I don't think I have a real problem here, but I have long been conscious that running first thing in the morning, before breakfast, may not be the best plan. Obviously I still have the benefits of the previous night's meal, but I wonder if I should have a little bit to eat first thing? A banana?
Does anybody else run first thing, before breakfast and have some tips?
The reason why I ask this is because sometimes at the end of my run, I do feel like I am wilting a bit, and other days I just run on a bit more. I put this down to general tiredness, but have started to wonder if I am a little light on 'fuel'.
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Nerdio
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No expert myself, but I run first thing before eating & see no ill effects. I either drink some water before I go out or take a bottle with me, sometimes both. Most of what I have read says that I shouldn't need "extra fuel" for the kind of distance I'm doing (up to 5k).
Having said all that we're all different & if you feel it would benefit you, give it a try!
Hi I mostly run first thing in a morning and have a glass of water, small banana and cup of green tea before setting off. We eat about 6.00pm so to try and run 5-10K on empty is just too hard. The small amount doesn't upset my stomach but helps me keep going until I get home and have breakfast (much deserved by then).
Having run in the evening once, a couple of hours after an evening meal, and suffered, I am wary of eating before running. Your suggestion of a banana seems to fit with the consensus of opinion here.
I never used to have anything at all otherwise I get a stitch but since doing more than 10k we take an energy drink ( usually pop in to Spar on route) and I find that just gives me the extra energy I need... Listen to your body though, it knows best!!
I sometimes eat, sometimes not. When I do eat it can be anything from a piece of fruit to a bowl of cereal. Now I'm not dieting my evening meal the night before should be sufficient to fuel me for my run, but if I'm planning a long one I'll make sure I do eat. Just a warning though, after the warm up walk, if the first part of your run is uphill it's really hard to get into your stride and breathing if you're still eating your apple!
Running, breathing, and eating. That's far too many things to all at once. A piece of fruit with my glass of water before I go sounds much safer,
thanks
Depending on how you feel, I would go with a banana, or a SMALL banana and peanut-butter sandwich about an hour before running. The banana on its own should be ok to run on straight away, but the sandwich (which provides you with energy and protein) will need a while to be sorted by your body first.
I can do a 5 to 10k on empty, but I really feel as though I am plodding when I get back.
I am running again tomorrow am. I am going to try and have a little to eat before I go. Probably just a banana as I tend to get up, and go straight away.
On Monday when I posted this question I finished my 5K and just felt like I was degenerating to a plod. RunKeeper showed that I was keeping pace still, but I was definitely tiring.
Good luck on the run. If you really, really want an instant boost (and you are feeling very naughty) try mashing the banana with a bit of sugar ~ messy, horribly sweet, but kicks like a mule.
Depending on how you feel, I would go with a banana, or a SMALL banana and peanut-butter sandwich about an hour before running. The banana on its own should be ok to run on straight away, but the sandwich (which provides you with energy and protein) will need a while to be sorted by your body first.
I can do a 5 to 10k on empty, but I really feel as though I am plodding when I get back.
I have a bowl of porridge made with water before I run, also a very small bowl of cereals (all bran mixed with dorset cereal). Also large tumbler of water and cup of tea. Does it for me!! Did 5k this morning at 7am before work. Just off to a Rosemary Conley exercise class now!!
Thanks for all the above advice. I have now run again, taking on board all that you said.
Up early, banana, and a glass of Lucozade Sport before I am off. The plan was to repeat my run of Monday, which was a warm up walk, and a run of 5K. Same route, everything.
The good news is that I didn't feel quite so 'empty' at the end of it, and I guess if I had not been so mentally set on a specific target I could have run on. As it happens I managed to put a burst on for the last 75m and managed to set a PB for 5K, or more importantly get it below 27 minutes. (Has been a psychological barrier for weeks). I think I also made more of an effort to adopt a more fluid running style, than a jog. This could well have helped. All in all a lot happier. Thanks everyone.
2 days rest now, and then my 2nd ParkRun on Saturday. (Started at 30 min mark last week, and got bogged down with slower runners. Going to start at 27 minute mark now, and confirm my PB). Thanks again, this forum makes it so much easier to achieve.
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A piece of fruit with my glass of water before I go sounds much safer,
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