Types of food for training and race. Need advice.

[Matthew]

Hi
The 09 NF100 will be my first ultra and I am seeking advice from experienced runners on different food to take for both race and training. My longest race so far is the glodcoast marathon which I got by on energy gels and sports drinks. I need to get used to eating solid foods on the go but am unsure of what is good for high energy that is easily absorbed without affecting stomach. Can someone please offer any advice on what they use or what is good.
Many thanks
Matt Reis....

[maurice]

Hi Matt,
like you i have run no further than a marathon but am planning to try this ultra marathon thing.My experience with food comes from cooking for a living fo the last 25 years. The best advice that i can give you is eat the things you like the most while you are in training so you get used to them by race day.What ever you put in has to come out so just be prepared.Its important to keep eating small meals regularly so you dont run out of energy .

cheers Maurice

[Ed]

Look at whats available at the check points and try to use the same or similar foods. That keeps the amount of food/fluid you have to carry to a minimum and there should be plenty of food you are use to training with on the course. Hope this helps.

RD

[TortoiseOnGel]

Hi Matt,
Sports nutrition can be a minefield but the only thing I would add to the replies already made is make sure you try eating your race day food choice during some of your training runs. I know that some of my fav foods....pizza...go down really badly on a long run!
Good luck
 

[Lisa]

Hi
I have done 8 ultras over the past two years and have to admit am still trying new food combinations all the time. I am currently finding that GU's (of course chocolate - every girls fav!) and boiled salted potatoes are great (not mixed together).  Last year during this race I used Creamed Rice (again Chocolate of course) double bagged in wee snap lock bags. I also was given by support crew some hot noodles in a bag at Echo Point. No support crew this year so no noodles.  Other good things I have and still use at times are jet planes, bananas. Bars - just whatever is your fav from the local supermarket at the time. If you have support crew, oranges cut into quarters or halves are awesome when you are further into the race, even little muffins - yep chocolate again - I have used in two ultras.
Try anything and everything - but I do HIGHLY rate the boiled salted potatoes!!!!  Oh and the most important thing I think is, well two things.  Try all foods in training. And prepare different foods. ie when you getting tired sometimes even your most favourite food looks yuck. Sweet, savoury, juicy all good!  GOOD LUCK IN THE RACE, I cant wait till May. It rocks!!!!!!
Lisa