Race Recap and Nutrition

My race report is now posted on my Luna Blog. Check-check-check it out!

I have to say this is the first race where my food intake was spot-on. I had ZERO GI problems which is huge for me. Normally by the time I get to the run my stomach is a sloshing, cramping, hot mess.

For most of you this post might put you to sleep from boredom but maybe it will help one person. My main reason for writing this is so I can remember for next time. I felt great during this event and I attribute that to what I ate prior to race day and during the race.

Some key things were:

• Stopped drinking alcohol a few days before. I know it's a no brainer but it was tough because we were camping and camping and wine-o-clock Happy Hour go hand in hand!
• I hydrated with Nuun all day the day before I raced.
• I ate a simple dinner of chicken, brown rice and salad with a minimal amount of dressing. I had a Luna Bar before I went to bed for dessert.
• When I woke at 5:30 am I had plain oatmeal and a Greek yogurt. 
• After setting up my transition area I had a banana, sips of water, and a Luna protein bar. 
• I drank a half of a Red Bull. Not the smartest thing as I don't ever drink those but I was desperate for caffeine and it was all that I could find at the convenience store earlier in the week! It didn't really help my stomach which is why I tossed it halfway.
• On the bike I had a Clif Shot, a Luna Fiber bar (which I cut up the night before to make it easy to eat) and some sport Jelly Beans. 
• I only drank 1 of the 2 bottles I had stored on my bike. And the one I drank was the one with the electrolytes in it (Nuun).
• I pulled the other bottle out at T2 which was just water and took a few drinks prior to setting out on the run.
• I also had a baggie of Margarita Shot Blocks ready for me at T2. I grabbed them and stuffed them into my sports bra top. This made it easier to get them put later on the run.

• Like clock-work I felt a cramp coming on early in the run. But I chomped on a Margarita Shot Block and they went away immediately. It was amazing. Only one other time I felt cramps coming on and did the same. Each time it worked like a charm!
• Around mile 4 I had a Clif Shot.
• I had 3 chances to get water and each time I made sure I drank at the stations. There really wasn't much in the cups so I usually had 2 small cups per station. 

So there is my very own recipe for GI success. The key is to experiment prior to race day, which I did often (minus the Margarita flavor Shot Blocks). I didn't end up finding those until we traveled to Zion prior to Lake Powell. 

Let's hope this concoction works during my next race!