Questions from a total novice..

racheljev

Hi all, I've been lurking here for a while, reading some of the good advice about running and recovery. I started training in February, running and walking. Now I'm running 3 to 4 miles 3 times a week, and 5 to 6 on a Saturday. I'm starting Hal Higdon's novice program next week, fingers crossed. My main problem is the only time I have to run is 6 a.m. - 3 kids, busy house, etc etc. Anyway I run on an empty stomach because it's just too bloody early to eat :rolleyes: so just wondering, do any of the early birds out there use glucose sweets or drinks to give them a kick start in the morning? One more stupid question - my face goes really red after about 10 minutes and stays like that. I feel fine, just have a big red face! Anybody else? Any advice appreciated.

RoyMcC

Hi Rachel, welcome to the forum and to the world of running!

Like you I haul myself up most mornings for a run and don't eat beforehand. I think as long as you've eaten reasonably the evening before you've got enough stored energy for a few miles.

Dunno about the red face thing, but I guess that it's not as obvious to others as it may seem to you. (You could try wearing a funny pig mask or something )

Best of luck and let us know how you're getting on. Any race lined up at the end of your Hal Higdon programme?

ecoli

Glad to see that another lurker come out of the wood work. i see a few of the guys bring energy bars on their early runs but i agree with the previous post for a few mile you should be okay having something substantial the night previous.
As for the red face cant really comment all i can say is could just be the way your body regulates heat as during exericise 90% of heat that is given off is from your head.
Keep up the training and the bes of luck with it

HardyEustace

Well done rachel.

On the question of the big red face, don't worry, happens to loads of people.

I normally go red/purple, after a particularly hard run, I've actually scared the hell out of myself by catching a glance of myself in a mirror up to an hour later and almost screaming in horror at the purple vision that's before me.

McConkey

HardyEustace wrote: »

Well done rachel.

On the question of the big red face, don't worry, happens to loads of people.

I normally go red/purple, after a particularly hard run, I've actually scared the hell out of myself by catching a glance of myself in a mirror up to an hour later and almost screaming in horror at the purple vision that's before me.

Me too on the red/purple effect (doesn't even need to be a hard run for me I'm afraid )....particularly funny when you are jogging along and get looks of disgust from people who think you've gone out and roasted youself in the sun :rolleyes: it'll go away in a couple of hours I swear!!

TFBubendorfer

With 4 kids in the house my only time to run is in the morning as well. When I started training I used to have a bowl of cereal before my run, but I changed that eventually and these days I run on an empty stomach. I don't even notice the difference. It really is not a problem; the fuel for your morning run comes from last night's dinner.

Just make sure to drink plenty of water before I go out, because you don't want to be dehydrated. 3 or 4 glasses, and then I'm set.

RICHIE-RICH

Rachel
I too am an early runner. Up at 6 for a few miles, and then wake up the family (4 kids) for school, etc. Like other posters, I can only make it work for me in the morning.
Normally, I just go and run, without anything to eat. Maybe a glass of water or a little orange juice. Nothing major really, as I have felt sick after 3-4 miles if i have eaten something a bit bigger.

Caveat: I dont claim to do any serious mileage at the moment, so I am only referring to 4-5 miles in the morning. I have yet to go longer in the mornings.
TFBubendorfer is an expert at the early morning long runs (15 miles plus), so you should defer to him for more advice
Only you will know what works for you. It may be that you can survive a 5 miler without any food, but a 6 miler might be problem. Trial and error I'm afraid.