Running 5K tomorrow, what and when to eat?

ninav1980 wrote: »

Iron_Feline wrote: »

ninav1980 wrote: »

Iron_Feline wrote: »

you will get lots of answers here... For me, I eat nothing the day of event. I ran my half marathon on an empty stomach. The night before, I tackle some grilled chicken, rice and macaroni I like carbs

Keep in mind, you will have at least one water stop in a 5k which should have some gatorade or similar drink for refueling.

What? I've never seen a water stop in a 5k. In fact most people don't even need water during a 5k race, certainly not Gatorade.

That said if it does have a water stop with a drink you've never had before - DON'T drink it. you have no idea how you will react to it.

really? I see them all the time.

Maybe it's a country thing as I'm in the UK. Water after - yep but never during, who'd want to waste 30 seconds pausing for water in a 5k. Every second counts in those evil things.

I dont think the UK is as hot and humid as Houston TX. Im usually soaked after every run. Even after a small 5k run.

Oh, for the record.... I never drink water on my runs, it slows me down. The longest Ive ever ran is a 1/2 marathon. Training for my first full in January and I suppose I will not be able to go without water for this distance though. Im only human

In all fun...I don't think you're human. No food before or water during a 1/2? Egad!

I run 5K before work twice per week in the summer (after work in the winter because it's cool enough). I always run in the mornings on an empty stomach and fuel up after I get to work.

If you're worried you need something have a little something that's mostly carbs an hour or two before the race to give it time to digest. A banana, a piece of toast, etc. Stick to something you know you don't have problems digesting.

The time to properly hydrate for a race is starting a few days before. The morning of is too late. All you'd do is waterlog yourself.

As far as water during a race, your mouth gets dry when the humidity is in single digits or the teens as it is where I live. Every 5K I've run in has had at least one water station, sometimes two. Half and full marathons there's one almost every mile. If where you live is more humid it may not be a concern. If you run fast enough that you're finishing a 5K in under 20 minutes it may not matter to you, either. I'll often carry my own water bottle on my running belt so I don't need to stop or deal with the crowding around the water cups.

roostking1 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses and a quick update. I ended up having some work to do, so no chance to eat, but come to find out, it was a 3K run lol. I didnt know this until I saw the finish line and was pretty disappointed that I was mentally prepared for a 5K. I ran hard the first 1.2 miles then kind of slowed down a bit to get ready to run hard the last mile, but as soon as I came around a turn, there was the finish line! So I'm going to do this again this Friday and get a more realistic time, as I did the 1.7 miles in 15:38. Could have been much faster...

Thanks again for the replies!!!

Way to go! Better than finding it out it was actually a 10K, though. I've had the same thing happen except mine really was billed as a 5K and ended up being about 2.2 miles. Definitely disappointing!

ninav1980 wrote: »

Iron_Feline wrote: »

you will get lots of answers here... For me, I eat nothing the day of event. I ran my half marathon on an empty stomach. The night before, I tackle some grilled chicken, rice and macaroni I like carbs

Keep in mind, you will have at least one water stop in a 5k which should have some gatorade or similar drink for refueling.

What? I've never seen a water stop in a 5k. In fact most people don't even need water during a 5k race, certainly not Gatorade.

That said if it does have a water stop with a drink you've never had before - DON'T drink it. you have no idea how you will react to it.

really? I see them all the time. Not everyone is on the same fitness level and some will need a water break.

There is a difference between "want" and "need". Unless the 5k is being run through the streets of Dubai at 2pm on an August afternoon, water breaks are not needed on a 5k.

I don't doubt they add to the experience, though, and they're a place to sell advertising etc.