how much does prehydrating by large quantities help (if at all)?
how much does prehydrating by large quantities help (if at all)?
No, if anything it is dangerous.
Skip the water and start taking your energy gels now.
Prehydrating is impossible.
You need to consume one energy gel for each mile you run. And to avoid the hassle during the marathon, you can eat all of them just before the start. So eat at least 26 gels before the start. And you need some liquid to go with that, about 2 gallons of water should be enough.
Do not do anything different with your food or drink before a marathon or you may end up paying it dearly.
No you can't pre-hydrate this early, only the morning of. I buy a half gallon jug of milk and bring it with me to the starting corral. Drink it just before and you'll be perfectly hydrated and also the protein helps prevent muscle breakdown. Make sure that you're properly carbo-loaded too. Eat at least two FULL plates of spaghetti the night before.
nope u cant wrote:
No you can't pre-hydrate this early, only the morning of. I buy a half gallon jug of milk and bring it with me to the starting corral. Drink it just before and you'll be perfectly hydrated and also the protein helps prevent muscle breakdown. Make sure that you're properly carbo-loaded too. Eat at least two FULL plates of spaghetti the night before.
This is good advice but recent studies show that egg nog is better than milk, with higher gains in aerobic endurance and overall power, in the 30 minutes before starting an endurance event.
Ive always made the mistake of 3 - 4 days out hydrating before the marathon. This time around, i upped my fluids so my body is use to it. I wouldnt change much if i were you. Starting carbo loading 2 nights out.
Marathonthisweekendtoo wrote:
Starting carbo loading 2 nights out.
No, finish carb loading two nights out. You can't really effectively carb load in the final two days. You should certainly eat carbs during this time, but don't think that eating extra carbs has any benefit.
Also, no you can't "prehydrate." You should make sure you are normally hydrated and not dehydrated. I would recommend drinking some gatorade in the days leading up to the race. That gives you water, carbs, and electrolytes to help you hold water and stay hydrated.