Pre-race food suggestions

[Gina O]

Okay, here is my latest challenge: My SO's daughter and 5-6 of her twenty-something year old friends will be spending the night at our house on May 5th. They will be arriving between 7-8 pm and are expecting dinner. They will be competing in a nearby triathalon the next morning (while I will be hosting a CL Supper Club brunch... can you say bad planning!!!!)

I would love some of your best carbo-loading ideas, suggestions for stuff to have around for a grab and go breakfast, and any other thoughts or words of wisdom you are inspired to provide. Thanks, Gina

[emilycat]

Hey, Gina!

Wow, what a weekend ahead of you! First of all, how long is this race? Unless you're going long distances, it's really not necessary to carbo-load -- just make sure you don't eat anything in the couple days before the race that you're not used to, get lots of complex carbs and other low-glycemic index foods. You don't want to jar your stomach with anything it's not used to. Also, most importantly, and for the same reason, eat the same sorts of the things the morning of the race that you usually do. Bad things can happen to your digestive system if you spring something weird on it. And never, ever, try using energy bars or gels during a race if you haven't practiced using them in training.
I hope some of this helps, and give my good luck wishes to all the competitors! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emily

[SusanMac]

I definitely agree w/Emilycat. Plus, the carbo-loading is actually more effective 2 days before a big race, rather than the night before. You might want to ask your daughter to get specific suggestions for food ideas (chances are their diets will be somewhat similar if they're all training and competing together)

With that said, I'd stay away from spicy foods like Mexican or Indian dishes. Some of the lasagnas that have gotten rave reviews from the April issue might be good, and easy for a large group.

For breakfast, something easy would be bagels w/PB&J. Chock full of carbs and protein, yet something they can each make themselves and take with them. Oatmeal is popular with racers because it's so hardy and good for you.

[SusanT]

My husband is a triathlete. He usually likes pasta with salad the night before a race, not so much for the carbo loading but because it's easy on the digestive system. The last thing you need during a race is the previous night's dinner sitting in your stomach.

Have some bananas around for them in the morning. Good source of potassium.

You might do well to ask what they usually like the night before a race. Triathletes are have definate ideas about this sort of thing and sometimes they vary from pizza for some to steak for others.

[mlou]

My son is a runner and his tried and true for years has been pasta & bread the night before as this is when the carbo loading is done. The morning of the race, most runners do not eat much and especially no sugar! He suggested coffee of all things as the preferred carbo formula. After the race they like fruit, bagels & water.

[Gina O]

I spoke with Lindsey (my SO's daughter) yesterday, and suggested a meal I used to make in college for friends who were too poor to eat decently. I would make a couple different types of pasta, like spaghetti noodles, tortellini and toasted ravioli (a St. Louis thing) and serve it with a couple different types of toppings, like marinara, pesto, ect, salad and bread. Generally pretty easy, can be as heavy or light as one prefers, and offers variety for different diets. If strawberries are decent by then, maybe some strawberry shortcake on hand for dessert.

I was leaning to ward bagels and fruit for the next morning, there is a yummy bakery not too far away, but I would have to get them the day before.

Emily, it is a 300 yd swim, a 20 mile bike and a 3.4 mile run. She competed in it last year and did quite well, I wish I could be there to cheer her on this year. Gina

[mlou]

So Gina???? How did this whole thing go for you??

[Gina O]

mlou-the big events are this weekend, so I am still in the anticipation/preparation stage. I will give a full report on Sunday! Gina

[Gina O]

My report from the weekend: Dinner with the "kids" went well... although, as is typical with Lindsey, the plans changed. I went from dinner for 10 to dinner for 6 in the course of about 5 minutes, about 45 minutes prior to arrival. I stuck one of the loaves of bread in the freezer and decided against preparing the second sauce. The menu was: toasted ravioli and marinara out upon arrival, fat free ceasar salad, garlic bread, spaghetti, cheese tortellini, meat and meatless sauce, Eating Well's Died and Went to Heaven Chocolate Cake, and the Easy Lemon Squares. I had lots leftover, but I tucked in all away in the freezer.

The brunch the next morning also went very well... many, many, many fabulous dishes. Gina