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Post by Nikki Alexander on Jul 25, 2007 19:22:24 GMT -5
Hey guys, I will be doing my first mountain bike race here at home in Virginia before I head back down to school. I hope to do well within my personal goals, where I place is not priority. It's 12 miles (Beginner Womens Class) on fairly flat yet technical terrain with minor climbs.
So I had a question (as always)... The race is early in the morning, sadly I am not a breakfast person but know I need to eat something before the race. The race is at 8am. What do I eat? And how long before? (No Gu's or powerbars please...) What about fluids aside from maintaining hydration at least the day before the race into that morning?
Any help would be great because consumption of [proper] food and fluids is where I lack on and off the bike.
Thanks in advance
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Post by nchillbilly on Jul 25, 2007 21:34:08 GMT -5
since its only 12 miles, and you ride early in the morning, I would just eat well the night before, and that morning just a little food at least an hour before your race, Oatmeal with some pnut butter mixed in should do it, just enough of something so you don't feel hungary at the start line,
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Post by YellowLemondTed on Jul 26, 2007 7:46:21 GMT -5
Oatmeal is a good option, I've also read in a couple of magazines that a couple waffles give you the morning energy before a ride to benefit you. Fruits would be good as well, the potassium in bananas helps prevent cramping.
Stay away from foods loaded with sugar though.
Good luck kiddo.
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Post by cujo on Jul 26, 2007 8:28:37 GMT -5
12 miles is a short effort. You should eat 2.5 to 3 hours before. This is more important then the what. You need time for the blood to get out of you stomach and back into service of the legs and lungs. Try something bland like chicken and pasta (no weird sauses). It is more important what you eat the day to two days before. You could also do an omlette the morning of. Carbs are like kindling and protein anre the good logs as far as your energy fire goes. Then you can and a gel or cliff bar in the hour before so you do not "feel" empty. I would have Gatorade or something like it on hand to drink during.
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Post by Josh Whitmore on Jul 26, 2007 13:15:30 GMT -5
Yes 2.5-3 hours before the event is the general consensus of when to eat. Here is a great resource on why: www.hammernutrition.com/downloads/fuelinghandbook.pdfDownload it and goto page 37. It has to do with blood glycogen levels. In fact, read the whole booklet for answers to all nutrition questions. For 8am starts, I consider sleep more important than waking up very early to eat 3 hours before the race. I go with the method of not eating anything before the race. At the start of my warm-up, I'll eat 100-200 calories of yes, gel or a banana. Then I'll consume 250 calories an hour during my ride coming from drink mix and gel. Its OK to be a little hungry at the start, especially for a 12 mile race. This has worked for me every time and keeps me from getting the dreaded stomach upset during the race. I've used this method on everything from 30 mins crits to 120mile road races had great luck. |
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Post by Josh Whitmore on Jul 26, 2007 19:57:12 GMT -5
Oh and Nikki, don't sweat it too much, just ride and have fun! My biggest piece of advice is not to go out too hard in the first 10 mins. Save a little for the second half of the race!
Good Luck!
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Post by Nikki Alexander on Jul 26, 2007 21:21:38 GMT -5
Haha yeah, thanks Josh! That's pretty much all I wanted to do. I just want to ride, get some exercise with a little bit of competition; but I really don't care where I place. I know they have us "sprint" a long slight up hill to separate us out, and it kills me every time, so I'll have to watch it so I can still ride the course and not be...dead. I'm excited, it should be fun.
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Post by Jackson Amburn on Jul 30, 2007 16:07:49 GMT -5
Hey Nikki, weren't you pushed into a tree forcing you not to finish the race?
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Post by Nikki Alexander on Jul 30, 2007 16:12:51 GMT -5
I was I was... Firstly I was trying to pass (properly) and the chick knocked me into a tree, her metal TOE CLIPS dug into my leg, and i proceeded to hit a tree then hit the ground. I was bleeding really badly from my leg. Lots of blood, my racer friend thought it was awesome and the first aid people were very concerned. And after that I began to push my heart rate way too high multiple times throughout the race, which is weird for me. So... first race was a forced drop out pretty much.
Oh well, there shall be more. It was fun while it lasted.
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Post by Josh Whitmore on Jul 31, 2007 11:06:10 GMT -5
Ouch! I don't think I finished the first 2 races I ever did.
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