Carbo Loading
Introduction

Carbo loading is used when preparing for a long endurance activity such as a Marathon.

If we eat well our bodies hold a certain number of calories in each muscle ready to use. For an average fit person this can be up to 1200 calories. Once the calories are used up – typically after 90 minutes - the legs will start to feel heavy and without more nutrition it will be difficult to continue. Unfortunately each muscle group can not grap additional unused carbohydrates from another muscle group.

There are many drinks that help overcome this lack of nutrition but it is far better to carbo load the body so that you can increase the number of carbohydrates held in each muscle.
 
This is how it works:

Reduce training 2 weeks prior to the event/ endurance event but continue to eat 60-70% of your carbohydrate diet still.

This is to rest muscles and allow them to become saturated with carbos.

Then 3 days before the event eat as if you were training. You will then have carbo loaded your muscles.