Breakfast. Too eat or not to eat?

[WINERYDOG]

I've got my first ever Parkrun on Saturday morning at 9am and am wondering how I should approach eating as it's so early.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Hard to advise - how early do you normally eat breakfast; how much do you eat?

For me I’d have some water and a banana before travelling and take the same with me for after.

Enjoy it!

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Sounds good. I'm usually up between 7:30am and 8 and have a porridge pot and brew for breakfast, which I think might be a bit much so soon before run.

[Hidden in reply to WINERYDOG]

I'm going to recommend a banana too. It's the only thing I can eat immediately before a run without any issue. I can suffer during a run even 3 hours after eating a regular meal, but for some reason a banana on the way out the door makes no impact.

Good luck with the Parkrun. I'm still a PR virgin but it's on the hit list.

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. During C25K I found I couldn't eat a full meal about the same time before a run as yourself, which is why I was wondering. I also learned last week that running a 5K trail race the day after one of my routine 5Ks is a killer too. I'm taking 2 days off before this one. You live and learn 😁

[Penelopesimmons Graduate in reply to WINERYDOG]

I agree thar a two day rest is a great idea. Every time I have run further or faster it has been after a two or three day rest. My creaking hips and natural propensity fir shin splints means that I listen very carefully to niggles and am very cautious re overtraining.

Very good luck to you 💪

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Penelopesimmons]

Thank you. Yes due to injury worries I've been listening to my body carefully too this week. Last week's exertion left me with a couple of new DOMS (back and knee) probably due to my first hill running experience. Ran twice this week at the track, both very gently and shorter in duration but without issue so feeling confident for first Parkrun 😁

[Hidden in reply to WINERYDOG]

I used to get serious DOMS at the gym but this programme hasn't been as bad. I'm assuming it's down to the Moore gradual build up. For some reason after a few months off you expect to go to the gym and kill it for 30 mins without paying for it thinking, it's only 30 mins!

[Ang62 Graduate in reply to WINERYDOG]

What are DOMS please? Whatever they are it sounds like I don’t want them! 😊

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Ang62]

Lol Delayed onset muscle soreness. Yes I believe most of us could live without it 😁

[Ang62 Graduate in reply to Ang62]

Mmm yes sure don’t want that!😊

[Hidden in reply to Penelopesimmons]

I was getting shin niggles, but remembered old physio exercises I was given after a ski injury which included walking/jogging backwards and had read that it was also recommended for shin splints and I've never had bother since. I just throw in a minute or two before and sometimes after in the garden before the warm up/cool down, that way I know where everything is and won't reverse into a lamp post!

[Hidden]

It depends totally on your body so you need to experiment and tweak till you find what works for you.

Personally, I cannot eat less than 3-4 hours before running, so have to go fasting into morning runs because I'm not prepared to get up at 4-5 am in order to eat. When I've ignored this, I have been faced with very embarassing situations. Despite it being the favoured food of many, banana is among the worst culprits for me. I've also found it best to avoid bread aand to minimise intake of vegetables, fruit and pulses the day before a run

BTW, I've been trying to run for the last 14 years and got up to several half marathons in the past, including last year, so the fact I'm only Week 3 now does not reflect my full experience.

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Strega, I'll heed your warning. I'm no athlete lol only been able to run 5K nonstop (at the track) for the last 4 weeks so am still at the bottom of a very steep learning curve so all advice is appreciated 😁 good luck with your running 👍

[AndyJohn]

I personally never used to eat before running or racing. But that's me I prefer running on an empty stomach. Good luck with the run.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

If I was up at 7.30 for a 9am run then just my normal breakfast, museli or some toast. If it was winter than porridge instead on museli. As others have said each to their own. It has never bothered me either way whether I eat before or after a run.

[MitchMaidenhead]

I've tried all sorts of food and eating at least 2 hrs before but nothing seems to work. The only thing I can have is liquid otherwise I spend much of the run belching

[spscollins]

I don't eat before I run but have a glass of water. Sometime a teaspoon of peanut butter. Love a porridge afterwards though.

[RedFred]

I can't cope running on empty. For PR I wake at 7am get some grub in me then go back to bed for an hour 🙄 I once tried just a banana about half an hour before and threw it back up - not done it again ☺

[MotherPip Graduate]

I'm a banana person too even though I probably walk more than I run..

[Guesty26 Graduate]

Bulletproof coffee n banana half hour before kick off for me, i run about 9am

[TonyG27]

If you are intending to do PR I have been told if you do eat and this is for running any time of the day. Don't run until about 1.5 to 2 hours after. So for me I would just have cereals about 7.30 or wait till you get back home

[Slinkymalinki Graduate]

I have a piece of toast & small cup of tea about 7.30am. Just can't run on an empty stomach and I'm not nice if I don't have tea first thing! Porridge after though & protein lunch. Good luck!

[Ripcurlrana71]

I don’t eat breakfast just have a coffee. Found its fine to run on for me. But then I’m not a big breakfast eater anyway! 🤫

[slowsue]

Good luck with the park run

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to slowsue]

Thanks 😁 All being well I'm hoping to be able to run it every Saturday morning with the 300+ other participants!

[WINERYDOG Graduate]

Due to faffing about getting my printer to print my Parkrun barcode this morning I ended up running on just a cup of coffee but all went well with no issues. Looking forward to seeing my time once they post it online but, for a first run, it was enjoyable in that I was able concentrate on keeping my breathing/pace under control all the way. This could be habit forming 😁

[Kroro]

I have made some small energy balls, I have one about 40 minutes before I go for a run. For these ones I used Peanut butter, oats, dark chocolate, coconut and flaxseed. Sounds like you enjoyed your first park run! I’m not there just yet but hope to be in the next few weeks.

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Kroro]

Sounds scrummy and something I'd use any excuse to nibble on 😋

[fitwithgail]

It's definitely a struggle getting something nutritious and fueling before a parkrun without overdoing it - my go to is simply a piece of toast, or what I call half a bowl of porridge (about 25g oats with no toppings). Bananas work too, (although I am not a fan of them on their own), and I also love a medjool date stuffed with a walnut