Beach to Battleship

I'm staying at the Hilton, and I called and asked if breakfast would be available before the buses board at 5am, and the desk person said that no, breakfast is not available that early (including coffee!!!!) and they had no specials plans to provide it on race day. She said everything in the area would be closed as well. I am wondering what people did last year, and what anyone plans to do this year. I put in a request for a refrigerator (which is not guaranteed and does not come with the room) and there is an in-room crappy coffee maker, but that's it. I think I can adapt my pre-race meal to omit use of toaster or microwave, but I MUST have decent coffee in the morning. Any suggestions?

Depends what your breakfast is? I've often traveled with my own kettle as I usually have oatmeal for breakfast. If I'm in a real pinch I put water only through the in-room coffee maker and make my oatmeal in a coffee cup.

I'm sure that at the Hilton you would have a coffee maker in the room, wouldn't it?

I can't advise or help you on the coffee. For breakfast, I'll drink something like Ensure or Boost 2-3 hours before an endurance event.

I've done 3 IMs and have always taken a cooler to the hotel with me. My pre-race breakfast includes OJ, half bagel, banana and a little yogurt. On the coffee - I've already converted to de-caf so by race morning will be okay in terms of not "needing" the java jump [until later in the race]

Bring a cooler. Bring your own. I wouldn't trust my stomach to the hotel food on race day, anyway. There will be a microwave somewhere in the lobby/breakfast area that you can get to even if it's not open. If you can't live with the in-room coffee, bring your own coffee maker.

In my world, one of the most important aspects of packing before the trip is getting my food requirements taken care of.

Thanks for the replies. This is my first 1/2 IM, so I am a little nervous, and more OCD than usual

The cooler is a great idea for milk, yogurt, cytomax, etc. We had considered that just in case the refrigerator doesn't happen, and I definitely need to add it to my list so I don't forget. I'm thinking of trying out the new Starbucks instant coffee this week, and that may solve the coffee issue. The food part isn't really a problem,since i have been training on the same peanut butter/ banana sandwich all season, and I can deal without toasted bread.

I was just surprised- for the Chicago triathlon and the MS 150, the hotels made an effort to have breakfast items available earlier than their normal hours. (In Chicago, they opened the in-hotel Starbucks at 4:30am !!! )

Thanks again and good luck to everyone!!!!

Now that you mention it, it IS rather surpising that one of the "host" hotels wouldn't be more accomodating.