Early Morning Running

stephen4232
stephen4232 Posts: 1,583 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I like to get up early 5.30am and go for a run before getting ready for work. I am looking for some advice on what to eat / drink before I go out. I obviously cant wait for an hour after having a breakfast.

Normally I just have a glass of water and then off I go.......

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    If it's a short run say an hour or so it's really personal preference I don't run well in the morning on food too close to a run so the most I have is a banana and Coffee
  • KymmyJoy
    KymmyJoy Posts: 206 Member
    I have a small bowl of all bran and a quick glass of orange juice. All bran to sustain and juice to give me that instant boost.

    No nutritional research- it's just what works for me! :)
  • lisab64mfp
    lisab64mfp Posts: 89 Member
    If it's a short run say an hour or so it's really personal preference I don't run well in the morning on food too close to a run so the most I have is a banana and Coffee



    Pretty much the same for me. Can't eat much before a run but need a little something..
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    Carbs and some protein - porridge oats, cereal, glass of milk, banana, protein bar. That is my usual before a race.
  • aarar
    aarar Posts: 684 Member
    Personally I can't run on an empty stomach so I always have my coffee, 2 scrambled eggs and small raisin bagel first. If it's a long run (over 20k) I'll come home and have a 2nd breakfast after.
  • ZenInTexas
    ZenInTexas Posts: 781 Member
    I run on an empty stomach. Pretty much unless I'm going over 13 miles I won't eat before. Anything over 13 and I'll have a banana before. I eat afterwards. That's what works for me. :)
  • runforestrun35
    runforestrun35 Posts: 480 Member
    I will usually do water and a banana and then have my coffee ready for when I get back!
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    I run on an empty stomach. Pretty much unless I'm going over 13 miles I won't eat before. Anything over 13 and I'll have a banana before. I eat afterwards. That's what works for me. :)

    This!

    Except the running over 13 miles thing, lolno. Did that once, I'm good for now.

    It's personal preference.
    I don't like eating before a run because I feel heavy and sluggish.
    So I feel it negatively affects my runs.

    I have on race days, gotten up and eaten something like 3 hours before I run so I don't feel like crap.
  • mlogantra76
    mlogantra76 Posts: 334 Member
    I don't eat before running unless its for a half. Some say you don't need to eat before a half. I don't feel like experimenting:) This morning, I jumped out of bed, got in my workout gear and ran 3 miles... If I do have time to spare(not cramming it in before work), I do like to have coffee and a piece of fruit but I don't feel like I need it. If I do eat before a run, I allow time for it it digest and for me to make any last minute trips to the restroom.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Sip of water. Eat when you're done. You should have enough in the tank to go for ~2hrs sans fuel
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I'm a midday runner mon-fri so I'm accustomed to being fed before running. So i carry this over to my early morning Sunday long runs. I have a bowl of oatmeal made with milk and a cup of coffee. If I'm going to be up for over two hours before running (like for a half marathon) I will also make my pb & j smoothie (I throw some hemp and spinach in it for fun).
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    If I run right when I wake up sometimes I'll eat a banana (alot of times I just don't eat though and have never had a problem), gives you a few carbs to work off of but is light and won't make your tummy unhappy
  • Daisy471
    Daisy471 Posts: 409 Member
    If I'm running less than 5-6 miles I don't eat before, but I do have my usual cup of coffee. If it's a longer run, I'll have an english muffin with peanut butter about an hour before I run.

    Edited to add: I also drink some water before a run, but not too much. I'll make sure I'm well hydrated the day before and then have water available as soon as I'm done running.
  • stephen4232
    stephen4232 Posts: 1,583 Member
    Thanks for your advice! :-)
  • mamahannick
    mamahannick Posts: 322 Member
    I get up at 4:30 am run on an empty stomach.
  • lawkat
    lawkat Posts: 538 Member
    All I have is a cup of coffee and some water for most of my morning runs. The only time I will eat anything is when I have a race or I have a long run over and hour. Otherwise, I don't see anything wrong with not eating anything before your morning run.
  • bobbijodmb
    bobbijodmb Posts: 463 Member
    I think it depends on you really. A lot of the times I run in the morning I just have water and go. If its going to be a long run, I will put a breakfast bar in my coat. But generally I am fine.

    Last week I ran 8 miles in the morning and just had a breakfast bar before I left.
  • lmurph93
    lmurph93 Posts: 19 Member
    If I get up in the morning I run on an empty stomach! Even if I go on the treadmill at the gym It's usually been at least 2 hours since I last ate. It's all about what you get used to I think - if you're not used to it, it may be hard the first couple of times. I personally get outrageous stitches if I eat right before a run, and even waiting 1/2 an hour is pushing it.
  • CMorning99
    CMorning99 Posts: 924 Member
    I usually have a bar made for eating just before running (i.e. instructions say eat 15 min prior (access bar) )...but if it is a short run I have a small yogurt or a couple big swigs of a meal replacement shake that has carbs (not a protein shake).
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    It depends how your body reacts and how far you're running. Water, sports drink, sports chews, a gel pack, bagel, piece of fruit ... find what works for you so you don't feel sluggish but don't hurl either.
  • Spikethered
    Spikethered Posts: 108
    I have two bowls of porridge and some water, I do 20 miles and it seems to help. Usually about an hour before I run!
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    I slurp a cup of coffee and go, usually at 6 am. Caffeine is performance-enhancing. In fact, it was the first drug to be proven performance enhancing.
  • ofccat
    ofccat Posts: 284 Member
    Personally I can't run a heavy stomach so I just drink water with my energy & endurance added and go.
  • TAsunder
    TAsunder Posts: 423 Member
    On a weekday, I don't eat if I exercise in the early morning. It causes heartburn and sometimes cramping. I will drink a glass of water and drink during my run sometimes. I prefer to run before lunch, however, if I can. Which is about 3-4 hours after breakfast.

    I cannot imagine running > 10 miles without food in my system. I have never done that... I always run later in the day when I'm going that distance.
  • Bounce2
    Bounce2 Posts: 138 Member
    Unless I'm running trails and/or going to be out for around 3 hours I am happy to just roll on out of bed and put the shoes on and go. If I am hungry I might eat a banana or a muesli/breakfast bar before I go - you will def. find out what suits you if you catch the running bug :wink: When I first started back running I thought/felt that I needed to eat before I headed out, now not so much unless I wake up hungry.
  • lattarulol
    lattarulol Posts: 123 Member
    nothing or a quest bar
  • mjpTennis
    mjpTennis Posts: 6,165 Member
    If it is a long run, I will have a bagel with peanut butter the night before and repeat an hour before the run in the morning. Also can't go anywhere with out my coffee with unsalted butter in the morning.

    If it is a short run, just the coffee and butter.

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