Eat before a run?

UsedToBeHusky

I'm strongly considering adding an early morning run to my fitness regimen. When I first wake up, though, I am usually starving. For the morning runners out there, do you breakfast before or after your run?

benzzito

I usually get a protein shake or drink orange juice before I run in the morning. I can't have anything heavy. But after the run I like having a good breakfast.

Unknown

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ItsMeRebekah

A banana is perfect IMO

pdworkman

Drink of water and half a banana before going. If a very long run, I take along a trail mix.

Pam

rowerrunnercmt

I eat a little bit of something (even if it's just a few triscuits or a piece of fruit) and I always have a cup of coffee. I have to have something in my stomach when I run, though apparently a lot of runners have trouble with eating + running

ATT949

If the hunger pangs are distracting, feed them!

When I run in the AM, the only thing I eat is 1 packet of Gu powergel, which is 100 cals. That's more superstition than anything else, though, because out bodies have a couple of thousand calories of energy stored in glycogen so it's available for "instant" use. I also down 8 oz of water before a run because that helps ensure that the Gu gets digested properly (or so it implies on the package)

tuffytuffy1

Personally, I cannot eat before I work out. But if you are starving, definitely eat a little something!

rachelcschmidt

I know I can go farther and faster when I eat before I run! But that's usually at least 30 min before I actually take off. I just make a smoothie or eat some oatmeal; just enough to "stick."

MrsSpinks

For some reason, I do my best running after my evening meal! I have always thought this odd though!!!

chrissyv1024

I agree, water, banana or even a breakfast bar.

arc918

Empty stomach for me. If I'm going over 10 or 11 miles, I bring along a gel or some Clif Bloks.

I race on empty stomach - even marathons. If I have a crazy long wait before the race (NYC or Boston), up at 6:00 Am, not running until 10:00 AM, then I'll eat some bloks, gummy bears or a Powerbar.

I'll drink a few ounces of water, but hydration needs should be addressed the night before (morning of is too late).

mlb929

I've I'm not running for more than an hour after I wake up - I'll have a protein shake, my regular breakfast goto. If I'm running right away, I do nothing. I generally only use Ultima in my water and maybe some gummy bears if I'm running over 10 miles. However, I do plan the night before to make sure I've fueled my body properly before the AM run, generally with a whey drink close to bed time or something similar that is easy to digest and will still stick with me come morning.

CakeFit21

I must eat. I eat eggs and have coffee. Before a long run, (more than 10 miles) I have almond butter too.

I'm the type of person that gets actually hungry during workouts. Even intense or long ones and I absolutely hate being hungry. It's distracting. Plus, if I don't eat before I don't have enough time during the day to eat all of my calories back. Win win.

falsecho

I usually don't eat before going for a run. If I do eat, I limit it to a banana.

MacMadame

I've tried it both ways and found that it just depends. If I force myself to eat when my body is screaming it doesn't want anything, I get in trouble. But if I don't eat anything before the run, I do bring something along so I don't faint or anything like that.

heykatieben

I eat a little. Especially if it's a longer run, I've found that the carbs actually do help with having energy to run. BIG difference in trying to run 8 miles on an almost-empty stomach, vs. after eating potatoes. I try not to eat anything too heavy though.

fteale

When I was heavier I used to run before breakfast, but now I don't had the reserves, I have to eat before running or I get sick at about 8 km.

galadrielfx

I always have a banana before a run. /find it's enough to keep me going!

S X

mrk34

I drink a little water before and eat breakfast after. My morning runs are not long. I used to run a mile every day. Recently “upgraded” to 1.5 mile every second day.

chickybuns

When I workout in the morning, first thing I do is drink water and have a small amount of food. Usually a protein or fiber bar, or else I won't have enough energy for my workout.

pucenavel

For a run less than an hour, no, but if I'm going longer I'll eat an energy bar before and might have a gel or two on the run.

I also use an electrolyte solution for fluids and that has a small amount of calories in it.

momtozmc

Nothing for me... maybe a sip of water after brushing my teeth...

L

SoulNeedsBeauty

Omgggg. So I am used to running on an empty stomach, but today I was running around 2 pm and ate at 12.30 a small breakfast and a few pieces of pineapple. Now I know not to eat before I run. The whole time I felt like I was about to throw up. Couldnt even run normally. Ugh and kinda felt like a burn in my stomach.

AliceIsRunning

My longer runs are always early morning. At first I'd eat a "regular" breakfast: egg white omelete or some oatmeal and a cuppa coffee. I was ok for the first mile or two but then hit a wall.

Now, I'll have maybe a whole wheat bagel with some peanut butter on it and a cuppa coffee about 30 mins before a run.

Everyone is different. You just need to find out what works best for you.

pdworkman

Any possibility it was the pineapple?

Pam

Omgggg. So I am used to running on an empty stomach, but today I was running around 2 pm and ate at 12.30 a small breakfast and a few pieces of pineapple. Now I know not to eat before I run. The whole time I felt like I was about to throw up. Couldnt even run normally. Ugh and kinda felt like a burn in my stomach.

Cooriander

I eat before, when I was younger, twenties and below, I could not eat before, because of cramps, but I don't seem to get it anymore and I run better now with some energy (and hydration) : I eat and drink!