Things to “Load” Before a Marathon — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 14, 2025)
Physical preparation gets literal in this down clue. Below you will find the verified answer, Word Tips context, and actionable strategies. Apostrophes show as ' and quotation marks as " for clean HTML content.
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Things to “load” before a marathon
The answer is CARBS. Runners increase carbohydrate intake before endurance events to maximize glycogen stores—a strategy widely known as carb loading.
Why CARBS Is Correct
Definition & Context
- “Load” in quotes hints at the training phrase “carb loading.”
- Word Tips describes the answer as dietary carbohydrates and references a clue about Atkins diets.
- Five-letter length matches the pluralized nutrition term perfectly.
Cross Letter Support
- C aligns with CIGS at 1-Across.
- A intersects A COW (5-Across).
- R crosses RACE, delivering theme consistency.
- B and S match BRAD and STS, respectively, locking the plural ending.
Training & Puzzle Strategy
Watch for Quotes
Quotation marks around “load” suggest a jargon or idiom rather than a literal action. Think of set phrases related to athletics.
Recall Nutrition Terms
Minis love fitness vernacular. CARBS, PROTEIN, and ELECTROLYTES frequently recur in puzzle talk.
Use Anagram Clues
Word Tips points out that “crabs” is an anagram of CARBS, giving a fallback mnemonic if you forget the nutritional tie-in.
Crossword Muscle Memory
CARBS appears regularly in both minis and full-size puzzles, so commit the plural to memory to speed up future fills.
Vocabulary Connections
Synonyms & Related Terms
- Carbohydrates
- Glycogen
- Fuel
- Energy stores
Crossword Crossovers
- GEL
- GU
- SALT
- H2O
Letter Breakdown
The alternating consonants and vowels (C-A-R-B-S) offer exceptionally clean crossings. This structure makes it a favorite among crossword editors for nutritional clues.