Pre-Race Dinner

Chicken burrito or pasta for me. Salty, buttery and carb-heavy. I try to stay away from beef the night before, takes longer to digest and can sometimes give me a heavy feeling. Also, I never drink milk or ice cream. Carb-loading and hydration should start a few days out, not just the night before. I also try to eat somewhat early (like 6pm), that gives time for "nature" to take it's course before I race.

I have tried a variety of dinners and only had 1 problem...not eating enough.  You should know your body and your stomach.  I have had chicken & potatos, chinese food, pizza.  I try to be a bit conscience of what I eat the entire week prior to the race.  But like I said, I know my body really well and make it work like clockwork with food.

I would put a vote in for a pasta before the race. I made a yummy butter herb chicken with WW pasta before my last tri. It was great!

I am also a big fan of fish... although fish is an acquired taste. I had a halibut steak before my Oly early in the summer with some yummy potatoes and veggies. I felt great through the entire race...

Funny...someone noted chicken burritos above. I had a practice tri on saturday and had a huge chicken burrito on friday night (a little spicey). Well that thing stayed with me and made me suffer every step of my race.

So, I guess the moral of that story is stick with stuff you know... for me...that's pasta.

Good luck.

Do not eat anything new. Stick with what your stomach is used to. Whatever you eat, I recommend bringing it with you. I ate out the night before steelhead this year and got food poisoning.

Pizza!!!
Carb loading is really only important for long distance races. If your race is on the short side, don't worry about it too much, just eat whatever you want. (you don't want to eat 5,000 cals and burn 500 in the race )