I almost always have coffee before my races, but it’s usually a much smaller quantity.

I generally have eaten something higher in simple sugars and much less bulk before all weekend runs. I used to eat the PowerBar Performance bars [texture like Bit O' Honey] or Clif Shot Shot Bloks. These days, I often end up eating a small pastry. Ok, sometimes I grab a couple of Oreos.

My two goals on the race shorter than a half are to get quick energy and something in my stomach. In addtion, I avoid spicy foods the night before and too much bulk the day of.

For a half and marathon, I probably start the day 2 1/2 to 3 hours prior to the race. I, myself, eat a full breakfast [not stuffing myself], but most runners would probably shudder at that thought. I take it easy on foods that may cause stomach cramps [biscuits and gravy] when the mild dehydration sets in from a marathon.

For 13.1, I always take a gel with me. I don’t always use it, but if I do, I use it at about the halfway mark. For a marathon, I usually have 5-6 gels with me, one at the start and every 5 miles.

I think the most important thing about eating on race day and the night before: Don’t do anything that you haven’t tried before a long run. Better to have issues on a training run that you have control over or can do over than on race day.

This was my first time running this race. I can’t believe that they didn’t have the walkers separated in years past. What a mess!

Just curious about your eating/drinking before hand- do you normally do that? I always wonder what I’m supposed to eat the morning of a run. I had an oat/nut bar and a small amount of water and that was fine. I’ve only run 5Ks, but for longer races, what is recommended the morning of?