My new pre-race tradition
As you might’ve heard, I finished a half marathon on Saturday!
Usually before races like these, people load up on spaghetti, bread, and lots of other carb-filled meals. But for me personally, I don’t go that route.
In fact, if I ate pasta and lots of bread before a race, I would be miserable! Pasta and refined grain bread makes me feel really bloated and icky.
But I still know how to “carbo load” just in my own way. I ate oatmeal for breakfast every day last week and enjoyed brown rice and whole wheat couscous with dinner a few times.
The night before the race, Courtney and I went to Qdoba, just like we did before the 10-miler a few weeks ago.
This time, instead of a burrito, I got a “naked” grilled veggie burrito and added lettuce, pico de gallo and medium salsa.
And I enjoyed some tortilla chips and the best guacamole ever made!
And believe it or not, I wasn’t able to finish everything! It felt good to fill up on yummy food but still listen to my body and know when to stop.
Afterward, we went to Barnes & Noble where I enjoyed a nice decaf African Autumn tea 
If you are a runner, tri-athlete, etc. what is your typical pre-race dinner?
Posted on April 25, 2010, in Dinner, restaurants and tagged carbs, pre-race meal, Qdoba. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
I need to find a good pre-race dinner. I still haven’t found what really works for me!
pre race dinner for me is always pizza, light on the cheese or none actually since i’m lactose intolerant. but always pizza, and lots and lots of water!!!
great job with the race!
I used to always eat pasta before races, but too much of it makes me feel really sick. I usually stick with a sweet potato, some veggies, and a piece of grilled fish. Works like a charm. I think the meals leading up to the race are more important than the night before.
I’m so glad to hear others don’t do pasta either! You should see the looks I get around here when I tell people I don’t, ha ha.
You know I’m not a real runner yet, but I do work out five days a week, and I cannot imagine eating pasta before working out. That sounds like a tummy ache waiting to happen. Before workouts, I typically have a smoothie, some soy yogurt and granola, an energy bar, or crackers with hummus. Always something light. I save the pasta for after I work out, when I can sit around and let it settle.
I am a new runner and for my first race, I actually had pancakes the night before (healthy pancakes lol)
Congrats on your half marathon!!!!!!
What an awesome idea Mari! I might have to eat pancakes the night before next time
Mmmm, Qdoba is one of my true fast food weaknesses. I know the burritos I get are loaded with calories, but that is one meal that I just don’t care… of course, I don’t eat it very often though either.
I try to carb load with oatmeal, although I eat that a lot of mornings anyway, so I guess it isn’t really “loading”.
Congrats on knocking out another mini!!!
The ones I get aren’t too bad since I skip the meat, cheese and sour cream. And if you get it “naked” without the tortilla — that’s where the calories sometimes get ya!