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food crawl
Fall race season is here, and Hoboken runners have plenty of ways to fuel up close to home. Whether you have a half marathon or a full marathon on the calendar (OR just because you love carbs; join the club!), the Mile Square’s pasta spots, bagel shops, and bakeries make planning a pre-race meal easy peasy. And for anyone cheering from the sidelines, a neighborhood food crawl is always on the table (we don’t judge). Read on for a guide to carb loading in Hoboken, including what to keep in mind before race day + local spots to visit.
What Is Carb Loading?
Carb loading involves increasing carbohydrate intake ahead of a long endurance event to build up glycogen, the stored form of glucose in the muscles and liver. Those energy reserves can help delay fatigue during prolonged exercise. The strategy is generally most useful for events lasting about 90 minutes or longer. A typical approach involves increasing carbohydrates over the 36 to 48 hours before an event while tapering exercise. A 5K usually doesn’t require a dedicated carb-loading plan, though eating enough to fuel a run still matters. But either way, join us for some carbs below.
Types of Carbs + What to Keep in Mind
Pasta may get most of the pre-race attention, but it’s far from the only option. Bagels, bread, rice, potatoes, pretzels, pancakes, oatmeal, and fruit can all contribute carbohydrates.
Rather than relying on one oversized pasta dinner the night before, runners can spread their carbohydrate intake across meals and snacks. Familiarity matters, too: race week is a good time to stick with foods that have worked during training. High-fat or high-fiber meals close to the start can be harder to digest, so toppings, sauces, and portion sizes deserve some consideration. This probably isn’t the best time to try a new dish or get creative with sauces.
The spots below provide plenty of carbohydrate-rich choices, but the right order depends on each runner’s routine and tolerance. A sports dietitian can help tailor a fueling plan to the event.
Read More: The Best Food Delivery in Hoboken, According to Your Preferences
Pasta + Noodles
A pre-race pasta dinner is a classic, and Hoboken has plenty of places to make it happen: Margherita’s penne vodka, Cafe Michelina’s tortellini alla Michelina, Otto Strada’s linguini con pesto di pepe rosso, and Augustino’s cheese ravioli are a few of our favorites. We also love Il Tavolo’s Bolognese, and a side of their chicken cutlet is always a good idea.
Beyond Italian restaurants, Hoboken’s noodle options include ramen from Muteki Ramen and lo mein from Precious Chinese Cuisine. As with pasta, stick with familiar ingredients and keep spice levels in mind if you’re gearing up for a race in a day or two.
Marathoner tip: If you’re eating close to race day, a simpler sauce may be an easier fit than a rich, creamy dish.
Rice
Rice deserves a spot in the pre-race rotation, too. Sushi rolls and rice bowls are two ways to work it into a meal, with options like an avocado cucumber roll from Illuzion or the Surf and Turf roll from Saku. Robongi is also a longtime favorite that makes sushi x carb-loading easy peasy.
Piki Poke, Shaka Kitchen, and Pokemoto are food spots where you can customize the base, protein, and toppings, making it easier to build an order around what has worked during training.
For another rice-based meal, La Isla serves salmon with coconut rice (and it’s unreal, if we’re sharing our true feelings).
Marathoner tip: Rich sauces, spicy toppings, and large portions may be out of the question if it’s your first time with them. Keep it bland just in case pre-race.
Bagels + Oatmeal
Between gathering race gear, getting to the start line, and coordinating with spectators, race morning can feel like its own endurance event. Having a familiar breakfast planned ahead of time takes one decision off the list, so it’s good to plan ahead.
JP’s Bagel Express, O’Bagel, and Bagels on the Hudson are local stops for a bagel. Keep the order simple and choose toppings that have sat well before training runs.
If oatmeal is more your breakfast vibe, Tosti Cafe + Kitchen and Black Rail Coffee are options around town – and Black Rail also serves overnight oats. Oats contain fiber, so stick with portions and preparations that you are familiar with.
Marathoner tip: On race day, picking up breakfast the day before can make the morning easier – so don’t be shy about ordering in advance.
Pancakes + Waffles
Pancakes and waffles might not be the best for race morning, but they can certainly be a part of a carb-loading regimen leading up to the big day. Mile Square Cafe has a beloved lemon ricotta pancake situation on the menu, and Toastique has a protein waffle on the menu, which is great when wanting more protein. Little Mingo is another stop for waffles, crepes, and toppings galore.
Marathoner tip: Stick to basics – decadent sweet options can make you feel less than stellar – so save the really fun options till after the race.
Pizza
Hoboken’s pizza scene makes the night pre-race easy, especially if you want to order in. Tenth Street Pasta + Pizza has both bases covered, while Basile’s, Quality Pizza, Napoli’s, and San Giuseppe are additional options for a pie or slice.
Marathoner tip: Simple orders are best – don’t try pineapple pizza for the first time before race day (ask us how we know).
Bread
Sometimes, a loaf of bread is all it takes to round out a meal. Otok Bakery continues baking in the historic coal oven once used by Dom’s Bakery, making it a stop for bread with a side of Hoboken history. Shay Dough is another local option for sourdough lovers – it’s a pop-up, so stay tuned via social media to find the booth. Garlic bread deserves a mention, too, with yummy options at Imposto’s, Hoboken Pizza on 9th, and Artichoke Pizza.
Marathoner tip: Buttery additions aren’t ideal pre-race, but if you’re just watching – order to your heart’s desire.
See More: 18 Specialty Markets in Bergen County to Visit
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