I'm running a long distance race on Sunday. What is best the day before - carbs or protein?

Question

I'm running a long distance race on Sunday. What is best the day before - carbs or protein?

Answer 1

Protein is the worst source of energy so don't eat that.

Fats and sugars are short term energy and

Carbs are the best for long term energy.

I usually have pasta the night before and a banana an hour-an hour and a half before my race.

Answer 2

I always have a big meal of wholemeal pasta (like pasta bake) the night before any race -It's a good idea to have a bit of protein and fat with that too because it helps to fill you up. If it's a long distance, like a marathon, they also say to eat blenty of carbohydrates days before to fill up your energy stores.

Answer 3

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What's long distance for one person might not be for another.  

However, the day before a race of any distance is never a good time to do much protein.  In my family, my girls and I make it a point to not eat meat for at least two days before a race (we do half and full marathons).  Protein, especially any kind of meat, takes a long time to digest, and could still be rolling around in your body at race time, even 24 hours after eating it.  You don't want that.  And protein is not a good source of energy for running - carbs are.

When it comes to the day before, you could consider carbo loading if your race the next day is going to take you an hour or more to finish, whatever the distance.  Less than an hour, and your body will need only the sugar in your bloodstream that will be there from an early, light, carbo breakfast.

Within 60 minutes after the race is the best time to take in protein - you'll need that for re-building muscle cells torn down during the race, and your body will use that protein more quickly during those first 60 minutes to re-build your muscle cells than at any other time.

Regards,

Running_Dad

Answer 4

A theory of carbo loading, is that you're to eat a lot of carbs the week leading up to your race.  Then on the day of your event, most likely your breakfast, you're supposed to eat protein foods, to ignite fueling process in your system......