Foods to eat or avoid?

Any more experienced runners out there want to share some diet tips...anything not completely obvious I should try to eat more of or have less of? Pretty clueless!

check out Runner's world(mag or online)...i go there for lots of great nutrition advice both for training and for pre and post race. One thing to keep in mind is that it's always a good idea to train with the sportsdrink offered at the race and with the same nutrition during the race (gu, powerbar, jellybeans, whatever) and not to mix it up the day of the race. happy trails!

I have found that a diet that is about 70% whole-grain breads, cereals, fruits and vegetables has been the best fuel for me. I eat about 400 calories of carbohydrates about 2 hours before running. (This seems to help optimize recovery). I eat another 400 carb calories about 2 hours later. If I am not hungry, I drink a carb drink instead. It's important to keep hydrated, so I sometimes opt for drinking my carbs rather than eating them on that basis.

While still training, you will want to practice eating while you are actually running. The food and drink will do you no good if you cannot consume it while moving.

I totally agree, Marcie! Let me add a bit here.

Although it is really, really hard for me, I go really easy on fats. I do not introduce familiar foods before a race. In fact, I long ago stopped changing what I eat based on "magic formulas" that other runners put forth. I eat moderately. Nothing is worse than running while so stuffed you want to hurl. :)

You will want to experiment to find out how much food you can eat and still run comfortably.

please be aware that running a marathon requires good preparation, eating being part of it.

some people don't eath anything (even a day before)

some carbo-load

etc

i am a naturist when it comes to running, i don't eat much in the morning, just a banana, a slice of bread and honey and water - and only after mile 15 i get the gel out of pack :-)