I have always read you should eat pasta the night before a race.  I’ve also heard over and over how you need to carbo load, and so, I have done the things that people who vaguely understood it told me to, and thought I was on the right track.  Let me be straight.  I read an article tonight that opened my eyes.  I have run out of gas / fuel on long, long runs and now I sort of know part of why.  You need to carbo-load for 2.5 to three days prior to a race.  Cupcakes? Not carbo-loading (lol) In any case, here is the link to an article on proper carbo-loading.  I plan to use it on my next long run.  See how it works out for you:

The Right Way to Carbo-Load