Do you eat before you run?

Hi guys,

This is the end of my first week running, and I feel great. The only question I have pertains to eating and running. When I wake up in the morning I'm ravenous. Not eating breakfast is not an option, otherwise I'm useless. My question is, for those of you who eat beforehand, how long do you give yourself before you go out?

Also, how long are most people running?

Thanks!

 

oops, for an old thread: an hour... got it.

thanks anyway

I definitely eat before I run.  I actually don't usually wake up hungry, but I eat breakfast anyway because I know I need the energy.  I usually eat a bowl of cereal (3/4 cup cereal, 220 cals, and 1 cup of skim milk ~80 cals) about 20 minutes before I run.  I eat, chill for a few minutes, then change and by the time I'm ready to go I feel like I'm good to go.  I'm only running about 30 minutes, though.

i always eat. usually if its a 5m+ run (which my am runs usually are between 5 and 7 miles) i eat a yogurt and a small bun or piece of bread. then i carry beans and eat a pack around mile 3 or 4 and then i have a glass of milk after a bottle of water when i'm done... then more water and a meal about 1-2 hrs after. typuically if its an 8 or 830 run... i wake up at 630. eat. and then go back to bed for an hr! ha. but thats just me.

if i am running 30 min or so i typically will eat 1/2 c of both cereal and milk and call it a day. i usually eat that about 30-45 min before. longer runs i need more digestive time for.

If I'm doing a very early morning short run (i.e. 6 am and 3-5 miles), I usually don't eat.  If I'm doing a longer run, I try to eat something before I run -- usually toast and peanut butter.  On any run over 5 miles I pack a few PowerGel's and lots of water for the run.  When I do eat, I make sure to give myself at least an hour before running to avoid cramping during the run and potential "runners trots" (sorry to bring that up, but it's a reality of running -- and not a pleasant one).

I definately eat!  In fact, I find I run the best if I'm slightly "full."  Oatmeal with some mixed in berries or other fruit is what does it for me.  :)  Occasionally, if I work out later in the day, I'll make sure to eat something else right before... but the oatmeal just sits better for me.  I tried a boca burger + veggies once (a typical dinner for me, so nothing "weird"), and I felt TERRIBLE while running.  So clearly, you might have to try a few things until you find that perfect meal for you.  Good luck!

An hour is long enough for me, but I know if I'm going running I don't eat as much as otherwise bebcause I am sure I'll want to eat again soon after my run. I say eat a cereal bar or just some fruit and give it an hour. Then eat a nice breakfast/brunch after.

I just have a 90-100 cal granola bar about 15 minutes before I run. If I eat too  much, my stomach feels way too heavy to run. Now I'm only running about 2-3 miles in the morning, so I don't need as much fuel as someone who is going 10 miles, so this could be different for you. I've also found that if I space my meals/snacks well during the day, I don't wake up starving, just a little hungry, because I didn't go to bed hungry.

Do what feels right for you.  Every body is different.  I usually am up around 5:00-5:30, run and lift.  Today I ran a little over 5 miles and after I ran, I ate some natural oatmeal, with a scoop of protein powder, a scoop of glutamine and splenda.  Personally, I can't eat prior to a run because I get heartburn and feel too heavy.  Do what makes your body happy...it'll let ya know! =)

I always eat about a half hour before I run.  I have been to seminars that say you should always have something, even if it's just a piece of fruit before any exercise.  It gives you the energy you need for a good workout or run. 

I have found, I run best when I wait 2 hours or more after my last meal before starting to run.  My best running time for a 10km is first thing in the morning (cooler) before breakfast.  When I  have to run later in the morning (i.e. event), I will get up early, have a small breakfast and then go back to bed. 

Knowing when and how much to each before a run is definattly an individual thing which you will need to experiment with to find out.  I do know that for me,  eating a 1/2 bagel right after running a personal best in a half marathon is not a good idea.  I had no idea that such little food could feel like a 10 pound stone  in the stomack. 

The biggest thing is to make sure that you drink fluid's when you are running.

Good luck with your running

I don't run in the morning, but I plan on it...

but even before I start doing stretching and stuff I have like a banana or half a banana or a pretzel rod or half a pretzel rod. something easy on the stomach. I prefer the banana or half  because I know I'm getting some nutrients, more so than the pretzel.

I wake up and start my day early with a good breakfast, usually oatmeal, yogurt, luna bar,  or some toast and fruit.

Then about 2-3 hours later I eat some fruit and go running (2-5 miles) or to the gym (35min of cardio, 30 min of weights, and 30 minutes of basketball).

Then I have a smoothie with protein powder and lunch about an hour later.

I get out of bed, put on my running clothes, eat a fiber cake and run. When I'm done, I eat my breakfast. (Fiber cakes are miniature muffin type things).

What the heck are "runner's trots"?

I'm not sure how to politely describe runner's trots, but basically it's the urge to have a bowel movement during your run.  Happens to a lot of runner sbecause of all the motion in the stomach during running.  I find that if I eat too closely to my run time, it's more likely to occur.

I wait about 30 minutes before I run, preferably closer to an hour.