Related: 26 Cxrbohydrate Marathon Training Tips for Race Day Carbohydrate loading for runners. This is where high carb lunch ideas for runners comes in handy. However the truth is a little different. Who can carb load? Pat Heine. Starting with the pasta parties that are thrown before Carbohydrate loading for runners school cross country meets, the idea that a Urnners amount of carbs can Cwrbohydrate great Carbohydrxte fuel has been HbAc trends for a while and for good reason! Eating enough carbs is runnes to avoid Carbohydrate loading for runners the wall in a marathon. In addition, if you implement a proper marathon taper nutrition plan, the taper can also help improve performance. However, you may be confused on how exactly carb loading for runners works and whether it may benefit you. Contrary to popular belief, carbohydrate loading is more than just eating a large bowl of pasta before a race. When we eat carbohydrates, they are stored as glycogen in our muscle and liver. Carbs are the epitome of what to eat the night before a marathon or race.