Pre run snack / meal

[Run_Matty_Run]

Hi all,

I’m intrigued. What do you guys have as your pre run eats? How long before your run do you eat?

Matt

[nowster Graduate]

If I'm out running first thing in the morning, just a small glass of water and nothing else. I eat when I get back.

It's recommended not to run for 3-4 hours after a big meal.

Running diverts blood supply from the digestive system so you might feel a bit nauseous if you run on a full stomach.

[SimonC25 Graduate in reply to nowster]

I also run first thing in the morning. I always have a drink as soon as I get up, and then try to leave around half an hour before running.

Are you the same Nowster from SABRE?

[nowster Graduate in reply to SimonC25]

I'm the same nowster as in many places. I've been using this nickname online since the early 1990s. 😉

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It's all in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[nrbone Graduate]

I'm the same as Nowster below, I run first thing in the morning and just have sips of water. I tried once having half an avocado before going out and it came back up after 25 minutes... safe to say it put me off after that!

[Ian5K Graduate]

I always run before meals, whether it’s breakfast or lunch (I don’t run evenings yet).

It’s right, the rule is don’t run within 2 hours after eating, but 3 hours to be on the safe side.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It depends when I run. On the rare occasions that I run early, I just have a nice brew and get on with it... breakfast after tastes wonderful. Currently I’m running around lunch, so eating a pretty big breakfast around 6am and light lunch when I get in.

[spongecat Graduate]

Most days I don't usually eat before 2pm, only water and maybe a cup of coffee and on occasions if I need a boost, a small banana. Generally run about 1pm and then have a glass of home brewed milk kefir when I get back before a light lunch. If the weather is warm or I have sweated a lot I'll also have an electrolyte drink post run.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

If it’s a morning run, I have some banana & some very diluted juice, (a good idea from Iannodatruffe).

Otherwise I leave a 2-5 hour gap after meals depending on the size of the meal.

If I’m feeling wilted I might have a handful of grapes or a few dates before setting off. 😄

[Fitzy110]

As with some of the other comments, I just have some water. I also run first thing, going out around 5:30.

Perhaps unwisely, I have even twice run 20km plus (before becoming ill few years back) and didn’t suffer any problems even running that far.

[00marks Graduate]

When I started I ran in the evenings after a meal but soon realised that wasn't a good idea. I now go out first thing in the morning before I've eaten anything but have a couple of glasses of water before I set off to make sure I'm hydrated.

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

I have a banana or sometimes a small slice of bread about 40 mins before I run. I run first thing and wake up very hungry. When I don’t eat I get halfway and begin to feel dizzy and sick. When I eat I have the energy to complete 5k. It just works for me.

[Laldy Graduate]

I have “experimented” with eating and running and find that an early run without anything before is best for me. Hydrating properly the day before seems to be important too. Later in the day I need to leave at least 2 or 3 hours after eating anything substantial. For longer planned runs I’d have that half banana and some water and then carry water (experimenting with gels 😂 ) and take it easy. I guess that everyone is a bit different.

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

I run first thing and have a cup of tea, water and half a naked bar. Not sure if it helps but my daughter told me I should have something before going out first thing. I've only been running since February, so it's still all new to me

[Antonio_the_Aussie Graduate]

I don't.

[sunshinefish Graduate]

I have breakfast a couple of hours before I run on a morning, and if I do an afternoon run I have lunch around 3 -4 hours earlier. Sometimes a slice of toast if I do an evening run an hour before. I don't do well on an empty stomach even before you add in the running!

[booksie Graduate]

I definitely wouldn't be able to run if I had eaten beforehand. I run about 7.30 and just have water before and sometimes sips during.

[ACBW Graduate]

I’ve only done morning runs so far. I have a berocca before I head out and that gives me enough fluids plus a bit of a boost. Going to have to move to lunchtime/evening runs soon so I’ll have to read the blog and have a rethink.

[Mistygoth Graduate]

I usually run around 7:30 am and start the day with a coffee and then a small bowl of cereal, usually 10-15 mins before I go out. Then water and coffee when I get back

[Pnegirl Graduate]

I like to run when I get up in the morning but when I first started, I used to get a little light-headed running on an empty stomach. Apart from a few sips of water, I always have a pear 30 minutes before running. It works for me though I'm yet to reach the long running durations later in the plan 🙂

[Rowers Graduate]

A banana and some water if I want to run fairly immediately after eating, otherwise porridge, maybe toast and coffee as well but 90 mins or so gap before running.

[karol363]

Hello Matt!

I run mostly in the evening, and eat a banana approximately one hour prior to my running session. Note that I currently cover around 7k on my run.

Have a nice day!

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

🍌Banana always, the potassium gives you energy 💪🏻🏃‍♂️

[Roxdog Graduate]

Just a bite of banana and some water and a cup of tea, even when I'm going out for a longish run!

[Rick-shaw Graduate]

I always run or do ay sport on an empty stomach. Apart from a couple of glasses of water, that is.

[elmopar Graduate]

I have some water and a banana before every run if I don’t have a banana I tend to struggle more