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Pre-race snacks and interval training - advice needed!

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Half Marathon
β€’19 Replies

Right, so ever since I've started running, I've always had a banana before I go out for my run (I can't run on an empty stomach!). I've recently been making smoothies for breakfast which included a banana too and I don't particularly want to have 2 bananas in the same morning. So I'm looking for another pre-run snack that I can just grab and eat when I get up and get ready for my run. Any suggestions?

Question number 2 is about interval training - I've planned out my next half-marathon training which is the standard 3 runs in a week (one short, one medium and then one long run). For my last HM I did the same and just completed the distance for each run but didn't incorporate any interval training. This time round, I want to complete the three training runs per week but I also want to get some interval training once a week too but bit entirely sure how to. Any ideas? I should mention that I'm quite new to interval training and that I also cycle as cross-training 3 times a week in between run days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! πŸ˜€

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Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41
Half Marathon
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19 Replies
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GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon

Oat based snack bars, or peanut butter snack bars go down easy and give a quick, but lasting boost. I usually have a proper breakfast, especially if heading out for over an hour and carry an additional snack per expected hour plus 1 for just in case.

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Ah that's a good idea. I'm not quite into long runs yet but will definitely explore when I get there! :-)

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

When I've been getting up for a super-early run recently I've had a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup about 20 minutes to half an hour before leaving. I happen to have some lying around 😊 I used to have a handful of raisins.

I am not sure what you mean about the interval training. Do you mean you want to make one of your three runs an intervals workout? You could use your short or medium run to add in some fartleks, or find a more structured intervals workout online? You don't need to do the intervals every week unless you particularly want to - every other week is fine. You could also include some faster portions in your long run, pick up the pace for a couple of km in the middle, and/or include a faster finish.

Don't rush into doing harder workouts though, ease them into your routine.

Nevvy profile image
NevvyMarathon in reply to roseabi

good advice about snacks and intervals.(LOVE Reece's pnut butter snacks)

Interval training is to build stamina and strength, I think? A fave session at running club was to run up hill, jog down, over and over with varying different recovery time (possibly based on how sadistic the coach was feeling!) Whilst I hated these at the time, they were great for gaining strength.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to Nevvy

I meant I'm not sure if Redcello wants advice on specific intervals workouts, or on how to incorporate intervals sessions into her training plan 😊

Those you describe are called hill repeats, and they are excellent too!

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Half Marathon in reply to roseabi

Yes how to incorporate interval session into my hm plan

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Half Marathon in reply to roseabi

Cool thanks! Sorry, wasn't that clear in my post! Yes I want to somehow work out how to to a interval training sessions as one of my HM training runs found in the plan. Does that make sense? :-)

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to Redcello41

Sure! See my earlier reply for my suggestions 😊

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

I have my breakfast porridge and let it digest before heading out

If I were to have a snack though it would be white bread toasted (easier to digest than wholemeal) and good old peanut butter Or miss out the toast bit. Even quicker

Or, I would grab one of my home-made peanut power bars The recipe is on a pinned post I do believe.

I had two Clif bars given to me yesterday. I checked the mile-long list of ingredients. Hmmmm. Although I'd eat them if I had to

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to misswobble

I have never liked Clif bars, I find them dry and quite unpleasant to eat! I do like Clif gels though 😊

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply to roseabi

I can't believe how expensive they are! all of them! I did like the Eat Natural ones I got after my muddy trail race. Not bought any though

I think if you make something you know what's in it. Nothing weird and chemically-sounding

They're so easy to make and store brilliantly in the freezer. I wrap mine individually in foil and then put the whole lot in a plastic box in the freezer They've thawed out by the time you've run the golden hour. Even 8 km if needs be.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to misswobble

Someone just shared on Facebook an article about making your own gels. I like the idea of that except that the containers they suggest look awfully big to me! The main thing I like about gels is that they are so portable πŸ˜„

Here's the link for interest, although I know you're not a gel person 😊😊😊

overthefells.com/post/how-t...

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply to roseabi

Thank you! πŸ˜ƒ. That was my immediate thought! Decanting gloop into small phials/packets 😁. I suppose you could buy a heat seal machine if you’re big on making gels at home πŸ€”πŸ’‘πŸ’Έ Kerrching

I shall go read πŸ™‚πŸ‘

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply to misswobble

I love your energy bars misswobble, I’m looking forward to running longer distances again to justify making another batch!

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Half Marathon in reply to misswobble

Brilliant, I'm quite into my baking and cooking at the moment so will definitely give them ago! Where can I find the recipe/pinned post? :-)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply to Redcello41

Irish princess posted it and I thought it was pinned

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Half Marathon in reply to misswobble

I'll have a look around :-)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

I run intervals as part of my plan. Twice a week at the mo but I think that might reduce to once a week (hope so!)

Short and sweet I'd say. 200 metres or 400 metre intervals. Eg this week i did 7 x 400 m intervals. The next lot a few days later was 9 x 200 m intervals. Pain in the arse doing 9 and 10!

I'd start small and short. Go steady!

You could just Fartlek on one of your long run if you wanted to If you're pushed for time

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Half Marathon in reply to misswobble

Thanks, will experiment! :-)

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