Sorry if this had already been asked but what ... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Sorry if this had already been asked but what do you all eat before going out running? xxx

22 Replies
22 Replies
Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate

Its been asked many, many times Snowflake27 but there is always someone that comes up with something different and its always worth trying it. Me, well I'm boring and have a small banana or a cereal bar & a cup of green tea + glass of water for my early morning pre breakfast run. Later in the day I would have some home made soup and 2 x oat cakes and run about 2-3 hours later. Don't usually run in the evening as I live in a city and late afternoon traffic always creates loads of traffic fumes which makes my asthma play up. Happy running :)

Beek profile image
BeekGraduate

I usually run on empty. Occasionally I may have a banana and always plenty of water. I only run in the morning though.

Really it's just up to you and what suits you.

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate

If I run first thing then I run on empty except for drinking water before I go. Occasionally I get a funny light-headed feeling after about 20 mins which makes me think I should take some jelly babies or equivalent with me - I used to eat about 3 or 4 on the way round when I was doing a bridge to 10k programme and working up to running for an hour but haven't bothered since I've gone back down to 30 mins. I think a banana before running would be a good option, but I only ever think of it when I'm half way round.

Try some different things and see what works for you - but be warned that running can get your digestive system moving so if you choose something your body doesn't appreciate you might need to get home quickly!

Thank you all for your replies. runningnearbeirut this is my reason for asking. I got caught out not long ago & it was just horrible & I never wanna experience it again. Though now it's caused me to become extremely anxious that it will happen again therefore causing anxiety belly

I can't run on empty so may have to do what you have all suggested & eat a banana beforehand xxx

Prin profile image
Prin

I run on empty too, and up to 10 miles is fine, however when I did 1/2 marathon race had beans on toast 2 hrs before as I didn't want to run out of steam!

ChrisL profile image
ChrisLGraduate

Another vote for a banana 20 mins before an early day run. Even better is banana & honey on toast. Delicious & gives you loads of energy.

in reply to ChrisL

Hmmmm yummmm

Fab, thank you all xxx

nrg_girl profile image
nrg_girlGraduate

I can't eat bananas (crazy, I know...I've been told I couldn't ever be a runner and not eat bananas!). I usually run in the evening, and prefer a small bowl of non-sugary cereal about 15 minutes ahead of running. It's just so I'm not starving but not over full. Good luck!

I had the same problem as you on two occasions, snowflake27, once at a Parkrun eleven miles away, to which I had travelled by train. It was one of the worst experiences ever :(

Both times, I had eaten a banana earlier, so I am avoiding them now! In fact, I've cut down to just one piece of white toast, with a small amount of butter, peanut butter or marmite, usually not less than a couple of hours before I run, because I prefer going out afternoon/early evening. Saying this, today I'm risking having it just 90 minutes before as I'm trying a Parkrun again. Eating at 7.30 is bad enough, getting up and eating even earlier would be torture for me!

If I am trying for a longer run, I also take Imodium one hour before, and I will do this for today's Parkrun as well. The trouble is that I too am now extremely anxious about the matter, and the anxiety itself makes my guts churn as soon as I start running.

in reply to

Oh Dewines it's horrible isn't it. I'm glad I'm not the only one it's happened to. Of course I wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else either. Your idea of taking Imodium before is probably a good idea. I'm just so anxious now wherever I run. I love running down tracks etc though now I've changed my routes so I know there's always a toilet not to far. Good luck with your park run today. Let me know how you get on xxx

in reply to

Well, as soon as I stepped out of the car at the Parkrun destination, I was in trouble again! Obviously, it is now linked to my anxiety. I took another dose of imodium. After that all was OK and I knocked 4 minutes off my previous time.

According to estimates anything between 30% and 65% of runners are afflicted by this. Many call it runner's trots and if you google that you will find a lot of discussions.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

Usually nothing as I am an early bird, but on long run days I go a bit later, I have a fresh poached egg on sourdough toast at least 3 hours before running otherwise I get a stitch!!!

nrg_girl profile image
nrg_girlGraduate

I've never actually eaten a banana, it's the smell that makes me nauseous. Strange, I know! But it's ok, I'm running fine without them : )

in reply to nrg_girl

I can eat just one bite of a banana before I start heaving and feeling sick so you are not alone in being 'strange' although I personally don't think there is anything strange about not eating a certain food if it doesn't agree with you. I can still run though! Cheers.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to

I can't eat bananas either. Makes me wanna vom.

Thx all for your advise xxx

Sometimes it's just a piece of wholemeal seeded toast about an hour before going out. If I go later in the morning (as I will today) then I have a proper breakfast which can be a 1 egg omelette with mushrooms or scrambled egg on toast with some baked beans or cheese on toast. I then wait 1-1/2 to 2 hours before going on a run. Good luck and best wishes.

Hennith profile image
HennithGraduate

I run in the morning. I eat a bowl of cereal and then run 1.5 hours afterwards, having also had a couple of glasses of water. I have a banana or a slice of bread and peanut butter or similar once I get back in and have done my stretches. I too have anxiety related tummy issues and it was particularly bad before and after my runs when I was doing the programme, though it thankfully never caused a problem on a run itself. I suspect that allowing myself to get empty aggravates things which is why I try not to let myself ever get too hungry. Running related tummy troubles are very common sadly and, from what I have read on the internet, there's no magic solution apart from trying to work out what is best for you. Keeping a food (and mood) diary is meant to help identify possible triggers though I've never got round to trying that myself. Good luck - and do come back to us if you need some moral support.

in reply to Hennith

Thx Hennith for your reply. I think I will do that & try to track if it's mood/food related. Thx for your advise xxx

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate

I used to have a full roast dinner - rare roast beef, yorkshire pud, roast tatties, cabbage, carrots, couple of turkey legs, mashed potatoes, slice of pizza, KFC bargain bucket and all washed down with a sickly Mackie D's chocolate milkshake.

Unfortunately this used to make me vomit after two hundred metres, so now I just make a fresh juice in my juicer - carrot, apple, lemon, ginger, celery stick. This along with 6 chewy dates for sweetness and energy makes for a Super Fuel start to my run!

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