Pre-walk/jog/run nutrition

Calliope610

I have been walking/hike 5 miles every Saturday morning for the last 5 weeks, in addition to daily 2-3 mile walks. On Saturdays. I usually leave the house having eaten/drank just a cup or two of coffee (w sugar and flavored cream). I don't feel light-headed or lacking energy during these walks, and I'm not even really hungry when I get back home. But I think my performance would increase (I want to start C25K or train to run) if I eat something before this long workout. But I don't want anything heavy or something that will fill my stomach. I'm thinking a protein shake would make my stomach feel too full and walking/jogging/running would be uncomfortable.

What do you eat/drink before your long walks/runs? BTW, I walk at 4mph and jog @ 13:30 pace, so this isn't super high intensity.

Thanks,

Mokey41

Oatmeal and a banana are usually what I have before doing a 5K race. Otherwise I just eat as I normally would. I actually kind of like running on an empty stomach.

hbrittingham

Normally on the weekends, I eat a banana an hour before I head out. This morning I had an appointment at 9 and someone coming by the house at 10, so I knew I wasn't going to run until 10:30 or so, so I had a banana early and then a Nature's Valley bar an hour before I left to go do my run.

When I am walking, I don't need anything to eat before I go out. But I definitely do before I run or I end up hitting a wall.

GBPack93

I run and work out the best on junk food, I have found. Pop Tarts, Cereal, other forms of sugar beforehand, but I also run for performance and not weight loss. If you want something low calorie I suggest a fruit like a banana or a low sugar cereal like rice krispies.

TpocketT60

If I'm working out in the morning I just go with water. Coffee about 45 minutes before a workout is fine as well and I believe has tended to show improved energy in workouts, just balance it with plenty of water. Otherwise I try to eat about a ~500 calorie meal approximately 2 hours before I lift or run. Usually about 50g carbs/50g protein.

MyJourney1960

I do more or less the same as you. I don't eat before -I have 1-2 cups of water and 1/2-1 cup of coffee (little skim milk no sugar). I don't feel comfortable walking after i eat. When i was going to the gym i would add something (half a banana or 1-2 plain crackers).

For the shorter walks i do daily (about one hour, twice a day) i eat after the walk. Today, when i did a longer walk (almost two hours straight, brisk) i threw a granola bar into my back pack in case i needed it (i didn't).