To eat or not to eat...

[SoozyM]

before a run? Hopefully starting week one on Monday (pending GP appt) and am wondering about eating or not before going for a run? Common sense tells me there should be fuel in the tank, but there's a very real risk that I'll puke! We're going in the morning - and I'm not a great morning eater, takes me a couple of hours before I can have anything - so thinking maybe a banana? Any wise words? Sxx

[Rignold]

There will be enough fuel in your tank for R1 or indeed for any of C25k. you dont need to worry about prefuelling until you are running more than an hour.

[Rignold in reply to Rignold]

Do make sure you are hydrated though. And that means 3 litres of water the day before running, not a mugful 10 mins prior.

[SoozyM in reply to Rignold]

3L?!?! I don't think I drink that in a week!!

[Rignold in reply to SoozyM]

Well, there's an easy positive change to make to your life then. And free!

Clearer skin, better sleep, healthier organs etc etc as well as better running performance

[SoozyM in reply to Rignold]

Might need to invest in some Tenalady too...seriously...3L water, nearly 50, and running for the first time...I thought puking was my only potential embarrasment!!

[Berryboo4 Graduate in reply to SoozyM]

I'm 53 you will be fine x

[Janeeshaw Graduate in reply to SoozyM]

That's hilarious! Must admit my "rebound" classes at the gym came to a halt due to potential embarrassment 😳. Not sure how I'd get on with running after 3L of water - let me know!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SoozyM]

You should!!!

[SoozyM in reply to Rignold]

Excellent...thank you. It's going to be an embarassing enough spectacle without adding a potential chunder to the mix!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

I should think a banana before would be fine, but if you don't fancy it, then have it afterwards ( its suggested on the plan). What Rignold suggests about drinking more water is a good idea. Start now, your muscles will work better when you are fully hydrated. Don't suggest you drink too much just before your run though... but do drink water afterwards, and maybe do some gentle leg stretches after your warm down walk.

Good luck..😊

[Millsie-J Graduate]

I don't eat if I run before 9 am. If it's after 9am I have a small bowl of porridge and half banana at least an hour and half before the run.

[Hidden]

For me not eating first thing is a bad idea generally, not just if I am running. But if you are one of those people who don't eat early anyway I am sure you will be fine.

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I usually do eat early and always have breakfast. Which is why if i run after 9am i need to eat..... my body seems to expect it.

[Rignold]

Just for clarity: I am not suggesting you drink 3L of water before going for a run. Rather you should drink at least 3l of water THE DAY BEFORE going for a run.

It is not the water we drank half an hour ago that governsour current state of hydration. If you have ever had a hangover (never happened to me but I'm sure there may be some who have had this experience) and felt desperately dehydrated, it doesn't seem to make any difference how many glasses of water you chuck down your neck you still feel parched and desiccated. Same thing applies.

[SoozyM in reply to Rignold]

Hangover?? No idea what you're talking about! I shall endevour to drink as much water as I can the day before. I must be commited because it's our anniversary the day before R-day and we're going out for lunch and I've opted to drive...unprecedented!

[davelinks Graduate]

Try and get into the habit of drinking 3lts of water over the day. During the warm weather you will perspire more, so need to replace it, or it can affect performance and how you feel, and is beneficial in other ways already mentioned. At 50 you're a youngster.. Me and my wife run, we're 62 and of course my wife has the ladies problem of weeing often, she makes sure she's​ empty before she runs as I do.

Before running make sure you are well hydrated​, and don't drink anything about an hour before running, in that hour visit the loo, just as you go out to run maybe have a couple of sips of water, a banana's fine eaten about an hour beforehand, that's something you can eat just before a run..😊

[stevy]

May l add fuel to the debate😏 (sorry bad pun). Hi SoozyM, Eating may be alright for some but its amatter of digestion it takes aperiod of time; lf you are running with it jostling up and down in your stomach,Ouch! it must hurt!.Rignold is right about hydration. I have found that if drank just water and not other forms of liquid you would not pee so much; also if you look at the formula H2O you are adding both those elements into your blood stream both are crucial in aiding your breathing.Stevy

[Carli050386]

Completely agree with the water comments, I usually drink 2.2 ish litres a day, but for some reason only had a litre the day before one of my runs this week - I really struggled, my legs wanted to give up, even though my mind was absolutely fine. So drinking is so important!

[Zara2017 Graduate]

Personally, I go on an empty tummy early am approx 5am. This is because of family, work etc. I feel better exercising on an empty tummy, if I have eaten before then I feel uncomfortable and don't push myself hard then.

I think there are also some "studies" of the benefit of exercising before eating. However, there's normally another study saying the opposite.

Do what's best for you. Any exercise is better than none. 🏃🖒 you'll love the benefits 😚

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to Zara2017]

I remember reading a study once about eating or not before exercise and I think I men benefitted more from eating before and women were better not to..... but of course that is a massive generalisation and we are all different.

[Bridgetwine]

I always have a banana when I run first thing in the morning

[Ang33333 Graduate]

I eat up to an hour and a half before a run. I physically can't run on empty! I run better the later in the day I run as I've eaten more! Park run is too early for me ! I force down a bowl of porridge at 6.30 am..not fun!