Food before a morning run? : Hi morning runners... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,088 members159,459 posts

Food before a morning run?

Vixter34 profile image
Vixter34Graduate
35 Replies

Hi morning runners, evening runner here. I usually go out when I get home from work and then have my tea afterwards. I'm thinking about mixing it up and trying an early morning run before work but I'm not sure what to do about eating? Do you guys eat anything before you run and if so, what and how long do you wait after doing so before you run?

I'm thinking it would be easier to eat after, but would I have enough energy?

Any advice welcomed :-)

Written by
Vixter34 profile image
Vixter34
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
35 Replies
jan2563 profile image
jan2563Graduate

If I run in the morning I eat after.

mountaindreamer profile image
mountaindreamerGraduate

Hi Vixter34

I’ve been running early morning since starting C25K, and seem to have managed fine so far (just finished W5) with no food until I get back. I like to sip a good amount of water before heading off, though. Hope that helps. 😊🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Decker profile image
Decker

I do all my runs in the morning too and for 5k distances I can get away with eating later but I found as I increased distance later on that I needed a little something before the run. I usually have a banana and half a bagel with peanut butter and that works for most runs. And a good amount of water! Especially when its hot

I run in the morning on a empty stomach and if I must have something beforehand, a small banana which would probably be around 30 mins to an hour before I run. I do however drink water.

A cup of tea or two and then eat later for me :) Everyone is different but you probably don't need anything until you are going quite a lot further.

Annlucia profile image
AnnluciaGraduate

Hi I don’t eat before I run in the morning just drink water. It works for me 🙂

Redjacq profile image
RedjacqGraduate

No food - just water. I did once have a piece of toast - made no difference. X

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply toRedjacq

I had a banana beforehand once. I'm sure the increased weight made my knee sore. Won't do it again until I'm running bigger distances. Some day :-)

Mumsygill profile image
MumsygillGraduate in reply tosallenson

Exactly ! Why would you eat beforehand? I’m carrying enough empty baggage without food too!!😂

Vixter34 profile image
Vixter34Graduate in reply tosallenson

Haha, bananas are heavy! I had a banana before my evening run yesterday (about an hour before) and I got a bit of a stitch, may have been nothing to do with the banana but it hasn't happened before...

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply toVixter34

If I was going to have to wait for my food to go down in the morning before I went out (sounds like swimming advice at school) I'd have to get up before I'd gone to bed... Unless you're running a fair amount more than 5K ("running") not sure there's any need for anything other than a (hot) drink...

Vixter34 profile image
Vixter34Graduate in reply tosallenson

That was exactly my thinking, I can't even bear to calculate what time I'd have to get up to eat, wait an hour and then run and then get ready, probably eat again ;-) and then go to work! I'm going to give it a go with just a drink and see how I get on.

lollytwist profile image
lollytwistGraduate

I was always too hungry in the evening. I had to eat first, then have a couple of hours before running, then as I was on a high after the run I couldn’t sleep. I’ve switched to morning runs now and manage much better. I have a coffee around 6am then go out at around 6.30 and eat breakfast when I get home.

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

I run in the morning too, but don't eat anything beforehand either. I can't function without tea tho, so always a cuppa before I head off. I stuffed a small packet of Jelly Babies in my jacket pocket a few weeks ago but they've turned into my little running chums and supporters so I couldn't eat them now.

A banana and shed loads of water when I get back...

Vixter34 profile image
Vixter34Graduate in reply tosallenson

I love the image of a jelly baby fan club in your pocket. You couldn't possibly eat them now.

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply toVixter34

I keep Gummy Bears in the car just in case. They're not my friends. The EJBs have been a blessing so far!!

Holsmols profile image
Holsmols in reply tosallenson

This made me laugh so much! Can just picture them cheering you on!

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply toHolsmols

Wait for Graduation picture - they're planning something, I just know they are.... :-)

Mumsygill profile image
MumsygillGraduate

No food for me- just water. Look forward to my huge mug of coffee when I’ve finished .

Islabear profile image
Islabear

I have a cuppa and water before I set off. No food or my tum complains. We’re only out 45 mins or so. I drink as soon as I’m back and eat after my shower.

I like going out in the mornings it’s so quiet. A lovely start to the day before the day warms up

Julietfred profile image
Julietfred

I have always done my runs in the morning ( except for the past few weeks as preparing for an evening race next week) and have always eaten breakfast. I have porridge with fruit and honey and a drink of 50/50 orange juice ( plus a cup of tea when I first wake up). I wait an hour after eating before I go out... I have not tried a morning tun without eating. I do not eat before the evening runs.

Guesty26 profile image
Guesty26Graduate

Hi Vixter i run in the morning half hour after a small banana and bulletproof coffee, works for me. The coffee has tsp of coconut oil, unsalted butter, cocoa, honey or maple syrup in sounds uh but its great all whisked up for a bit of froffiness!!

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Aren’t we all different!

I usually can’t function without a morning cuppa (the only one I have all day with sugar in) but I can’t face drinking it before running.

I drink some water and, for the longer runs, have a small banana before the run. When I get back, lots more water, shower, then the cuppa and some breakfast.

ANaylor profile image
ANaylor

Generally not due to time, but at weekends I’ll often have porridge and wait an hour before running.

Alanist profile image
AlanistGraduate

For my early morning runs I have a Banana for that quick energy release and a good amount of water just before setting out on my warm up walk and eat my proper breakfast a couple of hours afterwards.

For the evening runs, Whilst the rest of the family are tucking into their dinner, I again go for the Banana and water prior to setting out and have my evening meal after I've come back and showered.

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of bananas and forcing myself to eat one at 5.30 in the morning is sometimes more challenging than the runs themselves, but it seems to give me plenty of energy to complete each run and to keep me going for a couple of hours afterwards without feeling hungry.

Early on in the program I made the mistake of going out around 30 minutes after eating my evening meal, Now that was a struggle and something I shan't be repeating, so will stick with my banana and water as that seems to work well.

KateJaneW profile image
KateJaneW

Another vote for water, no food before morning run. I get up, sort the dogs out and then am out running about 20' after getting out of bed. Only way I can fit it in. I'm sure it's not perfect but no issues yet.

Holsmols profile image
Holsmols

ditto - half a glass of water before I set off, a cup of tea if I’m feeling really sluggish then out the door. If I have myself any more thinking time I wouldn’t go! Am starting to love the feeling of having really earned my breakfast by the time I get back through the door!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate

I have done most runs in the morning. I drink water before and afterwards. Then eat. Seems to work fine, but I’ve just finished W2, so I’m not sure if that might change. ❤️

Mezkate profile image
Mezkate

I run in the morning, just after 6. I have a glass of water then run. I eat afterwards.

Debsy2008 profile image
Debsy2008Graduate

I love morning runs, I get up, dressed half a glass of water (having drunk loads the day before) and off, no food. This seems to work for me. Then when I get home I have a banana and a brew ☺️

Vixter34 profile image
Vixter34Graduate

Thank you all so much for your replies, I wasn't expecting so many lovely people to respond :-)

I think I'm going to give it a go with just water before hand next week and see how I get on. Maybe I'll take some emergency sweets just in case ;-)

If you'd told me 6 months ago I'd be getting out of bed an hour early to go for a run before work, I'd have said you were mad but I'm loving surprising myself. Still can't believe I'm enjoying running!

tuffybug profile image
tuffybugGraduate

I run or exercise before eating at whatever time, if I do eat, I leave at least an hour before running as don't like the food revisiting me part way round! Something light like a handful of nuts, beef jerky, half a banana might help if you are hungry. To be honest, on couch25k training you should be ok and fuelled enough, its the longer runs that you might struggle with energy. Enjoy the virtuous feeling morning runs will give you ;-)

limberlou profile image
limberlouGraduate

I get low blood sugar unless I eat breakfast so I have a banana and glaaa I’d water before I go and breakfast when I get back. I found I was getting spots in front of my eyes if I ran on an empty stomach

My daughter runs on empty

Everyone’s different

Ang62 profile image
Ang62Graduate

I always run early in the morning. Just have a glass of water to hydrate before setting off. Come back, shower then breakfast . It works for me 😊 good luck!

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate

I was like you with evening runs. I tried eating before in the morning but it made me hungrier as woke up my stomach. So now I just eat after.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Eating before a run

Do you eat breakfast before you go out for a morning run? If so what and how long before? I've been...
Cleop profile image
Graduate

Breakfast before a run?

What/when do people eat before going out running? I went out on my first run this morning and...
reluctantrunner76 profile image
Graduate

Food to eat for an early morning run

Hi all. I normally run late afternoon but I am planning on doing the 20 minuter of w5r3 tomorrow...
Misstrolly profile image
Graduate

What do you eat before a run?

Hello :-) I'm still to manage week 1 and I was just wondering if people eat before their run, what...
TallulahTot profile image

What to eat before run for fuel?

If you run first thing in the morning or in the evening before dinner is there anything you can eat...
mayden profile image

Moderation team

See all
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.