Porridge and a banana, about 2.5 hours before the start time. Plus a cup of coffee and a pint of water. Then no liquids at least an hour before the start, piss out as much as possible, and a few swigs of Lucozade right on the start line.
That's the textbook version. When I did Paris I didn't quite manage to sort out my porridge strategy at the hotel, so brekky was half a roll, a coffee and some orange juice. Still made my target with a negative split though.
Bottom line - probably best to do what you normally do for a long run. The most important time for fuelling before a marathon is when you're carb loading - a couple of days out and up until early the day before is best, IMO. If you get that right, along with the taper, your glycogen levels will be about as good as they'll get, without race day brekky being much of an issue.
I have up to 10 bananas and lots of water, I'll probably have 5 for brekkie then munch the rest between then and the start, I'll eat about a half kilo of medijool dates on the way round and a couple more bananas if I fancy it - I normally use a camelbak in training so no problems stashing the goodies, in a race I'd use a waist belt for the dates and maybe one banana and if poss have someone en route with more
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Porridge and a banana, about 2.5 hours before the start time. Plus a cup of coffee and a pint of water. Then no liquids at least an hour before the start, piss out as much as possible, and a few swigs of Lucozade right on the start line.
That's the textbook version. When I did Paris I didn't quite manage to sort out my porridge strategy at the hotel, so brekky was half a roll, a coffee and some orange juice. Still made my target with a negative split though.
Bottom line - probably best to do what you normally do for a long run. The most important time for fuelling before a marathon is when you're carb loading - a couple of days out and up until early the day before is best, IMO. If you get that right, along with the taper, your glycogen levels will be about as good as they'll get, without race day brekky being much of an issue.
Thanks. I also find the day before my long sunday run if i have a jacket potato instead of pasta I have way more energy.
i usually eat weetabix and maybe banana and or yogurt at least 2 hours before
but then i chew small stuff on route, which i carry in wheelchair bag, i have to feed my phil anyway or route