Nutrition Tips for race day?

I raced my first half ironman this last weekend in Boise. It was a pretty difficult race for me 1) because of the wind on the bike, 2) because I felt sick to my stomach since I got out of the water and onto my bike. I ended up finally barfing around mile 7 of the run and that didn't even make me feel better. Nothing tasted good, nothing really helped me feel any better, and it was just in general a pretty rough race! I felt great before the race started and had no flu like symptoms that would lead me to conclude that my difficult day was due to the flu and rather I conclude that it had to do with what I ate before and during the race.

Since this was my first half ironman race I was super worried that I wouldn't get enough calories in my body and I would start struggling. In training I have never really had any problem with nutrition and my stomach usually feels really good. I have done centuries and plenty of long rides, as well as some long swims and somewhat long runs and had no trouble really at all. I am not sure if I took in to much and made myself sick or to little? But whatever I did it wasn't good!

Has anyone else had some similarly miserable experiences? What have you learned from them?

Any particular nutrition plan that you try to stick to or any wise words of advice that you could give me would be very much appreciated!






Edited by MattCan 2010-06-14 8:18 PM