3-4 mile AM runners-do eat anything first?

For runs of just 3-4 miles first thing in the morning I usually don't eat anything. I like to get up and run right away and if I want to eat my body usually needs some time to digest. For that short of a distance I usually feel fine without eating. I would say do whatever your body is comfortable with

Well I heard it's always better to eat something before you exercise no matter what type of exercise it is because then your body is actually burning more calories, at least that was what I heard on Dr.Oz. Plus he said something about without eating first your body has no fuel to really burn as much calories as it would if you did eat before hand. My english professor was also an avid runner and did marathons and half marathons and he woiuld run like you except 5-6 miles and he said he always ate whole wheat bread with peanut butter and a little bit of honey which gave him energy but didn't make him feel nausiated or cramp when he would run. So I would recommend you eat before you run. Plus I don't know how long it takes you to run that distance but many nutritionists have told me to eat within 1/2 hour of getting up to really get your metabolism going and because your body has been essentially fasting during sleep so you need to feed it right away. Hope I helped you!

It's all individual. It doesn't matter what a study says or some stupid TV guy says; you have to figure out what works for you. I can't do a fasting run at all. I'm hypoglycemic and I would be passed out on the road if I tried. I eat whole wheat toast with peanut butter or a banana 60 mins prior if I'm running in the morning. It's seldom bc I'm better in the evenings.

I do not eat before I run. If I'm going to do a long run over 13 miles, I might have a little yogurt and a banana about an 1.5-2hours before, but even then, not always. It's a matter of personal preference really. If you are doing fine without it then continue what you are doing.

Normally for a run of that mileage I don't. Anything over maybe 8 miles and I eat some pnut butter toast about 45 minutes before my run.

I do this too, but I eat if it is over 6. Usually toast with PB

I cycle 14 miles in hilly terrain to work in the morning (takes about 45 minutes to an hour, so probably similar to a 3-4 mile run) and I absolutely eat a little something (single slice of bread with cream cheese, small amount of oatmeal, something in the 100-200 calorie range). Otherwise my glycogen stores start out lower, and the hills end up being a LOT steeper for some reason.

I also refuel with a carb-and-protein snack afterward.

Go with how you feel, but I'd encourage you to experiment with a tiny snack at least and see if it works for you. If not, you're fine as long as you are drinking water and snacking or having breakfast afterward.

I run 5 miles to work and 5 miles home almost every shift and I never eat before I leave. I try to have something at the station to eat for breakfast, or I put breakfast in the car (A travel mug with creamer in the bottom, a bagel, and cream cheese usually) before I leave... my husband leaves for work about an hour after I leave for my run (we work in the same complex) and I just grab my stuff out of the car once he arrives in our parking lot.

I wake up ravenous, so I like eating something first thing, but that's regardless of whether I run or not. I usually have oatmeal, and I've never had issues, unless I go with something like dairy, because dairy NEVER works well with running.

Honestly, for 3-4 miles, it won't make a big difference for you to eat. That's not a long distance, and your body has enough stores glucose to manage that without extra food. Unless you're overall calories are too low, or you've done too many miles during the week and your muscle stores of glycogen are depleted from that, you shouldn't have any issues.

I never eat anything, even before my 20 mile runs. My stomach just doesn't process it well. I eat a gu or two on the run, but I take them over a long slow time, nothing instant, and then I can't eat for hours afterwards w/o feeling sick then too.

I usually don't eat. I feel sick if I do. I just drink some water and it's what works for me. I will eat some fruit and yogurt or something afterwards.