Race Day Nutrition to Maximize Performance And Minimize Gastrointestinal Distress

What you eat the morning of your ultra and even more importantly what you eat during your race can make or break your race. The first thing to remember is carbs are king if you want to run faster. If you plan on power hiking the entire race, what you eat is less important, but if you are planning on running most (or all) of your next race focusing on food is huge. Races at altitude cause your body to work harder and carbohydrate (CHO) intake is even more important. 
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​While running our bodies are using both CHO and fats for energy. Even the leanest runner has sufficient fat supplies to last for days but only enough CHO to last a couple hours. That is why CHO intake in the days leading up to a race, race morning, and during the race are important. 

Coach Matt running the Gorge 50k in Oregon by Daybreak Racing and Freetrail. Photo by James Holk

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