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Fuel Up: What The Elites Eat

  • By Sabrina Grotewold
  • Published Jul. 20, 2012
Photo: PhotoRun.net

Here’s a look at how pro runners fuel before, during and after a race. 

Kara Goucher

The 2007 world champs bronze medalist and 33-year-old Nike Oregon Track Club runner spends the week leading up to a marathon hydrating and building carb stores with plain white foods. Here’s what she ate before, during and after taking third at the 2012 U.S. Olympic marathon trials:

Pre-Race Dinner

  • Rolls, rice, chicken and grilled vegetables

Race-Day Breakfast

  • Banana, instant apple-cinnamon oatmeal, a couple of cups of coffee

Race Fuel

  • Nutrilite ROC2O mix of 8 grams of carbs per 8 ounces (she took four ounces per water bottle)

Post-Race

  • Sports drink and water
  • Three hours after: club sandwich

Post-Race Treat

  • Nachos
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FILED UNDER: Inside The Magazine / Nutrition TAGS: / / / / / / /

Sabrina Grotewold

Sabrina Grotewold

Sabrina Grotewold is runner and editor based in southern California. Christened the Kitchen MacGyver by her husband, she’s determined to persuade people to eat their veggies.