Marathon week meal plan
Worried about what to eat and when to run the week before a marathon? Sports nutritionist James Collins has advised Team GB on their Olympic nutrition and here provides advice and recipes for the seven days before your big race.
It's the week of the marathon. You've been training for weeks. You're probably feeling excited, nervous, not sure what to expect or determined to beat some personal records. Either way, whether this is your first marathon or you're a seasoned runner, getting your nutrition right is key to maximising performance on the day.
We've worked with James Collins, elite performance nutritionist, to bring you a marathon meal plan aimed at the seven days leading up to race day.
Below you'll find links to each of the days explaining suggested nutrition strategies, as well as meal and snack recipes and ideas to help you stay on top of your nutrition all week.
Try our other marathon meal plans:
Vegetarian marathon meal plan
Vegan marathon meal plan
Gluten-free marathon meal plan
Check out the London Marathon's training and meal plans. Don't have a spot to run this year? You can still take part with the virtual event London Marathon MyWay – join up for your chance to run 26.2 miles on marathon day, 21st April 2024.
Marathon meal plan - Monday
It's the final countdown! Get your pre-race nutrition right with our week of meal plans from sports nutritionist James Collins...
Marathon meal plan - Tuesday
It's the week before the marathon and getting your nutrition right is key to peak performance. Sports nutritionist James Collins shares his pre-race meal plan for Tuesday...
Marathon meal plan - Wednesday
Make sure you're giving your body all it needs in the week leading up to an endurance event. Sports nutritionist, James Collins explains why by Wednesday your carbohydrate intake should be on the rise...
Marathon meal plan - Thursday
Sports nutritionist, James Collins shares his meal plan for the week before a big race - Thursday is all about high quality protein and increasing your carbohydrate intake...
Marathon meal plan - Friday
48 hours of carb-loading begins on Friday. Get ready for your big race with our expert's week of meal plans...
Marathon meal plan - Saturday
Be sure to eat lots of easily digestible carbohydrates the day before your event, says sports nutritionist James Collins...
Marathon meal plan - Sunday
Race day is here and it's time to put all that training to the test. Stick to your nutrition strategy before and during your run then replace fluid, carbs and protein once you cross the line...
Now try...
More marathon training & nutrition guides
What should I eat when training for a marathon?
Carb-loading explained
James Collins is recognised as a leading Performance Nutritionist through his work with Olympic and professional sport. Over the last decade he has worked with Arsenal FC, the England and France national football teams and Team GB. He has a private practice in Harley Street where he sees business executives, performing artists and clients from all walks of life. He is the author of the new book The Energy Plan, which focuses on the key principles of fuelling for fitness.
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