What to eat....

[Trish_h]

I have been reading the week 5 posts looking for inspiration as I will be doing run 3 on Thursday (and I am worried that I will run out of energy before 20 minutes is up!). I came across one that mentioned not eating enough before running. I was wondering what I should be eating on the days I run. Are there any commendations? Thanks.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You need fuel to run as well as fluid, but you don't want to eat too much just before a run. We are all very different. I eat a banana and drink a pint of water immediately before setting out on a 10k and would never consider anything more. Other people swear by their favourite concoctions, but quite honestly, if you ate well the night before, you won't run out of energy on a 20 minute run first thing before breakfast. I am sure you will get loads of advice, but it might be worth doing a search on this site to come up with some other suggestions.

For the C25k runs I would say it was more important to be properly hydrated than worrying about food. Good luck with W5R3. It is nothing to fear, just take it easy.

[old_git Graduate]

Hi Trish, depends on the time you run I think. I've been doing the 5:2 diet and fasting on 2 of my run days - however, I run first thing in the morning. As Ian says, I eat well the night before and drink water before the run (it works for me), but I'm not doing 10K!!

Do you run in the morning?

Good luck with the run, if you feel yourself struggling, just slow down. You'll do great.

[rmnsuk Graduate]

when I run in the evening after work I don't eat anything after lunch. If I do parkrun at 09:00, I get up and have protein/banana smoothie (more a diet thing than for the run).

[mancunianpoodle]

I've been having a banana and a large glass of water before most runs, sometimes I'll have a coffee but not too milky. I'm up to w5r2 (tomorrow), so it'll be interesting to see how I last run 3 week 5 too.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

I started eating bananas post run simply because Laura told me to. The truth about the mighty W5R3 is that If you have stuck with the programme to this point, then you are ready and you will complete it, no matter what you eat. Fact.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Rob_and_his_westie]

Rob's right. W5r3 will burn 400 calories at most. You will have enough glycogen stored in your body to run that without needing anything extra. Make sure that you are hydrated, that is the most important thing. Then, eat as many portions of fruit and veg as you like on your running days and you'll be OK.

[Northernspirit Graduate]

Do what you've done so far...it's worked? Right? You've already run most of the 20 mins, don't worry about the food just focus on your pace and getting to the end....and for that start planning your post on here to tell us you did it!!!

[Trish_h Graduate]

Thanks for all the replies! During the week I run after work. What I have done so far has worked but I don't think I have been drinking enough water. I drink plenty during the day but maybe not enough immediately before running so I will try drinking more. I think I am just worrying about the 20 minutes - it seems an awful big jump from 8 minutes and I want to make sure I am ready for it!

[Jase44 Graduate]

A banana and a pint of water. No worries about not finishing then J

[PrincessStef Graduate]

I run in the evening so try and make sure I have something proper for lunch not just a supermarket sandwich. that said, on Monday I missed breakfast, drover for 3 hours, had a very light lunch of half a sausage roll and a small slice of pizza and then drove 3 hours back and I had a great run - Sorry I wasn't much help there really

[Trish_h Graduate]

Yes you were Stef because now I know that all runners don't have perfectly healthy diets and that some runs can be fuelled by naughty but nice food occasionally!

[Trish_h Graduate in reply to Trish_h]

PS a lot of you say bananas are a good thing to eat before running but I really don't like them at all. Is there anything else that's as good? How about a cereal bar?