Morning Runs

eemilyjohnsonn

If I'm looking to do a 25-30 min run in the morning would it be best to do it before or after breakfast

AmyRhubarb

Personal preference. In summer, I run at dawn to beat the heat, get up, dress, have a cup of water in there, lace up and I'm out the door. In winter, I might have breakfast first, early, with at least two hours between eating and running.

TavistockToad

How long have you been running? If 25-30 mins is short for you, you could try it without breakfast

I don't do well with fasted cardio when I've tried it before, but lots of people can run 10 miles before breakfast without worrying about it!

ROBOTFOOD

I usually run fasted on runs up to 15mi (non race). For a 25min run, you should be fine running fasted even if you aren't used to it. Maybe bring a little water the first few times.

pebble4321

For me, before breakfast.
Mostly because I just get up and run, then come home and go to work.
I don't like to run directly after I've eaten, so I'd have to get up way too early to fit in breakfast, then a break, then a run.
I only eat before a run if it's long (over 12k or so) or if it's a race and I know I won't get to eat until late morning.
If I do eat before a run it's something simple like toast and peanut butter or toast and vegemite. On race days I'll usually have a black coffee too.
If I'm going for a long run or it's super hot (over 30c in the morning) then I'll load up on water the night before and in the morning so I'm well hydrated.
On a regular day, I get up, get dressed, have a sip of water and get out the door.

sijomial

eemilyjohnsonn wrote: »

would it be best to do it before or after breakfast

Yes!
Try both and see how you feel. Certainly don't need to fuel for that short duration so it comes down to personal preference.

pandabear_

I guess it depends on your own body and how you feel running with or without food. Personally, if I haven't ate any food for a long time and then do a work out, I feel physically sick.

NikolaosKey

25-30 min are not much but before for sure. A glass of warm water with half lemon squeezed and a tablespoon of honey and you are good to go

MamaFunky

It could be different on any given day. Sometimes I need a little snack before I exercise in the mornings, other days I don't need anything but a glass of water. Just go with how you feel.

MeanderingMammal

eemilyjohnsonn wrote: »

If I'm looking to do a 25-30 min run in the morning would it be best to do it before or after breakfast

Try both, see what works for you.

I'm comfortable fasted up to about 10 miles/ 90 minutes but it's taken time to adapt to that.

LazSommer

How do you guys run in the winter? The wind slicing at me is the most demoralizing feeling ever.

girlinahat

I get up and run. If I got up and had breakfast first, I’d never make it to the run or work. I have to be out of the door before my brain cathes up with what I am doing, and the last thing I want to do is give it some food (or my stomach for that matter). I have a small glass of water (making sure I went to bed fully hydrated) and go out for 40 minutes or so. I doubt you need food for that length of time.

There is differing research on the benefits of fasted cardio, and there is SOME evidence that may show a difference for men and women. Personal preference for me, I tend not to eat anything until several hours later anyway, except sometimes a post-workout drink (homemade smoothie). I’m actually considering running a 10k race (never done the distance before) fasted, as I don’t seem to get hungry running, but them I’m the idiot who did a normal 3m run the other morning in minimalist footwear, having not worn them for a while, killing my calf muscles….

MeanderingMammal

No such thing as bad weather, just bad kit choice.

I have winter tights, goretex lined trail shoes, long sleeved base layer, top and windproof jacket, hat, buff and gloves.

Heartlight441

If it was me, I'd have something small...like 1/2 or 1 banana then run then have breakfast. I'm still new at running though, I just don't think I could do it on empty.

BrianSharpe

NikolaosKey wrote: »

25-30 min are not much but before for sure. A glass of warm water with half lemon squeezed and a tablespoon of honey and you are good to go

Will that kickstart the OP's metabolism?

OP, try it both ways. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference. I don't like the feeling of food in my stomach wile I'm running but it bothers some people less.

LazSommer

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

No such thing as bad weather, just bad kit choice.

I have winter tights, goretex lined trail shoes, long sleeved base layer, top and windproof jacket, hat, buff and gloves.

So I'd have to commit. I'm afraid of commitment.

Aed0416

25 minutes I would say no breakfast. 8 miles is my tipping point, 8 or greater I have something small.

NikolaosKey

BrianSharpe wrote: »

NikolaosKey wrote: »

25-30 min are not much but before for sure. A glass of warm water with half lemon squeezed and a tablespoon of honey and you are good to go

Will that kickstart the OP's metabolism?

OP, try it both ways. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference. I don't like the feeling of food in my stomach wile I'm running but it bothers some people less.

No, I was trying to say to have minimal intake bf running, cause I like you don't like to run with full stomach

mbaker566

it's a preference thing. I usually run before breakfast.

scorpio516

I don't like to run after eating, ever

lizzy_satellite

As others have said, it's personal preference. I've only been attempting morning runs for a couple of weeks. So far I've mostly done 15-20 minutes with just a glass of water beforehand, but on a couple of days that I woke up already hungry I had 1/4 to 1/3 of a protein bar to take the edge off the hunger a tiny bit about 20 minutes before I started. I run at around 6.30 and don't have my *real* breakfast until I get to my office at 8.40.

blues4miles

Personal preference. Hopefully if you are going to just start running for 30 minutes a day you've had some experience running already and should know how you function best. I always have stomach problems if I eat within a couple hours of a run, so prefer to do mine on an empty stomach.

MNLittleFinn

Personal preference, but I'm running within 10-15 minutes of the alarm going off, so it's always before breakfast for me.

rsclause

I like to get up at 4:30 brush my teeth and go. I never have any issues or feel weak. If I am going above 10 miles I may have a cup of coffee with a half banana & peanut butter or piece of toast with almond butter. Once I eat something of substance I feel it in my stomach or worse, elsewhere. I love to run early and on empty.

Ribena145

If you find that you need something - try something light and easily digestible such as a banana - gives you a bit of energy/fuel to exercise on.

bwogilvie

Try both. Even on a calorie deficit you should have enough glycogen stored in your muscles for a half-hour run, but if you tend toward hypoglycemia, a snack beforehand might help.

lemurcat12

LazSommer wrote: »

How do you guys run in the winter? The wind slicing at me is the most demoralizing feeling ever.

Layers.

lemurcat12

Like everyone said, personal preference. I like to have a little something first but can run fasted and do it sometimes.

MNLittleFinn

lemurcat12 wrote: »

LazSommer wrote: »

How do you guys run in the winter? The wind slicing at me is the most demoralizing feeling ever.

Layers.

This.

chiptease

Depends on how you feel, and the duration of the run. Experiment for a while and see what works for you. I perform better if I eat something before my run but I'm fine without it.