What 4 Track Athletes Eat Before A Big Race
We asked some of USA's best hopefuls how they fuel pre-competition.
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We asked some Team USA hopefuls how they fuel pre-competition.
SARA HALL—Olympic Trials competitor
If I have access to a burner, my husband makes me his signature Molten Lava Cocoa Te Pancakes. These pancakes are made with Muscle Milk for protein and teff flour, which is a gluten-free source of healthy carbohydrates. It’s also the iron-rich power food behind successful Ethiopian distance runners—they consume teff daily in their staple bread, injera.
EMMA COBURN—3,000-meter steeplechase
I always eat a banana with peanut butter and a bagel or toast. The good thing is that I can always find a banana no matter where we travel in the world, and I travel with individual-portioned peanut butter packets (from Justin’s), so it’s a pretty easy pre-race meal to put together.
AJEE WILSON—800 meters
I’m not very particular, but I do have a couple go-to snacks that I eat en route to a race: Kashi Honey Almond Flax Chewy Granola Bar and a handful of almonds.
KATIE MACKEY—Olympic Trials competitor
Just eat whatever you are used to and settles well in your stomach! For me, that’s sushi and a banana.