the upper gut (i.e., apples, citrus).
For hydration I plan to drink just a little more the day prior but no more than usuall on race day - don't want to stand on the blocks with a full bladder. I'll see how this goes:)
Oh Im not joking...I learned this a couple years back, the beer is a good source of carbohydrates. Probably not the most ideal pre-meet performance drink, but it has worked for me. Last St. Patty's day, I went out and celebrated like everyone else should have, kind of forgot about my meet the next day, I ended up going a pb for a 50 *** flat start...I gave all the credit to the beer from the night before! :banana:
I always keep in mind that what I eat before competing probably won't help my races, but eating the wrong stuff can definitely hurt my races. I stick to my usual breakfast, cereal and toast, unless I am swimming really early. During a meet I like peanut butter crackers or fig newtons. Bananas don't swim well with me.
At nationals, I like to go to the pool at 6:30 am when warm-up starts and the pool is less crowded. If I don't swim until later, I like to have breakfast after warm-up.
Re: eating at Nationals,definitely become a Gold Medal Sponsor.That gives you access to the hospitality room so you can eat at the meet when you need to.The food at Fresno was really good,Indy-OK.
All good advice. I like fig newtons and peanut butter crackers as meet snacks too; bananas as well (they don't bother me).
Allen is absolutely correct about the Gold Medal Sponsor thing. I think it usually saves you money -- or come close to breaking even, anyway -- and it is hugely convenient.
My triathlete friends usually pack bagels & peanut butter to eat the morning of their races (which are usually early). It travels well, is filling but doesn't make you feel bloated, and has pretty much energy.
Depends on what time the meet starts. If it's an early, early meet and I'm swimming early, I usually have just a banana and some peanuts that I snack on while driving there. If the meet is later, I'll have cereal.
During the meet, I eat about what you ate and I too will end up being extremely hungry after. I usually eat 2-3 bananas during a meet day.
You monkey you!!!:banana:
