Nutrition Can be Key to Winning
by JOHN D. FERGUSON

The morning of October 21, 1961, the University of Tulsa football team ate a pre-game meal that consisted of a breakfast steak, orange juice, hash browns, toast and bacon.

UT would lose that game, 23-12 against then-North Texas State.

Just days before one of the 1981 Memorial High School football playoff games, parents were told at the booster club meeting that the players should eat pancakes as the last meal before the game.

Memorial would lose its second round game that year.

Did what each team ate have that much to do with the outcome? Probably not.

However, the study of nutrition has come a long way. It is now a science that studies the relationships between metabolism, energy consumption, carbohydrates and water. No one understands the role of eating right before a sporting event better than a marathon runner.

Sloan Taylor, who is a board certified sports dietitian and works with athletes at the University of Tulsa, knows one certainty about marathon running.

"Marathons are about preparation," Taylor said during a one hour presentation at the Maxwell Convention Center Saturday during the Route 66 Marathon expo. "There is nothing haphazard about it."

Taylor mapped a plan for nutrition before, during and after the 26.2 mile event from Tulsa to Jenks and back.

"People will run with a convenience store around their waist," Taylor said.

For some runners, that's not a bad thing. Taylor has studied what runners do for energy boosts or hydration during a marathon. Taylor also added that many marathoners are strict traditionalists. If a runner goes 25 miles before eating anything, then that is what works for them.

Taylor was trying to make the point of what was good for the body. Pretzels, energy aids that are disguised as jelly beans or something as simple as a Payday candy bar. Why Payday? It has nutrients and won't melt during the race -- which is key.

Tommy Manning, who runs for Fleet Feet of Tulsa, is an exception to the norm.

Manning, 31, won the 2004 Tulsa Run at its 15k distance. He will go into the second Route 66 Marathon without taking anything to eat along the way.

"That's because I am one of the fast ones," said Manning, who is a Fleet Feet sales associate as well as a team runner. "Before the race, it's really important to fuel the body. Most concentrate on what to eat the night before the race, I concentrate on two days before."

Manning worked the expo booth with a water bottle in his hand. He told co-workers to constantly remind him to drink. That was one of his marathon preparations.

Even Taylor would understand that Manning is the marathon exception. She preached the importance of the novice runner providing personal incentives during the race.

"One of mine is at Mile 16 to eat a jelly bean," Taylor said. "It gives me something to look forward to."

Taylor was not talking about a sugar rush, but a jelly bean filled with electrolytes. Carb gels along the route, commercial Accelerade fluid and the old standby water are also important things to take during the long run. Accelerade and carb gels will be available along the route.

"It is important to bring your own items," Taylor added. "Besides relying on what's provided on the course.

"The point of nutrition is to avoid at all costs hitting the (physical) wall."

The marathon does not end when one crosses the finish line, according to Taylor.

"Try and eat within 30 minutes after the race to replace carbs," Taylor said. "Eat again within two hours to continue recovery process. Don't eat a big steak."

Manning slightly disagrees.

"I say pig out!" Manning said. "Bad food is better than no food."

Marathon Race Day Nutrition Tips

Marathon nutrition ideas from Sloan Taylor, MS, RD, CSSD:

Before race breakfast: Hot or cold cereal, toast, English muffin, fruit, yogurt and bagels.

During race: Bananas, Accelerade fluids, Accel Gel, oranges, sports jelly beans, pretzels, energy treats and water.

After race: Eat within 30 minutes to replace lost carbs. Eat again in two hours. Avoid alcohol if you have a known hydration problem.

Copyright © 2007 , World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

JOHN D. FERGUSON World Sports Writer, John D. Ferguson 581-8358 johnd.ferguson@tulsaworld.com