Skip to content
  • Register
    • We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

    Running 5K tomorrow, what and when to eat?

    2»

    Replies

    • Posts: 1,895 Member
      Fettuccine Alfredo + 5k = Fettuccine Al Sidewalk....
    • Posts: 397 Member
      ninav1980 wrote: »
      show previous quotes


      I dont think the UK is as hot and humid as Houston TX. Im usually soaked after every run. Even after a small 5k run.

      Oh, for the record.... I never drink water on my runs, it slows me down. The longest Ive ever ran is a 1/2 marathon. Training for my first full in January and I suppose I will not be able to go without water for this distance though. Im only human :)

      In all fun...I don't think you're human. No food before or water during a 1/2? Egad!
    • Posts: 386 Member
      roostking1 wrote: »
      Hello, I am running a 5k tomorrow and am wondering what to eat to fuel the run and when to eat it. Thank you!

      I run 5km after work quite frequently. I eat a normal lunch, come home, feed the cat, run 5km, then have a normal dinner. If I was running a 5km race in the morning, I'd eat a normal dinner and run the 5km before breakfast. YMMV.
    • Posts: 6,592 Member
      I run 5K before work twice per week in the summer (after work in the winter because it's cool enough). I always run in the mornings on an empty stomach and fuel up after I get to work.

      If you're worried you need something have a little something that's mostly carbs an hour or two before the race to give it time to digest. A banana, a piece of toast, etc. Stick to something you know you don't have problems digesting.

      The time to properly hydrate for a race is starting a few days before. The morning of is too late. All you'd do is waterlog yourself.

      As far as water during a race, your mouth gets dry when the humidity is in single digits or the teens as it is where I live. Every 5K I've run in has had at least one water station, sometimes two. Half and full marathons there's one almost every mile. If where you live is more humid it may not be a concern. If you run fast enough that you're finishing a 5K in under 20 minutes it may not matter to you, either. I'll often carry my own water bottle on my running belt so I don't need to stop or deal with the crowding around the water cups.
    • Posts: 13 Member
      Thanks for the responses and a quick update. I ended up having some work to do, so no chance to eat, but come to find out, it was a 3K run lol. I didnt know this until I saw the finish line and was pretty disappointed that I was mentally prepared for a 5K. I ran hard the first 1.2 miles then kind of slowed down a bit to get ready to run hard the last mile, but as soon as I came around a turn, there was the finish line! So I'm going to do this again this Friday and get a more realistic time, as I did the 1.7 miles in 15:38. Could have been much faster...

      Thanks again for the replies!!!
    • Posts: 6,592 Member
      edited April 2015
      roostking1 wrote: »
      Thanks for the responses and a quick update. I ended up having some work to do, so no chance to eat, but come to find out, it was a 3K run lol. I didnt know this until I saw the finish line and was pretty disappointed that I was mentally prepared for a 5K. I ran hard the first 1.2 miles then kind of slowed down a bit to get ready to run hard the last mile, but as soon as I came around a turn, there was the finish line! So I'm going to do this again this Friday and get a more realistic time, as I did the 1.7 miles in 15:38. Could have been much faster...

      Thanks again for the replies!!!
      Way to go! Better than finding it out it was actually a 10K, though. :smile: I've had the same thing happen except mine really was billed as a 5K and ended up being about 2.2 miles. Definitely disappointing!
    • Posts: 9,532 Member
      roostking1 wrote: »
      Hello, I am running a 5k tomorrow and am wondering what to eat to fuel the run and when to eat it. Thank you!

      You don't need to do anything special to fuel a 5k run. Just don't bog yourself down with a big meal too close to the start time.
    • Posts: 9,532 Member
      edited April 2015
      ninav1980 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      really? I see them all the time. Not everyone is on the same fitness level and some will need a water break.

      There is a difference between "want" and "need". Unless the 5k is being run through the streets of Dubai at 2pm on an August afternoon, water breaks are not needed on a 5k.

      I don't doubt they add to the experience, though, and they're a place to sell advertising etc.
    • Posts: 27,167 Member
      glevinso wrote: »
      Fettuccine Alfredo + 5k = Fettuccine Al Sidewalk....

      Try a marathon.

      It definitely must be a local thing. Most of the 5ks around here have them, but they are all small races put on by pretty much the same people. I've heard complaints when there isn't one.
      But I agree with those who say they aren't necessary. I also just keep going by them.
    This discussion has been closed.

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories