early morning run, HELP!

I love morning runs, but when school starts again, I would have to AT LEAST be up by 4:45 to grab a snack, run for an hour, and then shower/breakfast/etc. is that crazy? I have no prob with going to bed early, but I don't know if this is healthy. I have to eat before a run (coffee, water, and a larabar), but should I try to eat a snack the night before instead? will it still be in stomach? bc i have to wait 15-30 min to digest and that wastest time :(

Replies

  • bump
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    Why is getting up at 4:45 to run crazy? My alarm goes off at 4:20 every morning. I'm usually up between 4:30 & 4:45 and working out no later than 5 (some days it's 5:15....) (My husband is up at 4 and out the door by 4:40 to be at the gym when it opens at 5.) I don't eat anything, I like to save my calories for later in the day, unless I'm feeling weak or famished. I also don't like working out of a full stomach. If you're fun to run after eating, do it, if not, don't. A banana or a toaster waffle or English muffin with peanut butter would be quick and easy. Why do you have to wait for it to digest? Does it bother you to run with food in your stomach?
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
    Not crazy at all.

    My alarm goes off at 4am to be up and out the door by 430
  • eblakes93
    eblakes93 Posts: 372 Member
    I love morning runs, but when school starts again, I would have to AT LEAST be up by 4:45 to grab a snack, run for an hour, and then shower/breakfast/etc. is that crazy? I have no prob with going to bed early, but I don't know if this is healthy. I have to eat before a run (coffee, water, and a larabar), but should I try to eat a snack the night before instead? will it still be in stomach? bc i have to wait 15-30 min to digest and that wastest time :(

    Nope. Just make sure you get enough rest! Personally, a snack the night before wouldn't be enough for me, as I typically wake up hungry. I need some fruit or a granola bar and some coffee and water if I work out early in the morning. You can always check your email/facebook while you have your pre-workout snack, or make your bed, or read for school or whatever so you feel like you are using your time.
  • pscott822
    pscott822 Posts: 16 Member
    I had to eat before I ran in the past. The first 2-3 times I felt funny when running after I ate. But shortly afterward, It felt normal for me to eat then ran with no funny feelings.
  • elephant_in_the_room
    elephant_in_the_room Posts: 145 Member
    I didn't normally run that early in the mornings when I still could, for me, 5-ish to 6-ish was early, but I don't find it crazy.

    I wouldn't eat at all before running, just drop out of bed and onto the running track and wake up there. But I can run perfectly fine on an empty stomach and am normally not a morning eater. On the contrary, running with a full stomach can bring on stitches for me.

    If you eat the night before, you will normally already have digested the food. If not, then it's the heavy-in-the-stomach type that can bring on stitches and other problems.

    So why do you think you need to digest for 30 minutes?

    If you need some calories before running in the morning, how about getting them in liquid form? Have a protein shake, or a smoothie, or some yoghurt with honey, or cocoa, or someone is recommending buttered coffee. Whatever works for you and takes your fancy.

    If you just need the quick energy before you can get going, try a glucose tablet, it goes into the bloodstream right away, literally within 20 minutes. Everything else will normally take longer.
  • jgetzler
    jgetzler Posts: 23
    When I was running I always did early morning runs but never ate before. I can't eat before I run or I feel nauseous. The only time I ate before a run was on Sat morning when I did over 5 miles. I just make sure I have some water before and after and have breakfast after I get home.
  • Isla__
    Isla__ Posts: 3
    Bump

    I'm making a challenge to myself to run at least 15-20mins prior to my 12hr shift. Would mean getting up at 4.30ish as well. Thank god, I don't do more than 2x12hr shifts in a row - good old NHS ;P
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    Sometimes if I wake early I will go for my run I have no problem going on a empty stomach if im hungry I eat. If im going for a really long run 10 plus miles ill eat something just so I dont burn out.
  • guessrs
    guessrs Posts: 358 Member
    I run after school. Feels great the next morning.
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    I love morning runs, but when school starts again, I would have to AT LEAST be up by 4:45 to grab a snack, run for an hour, and then shower/breakfast/etc. is that crazy? I have no prob with going to bed early, but I don't know if this is healthy. I have to eat before a run (coffee, water, and a larabar), but should I try to eat a snack the night before instead? will it still be in stomach? bc i have to wait 15-30 min to digest and that wastest time :(

    That's my M-Fr routine. I wake up at 0445. Dress, grab my lunch, drink a nice cold whey shake, and drive to the gym. I work out for ~ 90 mins and shower and go to work. The drive makes it so I have some digestion done, before I get started.
  • ZenInTexas
    ZenInTexas Posts: 781 Member
    I get up at 5 to run. I don't see why that's crazy, as long as you're getting enough sleep. Have you tried running without eating? That does seem like a big waste of time to eat and then wait for your meal to settle. If it's a matter of just needing some quick calories try an energy gel.
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    Morning runs I don't tend to eat, I just make sure I've had a couple of glasses of water and booom I'm off. If I was doing a race it would be a different story but obviously the time wouldn't be an issue so much
  • RunningForeverMama
    RunningForeverMama Posts: 261 Member
    It's not crazy or too early. I typically only slam a cup of coffee before a morning run, unless it's a long run then I will eat at least a banana or something like that and maybe take something else with me.