Experienced runners, help!

you needs carbs before you run. my mom used to run 50k races and she'd load up on pasta the night before. when i go on my longer runs i have 1 or 2 slices of toast with a tbs of peanut butter on each... i usually run 30-45 minutes after i eat. hope this helps

sorry to post twice, but have you ever been diagnosed with acid reflux? feeling sick in the morning after eating is a huge symptom of it.

I wake up an hour before I want to hit the pavement, eat a peanut butter sandwich (or toast with peanut butter) or a granola bar, and go back to bed for the next hour. I would keep it right next to my bed and grab it once the alarm went off. I get my fuel and really only lose 15 minutes of sleep. But if you're the kind of person who doesn't go back to sleep easily, this may not work for you!

I also used to run on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. I did that for years. Then, after having children and getting back into running, I ran a half marathon on an empty stomach, and I didn't even take in any calories during the run, as this was the way I had always done it in my twenties. I felt horrible at the end of the race and almost didn't make it. My husband is a firefighter, so he took me to the hall and took my blood pressure - it was so low they couldn't even get a reading! Once I ate, I felt 100% better. After talking with lots of other runners, I learned that there has been a lot of study on this topic over the last several years, and the general consensus is that you should eat prior to a long run. If you're going to be running for less than an hour, it's not so important, but definitely on the long runs! It's best to try and eat about two hours prior to your run - which isn't always easy when you're runnung in the morning - no one wants to get up at 4:00 just to eat ... but try to have it at least an hour beforehand. You need to figure out which foods work best for your body too. Something simple, like a bowl of instant oatmeal with a banana and/or a slice of whole grain toast is usually a good bet. Also, if you're running for more than an hour, try taking some chomps (my fave) or a gel with you. They help! One more thing: make sure you have enough carbs and water the day before ... I'm training for a half right now - went for a 10 mile run last weekend and hadn't eaten enough the day before (at a funeral) - I really felt it in my legs - they were done by about 7 miles, so it wasn't fun.

Hope this helps! Good luck!
Deb

I have been a "casual" runner for a few years, but recently decided to pursue a half marathon. I have always done probably 80% of my running in the early am on an empty stomach, BUT they have previously always been three miles or less. As i am training, i am now doing weekday runs of 4-5 miles, and weekend runs of 6-7 miles and increasing. I have never been able to eat early without feeling sick (i normally eat my breakfast at work!) but, i definitely feel a little worn out in those longer runs (it is really new to run so far for me though too, so maybe thats why i'm tired)

SO, i know the eat before running is heavily debated...the one time i did eat a banana before a 5 mile run, i felt very sick for the first 3 miles. Will my body just adjust to longer distances without food? Should i force myself to eat before runs so that i get used to it before i have to do the reallllly long runs? Has anyone been in this position? I just want to do everything i can to make sure i am strong enough to finish this half marathon....thanks!!

It really depends on how long it takes you to cover these longer runs. If you're going to be out there more than about 40 minutes, I'd definitely eat something first. If you're going to be out longer than an hour, eat something about 35 minutes in (a Gu, a gel, whatever).

My pre-long run breakfast is always a PBJ and coffee. If I eat about an hour before running, I'm fine. Some people have to eat earlier, some never get used to it.