FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD.....

[59er]

When I first started C25K I read that it wasn't necessary to eat anything before running less than 5k. Now I've reached the point of exceeding that I'd like to ask what people eat when they're running more than 5k and how long before they run do they eat it? I'm not a serious runner but I'd like to feel great when I'm running and I don't. I wonder if I'm missing something. Yoghurt, nuts, porridge, bananas? I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

I run at 10 in the morning and have 2 weetabix with sliced banana at 7.30. I suppose it depends on what time you are running😊

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy - hadn't even thought of Weetabix. Banana is one of my 'go to's' though 👍

[NotPrime]

Anything less than 10k I usually don’t worry about eating if it’s early in the day. Because I’m diabetic I’ll usually have checked my blood glucose and know if I need a top up before going out. If its around 10k or after 09:30 I’ll aim to have something light 2hrs or so before leaving. Typically a couple of slices of toast with a smear of marmalade and nut butter. Occasionally might treat myself to a small bowl of porridge or cereal with banana.

What I always do after a longer run is have a wee snack when I get home. My wife calls it “post run munchies” 😊

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to NotPrime]

My post run munchies can last all day 😂😂

[DDJ2019 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Loving the new name!!!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to DDJ2019]

Thank you

[59er Graduate10 in reply to NotPrime]

Porridge and banana is one of my favourites but I always feel it's too heavy before a run. Toast! Possibly with half a mashed banana though - that might be an idea! 🤔 Thanks!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I wake, have a pot of tea then run. Sometimes, very rarely actually, I’ll have a banana literally as I go out the door for a run, but usually only if I didn’t have much to eat the previous day. This for runs up to 10k. I did an unplanned 11.5k and by chance had a banana as I started. I’m pretty slim so don’t have much stored fat and manage no problems. I always have porridge with banana, yogurt and other fruit after my run. Hope this helps. Happy running 🤗

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Yes I'm the same. Tea and out the door. Sometimes a banana as an afterthought or if I'm hungry. It's just that I've been struggling with the longer running times on the Magic 10 and just thought I might need a bit of extra 'oomph'!?

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to 59er]

No harm trying. They hand out bananas during events so that’s why I tried that 1st. Also tried a few jelly babies in the pocket but you have to either eat them or remember to remove them before they go through the wash 🤣🤣

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Yes, I heard that jelly beans are good but not after they've been through the wash!🤭

[Rigpig]

I run in the early morning but never eat before running, I usually eat within an hour after my run and have Weetabix with a banana and skimmed milk. My longer runs on a Saturday are really tiring me out though so I might try having a banana before going and seeing if that helps.

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Rigpig]

Yes, it's the longer runs I'm struggling with. I just feel so tired after them. Thought if I 'fuelled up' beforehand I might enjoy the run in real time as opposed to only after I've done it.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

I don’t worry about eating if I’m running 5k or so, although I’ll often have a banana just because. Beyond 10k, I’ve discovered it helps a lot if I make the effort to have a proper breakfast - in my case porridge with blueberries and a banana about an hour or two before I leave. I certainly wouldn’t do well running any kind of distance on an empty stomach - as it is I come back from a run ravenous! 😋

[Knittingrunner Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That’s exactly what I do too. I can run 5K without breakfast but as a minimum I have a banana but I don’t need much excuse to eat them. 😂

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Knittingrunner]

Yes, I love bananas (because they have no bones!!) haha!

[59er Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I'm not in the happy position of running 10k yet! I have been doing my C25K without eating but now I'm trying the Magic 10 I feel like I need something. Porridge and blueberries are what I have most mornings but usually when I get back. I'm thinking I need to be a little more organised about when I'm going to run and when I'm going to eat. Thank you for this.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Porridge with a spot of honey(honey not essential, just tastes better!) does it for me, at least an hour before I run.

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

It seems that porridge is the thing that most people tend to eat - must be the way to go!

[Granspeed Graduate10]

I always eat something - small bowl of porridge, say - an hour or so before my morning run. I usually set off 8:30 or 9ish. (Luxury, I know!) But I have never been able to do anything before I eat in the morning. 😳 It would be instant disaster. 😨 We are all different. Experiment is the only way.

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

I tend to run about this time too. I think I'll need to be more organised i.e. get up earlier to prepare and eat some breakfast in enough time to run. I'm going to give porridge a try! Thanks Granspeed!

[Smelliepoo Graduate10]

Generally I will run around 4/5pm (it can be later now it is lighter!) and I will not eat anything after lunch, which is usually around 12/1. I can't run with anything in my stomach, it gives me a stitch! When I go on Sundays I wait at least 3 hours. I am a bit worried about the longer distances around water intake and food. I don't take water with me atm (but drink loads when I get back) and I am not looking forward to having to carry more stuff!

[Jogunlikely in reply to Smelliepoo]

I use a flipbelt with a flat water bottle you can put in one of the pockets. Works a treat and you are still hands free 😊

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Jogunlikely]

I like the sound of this too! 🤗

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Jogunlikely]

Can I ask where you bought the flat bottle?

[Jogunlikely in reply to 59er]

Flipbelt do their own. Can be got from lots of places but I bought mine from Amazon 😁

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Jogunlikely]

I'm on it! 👍😂

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Smelliepoo]

I try not to run later in the day as I feel I'm at my best in the mornings. The time of delaying the running after the eating I think is going to be something for experimentation but I think porridge is going to be involved somewhere!

[Runawaytrainer]

Observation: runners eat lots of porridge and lots of bananas!

[Jogunlikely in reply to Runawaytrainer]

I don't even like bananas but I still eat them before a run 😂

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Runawaytrainer]

Yes, I've gathered that from all the responses I've had to this question!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Does anyone feel great when they run? I'm not sure. It's too hard. But that's why you feel so great. Don't worry about what you eat up to 10k but I certainly woodbt do that distance on an empty stomach. A banana an hour before is good.

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Haha Tasha 99 - I remember saying to my son a few years ago 'I don't like running' and he said 'Mum no-one likes running'. I thought it was only me that didn't feel great - makes me feel slightly happier - thank you!

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to 59er]

Nah. It's brutal. 🤣 like I said, that's why the post run high is so fab.

[Jogunlikely]

I run in the evening after work. On longer run days I'd have a banana about 2 hrs before before I set out.

[59er Graduate10 in reply to Jogunlikely]

Oh I really must make sure I have plenty of ripe bananas on hand mustn't I?

[theoldfellow]

I have work to do in the evenings, so I am a morning runner. This doesn't fit well with my ancient insides which really like to go very slowly in the mornings. So I have found a bowl of overnight-oats (and 2 cups of coffee) an hour before my 30 minute yoga practice and then the run works well. This gets all the 'important' things finished before I set off.

I reward myself with one winegum if I manage a good run, and then a banana after the shower.

ToF.

[59er Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

I too am a morning runner. So oats an hour and a half before you run? Sounds sensible. THEN the banana - I see a theme here!

[theoldfellow in reply to 59er]

It means getting up early, but that was always my way. The banana is mainly for the potassium, only about 95 calories.

[BishyBarnabee Graduate10]

I usually have a banana, oat milk and (a tablespoon) smooth peanut butter smoothie about an hour before I run, but only about a half to two thirds of a pint, as too much liquid just swishes around in the stomach and can be uncomfortable. Sometimes I just eat a banana an hour before if I’m feeling lazy. 😊

[59er Graduate10]

Wow, this is a new one! The same ingredients though. I think I might find that liquid a bit uncomfortable but hey I'll try anything once. I may try this on a shorter run so if it is too uncomfortable I won't have to put up with it for too long! Thanks BishyBarnabee!

[BishyBarnabee Graduate10 in reply to 59er]

My pleasure 59er! I reckon it’s worth trying a few things out until you find the right thing for you. I try and adapt to the weather, how I feel that day, so it varies a bit. Hope you find your magic pre-run munch! 😊🐞

[Jelly-bean16 Graduate10]

Nothing except a drink of water before and out early. No problem until lately when I started getting towards 14k then felt drained the whole day afterwards. Tried eating first and waiting to run but got thirsty then on run. Gone back to nothing but water and then protein shake and flapjack as soon as get back and seems fine.

[59er Graduate10]

14k? No wonder you felt tired the day after!

Seriously though - this is the way I feel the day after - tired out. This is why I'm asking about what kind of foods, if any, I should be eating. Protein shake afterwards? Do you think the protein is the answer? This is something I was also thinking about. Should I be eating more protein? Wonder if it's an age thing? Not that I'm saying you're old! I mean for me.

You're obviously doing well and enjoying your running. Long may it continue. Thanks for this. It's given me more ' food for thought' 😊