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Questions about running and eating

  • 04-07-2010 9:15pm
    #1
    1perriwinkle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 177 ✭✭


    Hi,

    I've recently been doing quite a bit of running (by my standards!) and I'm having intermittent 'intestinal issues' while running. Though I've always been quite fit, my sporting life has been interrupted over the years by marriage/kids/work/moving (a lot) but since September I've been putting a bit of effort into running regularly. I ran the Connemara half in March in just under 2 hours (delighted with myself, esp with the day being so hot!). I'm working towards doing a full marathon at the end of August, hoping for sub 4 hours.

    Anyway, in the last couple of months, I have suffered a few bouts of severe cramps and/or urgent need for loo, while out running. This has freaked me out and has made me nervous about going for long runs!! I have become more conscious about taking on more water but my query relates to the eating part of things...

    This is a 2 part question so hoping someone can help me with one or both:D

    Firstly, I nearly always run in the mornings (while kids at school). I'm now unsure about how much/when/how soon before running I should be eating, and what. I usually have a bowl of raisin wheats with semi-skimmed milk (whether running or not) but I don't know if this is suitable? Should I be eating toast or something else instead? And how much? I have a pretty big appetite for a smallish sized woman ;) And if I'm going to run (eg 10km), is it OK to get straight out of bed and do it or should I be getting up and hour or 2 before hand and having something to eat?

    Second, what should I do about eating/taking on board carbs/electrolite thingys or whatever during running? During the Connemara half for example I just drank a bit of water at the stations (and poured lots over my boiling head) and had the energy drinks when they were provided. Now, as I'm doing longer runs in my training, I'm wondering what I should be doing??

    As I said before, this problem has only arisen recently but now it's a double whammy because worrying if my stomach is going to hurt while I'm running, is making my stomach hurt!!

    Anyway, sorry for the long ramble but in dire need of information/support....:confused:


Comments

  • #2
    plodder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,556 ✭✭✭plodder


    My experience has been that I can't run within 2-3 hours of eating. When I started out, it wasn't really a big deal, but I find now, I have no tolerance at all for food in my gut. I'd rather run 14-15 miles under fueled, than take the risk of cramps (and worse) from eating just before running.

    Whether you run soon after getting up or waiting a while, I don't think that matters as much. But, I think it helps to get into an early morning loo "habit" before you run.

    On the question of fueling on the run, there are different opinions. Personally, I would prefer not to take anything at all, but specifically for marathon training it helps to get used to taking carbo gels, if that's what you intend to take in the race. But, I don't think it's essential at all by any means.


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