By now your mud run training should be complete. Your body and mind should be ready for the challenge that they are both about to endure. The day has arrived. You will be anxious to get underway, and you will have a lot of questions floating around in your head.
Oh…. If you’ve not already started your training, you REALLY need to now.
Prepare For Glory
Today is the day that you will finish a mud race. You will be physically and mentally tested, and it can be difficult choosing how you should fuel your body on race day. Everyone is different. Your body should be able to tell you what it needs. Here are a few basic guidelines that every mud racer should take into consideration.
Things to Avoid on Race Day
Instead of putting the entire focus of what should be eaten on race day, this section of the article will tell you what you should avoid on the day of the mud run. If you have been properly training, then chances are you already know what types of foods you should avoid.
Avoid any heavy foods that sit in your stomach. The last thing that you need is a belly full of meat to slow you down. Your body should already be tuned for this race. It should have everything that it needs buried deep inside its cells. Heavy foods can also cause unexpected bathroom breaks. You can’t stop in the middle of the mud race just because nature is calling.
Most mud runners will have their last solid meal 12 hours before the mud race. Hopefully this is the night before. There are not bathrooms on the mud race course, and the old saying, “What goes in, must come out” is a great example of why you should avoid heavy foods before the mud run.
What should you eat on the day of the mud race?
Hydration is the most important thing to consider on the day of the race. Dehydration is the number one cause of not finishing a mud race, and it can put you in the hospital. Before the mud race begins, your fluid level should be at the max. Your body is going to use all of that liquid during the run.
Water may not be the best choice for fluid consumption on the day of the race. If you drink too much water, you can lose the electrolytes that your body is going to need so desperately. A water replacement drink is a good choice. Don’t stop at the convenient store and grab a six pack or a soda. These will just have you wanting to take a leak during the race. You don’t want this. A watered down sports drink should be your best friend up until the moment the race begins.
Liquid Food
More and more mud racers are choosing to have a liquid diet the day of the race. This liquid diet would include things like: fiber protein shakes, and energy drinks. Don’t worry about the calorie intake right now. You are about to burn a ton of calories during the run.
Another popular choice amongst the mud racers is a cup or two of black coffee. No cream or sugar, just straight up black coffee. This helps with hydration and you get a little boost from the caffeine for good measure.
Other racers will carry a power bar or two with them through out the race. These are easy to tuck away, and can be quickly eaten when you are in a dry zone. This little extra bit of energy can help push you towards the finish line.
Go Bananas
If you want to eat some solid foods, here are the only ones that you should have on race day and why.
Bananas – Bananas are an excellent source of energy. They provide tons of vitamins and nutrients that your body will need during the race. They are literally packed with power. Cross country racers have been known to eat a banana or two during the race. Bananas can act like rocket fuel in times of great physical endurance.
Toast with Jelly – A good piece of whole wheat toast with a spread of jelly is okay to eat on race day. The toast should be whole wheat which is full of good complex carbs. The jelly is just the icing on the cake.
If you follow these tips, you should have no problems finishing the mud race.
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