Fight day meals

[JohnnyJimJams]

Hi all,

I will be competing in a martial arts tournament coming up in a few days, and I was wondering what type of meals I should prepare.

What I want to acheive is high energy output without feeling drowsy, or overloaded.

I will be fighting in 2 events, the first at around 10am and the second event at around 3-4pm. Each event is made up of 3-4 x 2 minute rounds. With roughly 1 minute rests.

I weight 87.5kg (193 pounds), and stand 180cm (5' 11) tall.

What I had planned:

Breakfast: (Around 7:30am)
A large bowl of porridge (rolled oats or oatmeal), with 1/4 skim milk, 1 cup water, and some cut up fruit (banana, cherries, strawberries). 1 litre of water with a multi-vitamin.

..... then I'm unsure.

I will get a good nights sleep, roughly 8 hours works well for me.

What tips can you give me for that added energy boost just prior to each event?

[KevinG]

Johnny,

I am a second degree black belt in Taekwondo and the head coach of a national level competition team.

Your preparation sounds great. I am glad you are excited about competing which will most certainly help you.

Your breakfast sounds good. I would recommend loading up on carbs the night before. Eat a lot of pasta.

Take a banana with you or some granola bars and you can eat half a banana or half a granola bar about 20 minutes before each event. And don't forget a sports drink like Gatorade--it will help you greatly.

You seem to be on the right track so i will just wish you luck. If you have any competition-type questions about performance then let me know.

[JohnnyJimJams]

Hey KevinG,

Thanks for your advice. I will "carb-load" with pasta the night before, great idea.

Gatorade and fruit, ey? I've give it a shot.

I find that the most exhausting part of competing, the waiting time before events. I tend to get a little anxious (read shaking in my boots ), but I have always performed well up until now. I'm gonna take my ipod with me and listen to some p.d. stuff, and some funky tunes to keep me pumped.

Thanks for the advice.

I'll let you know the results.

[andrew]

Yeah, I always find music great to get pumped, esp hard fast music or ska. Also helps get your mind off of the nurvousness. Good idea.

[stephencp]

Check out "Gold Medal Mental Workout for Combat Sports".

Stephen
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[JohnnyJimJams]

Hey all, results for the best of the best 2006 are in

Lost 1st round in point sparring (same rules as olympic taekwondo), to the guy that came 1st.

And got a 3rd place in continuous sparring.

Overall it was a great day, and my instructor and another one of our students took out the black belt final together.

Thanks for the nutritional advice, it worked well. I had plenty of energy I just needed a little more heart I think. It's all experience, i'll push for a better result next time.