Intro & What should I eat before my long run?

steph81 · April 2012

Hi! Quick intro - I sort of lurk on this board and have been more lately because I'm training for a marathon in May. It's my second, but my first was 6 years ago. In between that time I've run a couple halfs and bunch of 5ks here and there.

I'm planning on doing my 20 miler tomorrow, longest run until now has been 18. My issue is that I usually run in the morning on an empty stomach. I sometimes get crampy if I have to run in the afternoons (which I blame on my eating during the day) and can usually make it through my long-ish runs fine without eating anything before. Tomorrow, I'm heading out to a training run offered by the marathon organizers and it's mostly through the race course so I'm looking forward to it! But it means I will have to drive a little over an hour to get there. I'm a coffee drinker too, so it's making me nervous thinking about going all morning without that pick-me-up.

Would you suggest I drink a small amount of coffee before hitting the road or eating something and if so what? I'll be waking up around 4:45 and probably won't start the run until after 7 so there will be a lot of time to digest. I am just so nervous about changing my routine.

thom2022 · April 2012

Hi & welcome! Usually I'm a big advocate of sticking with your normal routine, but it sounds like that may be hard. I would definitely drink something before the 20 miler (maybe coffee and water or Gatorade) and then make sure you have time for a bathroom break before the start. My next question -- are you fueling during your long runs at all? I think it's fine to not eat before if you're taking in gel, sports drinks, whatever works for you during the run. If you did want to try some breakfast before I would suggest easy to digest carbs like white toast or English muffins w/ jam or a banana. Try to use this to practice what you want to do on marathon day, and if it doesn't work so well then try something different on one of your next longish runs before race day. Hopefully you find the right routine so that you don't have to stress on the morning of the marathon. GL!

jerseygirl81 · April 2012

Are you running Asbury Park? I have some friends running it, and I'd really like to make it back "home" for it someday

I have stomach issues, too, but I always eat something before a long run. I've found that a dry waffle and/or a banana work well for me. I'm too afraid to try coffee, though! Good luck!

steph81 · April 2012

I haven't been fueling at all except for water. I think they are giving out gels on the run tomorrow so I was thinking of trying it later on during the run to see how I like it.

Jerseygirl- not asbury, I'm running the long branch marathon.

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'll try an English muffin and banana and give myself lots of time before the run.

Intro & What should I eat before my long run?

Re: Intro &amp; What should I eat before my long run?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Intro &amp; What should I eat before my long run?

Re: Intro &amp;amp; What should I eat before my long run?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Intro & What should I eat before my long run?

Re: Intro & What should I eat before my long run?