By Race day you should already be well hydrated and should already be eating a diet that mainly consists of complex carbohydrates and protein, but as a runner I know that race day can sneak up on you and you realize you aren’t well prepared, but DON”T PANICK! Read these race day energy tricks that I have collected from coaches, runners- distance and sprinters- and trainers from all over… and dont forget to share your own ideas and experiences with us!

- Eat a healthy, medium sized breakfast that will keep you full for hours, but not large enough that it will stay unsettled in your stomach

- Sip on Water (don’t drink too heavily or it will sit in your stomach) all day until your race

-Eat a banana for breakfast or a couple of hours before your race (potassium is a form of electrolytes)

-Eat light carbs for breakfast… Nature Valley Oats and Honey Granola Bars are great

-Take a shot of honey right before running… gives a little boost of energy

-Oatmeal for breakfast… protein, carbs, whole grain all in one

-Pancakes, waffles or toast for breakfast… some say eating normally (not having a special race-day breakfast) can be beneficial.. tricks your body into not getting as nervous

-Eat Nutritional, healthy snacks on race day until about two hours before you run (for those in afternoon events) such as nuts, oranges and bananas, pretzels, granola bars, cut up veggies… nothing fattening!