Bank or go over before Long Run

DontThinkJustRun

The day before my long run is a rest day, my only one. So my cals to lose are pretty low that day (1500ish, that's low to me). I'm used to fueling up a bit the night before my LR because I run early and don't eat before. If I don't I'll usually get hungry, a little weak and light headed during my LR. So how should I handle this? Allow myself to go over and not stress about it until it affect my loss, bank cals during the week potentially needing to restrict myself which generally leads to binging, or maybe try incorporating a banana before my LR...

Kinda anal question, but I'm really trying to learn how to balance my nutrition and running, it seems like I'm either overeating or undereating.

Samerah12

I don't think its an anal question, I've been thinking about this too...

What I think I've settled on is letting myself go up to 500 over the day before long runs (on carby but still nutritionally good stuff) and then automatically subtracting that from the day of the long runs cals.

Does that make any sense?

My long run is sunday, tomorrow I might eat 350 cals over and then I'll start off sunday by putting in "quick-added calories- 350".

I burn so much during the long runs that it can be a struggle to eat them all back that day anyway so this seemed like a good way to do it for me.

Nikstergirl

I'm still learning as I go, but I would think if you went over, say 300-500 the night before, just be that much under after your run! Even an extra 300 cals per week isn't going to stop your weight loss, although it may slow it just a little. I wouldn't do anything that makes you dizzy or lightheaded when you run, that seems dangerous to me in so many ways. So if you need to carb load, do it! Just watch the next day or two after and even a little the day before??? Seems like it will all work out in the end. Moderation is key, after all!!!

LadyOfOceanBreeze

hello,
my friend who does marathons eats a tortilla before she sets out
hope this helps!

Heraci

I run long distance (13 miles) once a week and somewhat long distance (6 miles) twice a week besides that. I always eat beforehand and let my food digest for a bit beforehand. I think it's much healthier to get something in your system rather than eating the night before and letting it solidify too much.

DontThinkJustRun

Eating an actual meal before my LR is pretty much impossible. I run around 5AM because of the heat and family obligations and there is no way I can get up any earlier to eat.

This week is a cutback week, only 8, so I'm not going to worry about it and I'll keep my cals low. Next week I think I might try a banana and if that doesn't work then I'll probably try subtracting it from my long run day. Only trouble there is I'm usually super hungry on those days an often it's my "cheat" day. Guess you have to make choices:)