How to Fuel Your Trekking Challenge

So, you are taking part in a trekking challenge? Amazing! Now it’s time to get training and make sure you are fully prepared for your upcoming endurance trek! Here are our top tips on how to ensure that your body is fully fuelled for your adventure …

The Week Before

Start to increase your carbohydrate intake a few days before your trek, to ensure your muscles have all the energy they need to take on your upcoming endurance challenge. Foods such as rice, pasta, bread and bananas are all high in carbohydrates and low in fat, and are therefore great food sources! The week before your endurance trek is also the time to taper down your training, so that your body is fully recovered for the challenge ahead.

The Day Before

Make sure you drink plenty of water the day before your trek, to ensure your body is fully hydrated – and avoid alcohol consumption as this will dehydrate you. On the evening before your challenge, try to eat a high carbohydrate meal that you would normally eat. Such as chicken and pasta in a tomato sauce or tuna and a baked potato. Again, avoid foods high in fats and protein, as these foods take a longer time to digest.

The Morning Of

Your breakfast on the event day is very important, whatever you do – don’t miss breakfast! Don’t try anything new for breakfast, but stick to a high carbohydrate option, which includes some protein, such as porridge or scrambled egg on toast. Try and have your breakfast 2 hours before the start of your trek, and keep yourself hydrated! You can always have a small snack, such as a flapjack, 30 minutes before starting your trek.

During the challenge

Make sure you keep hydrated throughout your endurance trek. Remember that when you feel thirsty, this means that you are already dehydrated! Take in small sips of water on a regular basis.

Make sure you take snacks and/or a sports drink with you on your endurance walk, in order to keep your energy levels up throughout. On-the-go snacks can include energy bars, flapjacks, dried fruit or a sports drink. Try to eat little and often – aim for a small snack every hour or so. Whatever you take to snack on during your walk, make sure you have already tested these foods out in your training sessions.

If you are taking part in TrekFest 2019, you will be provided with snacks at the checkpoints – and 50km trekkers will also be provided with a half way hot meal. However, it’s still important to bring a selection of your own snacks.

After the Challenge

Make sure you keep hydrated after your challenge and enjoy a post challenge meal 1-2 hours after completing your endurance event! This meal should also be high in carbohydrates, in order to replace any glycogen in your body that you have used up and to aid recovery.