Early morning runners - What do you eat/drink ... - Couch to 5K

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Early morning runners - What do you eat/drink before an early morning run? 🍌🍳πŸ₯£

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate
β€’57 Replies

I've been running mid-morning, but would like to try running earlier next week so an early run becomes part of my routine.

I know I won't be able to run on an empty stomach, but definitely don't want to eat a full breakfast before I head out.

What makes for good fuel first thing in the morning? I'll be starting week 4.

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Delly-dot
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57 Replies
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JaoJao profile image
JaoJao

A small cup of oolong tea for a mild caffeine fix to keep me alert. X

Then I eat big after my run 😊

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to JaoJao

I can't get over how hungry I feel all the time now! I keep clock watching for meal times which I've never done before.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply to Delly-dot

I was amazing at how much I am eating since starting this programme. However I am being conscious about my food choices, plenty of veg and carbs to replace the energy. Saying that I have become visibly leaner and I hope it continues.

Nothingbutlove profile image
Nothingbutlove

I've realised I run loads better before than after work, but often feel sick after though. Probably need to eat something beforehand?

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Nothingbutlove

Yes, I'm definitely a morning runner. I find it sets me up for the rest of the day.

I think I'd feel lightheaded on an empty stomach, so some form of food before hand seems a good idea.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply to Delly-dot

Does your trainer tell you to have a banana at the end of the programme? Mine does! I also hear it’s fine to have a banana or apple a little bit before your run.

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to JaoJao

Lovely Laura tells me to have some fruit afterwards!

Loads of great suggestions on here this evening.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

When I go out early I don’t eat... and when I get home that breakfast tastes so good!

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

Think I'm going to have to eat something before I do go out if I move my run to first thing. I've taken to having a mid-morning snack (second breakfast! πŸ˜‹) after my run at the moment, because I feel so hungry all the time!!

Carowood profile image
Carowood

Usually a small banana and glass of water!

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Carowood

That sounds good. Thank you!

Julia187 profile image
Julia187Graduate

I don’t have anything, just swallow a couple of tablets with a mouthful of water and head out. But I run very early 5.15-5.30 normally so don’t really feel like anything. When I first started I couldn’t contemplate running without eating first but then tried it when I started going out early and was fine 😊

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Julia187

Gosh, you are an early-bird! No wonder you don't eat first! πŸ˜€

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

If you're interested I've started having a Belvita breakfast biscuit before my run works for me 😊

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Buddy34

Thank you - I haven't heard of them before so I'll look them up. Are they a breakfast cereal bar type of thing?

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate in reply to Delly-dot

More of an oat type biscuit

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate

Hi Delly-dot, small banana and a small cup of water or green tea for me! Then I dream of that large coffee while I’m trotting along!!

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Oldgirlruns

Dreaming of coffee - I'm with you on that one! That sounds a good combination, thank you! πŸ˜Œβ˜•οΈ

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Half a banana should do if you’re only doing couch to 5k πŸ‘πŸ½

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Tasha99

Thank you! It's a popular suggestion, so one I think I'm going to try. 😊

Am_i_really_running profile image
Am_i_really_runningGraduate

I have a banana and some water but generally have a little cramp after the first run but soon disappears. APOLOGIES, spell check (my brain) was not working!!

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

What?😐

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to Jell6

🀣

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to Jell6

I’m still LOLling about this πŸ˜‚

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Tasha99

GOT to be a typo, surely?

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to Delly-dot

But funny as. They meant to put cramp πŸ€£πŸ™„πŸ€£

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Tasha99

I see it now... 🀣

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Tasha99

Still laughing!! Good to have a chortle before teatime!!

Am_i_really_running profile image
Am_i_really_runningGraduate in reply to Jell6

oops!!

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

Ooops?! OK πŸ˜•

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

To order?

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

I love it!!!!

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

Dear Am_i_really_running πŸ€—

I have to reply to you and let you know you have made my day! (and lots of other peoples too!!)

Thank you for replying!!

Am_i_really_running profile image
Am_i_really_runningGraduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

I hope my running is better than my spelling

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

I love it!! You made me smile 😊. I have to follow you now just for that reason alone xx

Am_i_really_running profile image
Am_i_really_runningGraduate in reply to Delly-dot

I have have just looked at week 5 run 3 is 20 mins. I may be c....ing on that one.

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Am_i_really_running

Speechless!! 🀭

purplewalker profile image
purplewalkerGraduate

I just fuel up night before and drink a glass of water before I set off at around 5:10 am. Works for me.

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to purplewalker

Thank you! (I'm still giggling from the earlier posts from Am_i_really_running!) 🀣

I am definitely recognising the importance of keeping hydrated. I felt really funny during one run when I realised I hadn't had enough water beforehand.

Katiepops profile image
KatiepopsGraduate

Really tricky. I don't eat for 5k, maybe a banana for 10k and something a bit more energy filled for longer (or for XC). Not too soon before I run and nothing with too much fibre. A couple of miles from home is not where you suddenly want to have to find a loo (sorry to be so blunt).

I prefer to have done it the day before tbh along with making sure I’m properly hydrated. Don’t need to try to run along with a tummy full of water sloshing about!

You’re asking the right question in the right place though. I’m interested in what everyone here thinks. 🍽

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Katiepops

I'm certainly realising the importance of being hydrated, and definitely don't want to get caught short either, so thank you for the "blunt" advice! πŸ™‚

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Nothing. But I hydrate well the day before and tend to have a more generous late meal.

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate

Hi. I hadn't thought about eating more the evening before. Something else to think about. Thank you.

RunRunRun13 profile image
RunRunRun13Graduate

I normally have carbs (pasta/rice) the night before but nothing in the morning apart from water....up and out by 7am. Have breakfast when I get back...Have half a small banana if your stomach is rumbling when you wake up 🍌😴

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to RunRunRun13

Bananas and water seem to be the top tip. Thank you!

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate

Phew! Just starting to realise how early some of you guys head out!!

Pinkpig20 profile image
Pinkpig20Graduate

I usually have a bowl of porridge & leave it an hour before I go out. πŸ˜€

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Pinkpig20

Porridge, that is proper running fuel! I remember the 'Readybrek' adverts with the lovely warm glow around the kids going to school!

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate

Nothing, I drink well the day before ( at least I try to) I am usually back from my run by 06.00. 07.00 if I am feeling leisurely😊

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Jell6

I’ve had lots of replies with many new ideas to try out and hopefully I’ll find the one that suits me. Maybe some mornings will be hunger mornings and others I might find I’ll be fine to run and eat after. I’ll go with the flow, armed with lots of great ideas from everyone.

Thanks guys & girls! πŸ™πŸ» xx

Knittingrunner profile image
Knittingrunner

I have a cup of tea and a banana as a minimum. If I am going running about an hour later then I have some fat free yogurt and fruit. Anything more and I feel sick. Then when I get back I have whatever i feel like. Usually more banana or yogurt to be honest. I’m always hungry when I get back. πŸ˜ŠπŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Knittingrunner

Thanks for sharing 😊

Suzi73 profile image
Suzi73Graduate

I used to eat before running but my stomach felt full. So I have a few mouthful of water then I'm off. I eat breakfast when I get back from a jog now. But I do take sips of water on my way round on my jogging /running route.

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate in reply to Suzi73

Thank you 😊

Megbird profile image
Megbird

Most mornings I drink lukewarm water. It has been a ritual for sometimes now. Except this week i had a cup of coffee twice. So there you go. Then brekfast afterwards.

madmother profile image
madmotherGraduate

I drink water and go. I can’t run on anything. Eat like a horse afterwards!!!

furlmouse profile image
furlmouseGraduate

I'm usually asleep when I start running, so I don't realise that I'm hungry until I'm halfway through....

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