Food and sports drink?

[Stephanie1976]

Do you have any advise on diet? I mean more protein and the day you recover other type of food? And shall I take a sports drink?

[sfb350 Graduate]

I don't think you need to worry about a sports drink on the C25K runs - maybe on long runs of more than an hour. For these shorter runs, just make sure you are hydrated enough before and after your runs and, if you want to, take a drink of water with you. I think most people haven't needed to take water with them but I've always felt I needed to sip regularly. Others don't take water unless they are running more than an hour.

I'm always most comfortable running if I just have a banana about an hour or so before my run - I've read that some research shows that a banana is just as effective as a sports drink and probably healthier.

[Stephanie1976 Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Super ! Thanks for your tips.

[happierswimming Graduate]

you should be able to manage c25k without drinking anything except water and if you're calorie counting, make sure you include any snacks in your count. Running doesn't use up many calories and 30 minutes exercise can usually be done without eating any more or differently from normal.

[Pixel Graduate]

Just remember, all a sports drink has is added sugar. When your body runs it uses stores of glycogen in the muscles (plus liver) which are then broken down into energy for the muscles to use. Your body will naturally store enough glycogen to see you through at least a half marathon if not more.

So, whilst training for a 5k you don't 'need' anything extra whilst running. A healthy diet, plus hydration should keep you at tip top condition for running this distance. If you feel like you need something, then a banana is a good option.

Best of luck!

[Stephanie1976 Graduate in reply to Pixel]

Thanks Pixel !