what do you all eat/drink before/after running... - Couch to 5K

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what do you all eat/drink before/after running and timings?

titch67 profile image
8 Replies

Just wondered what kind of things people intake before and after running, to give me some variety and inspiration.

Currently eating banana and oat biscuits about an hour before, and glass of choc milk and glass of water after (fluid intake about 1 mug 3/4 of hour before as i have a stupid bladder :/)

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titch67 profile image
titch67
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8 Replies
Alliecat71 profile image
Alliecat71

Am drinking lots of water throughout the day before I run ( loo trip before treadmill !) a carby lunch like jkt potato with beans or veg chilli with rice, a banana about 40 mins before I run then a dinner of protein ( liver, chicken, fish) steamed veg and small amount of mashed or new potatoes, glass of red wine as a treat !

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate

When I ran early in the morning I always had a banana 30-60 mins beforehand and took water with me. I can't drink tea beforehand unless it's a really short run ;-)

When I run in the evening, it varies but I might grab a biscuit or a slice of cheese, something very small, then have my meal when I get back. I almost always take a drink of water with me. I can't drink lots before I go, especially not tea, because I don't want to have to stop in the bushes (last time I did that, on a canal-side cycle ride, bugs bit my bum :-( ).

Vivwestie profile image
VivwestieGraduate

A large glass of chardonnay and a bar of chocolate before.

Then the rest of the bottle and a vindaloo after.

Lol - only joshing - of course! I don't eat anything before - I like to leave at least 2 hours between eating and running cos of stitch. I drink a large glass of water about 30 mins before and a smaller one just before. I eat whatever is available when I get back; it's usually evening so I have whatever supper is - I'm veggie, so it'll usually be veg soup, or veg curry or veg chilli or veg something (I know how to live!) and couple large glasses of water and THEN I have the Chardonnay!

swanscot profile image
swanscotGraduate

For my usual runs (30 - 60mins) I run at 9 in the morning and I run on an empty stomach. I drink a full glass of water and go. Then have another glass of water immediately afterwards - standing holding onto the kitchen units while I stretch!

For long runs, I'll have the glass of water and a smoothie or a small banana 30 - 60 minutes before I go.

I don't carry water unless I running for more than 70 - 80 minutes.

If I'm running later in the day - eg the organised 10K run which was at 11am - I'll have a little cereal or a cheese and jam sandwich, maybe 2-3 hours before running, plus extra water. Plus maybe half a cup of tea at the most.

Jadis profile image
JadisGraduate

I make sure I have something light about an hour before hand (a yoghurt or fruit usually) or I can really feel my blood sugar drop after, then I come home and make my usual dinner what ever it may be that night straight after. And I always carry water with me - cant manage without

ceefin profile image
ceefinGraduate

If you currently have a good healthy eating/hydrating habit then there is no need to alter your diet when you start running - not until you are up to running for more than 2 hours. My one piece of advice would be not to eat or drink anything within an hour of starting. If you run first thing in the morning then have breakfast afterwards, and if you run in the evenings, run before dinner.

I have a small cup of tea on waking, pee, and then go out on an empty stomach (although I had a homemade sausage roll this morning). I pass a water fountain twice on my route and use it to rinse my mouth and spit. Since I've come back I've had a rehydration tablet in water which I meant to take before I went out (trying to avoid calf cramps) and two satsumas. I'll eat lunch mid-afternoon when I get hungry, as running seems to shut down my appetite for a bit. If I go running a bit hungry the hunger stops quite quickly.

titch67 profile image
titch67

Thanks for the tips and reply's has given me some good ideas for snacks and timings before i run. :)

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