breakfast

[shakylegs]

Do you early morning runners eat breakfast before or after the run? I had a couple of weetabix this morning pre-run and wish I hadn't. What is best?

[Pat184 Graduate]

I just have a glass of water

[phoenix5422]

I eat after my run if I go in the morning.

[BettyJane Graduate]

In the Summer I'd have a glass of water and a banana before my run. But on Saturdays when doing a Parkrun I'd have 2 weetabix about 7.30 which was settled enough by starting off time at 9.00. Now that it's so dark I tend to run mid morning or mid afternoon.

[SBG356 Graduate]

I run in the morning at weekends and just have water or tea and maybe a breakfast ceriel bar if peckish otherwise I wait until I come home.

[Mitts Graduate]

I usually have tea and toast immediately I get up and then go out an hour later. Used to have cereal but it would talk back to me, toast works better.

[Fingalo Graduate]

Nothing for me bar a few mouthfuls of water, then after my run a bit of fruit and a pint of water.

[sfb350 Graduate]

I used to just have a banana and a drink before an early morning run. I'd try and leave at least an hour between eating and running. I've read recently that it can be beneficial to sometimes run without having eaten but best not to do it all the time. I don't usually fancy eating until later in the morning but I always found a banana was enough of an energy booster without upsetting my tummy. You may need to experiment a bit with what suits you. Recently, I've been munching on oatcakes as a pre-run snack - that seems to work well for me as they provide a slow energy release.

[Cazvs Graduate]

I just fall out of bed and into my running shoes But I'm only on week 2, I might find as I get on that I need more energy. If you run on an empty stomach do you ever feel really tired or dizzy?

[swanscot Graduate in reply to Cazvs]

I usually run early to mid morning and I can run 40-45 mins on an empty stomach with just 1 - 2 glasses of water. If I think I'll be longer than that I'll have a glass of smoothie before I go. If I'm running later (mid morning onwards) I'll have a wee bowl of cereal a couple of hours before running.

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to Cazvs]

That's a is a good point Cazvs as I don't eat prior to going out and have had the occasional bout of lightheadedness after a run, although it's never consistent. For example, I had a brief moment of it after my first run of Week 3 but no problem at all after run 2. I'll keep an eye on it as it might be that as the length of the runs increase, I'll need to have eaten something. I'm sure a banana just as I'm heading out won't kill me but it's odd trying something different.

[sfb350 Graduate in reply to Fingalo]

Probably best to eat the banana an hour before going out so it has time to settle, Fingalo. It should still give you an energy boost. Oatcakes are a good slow energy release snack too and easy on the stomach.

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

It's just 2 glasses of water and off I go! I can only run first thing, any later than that and even a cup of tea will talk back to me. Happy running!

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

PS forgot to say that an ultra-runner (video posted by someone on this site) suggests taking dates with you. If you get hungry while you run, a date will give you that extra boost.

[sfb350 Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

Mmmm, dates sound a good idea. I tried jelly babies once and they just made me sick - lots of people recommend them though so it's very much a matter of experimenting to find what suits you.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

The absolute imperative is two cups of coffee - and a banana, but that has to be an hour before I run. I started the programme without eating anything but as the minutes increased i found it helped if I ate something first. I experimented with chocolate milk (yum!) but the banana seems to work best.

[redfacewoman Graduate]

I go for a nice cuppa pre run and an apple 40 minutes down then run I always run after work in the evening but the best bit is I plan dinner and usually pop it in the oven as i go out the door and enjoy it loads following a run shower and in my PJ's ...last night i was really bad also had a pint ....well it was a reward and it is Christmas !

[willnevie Graduate]

Usually water and the thought of a yummy bowl of porridge to look forward to when I get back.