Myths surrounding an effective pre-marathon meal circulate the fitness world – the truth is that everyone is different and it’s about finding what works with your body!
Trial and error is one of the most useful methods of learning: try different options during your final training sessions – some meals may sit terribly but others could be the perfect fit.
If your marathon starts in the morning, timing your meals is just as important as what you’re eating. Remember that a balanced meal takes approximately two hours to hit your system.
Pre-marathon meals should have a mixture of protein, fats and carbohydrates – don’t be fooled by the common mistake of eating refined carbs, as your body will process these too quickly!
My ideal breakfast would be 3 poached eggs, with ¼ of a large avocado served on rye bread although others may prefer porridge or muesli – add nuts and full fat milk for additional protein on race day!
Following your meal try a pre-race snack about 30 minutes before you set off – peanut butter contains a great combination of quick release and slow burning energy factors!
Northern Bootcamp’s peanut butter protein balls are the perfect pre-race snack:
Ingredients: 150g peanut butter 30g golden linseed 30ml honey 100g Almonds 1 egg 50g chopped nuts Method:- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
- Combine all ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
- Shape into round balls (approximately 15) the mixture should be a little bit gluey.
- Place on the baking tray and bake for 12 minutes until slightly golden.Ingredients:
If you’re reading this in the months before your event, you still have plenty of time to experiment with pre-marathon meals – check out the Northern Bootcamp Kitchen Recipe Book for tasty, nutritious ideas!
Northern Bootcamp can provide you with fitness and nutrition tips if you’re thinking about entering a sporting event or simply adopting a healthier lifestyle – book a bootcamp today to start your journey!
