As finals loom over us, how will we ever find the energy to make it through? With a slew of exams facing me last week, a man with monster thighs gave me the answer: the Livestrong diet. If Lance Armstrong's diet can power him through the Pyrenees, then it could surely drive me through my exams. Eating 7,000 calories in one day sounded daunting, but only Mr. Yellow Jersey himself could top my determination.
8:30 a.m.: I begin the day with pasta and a chicken breast with an egg on top. Not exactly Cocoa Pebbles, but I feel wholesome as I chow. Adding to this, I eat a bowl of Swiss muesli, a piece of toast and some fresh fruit. To my delight, I read that caffeine is beneficial to endurance athletes and I guzzle a Starbucks coffee. The breakfast of champions has me ready to burst.
9:45 a.m.: Before my first exam, I 'top off my tanks' with a banana and a large glass of water. I'm abounding in energy and am well-hydrated.
10:30 a.m.: Feeling confident as I conclude my essay exam, I remember my mid-race requisites. Lance takes in 36 ounces of water and 60 grams of carbohydrates every hour. I reach for my water bottle and a packet of Powerbar Powergel. The pleasantly sweet strawberry-banana gel hits me like jet fuel, but I think the sipping noises may earn me a black eye from perturbed classmates.
10:50 a.m.: Clearing the first 'climb,' I gulp down more water. I fly up Bascom Hill like the Tour god himself.
11:35 a.m.: Midway through the second exam, I reach for a snack of apple slices. Taking a cue from Lance, I've removed the high-fiber skin, averting a mid-exam stomachache. I can tell the slow-burning energy will provide consistent brilliance on the final exam.
11:55 a.m.: On the home stretch now, I grab a tortilla filled with banana and honey, made for on-the-go grubbing. I barely break stride as I down this tasty, high-energy treat on my way to Spanish.
1:00 p.m.: Finish line. I pump my fist in exultation as I coast out the door. Feeling the effects of my strenuous day, I stop for the all-important post-race meal. A baked potato and a bowl of granola replenish glycogen stores (hey, the brain uses pure glycogen). Following a race, Lance drinks 24 ounces of water for every pound of weight lost. I weigh myself and discover that I have gained 1.6 pounds. This is the best news yet, as I'm beginning to feel like a water balloon.
6:00 p.m.: Settled in at home, I prepare my post-race dinner of two chicken breasts and a plate of pasta with boiled potatoes. Eating has become a chore, but I need energy for the paper I must write tomorrow. College work, like the Tour, never ends.
9:00 p.m.: As my taxing day comes to a close, I'm optimistic about my exams, but I've only managed half the calories Lance takes in. Luckily, I remember Lance's favorite treat. I plop down on the couch with a bowl of ice cream and a Shiner Bock beer. Perhaps the Livestrong diet can work in Madison after all.
