Nutrition help needed for the 4 days before a big event

[kiwifraser]

I have gone from not owning a pair of running shoes 2 months ago, to looking forward to doing the Scotland Tough Mudder this Saturday with a team of 10 similar fitness individuals.

I have been steadily increasing training runs (2 per week), and last weekend ran a 10k in 55 minutes. We have also been climbing, and I coach mini's rugby, so feel reasonably well prepared given I am a complete novice! We are aiming to get to the finish as a team after completing every challenge, rather than try to get any specific time.

I am now only a few days away, and have no idea of what I should be doing/ eating to prepare myself for a half marathon through mud, with 25 challenging obstacles on the way.

I love all meat, potatoes, pasta, fruit, vegetables, juice, milk, eggs, water, and most other normal things so would be happy eating these in any recommended size meals. I am very allergic to seafood, so can't touch that, and I don't want to change my diet completely to wierd things... persimmon flower juice, green pine nut oil flakes, lentil surprise cakes, essence of octopus, and that sort of fad thing.

Any suggestions or advice from PHers in the know please?

Cheers!

[Hoofy]

Eat lots of carbs especially just before the event (I meant the night before and the morning, not 30 minutes before!). The body needs fuel. Also consider those energy gel packs.

[theshrew]

As Hoof said carb up.

On the day gel packs or some sweets like haribo, teady bears etc will give you a quick boost of energy if you need it during the race.

[kiwifraser]

That's good news. Carbs are my favorite... Lasagne here I come!

[theshrew]

You best having more than a couple of sheets of pasta mate. Cook some brown rice to go with it to :-)

[kiwifraser]

Rice/ Pasta/ Risotto/ Chicken Stir Fry with noodles... all favorite meals that I am more than happy to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Any specific energy gels to look out for when I am shopping this afternoon?

[Hoofy]

Can't help on the gel packs. Don't see that much difference but read the labels.

As for food, eat a massive bowl of porridge for breakfast with honey. Other meals - any of this: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-recipes

[Roger645]

If you are going to use gels then try them beforehand as they can give you the sts.

[kiwifraser]

Thanks Roger. That wouldn't be helpful on the day, so I'll get some today and try them.

Cheers

[Fozziebear]

Roger645 said:

If you are going to use gels then try them beforehand as they can give you the sts.

Don't bother with the gels, save your money. Just slowly load up on good carbs, brown or whole pasta, plenty of veg and protein. Hydrate loads, you can pee whilst in the muddy wet bits have a good breakfast an hour before, then drink. You will be busy during the event, so don't carry anything you could forget to eat, just not worth it as the whole team experience will power you through!

[Davey S2]

Lots of complex carbs the night before and 4-5 Wheetabix on the morning of always works for me.

[goldblum]

Davey S2 said:

Lots of complex carbs the night before and 4-5 Wheetabix on the morning of always works for me.

Same here, with a banana on the Weetabix.

[dirty boy]

Roger645 said:

If you are going to use gels then try them beforehand as they can give you the sts.

I got the sts from using Lucozade in one of my training runs. NOT pleasant.

[Halb]

dirty boy said:

I got the sts from using Lucozade in one of my training runs. NOT pleasant.

I recall overdosing on the free sugary drinks they hand out at the Manchester 10k...that day was not pleasant.

[Regiment]

As I discovered today, don't eat a big Sunday dinner 2 hours before a long run either.