Before an early run

[HarleyMaitlandPrice]

Started my running last week and I have a question...

What do people eat/drink/do before an early morning run?

[Rennur Graduate]

I have a small glass of water and a small glass of orange juice about 20 minutes before I go. That gives me time to do a 5 minute warm up and go to the loo if needed. I can do over 5k plus warm-up/down walks. If it was warmer and I was running a lot further I might take water with me. I haven't got to that stage yet. More important is to ensure you hydrate properly in the days before.

[TwiggyL Graduate]

I get up, drink water, get dressed and go. I usually run at 7 am.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

I generally only have a pint of very dilute apple juice immediately before a run. I used to eat half a banana too, but rarely do now.

This is a very individual thing, so experiment to see what works for you.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Depends how early. If it’s right after waking, I’ll have half a coffee. Otherwise, if I can get an hour in before running, I’ll have porridge.

[Hidden]

4xweetabix a coffee a look visit and out the door 👍

[nowster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I thought it was three shredded wheat. 🤣

[nowster Graduate]

For a run first thing in the morning I'll just have a small glass of water. I take thyroid hormone first thing and have to wait half an hour before having any food. When I get back I have something to eat.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

A banana, nothing more. Coffee before any run is a no-no 😳

[HarleyMaitlandPrice in reply to Speedy60]

I find a coffee and a fag in the morning is always a sketchy combo 🤣💩

[Hidden in reply to HarleyMaitlandPrice]

Nooooooooo lose the fags please HarleyMaitlandPrice

[HarleyMaitlandPrice in reply to Hidden]

I know 🙈 I have cut down. Really hoping to quit this year!

[Hidden in reply to HarleyMaitlandPrice]

Please do it's the one thing that's sooooooooo important!

[HarleyMaitlandPrice]

Thanks for your speedy replies everyone! I seem to be doing a mix of all of your answers🤣 some days I'll have a coffee, some days water and sometimes a bit of fruit! But I suppose the common answer is that everyone is having 'something', so I'll make sure I do that. I hadn't thought about ensuring I drink enough the day before.. I'll look at ensuring I go to bed hydrated (not sure how many wee's I'll need in the night though 🤣)

[Lady_bug]

Hi, early morning I drink as much water as I can beforehand and I don’t eat anything until I get back and then it should be protein rich. Eggs are ideal or porridge with berries and nuts. Some folks think a banana first can stave off cramps (potassium). Maybe experiment. I know some have an espresso before they go to give them a little boost. I just found eating nothing is best for me, even if I think I’m starving, it soon fades when once you start.

[HarleyMaitlandPrice in reply to Lady_bug]

I'm not a breakfast person anyway so I've found myself sticking to having a coffee but on a few days I've thought 'i should probably eat something' so have grabbed some fruit. I guess it's just trial an error from here, once I start running longer distances I'll probably eat something more substantial (cereal, more fruit etc.) Yeah I've found the hunger goes away once I start gasping for air 🤣🤣🐽

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

I have a drink and a banana 🍌about 30 mins before I go out, bananas digest quickly and provide much needed energy 👍

[nowster Graduate]

If it's a late morning start and I've had my pill in time, eg. from a weekend lie-in, I'll have a mug of coffee (with milk) and a slice of toast whilst doing some warm up exercises.

I try not to run whilst carrying much in the stomach. Later in the day I'll aim to leave at least an hour after a substantial meal (not a scotch egg in ages) before running.

[Lauw]

I go between 6 and 6:30 on a morning. I may have a drink of water but usually nothing. I’ll have my coffee and breakfast when I get back

[Indielass00 Graduate]

This is probably not good advice but if I’m doing an early morning run I just have water and a cup of black coffee followed by more water. That’s just because I’m not hungry though. When I return I do my stretches, shower and then eat a breakfast with eggs.

.But some times I have a couple of oatcakes if I am feeling peckish before I head out.

[Hidden]

I eat a bowl of porridge with a scoop of protein in, wait an hour then do just over an hour of weight training then go running, once finished I have a protein shake and a banana.

[Mattnia]

Hi , in my experience, as much light is better , I normally drink some fruit juice or banana half an hour before going out , then when you come back eat proper food but not too much . Keep strong , healthy and happy

[PandaCory Graduate]

I normally have a glass of milk. That's seen me through a few morning 10k runs, although I'm Hank Marvin once I get back!

[Pnegirl Graduate]

When I first started, I was terrified of eating before a run in case I developed a stitch and tried to use all the advice about warming up too. However, I found that I used to feel quite queasy running on an empty stomach (I use to run only in the mornings before work). Ever since, I start by eating a pear and maybe having a small glass of water at least half an hour before running and I use the time in the middle to warm up. It works for me but I think it's a bit of trial and error finding out what works for you. As a heads-up, the good hydration thing the day before a run really is excellent advice. I learnt that one the hard way haha! Good luck with your first few runs and I hope you enjoy them too 🙂

[Fitzy110]

I’m another one that only has a glass of water before going for a run.

[starpark Graduate]

I go at 7am and always have 250ml water before leaving (any more and I would need to pee during 5K run!) Occasionally, if I feel I a bit of an energy boost, I'll have a few bites of a banana OR one piece of dark chocolate! OR quarter teaspoon raw honey, but usually just the water. When I come in I have protein breakfast