Two milestones reached: So this week I did some... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Two milestones reached

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate
29 Replies

So this week I did some things I was scared of.

1) I have been running with the dead. In my local cemetery there is a lovely path that very few people know. I figure the dead haven’t minded me thundering past because they would run if they could and a lot of them probably wished they had run more and put off ending up there. But I finally forced myself to expose Lycra thighs to living people. They didn’t seem to recoil in fear. Or actually stare at my Lycra thighs. Mainly as even with a construction any major bridge builder would be proud of containing my upper girl parts, people don’t look at my thighs any way! 🤣 what was I scared of!?!!

2) running in the morning. I don’t like mornings and you are supposed to eat an hour before. So you have to choke down food super early. Yuk. Dutifully swallowed down some yoghurt and off I went. Whelp. I can run in the morning, even as a zombie. It actually is quite nice. But half way in suddenly I was starving. Finished the run already with a hunger headache and missed the happy feeling after. 😢

So anyone out there what is the best thing to eat in the morning and do I have to get up an hour before? What are morning runners secrets?

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Flowell profile image
Flowell
Graduate
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29 Replies
Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Isn’t it funny how much we worry about people seeing us run and yet hardly anyone seems to notice us?

I’m afraid I am an avid morning runner but not an avid breakfast eater, so what works for me may not work for you.

I try to eat reasonably well the night before and drink a fair bit of water through the evening. When I get up I have more water.

If I’m feeling hungry I eat a banana soon after getting up but I’m running within 15-20 mins of having it. But that is rare.

When I get back I then have more water and a banana, have a shower, and then have a cup of tea whilst getting ready for work.

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate in reply to Jay66UK

Thank you for the help. Am going to try the no eating as maybe eating woke the hunger monster!

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate in reply to Flowell

Good luck - let us know how it goes.

Kezwah profile image
KezwahGraduate

Hi. I have friends who run. They told me to have a coffee before I head off and eat when I get back. Sometimes I have a banana before I start. But otherwise I don’t bother.

thegirlfrommarz profile image
thegirlfrommarzGraduate

I run early in the morning too. I just have a glass of water before I go, and then eat when I get back - seems to suit me better if I don’t eat before I run.

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate in reply to thegirlfrommarz

Will try the no eating! Thank you

Victoria1james profile image
Victoria1jamesGraduate

Hmmm, I must have missed that bit of advice I do t eat before I run. I get up at 6.50am, run then eat afterwards. I don’t think I’d be able to keep it down.

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate in reply to Victoria1james

I was struggling to get it down the first time! Thanks will try that.

Elles78 profile image
Elles78Graduate

I run in the morning and as above don’t eat before I go. I take a bottle of water out and sip throughout the run. I eat breakfast when I get home

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate

Phew! No more breakfast torture! Thank you!

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate

Yes as I understand it the advice doesn’t actually say you have to eat an hour before. It’s more about NOT eating (or not eating much) closer to the run than that. Me, I’m not a morning runner so I’m only going on what I’ve read but it seems that for the kind of distances we are doing, ie up to 5k, you can get away with running before you eat in the morning as long as you’ve eaten normally the day before.

Mybelle profile image
Mybelle

I drink lots of water and run on that at 5.30am then come back and have a banana, then breakfast when I'm ready for the day. We'll done, I prefer a morning run. Not many around. Lol

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

I think iannodatruffe said something about a glass of diluted fruit juice- I find that helpful- oh yes and the essential cup of tea. No tea = no start of day! 😃

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate

I've joined you in the lycra tights this week, and equally delighted to feel invisible :D I run evenings during the week with a buddy, but I ParkRun/walk at 9am on Saturday's. I'm learning I can't eat solids for at least 4 hours before I run, because it totally saps my energy and I get reflux. I don't tend to eat breakfast anyway. So I just have small amounts of water, sometimes with a soluble vitamin tablet dropped in, or a small amount of cordial if I feel the need for a bit of sugar.

I always have to eat because of headaches! I have exactly the same problem - getting up super early in order to eat an hour b4. I have to make sure i eat enough as well. I have porridge a lot if i can. I’d be interested to see what others say. I know the consensus on here tends to be that you don’t need to eat anything extra because you are not burning off enough but if I don’t eat enough i get the proverbial headache! Consequently I haven’t lost any weight doing this! Anyway- end of essay. Well done for getting out there & mixing it up a bit.

Pippayoungart profile image
PippayoungartGraduate in reply to

I sometimes get a headache if i’m dehydrated... but can’t eat till afterwards.

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71 in reply to

If it’s an early morning run I don’t eat anything. If it’s a weights workout I try to eat a banana or similar. That’s because that tends to be a bit later in the morning so I can face it.

I too get headaches and has been bad with this humid weather! Thankfully better last couple of days. 😊

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71

It’s good to hear other people get them!

limberlou profile image
limberlouGraduate in reply to

I’m the same - have to have at lest a banana or headaches. And I have a pint of water I take to bed with me , I wake up in the night thirsty and drink half then the other half on waking.

MarciePower profile image
MarciePowerGraduate

I run early morning- well, if you can call 8am early. I have a cup of tea and some fresh fruit before I go out, then reward myself with a substantial second breakfast on my victorious return.

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate in reply to MarciePower

That’s the embarrassing thing, I too was running at 8! Managed to find a job that starts at ten as I hate mornings soooo much.

Agelesslass profile image
Agelesslass

Just have two cups of tea before I run

Phlashster profile image
Phlashster

Who says you are supposed to eat an hour before running? I prefer to eat on an empty stomach, but that's just my personal preferance

Kezy80 profile image
Kezy80Graduate

I set my alarm at 5:15 and have a banana and glass of water. I wouldn’t be able to not eat!

lovebomb profile image
lovebomb

Love your post, I'm the same I hate mornings! If I run in the morning I just have a banana then eat when I get back!! Evening runs for me most of the time!!

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate

Thanks for all the advice people. I realised I need to not eat anything before morning runs... it wakes the stomach beast too early. 🤣

FormulaRun profile image
FormulaRun

I’m a morning runner it sets me up for the day - I have water & a banana before setting off then brekkie on my return. Happy running 😊🏎

MadDave profile image
MadDave

I just have an espresso with hot milk - I think the milk has enough carbs in it to kick start the metabolism (along with the double espresso!). Then breakfast is usually Skyr (no fat all protein 🤗) with some granola and a banana. Keeps me going until lunchtime - just about! 😜

Flowell profile image
FlowellGraduate in reply to MadDave

You are a brave man. I tried the skyr. I really tried it. But just no. Nope. If you can eat that you can run 10k!

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