Timing your exercise.

[theoldfellow]

This interesting article appeared today:

theconversation.com/why-its...

When I first started running, in April 18, I almost always ran before breakfast - this was 'to get it out the way' as otherwise I was seriously concerned that things would conspire to stop me. Seems I may have been better to stick with the pre-breakfast run.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

I mostly run straight after the school run, so about 9am...and I got it into my head that this was the only time I could run but lately I have had a couple of days where I've run nearer dinnertime and they have been great runs...but I do think that my performance overall is better at 9am....def an interesting read

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Thanks for sharing this it was really interesting. Prior to this plan I always needed food before exercise and would always start the day with porridge. Since graduating at the start of October the majority of my runs are pre breakfast and on non runs I always do some type of workout pre breakfast. Although I enjoy breakfast I’m not desperate for it and don’t find I have that mid morning dip where I need more food. Combination of body used to new routine and positive effect of pre food exercise. Thanks again, i now have my understanding of what is going on.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Good article... I tend to run late in the day, after no food for a few hours. I just can’t be up an hour earlier some days due to an enforced late bedtime (my wife does 12 hour shifts) and I’m busy from getting up to 9ish. When she’s home I do like to get out for a run early though.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

I can’t do anything before breakfast but have experimented and tried running first thing before food and I felt awful. No energy, struggled and felt yuk. But I need food every couple of hours, not huge quantities, just grazing, like a cow 🙄😂. Never had a weight problem and so this works for me.

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Me too , I tried 1 run before breakfast and I had no energy and felt shakey. I always have 2 weetabix before i run

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Porridge for me. My eating habits have now become a long standing joke amongst my friends because no matter where we go the first thing they say is they need to look for a coffee shop/restaurant/etc for me 🙄😋

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

The one time I went to my (Navy) gym for a hardish session without breakfast I did a dead faint on my way back to the changing room. Took a lot of effort to talk the duty PTI out of calling for medical help …… that's why it remains "the one time"

[Granspeed Graduate10]

I’m an eat-before-anything person too, and can barely get out of bed before I’m ravenous. However, a little food is enough, so if I need/want to run really early, a couple of crackers & small milky coffee will do. Maybe it’s all in the mind...? But I’ve always been slim so I suspect it’s just natural metabolism for some of us (lucky group!). Btw, IrishPrincess, I agree: porridge is the best. 👏🏼🎉

[misswobble Graduate10]

Another pre-Run porridge fan here I wake up ravenous 🙂

I once ran a 10k on empty Never again. Horrible feeling. Shudder 😒

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Interesting , but I do have to have a banana first if I run before breakfast. I enjoy my post run brunch after parkrun on Saturdays but that is as well as the 🍌 so I probably eat more than the calories burnt off 😂

[SlowLoris]

The trick is to make any changes gradually so your body adapts. If you are accustomed to eating before exercise it's bound to go wrong if one day you try it without.

[Trawa Graduate10]

Interesting!! I've been doing intermittent fasting for months and eating between ~2pm and ~7pm and run about 9pm after kids went to bed. But recently with dark and cold nights it got tricky and started running in the morning.

I felt my morning runs were much more difficult than evening ones and I lacked energy. Could it be because lack of food since the day before? The problem is I'm not hungry until later - should I made myself to eat something anyway?

[theoldfellow in reply to Trawa]

I think that's one for a doctor or a physio. My guess would be that if you don't feel hungry it is more likely to be a psychological thing, and after a few weeks your metabolism will adjust. Vitamin D levels affect mood as well as the ability to repair muscle damage, and they fall in the autumn and winter - that may have a bearing on this too.

But I'm not a doctor.

[Silverfox1943 Graduate10 60minGraduate]

You cant run on an empty stomach and its advisable not to.

If I do a parkrun (9:00am) then I have water and a banana. Have done that the last 2 PRs and got PBs.

Also the toilet: lighten the load.

Most of my runs are later so have breakfast then wait at least 1 hour.

[theoldfellow in reply to Silverfox1943]

I absolutely agree. I only put this article out there, as I found it interesting. My own regime is overnight oats and a pot of coffee before acknowledging that I'm awake!

I most particularly agree about your toilet point, it's a big issue with me as old age, and long hours in front of a screen, has caused my intestines to slow down. Some Saturdays I just give up on going to Parkrun, and have to wait until nature has taken it's course. 😉

[Silverfox1943 Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to theoldfellow]

The toilet issue appears to be unmentionable, dont think anyone has raised that point before until I did a week ago as one of my tips.

It is part of my grandsons pre race regime, so I pick up pointers from his preparation.

If your interested I can give a youtube link for some of his xcountry and track races.

[theoldfellow in reply to Silverfox1943]

I have mentioned it a few times, it usually gets a few 'likes', but seldom any comments. But it is the one thing above all others that is likely to cause a bad running experience for me.

The one thing that I recommend for slow intestine, which was recommended by a doctor (but not mine), is Probiotics - I use Actimel. This seems to be a better long term improver than laxatives, considering that I do get enough fibre.

The medical opinion is still out on them. However, we do know that antibiotics can selectively kill off the intestinal biome quite easily, especially in the young, and I grew up in the antibiotics-for-everything era. Healthy gut bacteria are essential.

Edit: Just started a Toilet Training thread in C25K.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Thanks for sharing this OF! 🤗 I prefer to exercise before breakfast. So, it’s good to know that I’m doing ok on that front. ❤️

[Getfitok]

I’m definitely a ‘wonky donkey’ before I’ve eaten, so a run would definitely be out of the question 😂

[Hidden]

Interesting read. I always get up and have a cuppa then go for my run. It’s the best way to get my day started and the dog exercised. Always have loads of energy first thing and look forward to breakfast later. If I do a lunch time or afternoons run, I find it very sluggish and I struggle big time.