Eating before a run

[mcgurranhouse]

Good evening everyone. A wee bit of assistance required. I am doing a 10k tomorrow evening and wonder what to have (or not have) for lunch. I don't want to eat something that will leave me feeling dodgy before the run. Any thoughts/advice?

[yatesco Graduate]

Not an expert in anyway but I thought the advice was to eat at most 2 hours before and preferably easy-on-the-stomach things (no chillis for example :-)).

Sounds like a perfect time to eat a bunch of bananas and peanut butter!

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to yatesco]

Bananas - certainly - peanut butter - not a fan! Thanks for your help.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Nothing fatty, and not too much.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Eat a good 2 hours before should be fine, it's important to eat!!!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

When I ran a race in the evening (730) I had scrambled eggs on toast at lunch time and at about 5/530 had toast with peanut butter to give me a little boost! The main thing is to avoid the usual horrors like onion, garlic, chillies and anything highly spiced and remember to drink lots of water throughout the day.

Good luck and have a fab race.

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks Princess - do you want to join me?

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Would love to but don't think I'll be running 10K again any time soon. Where is it?

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Lisburn?

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to mcgurranhouse]

When I'm back to full fitness and visiting my mum I'd love to run a race back home. Titanic 10K? The bling would be fab.

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

The bling is good but it is an incredibly boring (but flat) route - maybe the bling is worth it though!

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to mcgurranhouse]

I'm a bit of a bling slut and will consider doing almost anything for the right piece of metal!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Depending on how fast you run, you may need to consider taking fuel and water with you. Up to an hour most people are OK without refuelling or rehydrating, anything longer than that and it is essential to keep energy and fluids topped up. I know my performance drops drastically beyond 12k if I do not replenish reserves, so I refuel at 40 minutes to prevent the decline.

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Good thinking! Thanks for the advice!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

The standard advice for events is don't eat anything different to usual. I'm used to running before lunch but a couple of times I have gone after I've just had my standard lunch and gone. I don't know what your weather forcast is like today but in london the sun has come out to play so if it's the same for you hydrate through the day. Is there a water stop on your event? I did an event where the weather caught me out and I didn't have water, it was only a 5km but I really felt it towards the end. Most of all whatever you decide have a great day.

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks RFC. I did a 3k at this event last year and they had cups of water - I hate that because you have to stop to drink it! I might bring my own bottle with me to be on the safe side.

[poppypug Graduate]

Good Luck for tonight Marina ! Oooh exciting stuff !

Yes, I would definitely take some water , just in case , they have the dreaded little plastic cups . Always better to have it and not need it , than need it and not have it

I would have a normal lunch ( nothing spicy ) and then maybe a slice of toast with a nana about 1hour/1.1/2 before .

Looking forward to reading the report and seeing the bling xxx

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to poppypug]

The t-shirt itself is a lovely red one - I will post a pic tomorrow if I can Poppy. Actually looking forward to it - how sad is that!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Ooooh Marina, nowt sad about it at all ! It is exciting stuff !

Most of us would be exactly the same I am sure xxx

[Qscout Graduate]

Good luck tonight. Lisburn s a great race. I am gutted I cant go, I have an unavoidable appointment to attend.

Great atmosphere in Lisburn for this, enjoy it!

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Avoid cherries. We are in mid-cherry season here and they are delicious and work out at £2 a kilo so are hard to resist. But my experience is that they really aren't very good the evening before a morning run, so presumably not a good idea for you either....

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Porridge! It's rocket fuel!

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Never thought of that - went for the scrambled eggs and toast - probably too much toast! Did the trick.