Two weeks before a Hyrox race is when the real test begins, not just in training, but in how you fuel your body. I've learned this the hard way. I'm Aarohi, founder of Dancing Cow, and while most people know me as someone deeply committed to plant-based living, what they don't see is the grit, the trial-and-error, and the countless mistakes I've made in my race preps.
The truth is, I wasn't always good at this. In fact, my first couple of competitive events nearly broke me. I went in with all the training, all the enthusiasm, but messed up my nutrition so badly that I ended up drained, heavy, and mentally flat. Hyrox is an endurance + strength hybrid; it punishes you if your diet isn't dialled in.
Over the years, I've figured out what works for me. It's not about eating less, it's about eating right. And in the two weeks before the race, every choice you make counts. Here's my 2 cents, part science, part grittiness, and part lessons learned from failures I don't ever want to repeat.
1. Carbs are your besties
I used to be scared of carbs. Back in college, I thought avoiding rice would keep me lean. Instead, I ended up crashing halfway through my runs. For Hyrox, carbohydrates are literally the fuel that keeps your engine going.
Two weeks before race day, I start gradually increasing complex carbs, brown rice, oats, quinoa, sweet potatoes. Not a dramatic carb-load, but enough to teach my body that fuel is coming. By race week, my glycogen stores are topped up and my muscles feel ready.
The lesson? Don't fear carbs. Respect them.
2. Protein is recovery, not just muscle
In my first Hyrox prep, I thought protein was only for strength training days. Big mistake. Without enough protein, my body wasn't repairing, and I was dragging soreness from one session into the next.
Now, I make sure every meal has a clean protein source: lentils, tofu, chickpeas, or even a quick shake if I'm in a rush. This doesn't just build muscle; it keeps my recovery on track so I can show up strong for the next workout.
Here's where my brand creeps in naturally: I usually blend my post-training shakes with Oatish oat milk. It's lighter than dairy, doesn't upset my stomach, and mixes well with plant protein powders. For me, it's not a "product plug," it's survival, because the last thing you want two weeks before a race is digestive drama.
3. Hydration isn't about drinking water
I used to drink 4–5 litres of plain water a day, thinking I was "hydrated." Turns out, I was flushing out electrolytes and feeling even more sluggish.
Now, I hydrate smart: coconut water, homemade ORS, and a pinch of pink salt in my water on long training days. Two weeks before Hyrox, I'm not just drinking, I'm balancing. Because when the sledge pushes come, you'll be sweating buckets, and what you lose in minerals matters just as much as the water.
4. The gut is the secret weapon
This is where I struggled the most. I have a sensitive gut, and a bad meal can derail my training. Two weeks out, I cut out all experiments, no trying "cool new cafes," no spicy late-night indulgences, and definitely no junk food.
Instead, I go simple: home-cooked dal, rice, vegetables, fermented foods for gut health. I've learned that when my gut is calm, my body can focus on performance. Trust me, a quiet stomach is worth more than any fancy supplement.
5. Sleep + nutrition > overtraining
There's a version of me from a few years ago who thought more training = better prep. I'd do doubles, burn myself out, and wonder why I felt broken by race day. What I didn't realise then was that sleep and food were just as important as any workout.
Now, I treat sleep as non-negotiable. 7–8 hours minimum, with balanced meals before bed. Sometimes I'll do a warm oat milk drink (yes, Oatish again, but it works!) to calm me down before sleep. Nothing feels more powerful than waking up with your energy tank actually full.
My Turning Point: Grit Over Ego
I'll be honest, the most challenging part of this journey was letting go of ego. There were days I'd cry after training because my body wasn't cooperating. Days when my muscles felt like concrete, when my mind whispered that maybe I wasn't cut out for this.
But every failure taught me something. The race where I cramped mid-burpee? That taught me electrolytes matter. The race where I bonked halfway through the run? That carbs aren't optional. The race where my stomach rebelled? That gut health is king.
Two weeks before Hyrox, I now think less about how "fit" I look and more about how resilient I feel. That shift-fueled by grit, not vanity-has been my most significant upside.
Final Week Tweaks
If you're here, chances are you're in the same boat as me, hungry to prove yourself on that race floor. Here's what I do in the final 7 days:
- Drop high-volume training, stick to intensity
- Eat simple, familiar meals
- Increase hydration + electrolytes
- Prioritise calm over chaos
Hyrox isn't won on race day. It's won in these final two weeks, in the discipline of your plate, your sleep, and your mindset.
Closing Thoughts
Fueling for Hyrox is not about perfection. It's about awareness, consistency, and respecting your body enough to give it what it truly needs.
For me, every mistake along the way has shaped this routine. And every time I line up at the start, I know I'm not just racing others—I'm racing the version of myself who once didn't believe she could.