early morning run, HELP!

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?

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.

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.

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

I run after school. Feels great the next morning.

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.

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.