Should you eat before a morning run ?? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Should you eat before a morning run ??

Threetwoonego profile image
ThreetwoonegoGraduate
18 Replies

Hi ,

So I am new to this game as a 58 year old woman and have miraculously reached week 8 !!!! Thanks to this brilliant programme and Denise Lewis egging me on !!

I have got run 1 (well v.slow jog ) under my belt - but really struggled . I have been going out early (quite self conscious still ) after taking my meds and allowing half an hour for then to get into my system ( I have Addisons disease - steroid dependant and hypothyroidism) but I haven’t eaten anything before my run . Am wondering if now I am into the last weeks of C25K whether this is a factor - or if my body that has been so unused to this sort of exertion just needs to get stronger in all respects !

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Threetwoonego profile image
Threetwoonego
Graduate
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18 Replies
Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

I usually run in the morning and if it's first thing then never eat , even running for 10k It's really a case of finding what works for you !

Remember if you do eat then don't run straight after (depending on what you have eaten of course)

Threetwoonego profile image
ThreetwoonegoGraduate in reply toInstructor57

Thank you - I guess we are all different so just need to work out what’s best for me

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

I run early too, and I go out about an hour or so after my morning cuppa and two digestive biscuits... which I have always done since I began!

A healthy eating regime and great hydration all the time are paramount... and as Instructor57 says it depends on what feels right for you...

Also, as the runs get longer, it is a good idea to ramp some of your rest day exercise a tad! Your body needs to keep up with the legs ! x

Threetwoonego profile image
ThreetwoonegoGraduate in reply toOldfloss

I am quite active on my rest days and have always walked a lot but maybe I need to up my game - I definitely need to do more stretching exercises

Pinkpig20 profile image
Pinkpig20Graduate

I always need to eat something before I go first thing in the morning, waiting half an hour to an hour before going out. Some say they can go out fur 5k without eating anything first, but longer distances they would need to eat.

Threetwoonego profile image
ThreetwoonegoGraduate in reply toPinkpig20

Thank you

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate

I’ve trained myself to eat sooner after breakfast than I used to be able to. That’s mainly through laziness and not wanting to get up extra early fo eat before running. With a bit of experimentation, you might find things that work for you. Toast and jam with a coffee is normal a pretty reliable breakfast for me.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate

I've found that since my hypothyroidism kicked off I need to eat before a run, I never used to...it also depends on what I've eaten the night before, I tend to eat my main meal at lunch time and just have a slice of toast or a small snack, or indeed nothing at all in the evening, then I would need breakfast before a run. I like boiled eggs and toast!

taichi1 profile image
taichi1Graduate

I have a cup of coffee and half a banana before I go out. I like to read the news/sport etc etc while I'm having my coffee. I then go out after about 45 mins. General rules I believe are wait 30 mins after a tea/coffee before you run...wait an hour after a small snack and 2-3 hours after a meal. I've been out in the past, just having eaten, and have to say massive indigestion halfway through a run isn't pleasant hahaha.

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate

I prefer to run on an empty stomach, it feels lighter, so whether it's first thing, or last thing, I prefer not to eat for a few hours before, but as has been said, everyone is different

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

Empty stomach if running first thing in the morning. I have to give the levothyroxine a clear half an hour anyway before eating anything else. Just a small glass of water, and I'm out.

Obviously if the run's going to be a longer one, eg. over ninety minutes, I'll be taking something with me, and I may have had a couple of slices of toast.

But I wouldn't go out having just eaten a meal.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate in reply tonowster

I take mine (with my consultants permission) at 3 - 4 AM when I get up to wee, means I can still have my tea as soon as I get up!

Threetwoonego profile image
ThreetwoonegoGraduate in reply toCurlygurly2

That’s a good idea - I know some people take their thyroxine at night rather than morning too

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toCurlygurly2

Similarly, if I get up to pee at 5am I will usually take the L-thyroxine then. I prefer not to have to get up in the middle of the night, but when you've gotta go…

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate in reply tonowster

Funnily enough, I find the more they get my dose right the fewer times I get up in the night...I'm sleeping so much better.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toCurlygurly2

My dose has been stable (100µg) for the last couple of years. I'm not under a consultant, just my usual GP.

In fact the trainee GP who back in 2017 originally referred me to a consultant got a long letter back (with a copy to me) effectively saying, "Why the heck have you referred him to me? Do it yourself, man!" After that I was under the head of that GP practice who routinely did that sort of work anyway.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate in reply tonowster

I used to be under the GP when I had my goitre but when they removed that last year it was then down to the hospital to do the titration, in fact my GP is actually not allowed to do it. Too many cooks etc...

You know, I feel so much better I am now wondering if the GP got it wrong and I should have been on the meds years ago. The fatigue I suffered on a regular basis was blamed on the radiotherapy I had 5 years ago, Even three consultants in ENT said that... thank goodness for one who looked at my results properly and gave me the prescription. It's a long process, and I hope they'll up my dose after my last test, I feel like a junkie - gimme the drugs, gimme MORE!!! What a magic pill this is!!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

I have a light breakfast 7 days a week, however, on my run days I don't run for a least one hour after finishing breakfast, if it's very warm weather in the summer I will be running as early as 6.30am which means finishing breakfast as early as half past five, when I go to parkrun on a Saturday morning I finish my breakfast at 7 am, plenty of time for my breakfast to settle, well done to you Threetwoonego on almost completing C25K, only 6 more runs until you graduate

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