Marathon legend Paula Radcliffe has shared her pre-race nutrition tips, including a simple breakfast and a surprising dark chocolate habit. The 52-year-old, who held the women's world record for 16 years and won three London and New York Marathons, revealed her go-to meal on TikTok's Run With Alice.
Radcliffe's pre-race fuel is porridge made with water, topped with chopped bananas and honey. Porridge has a low glycaemic index, providing a steady release of energy to help athletes avoid mid-race slumps and maintain stamina.
The athlete also confessed to always eating dark chocolate before a race, along with green tea or coffee. Dark chocolate contains epicatechin, a compound that boosts nitric oxide production, improving oxygen delivery to muscles and reducing physical strain.
Studies show that dark chocolate with around 70% cocoa can elevate mood and stimulate endorphins, giving runners a mental boost. Post-exercise, its antioxidants may reduce muscle inflammation and speed up recovery, lessening soreness.
