The Carbo-load to Success

Real racers will do anything to get ahead of the competition.  So other than show up to your race properly stretched with weeks/months of training behind you, what can you do before toeing the line? 

How about making sure that your energy fuel level is on full! We recommend doing an old-fashioned carbo-load before your Ruckus race; just make sure you do it the right way.

What foods should I eat for a carbo-load?  

So what exactly is the right way?  Just because something has carbohydrates in it, doesn’t make it a solid pre-race snack.  So we don’t advice you to scarf down a big plate of fettuccine alfredo as you get out of your car.  You want to make sure that the foods are easy to digest, otherwise that pasta might come back up in the Mud Garden or one of the other awesome challenges on the course.  And your puke is not a fun or fair obstacle for the other competitors.

Instead, grab a more suitable carb-heavy option, which is great for breakfast before those morning and early afternoon wave times.  Some of these healthy options include oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, yogurt and juice. 

Most carbohydrate research out there is based on performance in half- or full-marathons, whereas Ruckus is just between 2 and 4 miles.  But marathons don’t have fences, swings, ropes, and other energy-consuming hurdles.  So we advise you to prep accordingly, because you will expend just about all of that energy.

Your pre-race meal plan

Let’s plan ahead by a full day to make sure your body is physically and nutritionally prepared for battle.  In addition to the three main meals, competitors should also indulge in a morning and afternoon snack.   As described on RunnersWorld, portions are a key to success. 

For example, breakfast could include 1 bagel with 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam, lunch features 1 large baked potato with ¼ cup salsa and dinner’s main course is 1 chicken burrito with rice, corn salsa and black beans.  Of course, each meal has additional parts, ranging from 8 ounces of orange juice to 1 sourdough roll to 1 2-ounce bag of Swedish Fish.

So follow these helpful hints on pre-race rations and the Ruckus finish line will be there sooner than you thought.  Or don’t listen to us—and you may turn out like this guy.  The choice is yours.