Dinner the Night Before Race?

[Soccer Princess]

I'm starting to plan our ADRs for Marathon Weekend and wondering what most people do for dinner the night before the race? I see they offer the pasta party, but that seems kind of pricey and we will most likely be on the dining plan so we want to go somewhere that we can use our credits. Any recommendations?

 

[runner_princess]

My preferred pre race plan is to eat at the TS in whatever hotel we're staying in, and have a relaxed, early-to-bed evening.

 

[fashionista311]

we always go to il mulino in the swan/dolphin for a relaxed, easy pasta meal. think it's the best italian food in the resort - probably because it's actually owned by a real restaurant group. we've never done the dining plan so i'm not sure how it works in the swan/dolphin though since they technically aren't disney hotels

 

[crewmatt]

I do Il Mulino as well. The food is spectacular and the service is top notch - I dont recommend ANYONE booking ADR's there until the absolute last minute - this way I get mine . Then I head into bed early. I also only really do a half a day at the parks that day.

 

[FFigawi]

We like to go to Kimonos, Flying Fish, and Portobello. We'll eat at two of the three on Friday and Saturday nights during Goofy.

 

[cewait]

Head for a sit down meal anywhere onsite. All will have some pasta special Friday and Saturday nights. If the special is not of your liking, ask to see if the chef can throw something together. I have never had an issue at any place we have gone. Even when the special was a white cheesy clam sauce I found the chef had a supply of red sauce in reserve. In recent years these include Flying Fish, GF Cafe, Turf Club and Pop Century.

 

[Bookwood]

We like Pizza the night before a race- just a bit of pepperoni and lots of crust. (kinda carbo loading)

 

[SAHDad]

Just don't anything that is new to you - the night before a race is not the night to try an entirely new type of cuisine. We've done CS, TS, TS at the resort - it's all pretty much the same to me. I make it an early night, and, while I do a fairly full day in the parks the day before the race, I don't go full-bore commando, hit every ride, mode.

 

[Bephus]

Definately do a TS. We did O'Hana's at Poly this year and it was a fun way to relax before an early bed. I even did the hula with the kids. I liked that there was a huge salad and big bowl of noodles along with the meat skewers. I ate mostly shrimp and chicken so as to not be too heavy but my family enjoyed everything.
I think the most important thing to do is eat early (we did first seating), eat light and eat smart. Don't stuff yourself with heavy, spicy foods that will leave your nervous tummy suffering all night and through the morning run.

 

[FFigawi]

I think the most important thing to do is eat early (we did first seating), eat light and eat smart. Don't stuff yourself with heavy, spicy foods that will leave your nervous tummy suffering all night and through the morning run.

Very good advice! The night before the race is too late to be filling up on carbs. Your carb loading needs to be done gradually and steadily during the week leading up to the race. Going overboard the night before will just make you bloated and sluggish on race morning. This is why I always try to have sushi or sashimi the night before a race. It's pure protein, light, and easily digested and converted into energy the next day.

 

[Hockeychic]

Since we are in the POP dining area anyways for the WISH meet we just eat there. They have a great penne and chicken that DH and I like pre-race

 

[FireDancer]

This year we ate at Portobello in Downtown Disney and the meal was wonderful. It is where I would eat my pre-race dinner if I were to do marathon weekend again in the future.

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

My plan is 'Ohana. It's my favorite restaurant at WDW. The noodles for carbs and meat skewers for protein.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

We ate at Mama Melrose because we happened to be at DHS the day before the race. It turned out to be a little too heavy for us. It wasn't a terrible outcome, but in hindsight we should have split one meal. I think next time I'm going to just ask for a plain grilled chicken breast and a plain pasta or baked potato at whatever sit down restaurant I happen to be at, and hope for the best.

 

[Duanerice]

Usually eat at POP Century on Friday since there is always a meet here. But, it is early enough that you can attend the meet and still go to dinner somewhere else.

That's for the half but for full I pretty much eat where ever we are at. Not that picky. As others have said, the night before a race is too late to load up on cabs. Just want enough to keep me going.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[crewmatt]

I'll agree that the night before won't really help you as far as carbs. You just want something you know you'll tolerate well and wont leave you feeling bloated the next morning. Pasta/etc is usually quite good for that.

My best half marathon (that was run only as a half marathon - my fastest half ever was the first half of MCM) was after a nice steak dinner and a few too many beers with my friend I was running it with. We were both not feeling very good at the start. Honestly every mile from the start felt better then the one before it as the hangover went away.