Is it okay to run before breakfast?

[coffeelover]

I'm starting my first session of couch to 5k tomorrow morning. The best time for me to go to the gym is 7am. I think I'll be more motivated by just hitting the gym straight away and not having breakfast first as that will tempt into wasting the time in front of morning TV.

[Beth5]

Perhaps grab a banana 30-60 minutes before you're due to start. I'm an early gym attendee myself (usually start between 7 and 7.15) and find that this gives me the fuel to get through the session and I still have my breakfast to look forward to once I'm finished.

Congratulations on getting started! Look forward to hearing about your journey!

[coffeelover in reply to Beth5]

Thanks very much Beth5 - a perfectly timed answer! Am all set for day 1 now.

[Beth5 in reply to coffeelover]

Hi coffeelover, hope you find time to blog and let us know how you're getting on. The community here are great and will pick you up when you've had a bad day! I'm just re-starting W2 after an injury so know that the getting started is the hardest part!

[Hidden]

personally, if I want an early morning run I just have a glass of water and eat when I get back, try both and do what works for you. I prefer to run on an empty stomach otherwise I can feel a bit sick.

[PeaBea Graduate]

I am with Phil as I usually run in the morning on an empty tum.

[Esprit Graduate]

Some of my best runs have been on an empty stomach, but everyone is different.

[didntrunthat Graduate]

Even half a banana repeats on me while I run even up to an hour after eating, but if you can manage and do get up early enough to eat too then great! I therefore did my morning runs on a empty stomach apart from some orange juice or a full or two of a sports drink.

[WepreRunner Graduate]

I also tend to run first thing on an empty stomach. I think on longer distances this would prove to be a problem, but I've managed to get to 30 minutes okay.

[gingernut49 Graduate]

I never eat breakfast so always run on an empty stomach. Never any ill-effects.

[notbad Graduate]

I'll be awkward and redress the balance! I run best an hour or so after breakfast, I used to run on just a small banana but have since discovered I have a tendency to lower end blood sugar and so running on empty is not a good idea for me, or I could pass out. It's probably okay for most people but if you feel faint don't press on.

[Cazvs Graduate]

I always run before breakfast, I just grab a banana and a glass of juice when I first get up and then head out of the door about 20 mins later. I get proper wobbly if I don't eat regularly though, so you could try on an empty stomach and see how it goes. I've found I need more fuel as I got further through the programme as well.

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Absolutely! I just have 2 glasses of water and out I go!

As soon as I'm back and showered, branflakes, milk, banana and coffee. Heaven!