AM Runners

jennybrooklyn · April 2012

What do you eat before you run? Any other tips for getting used to a morning run?

My morning runs have been horrendous. I think it's partly mental, partly that maybe I'm not eating enough before? I flunked out after a mile today Boo.

I'd prefer running at night, but I know I'll be running at the butt crack of dawn when it comes time for basic training (I leave for Army BCT in late May)! So I'm trying to force myself through it.

p.s. I'm Jen, I came around a lot more when I had a job, now I just poke in and out periodically. so, HI!

JenniferJaneC · April 2012

Hi Jen, that's my name too.

I grab a Clif Bar before an early run, or a banana. If you aren't sold on cliff bars, try their White Chocolate Macadamia Nut one before totally writing them off. Those are ridiculously tasty.

If I don't eat before a morning run, I run like crud. Overnight is a long period of no food to go running on.

shorewife · April 2012

If you will be running early for basic training, then you probably won't be able to eat before right? If that's the case, I think you should just try to power through it now and get used to not eating before you run.

moshi's paw · April 2012

It honestly depends on my morning run workout.

If I run easy under 5 miles, I have a glass of water.
If I run hard under 5 miles (tempo runs and speedwork), I have a glass of water and a couple of shot blocks.

If I run easy between 5 and 7 miles, I'll have a banana and some water, and a Gu before I go out.

If I run easy over 7 miles, I'll have a banana pb toast sandwich, a glass of water, and a Gu, and will then fuel with Gu while I'm out there after 7 miles.

Everyone is a special snowflake. If I have anything substantial in my system when I just get-up-and-go, it is a rainbow of unpretty on the side of the road. On the weekends for my long runs I wait over an hour after I've eaten before I head out. It's took a bit of trial and error to get there, but once I figured it all out I stuck with it. HTH!

OSULori · April 2012

For about the last six months or so, my prerun/workout snack of choice has been a banana and a glass of water and that has worked out really well for me. I've also done the same thing with a cereal bar and a piece of toast with a little bit of PB-everything has been at the most 150 calories, but is just enough to put something in my stomach and get things moving so I can poop before I leave my house.

doglove · April 2012

I usually don't eat anything before a morning run unless it's a long run (7 miles or more). I just strap on my water belt with water and water/gatorade mix and go. I have been running 3-5 miles mostly.

Before a long run, I usually eat toast with peanut butter and a glass of milk.

ETA - I always drink a full glass of water before I head out and stay hydrated along the way.

Brit's Luna154 · April 2012

I usually do well with either a banana or some toast before I run in the AM. If I were in your shoes, I would experiment with foods that you will have access to in the morning at basic training.

KatiesCats · April 2012

OSULori:
For about the last six months or so, my prerun/workout snack of choice has been a banana and a glass of water and that has worked out really well for me. I've also done the same thing with a cereal bar and a piece of toast with a little bit of PB-everything has been at the most 150 calories, but is just enough to put something in my stomach and get things moving so I can poop before I leave my house.

I love you for this

OP, I don't eat anything before a morning run, but I also almost never do more than 5 miles on a morning run. It's really just trial and error to find what works for you.

jerseygirl81 · April 2012

It depends on what I'm doing and how much time I have before I hit the road. Before my Saturday morning long runs, I eat a waffle with peanut butter on the way to the starting point. During the week, I have to get up at 4:30 to get a good run in, so I sleep until the absolute last minute possible and usually don't eat anything at all, just drink some watered-down gatorade. That's usually ok for speed intervals and short tempo runs, but if I'm doing more than 5 miles I'll have a banana.

I hate getting up early, but I've grown to LOVE running in the morning. For whatever reason (and maybe it's all mental), it feels easier and I can run faster. I hope you adjust quickly!

mehgank · April 2012

My weekday runs, I usually hit the pavement between 0630-0700, so I usually have just a Gatorade Prime squeeze packet. The Berry flavor is my favorite, and I find that Prime doesn't upset my stomach since it's not quite a liquid, and not quite a gel. I also like to eat half of a Sunshine Omega-3 granola bar (from Costco) if I want a little something more substantial.

For weekend runs I'll get up early, have a piece of toast w/PB & honey and some water, go back to sleep for about an hour, then head out on a long run.

moshi's paw · April 2012

jerseygirl81:
I hate getting up early, but I've grown to LOVE running in the morning. For whatever reason (and maybe it's all mental), it feels easier and I can run faster. I hope you adjust quickly!

I find that in the morning, when everything is calm and cool outside, I feel more in touch with my running and am a lot more in tune with things like posture, turnover, and such. I also find it's a lot easier to get in the zone when it's quiet around me.

**O-Face** · April 2012

I think it is true that each person has to find what works best for them.

For anything under an hour, I'm lax and don't do much at all. Unless I'm actually HUNGRY before, at which time I will eat a half a banana or one of those fit prime bars (50 calories).

Anything over an hour, it is definitely half a banana. Anything closer to two hours, the whole banana plus some pb.

It really depends on how much I've been eating regularly and how much I have stored up.

jennybrooklyn · April 2012

Thanks ladies! Seems like I should be able to do it without food (only running 3-4 miles). Guess I'll play around a little bit until I can make it!

moshi's paw · April 2012

Well, if you can't do it, don't beat up on yourself or try to force it. Like we've been saying, we're all different and with trial and error you'll find what works for YOU.

daisysle · April 2012

If I run in the AM before work, I give myself just enough time to brush my teeth, get dressed and get out the door to meet my running buddys. If I am hungry, I will eat 1/2 a clif bar or something along those lines, but usually I go on an emoty stomach and carry a handheld water bottle.

If its an AM run on the weekends, I have more time to eat something. Of course the distance dictates how much I truly need to fuel up on. Lately my Saturday morning runs have been anywhere from 11-18 miles so I have a bagel and coffee at least 1 hour before I plan to run. I need it to digest before I start running!!

taratru · April 2012

It depends. Anything less than 13, and I don't do anything. I might eat a piece of toast before bed. Over 13, I get up a couple of hours before my run, eat a piece of toast w/peanut butter and go back to bed.

doglove · April 2012

moshi's paw:
jerseygirl81:

I hate getting up early, but I've grown to LOVE running in the morning. For whatever reason (and maybe it's all mental), it feels easier and I can run faster. I hope you adjust quickly!

I find that in the morning, when everything is calm and cool outside, I feel more in touch with my running and am a lot more in tune with things like posture, turnover, and such. I also find it's a lot easier to get in the zone when it's quiet around me.

Me too. It is very peaceful with little traffic and most people still asleep. I ditch my headphones because I love the quiet.

annabear07 · April 2012

I've tried not eating before running 3-4 miles in the am with disasterous consequences so now I eat half a Luna bar and then am on my way. As Moshi said it's different for everyone, and if you can't run on an empty stomach you can't. It doesn't mean you are broken or any less of a runner (or at least that's what I go with)!

historychick79 · April 2012

I am up at 4:45 for treadmill running or a video workout (1hr or less). I always find a teaspoon of honey makes a huge difference in my energy level, and I finish with a banana before getting a shower. If you're doing something longer you'll probably want to take some of the PP's advice for protein and more complex carbs.

jennybrooklyn · April 2012

historychick79:
I am up at 4:45 for treadmill running or a video workout (1hr or less). I always find a teaspoon of honey makes a huge difference in my energy level, and I finish with a banana before getting a shower. If you're doing something longer you'll probably want to take some of the PP's advice for protein and more complex carbs.

Ooo, I might try a little honey. What a great idea!

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