What is a pre-race meal? A pre-race meal is a meal that should be consumed a couple of hours prior to your event. Why should you consume a pre-race meal? Because you need to set up your energy system for your race. If you don’t set it up properly, you’re already starting the race on your back foot.
What should a pre-race meal consist of? Low fibre, low fat, a nominal amount of protein, and rich in carbohydrates. What are examples of that? White bread with peanut butter and honey and banana, that’s a simple example. A white rice pudding. A lot of people come to me and say, “I like oats.” If it works for you, great, but the only problem that I have with oats is it’s quite high in fibre and high fibre foods run the risk of causing GI distress.
How close to your event you should eat
How long before the race should you be consuming your pre-race meal? I mentioned a couple of hours, but I would say a minimum of two to two and a half hours beforehand. The amount of calories you consume is conducive to how long before you consume the meal and also your weight. I would say on average you’re probably looking around 250-450 calories for an individual, if you’re consuming two to two and a half hours beforehand.
The further you consume from the race, the more calories you are able to consume because the body has to break down those nutrients and process them and it does require some time. As you get closer to the race, your meal will have to get smaller and smaller because, you don’t want to overload the digestive system and then have to deal with that while you are running.
Get the hydration balance right
Another thing I want to mention is that you must also hydrate prior to the race. So, make sure you are hydrating. Don’t overdo it, you don’t want to be running up and down to the loo (toilet) all the time. You really do need to make sure that you hydrate properly. I would just, post your pre-race meal is sip on some form of a fluid intermittently and just make sure that you’re taking in a nominal amount. You’ve probably already pre-hydrated, hopefully you have. You can just top it up with a little bit more fluid before the start of the race.
Hopefully all these tips that we’ve been giving you will take you to race day and set you up for the most awesome event. I wish you all the best of luck.
If you missed the previous episodes in our Ultra Marathon Fuelling Series...
Episode 1 ↠ A BIG mistake people make close to Comrades Marathon
Episode 2 ↠ How to know what (if any) fuel to take for your session
Episode 3 ↠ Carbs per hour required to fuel your Ultra Marathon
Episode 4 ↠ Don't forget to feed! Maximise performance by splitting calorie intake
Episode 5 ↠ Nail your next event with these hydration musts!
Episode 6 ↠ 4 Steps to Recover like a Pro
Episode 7 ↠ Wake up at the last minute (and fail your race)!
Episode 8 ↠ How to avoid catastrophic taper weight gain
Episode 9 ↠ Carbo-loading may destroy your race (but we’re here to help!)
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Fuel your morning right, and race like a Champ with...
Get your hydration right (in the build up to and on race day)!
Hydrate - Electrolyte Hydration Sports Drink
Pre-Race Meal sorted! We've done all the hard work for you...
Our Pre-Race Meal is the ultimate pre-event answer, saving you time and effort, and helping you start your race on the right foot!
We've even got instructions on how much to consume and how close to your race start.
Pre-Race Meal - Energy Porridge
Pre-Race Meal Vanilla
Ingredients: Rice flour, potato flour, tapioca flour, pea protein, maltodextrin, sucrose, fructose, erythritol, rice protein, flavouring, stabilizer (gum acacia, xanthan gum), cinnamon, salt, trehalose, steviol glycosides, inulin. Directions for use: Mix 1 level-scoop (50 g) with +- 120 mL water (hot or cold) or milk. See the below serving suggestions. For tips on how to make see the side of the tub. Allergens statement: Contains no common allergens. Manufactured in a facility that contains gluten & soy. Best before: Unopened: See date marking on the side of the tub.
{MUST BE 1.2MM HIGH}
Typical Nutritional Information |
|||
Serving Size: 50 g powder dry mass |
Per 100 g |
Serving Per 50 g |
%NRV* |
Energy
|
1517 kJ 363 kcal |
758 kJ 181 kcal |
|
Protein |
8,3 g |
4,2 g |
7,5% |
Glycaemic Carbohydrates |
76,9 g |
38,5 g |
|
of which total sugar |
5 g |
2,5 g |
|
Total Fat |
1 g |
0,5 g |
|
of which Saturated fat |
0,3 g |
0,15 g |
|
Dietary fibre** |
1 g |
0,5 g |
|
Total Sodium |
114 mg |
57 mg |
|
*Nutritional Reference Values (NRV’s) for individuals 4-years or older. **Analysed using AOAC 911.43 method.
Contains sugar alcohol (0.47 g erythritol) and sweetener (11 mg stevia) per serving.
{MUST BE 1.2MM HIGH}
Serving Size Chart:
Find your optimal serving size based on weight and time consuming before the session. This is to ensure maximum energy levels and digestive comfort.
Mealtime prior to session |
Weight |
Suggested Serving Size |
|
1 – 2 hours before |
55 - 65 kg |
180 - 250 Kcals |
+- 1 – 1,5 servings |
65 - 80 kg |
250 - 300 Kcals |
+- 1,5 - 1,75 servings |
|
80 - 95 kg |
300 - 400 Kcals |
+- 1,75 – 2,5 servings |
|
3 – 4 hours before |
55 - 65 kg |
450 - 500 Kcals |
+- 2,5 - 3 servings |
65 - 80 kg |
500 - 600 Kcals |
+- 3 - 3,5 servings |
|
80 - 95 kg |
600 - 700 Kcals |
+- 3,5 - 4 servings |
*Take Note: This is only a guide, test to ensure what works best for you.
Pre-Race Meal Chocolate
Ingredients: Potato flour, rice flour, pea protein, sucrose, cocoa powder, fructose, maltodextrin, flavouring, tapioca flour, erythritol, rice protein, stabilizer (gum acacia, xanthan gum), cinnamon, salt, trehalose, steviol glycosides, inulin. Directions for use: Mix 1 level-scoop (50 g) with +- 120 mL water (hot or cold) or milk. See the below serving suggestions. For tips on how to make see the side of the tub. Allergens statement: Contains no common allergens. Manufactured in a facility that contains gluten & soy. Best before: Unopened: See date marking on the side of the tub.
{MUST BE 1.2MM HIGH}
Typical Nutritional Information |
|||
Serving Size: 50 g powder dry mass |
Per 100 g |
Serving Per 50 g |
%NRV* |
Energy
|
1472 kJ 352 kcal |
735 kJ 176 kcal |
|
Protein |
9,3 g |
4,7 g |
8,5% |
Glycaemic Carbohydrates |
70,9 g |
35,4 g |
|
of which total sugar |
7 g |
3,5 g |
|
Total Fat |
1,6 g |
0,8 g |
|
of which Saturated fat |
0,7 g |
0,3 g |
|
Dietary fibre** |
2,8 g |
1,4 g |
|
Total Sodium |
114 mg |
57 mg |
|
*Nutritional Reference Values (NRV’s) for individuals 4-years or older. **Analysed using AOAC 911.43 method.
Contains sugar alcohol (0.47 g erythritol) and sweetener (11 mg stevia) per serving.
{MUST BE 1.2MM HIGH}
Serving Size Chart:
Find your optimal serving size based on weight and time consuming before the session. This is to ensure maximum energy levels and digestive comfort.
Mealtime prior to session |
Weight |
Suggested Serving Size |
|
1 – 2 hours before |
55 - 65 kg |
175 - 250 Kcals |
1 – 2 hours before |
65 - 80 kg |
250 - 300 Kcals |
+- 1 - 1,25 Servings |
|
80 - 95 kg |
300 - 400 Kcals |
+- 1,5 – 2 Servings |
|
3 – 4 hours before |
55 - 65 kg |
450 - 500 Kcals |
3 – 4 hours before |
65 - 80 kg |
500 - 600 Kcals |
+- 2,5 servings |
|
80 - 95 kg |
600 - 700 Kcals |
+- 3 servings |
*Take Note: This is only a guide, test to ensure what works best for you.