Eating before running...I need advice!

[PaulWojcik]

Should you eat before running, If so what and when (how long before??) - I’m not talking roast dinner! Or maybe I am?? Can anyone give me some guidance on this?

[Hidden]

Some people eat porridge or a banana something light or just drink water.

If you do eat something as big as a bowl of porridge then wait an hour or two before you run.

[PaulWojcik in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - that’s given me a steer - I really had no idea what/when/if at all !

[Hidden in reply to PaulWojcik]

Just try things out, you might feel happy enough with just water, trial and error.

[Purplehorse21]

I personally find I can do a steady 5k before breakfast. I always drink a pint of water whilst getting ready, which keeps me hydrated during the run. If however I wake up feeling particularly hungry/weak, I have a banana. Anything more gives me a stitch.

[PaulWojcik in reply to Purplehorse21]

Thanks - that’s really helpful - so basically run on not a lot! I had no idea but if I think back I’ve hardly eaten before most runs and it’s been fine - my last run I eat before and it was a massive struggle..I wasn’t sure if all my progress had somehow evaporated or it was something else...I think (hope!) it’s that I ate too much...

[Purplehorse21 in reply to PaulWojcik]

Happy to help! Yes, very true - I wait two hours after eating a meal before I run, again, to avoid the dreaded stitch. I’m sure it will have been what you ate rather than a loss of progress, so don’t worry! Also, some days are just a little tougher and that’s normal too.

Have a decent dinner the night before a give a pre-breakfast run a go, I bet you’ll feel amazing afterwards!

[PaulWojcik in reply to Purplehorse21]

You know what I’ll give that a go - all my runs so far have been in evening - I’ll give that a go next weekend - weekday mornings are a bit hectic.

[nowster Graduate]

If the food is still gurgling round in the stomach, it's probably not a good time to run.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This is covered in the guide to the plan. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[PaulWojcik in reply to IannodaTruffe]

You’re right!!! I read through but only really scanned my way through - rookie error! It’s totally covered.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to PaulWojcik]

It was designed to be the "go to" place for all the basic answers........I know it is long, but it has a lot of info in there.

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

I’m with the rest of them, I have a drink and a banana about 30 minutes before I go out, the banana digests easily and provides you with energy 👍

[PaulWojcik in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thanks - no brainer - such a simple thing to try!

[Jools2020 Graduate]

If I’m running up to about 8K I prefer to run fasted, I’ll just have a cuppa. If I’m running 10K or more, I’ll have half a banana about an hour before I leave the house. I have the other half in my porridge for breakfast when I get back!For longer runs more than 10K, I take an electrolyte drink with me. You can try different things and see what works for you, a lot depends on what time of the day you run 👍

[Peckham-girl Graduate]

I never eat before a run as it upsets my tummy. Even a banana sets me off. If it’s a 5k or less, you’ll probably be absolutely fine waiting to eat after your run. Everyone is different, but I much prefer running on an empty stomach. Always have a good drink of water though!