My Carb Loading Recipes for Half Marathon Weekend

Here’s all the Carb Loading Recipes I ate to prepare for my first ever marathon race weekend. I’ve been training for weeks, and when it came to food, I wanted meals that felt good, tasted amazing, and actually helped me feel ready to run. If you’re looking for marathon meal ideas that go beyond dry toast and sports gels, I have all the cozy carbs, light breakfasts, and gut-friendly drinks that got me through race prep from start to finish.

Carb Loading For My First Half Marathon

I am so excited and also so nervous because this Sunday I’m running my first official half marathon. I’ve been training for around 4 months now, but I started with no running experience. So, I’m super nervous, but I’m also very excited. Last week, I shared the recipes I ate to help me train. This week, I’m eating everything that will keep me in tip top shape on the big weekend.

At the start of the year, my friend Yvonne asked if I wanted to do a half marathon with her, and my first reaction was, “You’re joking, right?” I used to really hate running. Never in a million years I think I would one train for a half marathon, pay to run one, and actually believe that I could run 21.1 km. But after going through the hardest chapter of my life, I thought, what else do I have to lose?

Race Weekend Pre-Run High Carb Breakfast

When it comes to pre-run breakfast during race weekend, I wanted something low-fiber, easy to digest, and carb-focused to keep my energy steady without upsetting my sensitive stomach. Especially the day before a race, I looked for meals that felt light on the gut but still gave me quick fuel and long-lasting energy. Yogurt Bowls and Banana Chocolate Muffins became my go-to. If you’re planning your own race weekend, these are breakfast recipes I’d absolutely have ready to go.

Super Easy Fruit Yoghurt Bowl

This Easy Yogurt Fruit Bowl has been the best healthy way to start the day. Lately, my favorite part of my routine has been making myself a cozy yogurt bowl, reading my favorite book, and giving my legs a nice massage. It’s been such a grounding ritual. It’s a snack and breakfast I already enjoy, so there’s no adjustments needed for my body.

Banana Muffins

These Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins might be the best marathon breakfast I’ve had. I’ve been eating one before and after my long runs while training for this half marathon, and they always give me a solid, reliable boost. The banana keeps them moist and naturally sweet, and they’re the kind of thing I can eat early in the morning without overthinking it. Perfect for race weekend, but honestly I’d keep making them even after.

Gut Friendly Drinks For Caffeine and Hydration

For marathon weekend, I focused on drinks that support hydration, recovery, and gentle energy without upsetting digestion, but still felt like part of my routine. I rotated between electrolytes to stay hydrated and support muscle recovery, and matcha or Hojicha for a clean caffeine boost in the mornings.

Oatmilk Matcha Latte

For a gentle wakeup before a run, I can always rely on my matcha latte. Matcha gives a steady boost without the crash, thanks to the natural L-theanine that keeps your energy feeling calm and focused instead of jittery. It’s also easy on my stomach and has just enough caffeine to wake me up without overdoing it during race week. This morning ritual helps me ease into the day even when I’m a little nervous.

Wakewater Electrolytes

Electrolytes help your body absorb and hold onto water, which is key for avoiding cramps and fatigue. Especially leading up to a race, staying on top of hydration and electrolytes can make a huge difference in how your body performs.

Iced Hojicha Latte

Before heading to the convention center to get our marathon bibs, I made my friend and I an iced Hojicha latte for a gentle pick-me-up. It was honestly the perfect little treat in the heat. Hojicha’s lower in caffeine than coffee and matcha, so it gave us a little boost without the jitters. Because it’s roasted, it’s naturally lower in acidity, which makes it gentler on the stomach.

Marathon Prep Carb Loading Meals

So this weekend we’re going to be eating good, because we’re starting my Carb Loading prep! If there’s anything you need to know about me, it is that I love carbs. So, you know I’ve been looking forward to race weekend the most.

If there’s one thing I’ve really learned over these past few months of running is that fuel matters so much. I know a lot of people still associate running with dieting, weight loss, or low carb eating, but honestly, carbs have completely fueled my runs. Prepping with foods like fried rice, gnocchi, and pasta this weekend helped me stay energized during my big race!

Ketchup Spam Fried Rice

I’m making my dad’s egg and spam fried rice, which is my ultimate comfort meal. It’s seriously so easy, less than 20 minutes, and it’s so delicious. Of course, we had to top it with an extra fried egg. The drippy egg yolk on top of savory spam bites and sweet ketchup rice in one bite will forever hit the spot for me. It’s quick, super satisfying, and has just the right mix of carbs, protein, and salt to help me recharge after a run without feeling heavy.

Creamy Gnocchi 2 Ways

I couldn’t pick just one, so I made both Japanese Mushroom Gnocchi and Tomato Basil Gnocchi for a weekend carb-loading dinner before my first marathon. I didn’t do a lot of measuring and really cooked “with my heart”, but somehow both of these recipes came together in just 20 minutes. They’re super cozy, satisfying, and exactly what I wanted to eat heading into race weekend.

Japanese Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi

The creamy Japanese Mushroom Gnocchi was rich, savory, and full of umami. I used fresh shiitake mushrooms cooked down in butter and garlic, so every bite of gnocchi was coated in this earthy, comforting sauce. It’s the kind of meal that feels grounding after a long day: warm, cozy, and packed with carbs to help recharge energy before race day. The mushrooms added just enough protein to keep it balanced without feeling heavy. This dish felt just like a hug in a bowl.

Nonna’s Basil Tomato Gnocchi

The Tomato Basil Gnocchi came from a local nonna’s recipe I picked up at the Italian market. I made a creamy tomato sauce with basil paste, Parmesan cheese, annd cream added in for some earthy, herbal flavor. It matched the chewy gnocchi beautifully. Nonna said she made this sauce twice a week, and I totally believe it. This recipe is exactly the kind of carb loading meal I want every single time!

Crispy Chicken Noodle Soup

For lunch today, I made my version of a cozy, crispy Taiwanese-style chicken noodle soup. It’s the kind of carb loading meal that feels easy on the body but still checks every box for race weekend: hydrating, comforting, and packed with carbs and protein to keep me fueled. I’ve got a shakeout run coming up later, and this was exactly what I needed: something warm, gentle, and satisfying without feeling too heavy.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

I’ve been craving spaghetti and meatballs for weeks, so this totally had to happen the day before my race. It’s cozy, super satisfying, and exactly what I needed to carb load without overthinking it. The spaghetti in tomato sauce gives me all the carbs I need to top up energy before the run, and the super juicy meatballs add just enough protein to make it feel balanced and hearty. It’s not a traditional recipe, but it hits all the right notes. It’s the kind of meal that actually fuels you while still tasting amazing.