Forums >Health and Nutrition>Fueling-up for morning runs?
I've gotten into the habit of doing tempo workouts later in the afternoon, and easy runs in the morning,
but I have lately been trying to make the most of my energy by doing some faster runs early, around 7:30.
I usually eat a reasonably high-carb meal the night before, around 6 or 7. Recently, though,
I had trouble with much of this meal still being in my stomach when I head out in the morning.
Stomach trouble, diarrhea, and poor workouts usually ensue.
In light of this, I've been thinking instead of eating lighter the night before, and just getting up early to have a very light, simple carb snack about 1-1/2 hrs before I run. Is this a good idea, or should the meal the night before suffice?
Another consideration of mine is that I tend to rest better when I am not stuffed - I like to wake up feeling hungry.
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I'd try just doing them on whatever easy morning fare you can tolerate, be it coffee, juice, toast, a bagel, a combination of the above, or nothing. It's not like you're trying to do long runs after sleeping 8 hours and eating nothing -- you should be fine, IMO.
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I like to eat the night before and the morning as well. But I do know a number of people who don't like to run after eating.
It's a 5k. It hurt like hell...then I tried to pick it up. The end.
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I'm a morning runner (main workout) and do all of these runs unfed - regardless of duration or intensity.
The only exception is race day, which often features a wake-up call and commute many hours ahead of the race - in which case I'll eat something (say 300 calories) with a fairly equal balance of protein, fat, and carbs at 3 hours pre-race.
Liz
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I eat normally the night before--trying not to eat too close to bedtime--like an empty stomach when sleeping. I never eat closer than three hours before a run, for fat-burning and empty stomach reasons. If I run in the a.m., which I am about to go do. I don't eat. Never a problem with bonking, even on long runs--I usually run in a high fat-burning range anyway. I'll eat breakfast if I plan an afternoon run. Before a marathon, I will get up 4 hours before the race, eat a small meal, then go back to sleep. Short races, I don't bother.
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I'm a morning runner (main workout) and do all of these runs unfed - regardless of duration or intensity. The only exception is race day, which often features a wake-up call and commute many hours ahead of the race - in which case I'll eat something (say 300 calories) with a fairly equal balance of protein, fat, and carbs at 3 hours pre-race.
+1
I do eat some mornings before easy runs. I never eat before a hard morning workout.
not bad for mile 25
Most mornings, just a couple of gulps of water. If it's going to be a couple of hours before I run, I eat a thingy of yogurt first. Yogurt is nice on my stomach.
I used to do my long runs on Saturday or Sunday mornings when I used to work weekends. I grabbed a banana and a couple sips of water, maybe half a bagel if I was really hungry. Never any trouble with bonking.
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Try a banana and coffee. Banana will prep. your stomach for the coffee. I like KD's idea, but may be a little harsh on the stomach, and a little expensive as a long-term thing.
"If you have the fire, run..." -John Climacus
Not much of a coffee drinker, though (I hear) it can be beneficial in
moderation for athletes, or others who don't normally consume loads
of caffeine on a regular basis. I tend to shy away from eating too soon
before a rigorous run - I just hate that feeling when you have stuff bouncing
around in your stomach. I might try the banana thing, though.
Me too. I'll have a tall glass of water when I get up to flush my system, but that's about it. Maybe a couple of Sharkies before I head out if I'm going over 10 miles or so.
Without ice cream there would be darkness and chaos.
Kind of a threadjack, but, I have a hard time finding any rhyme or reason to what I eat the night before and how hungry I am the next morning. I can eat a calorie dense dinner and still wake up hungry and on the flip side skip dinner and still not be hungry the next morning.
Unless I'm still feeling really full - like I had a really late dinner (9pm) - I'll have a half bagel and coffee in the morning. I also carry 12 oz. of Vitalyte with me on almost all runs. That way, I can at least drink something to make me feel fuller in case I guess wrong on how hungry I feel.
I think it's one of those things you have to experiment with until you find what works for you.
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Got a blender? I've been making smoothies in the morning. Whatever ingredients you prefer, but it's liquid so doesn't sit in your stomach.
Here's mine: Almond milk/protein powder/fruit (banana or berries)/flaxseed or ground chia/Udo's Oil. Works for me.
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