Food for .....running

[59er]

I'm thinking I might try my first park run this weekend but I'm wondering what people eat before a park run. Usually I might eat a banana but I'm concerned this might not supply me with enough stamina as I'm sure I'll be a bit nervous and my adrenaline levels will be quite high - I want to make sure I give it my best.

[Wolvesmad Graduate]

2 bananas lol 🍌🍌

[59er Graduate in reply to Wolvesmad]

😂 I never thought of that! 👍

[damienair Graduate]

Hey first of all, relax. No need at all to be nervous. Parkruns are a very relaxed, welcoming and chilled out affairs.

Personally I get up at 7am for a Parkrun. I have a slice of toast, a banana and a coffee. Or sometimes I might have Overnight oats. I also have a couple of glasses of water. After 7:30am I don’t eat anything. The most important thing for me is to empty myself. Excuse my French, hence why I get up early.

Enjoy Parkrun, you will love it.

[59er Graduate in reply to damienair]

Thanks for the advice - I'll bear all of this in mind.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Your muscles will have enough stored glycogen to do park run on empty... a banana will be enough before to make you feel good as the legs ask to replenish used glycogen, so no need to change anything. Have a great time at parkrun.

[59er Graduate]

So, banana(s) seem to be the answer! Thank you 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just eat what you would eat before any run as you do normally

Your normal healthy eating regime and hydration is enough to take you through those runs... don't change your normal routine for 5K...time for tuck in after the run

Hopefully you are doing stamina and strength exercises on some rest days too... so, you should be fine

[59er Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

When you say stamina and strength exercises what do you mean? I do yoga and Callanetics.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well depending on the Yoga you do.. that is great. I have a daily routine and often incorporate yoga.. I also use strength training and some weight work..

I started with this routine a few years ago.. and use it in my daily workout..

youtube.com/watch?v=qoxqZXZ...(Not working as expected?)

Stamina work..well, as a failry new Graduate.. the more runs you do, the stronger you get.. shorter and slightly faster.. a 5K at least once a week and some long slow steady runs..they are what build our running legs and our stamina up too New routes, different routes.. and some hills in there too as you move on

[59er Graduate]

Ok Old Floss, thank you. My yoga sessions are quite tough going and my Callanetics, well I do the plank and plenty of tippy toe up and downers. Lots of core work too. I try to run every other day and have been trying to do 5k each time - maybe I'm over doing that? I live in a rural area so there are hills/gradients everywhere and I try to run wherever I go so that I do get different routes otherwise I get bored. Haven't been sleeping well so am very tired today so no running for me. I'm thinking of postponing my park run until I'm well and truly rested as I've been finding the running quite hard the last few times. That's why I'm enquiring about food - wondering why I'm finding it more difficult now I've graduated. I'm not THAT old!