New runner.

kpw818

loratliff wrote: »

stephenmakin1 wrote: »

This may sound strange - but you *HAVE* to actually eat food BEFORE you run. I can't tell my car to move and then reward it with petrol,and I can't tell my body to run and then reward it with food. Well you can if you had carb within the last 12 hours, sometimes, if you're lucky.

This isn't true. Plenty of people prefer running on an empty stomach. All about what works for you.

I'll second this. For shorter runs (under an hour) food isn't absolutely necessary, though some people need it more than others.

I just do coffee before morning runs of less than an hour. Works absolutely fine for me. I do eat before long runs (oatmeal, 1 scoop pb, 1 banana--never anything else ) and if I workout at night, I'll have eaten, but I don't necessarily plan for it.

loratliff

alpine1994 wrote: »

I run my mid-week runs fasted after a little coffee and going to the bathroom. For long runs on the weekend (over an hour) I have half of an English muffin with jam about an hour before I head out. I've tried a lot of different things but that seems to be the only thing that prevents stomach problems and keeps me feeling energized throughout my whole run.

I do exactly the same, funnily enough, right down to the English muffin.

seric2000

Way to go, girl! Figuring out what works for you food-wise is just trial and error. You will soon learn what you can stomach before a run and what you can't. My best tip is splurge for a pair of running shoes that are perfect for YOU. Get fitted at a running store for the right shoes. In my opinion, the shoes make all the difference. Try loading some songs you like onto your player and only listen while you run...a little incentive for yourself. Keep at it!

Emilia777

Some awesome advice here! I wanted to add two things.

First, I agree that you don’t “have” to eat before you run. I also run on an empty stomach (or at least hours after a meal, if I run in the evenings) and it works much better for me. Food before running makes my tummy ache and makes me sleepy…

Second, I do highly recommend you get the right shoes for you. I stuck to the same model of Asics for two years and had really bad IT band inflammation after running. I never put two and two together until I changed my shoes recently and the problem stopped. Not to say Asics aren’t good shoes, the specific model just did all the wrong things for me.

If anyone is keen I’ve had great results with the Mizuno shoe finder (http://www.myprecisionfit.com/test/welcome?lang=en_US&noAnswerSelected=&noMobile=) and staff at the Running Room.

Good luck and have fun!

loratliff

seric2000 wrote: »

Try loading some songs you like onto your player and only listen while you run...a little incentive for yourself.

This also works great with audiobooks—you'll want to go running so you know what happens in the book!

marykate_1203

You all are awesome!! Thank you so very much for all the insight!!

arussell134

My advice: sign up for a race. I'd definitely steer you to a distance like a 5K (3.1 miles). It's an amazing feeling to work for a goal like that and then cross that finish line. It really makes you identify as a runner! I find having races on the calendar keeps me accountable to train and not slack off.

I've been doing races for 15 years now and am currently training for my 6th half marathon in May.... feel free to friend me if you'd like!

marykate_1203

That's awesome! Way to go-- I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for a race!

DaveyNH

You know what fixed my shin splints? Losing 10 pounds. No joke.

marykate_1203

Thank you for all the insight and advice!

marykate_1203

bump