can i eat before i run?

Zak Flaps

hi guys....i'm just finishing off the C25k, so my runs are only 30 mins at the moment...i find that sometimes i feel hungry on my run and don't have as much energy as i'd like...what light snack is good to eat before a run? or should you not eat anything at all?

zak.

ger664

Not a good idea, you are probably just thirsty so take a glass of water/juice before hand.

RayCun

If I'm going on a long/hard run I'll usually eat about an hour beforehand. When I was running in the morning last year I didn't eat before the run, just afterwards, but in the last month I've had breakfast and run into work, no problems.

smmoore79

Hunger on a run is usually an indicator of thirst. Keep hydrated and drink regularly in the hours before the run. As your runs are only 30 minutes you'd probably get away with not bringing a drink along. Though if you increase time over 45 mins id then brink a drink to sip along..

huskerdu

I can't eat for a few hours before a hard run without feeling really nauseous during the run. Not so bad if I stick to carbs only.

I agree that hydration is the key. Plenty of water beforehand, and you should be fine.

Oryx

I can eat before a run, I often run early and have a light breakfast. But stodgy or greasy food is a no no. But water is the more important thing right now. As recommended above, try drinking instead of eating to see if it fixes this. For the stage you are at, I would say bring a small water bottle out with you which you can sip. As you run more youll find you wont need it for short runs.

Zak Flaps

ok guys, thanks a million...i'll try drinking more water beforehand...i'm moving onto C210K now so maybe it's time to start bringing water with me also...(although carrying it will be a pain!!)

RayCun

If you're well-hydrated before you start, and drink when you get back, you should be fine.

jlang

It's very much a personal thing. Some people can get away with anything or have trained themselves to be able do so. At the extreme end of ultrarunning, it's almost essential to eat while running to keep going (there's a thread where Enduro listed his diet during a 24 hour race). Others couldn't eat for several hours before running. Also varies with the intensity of your run - running hard is harder on the body (and stomach).

I wouldn't recommend getting to rely on having just eaten something, but if you think it might help your hunger pangs, try it and see if it agrees with you. (And be prepared to stop/return if it doesn't. Obviously something small and light and don't munch it as you go out the door.)

Also, feeling a little energy drop as you run is not always a bad thing and may just be your body telling you you're working hard enough or to ease up for a bit.

I generally leave an hour between eating and running, but haven't had problems doing an easy run 20 mins after a snack. Generally drinking doesn't cause too much hassle, but equally I wouldn't down a full pint immediately before running and have it slosh about.

jlang

Zak Flaps wrote: »

maybe it's time to start bringing water with me also...(although carrying it will be a pain!!)

Top tip: put it in a container.

Zak Flaps

jlang wrote: »

Top tip: put it in a container.

TFBubendorfer

Zak Flaps wrote: »

maybe it's time to start bringing water with me also...(although carrying it will be a pain!!)

I really don't think it is necessary to bring along anything for a run under an hour, especially if you drink plenty of water beforehand (at least as long as you're running in Ireland. It's a bit different in the Sahara.)

backspacer

Zak Flaps wrote: »

ok guys, thanks a million...i'll try drinking more water beforehand...i'm moving onto C210K now so maybe it's time to start bringing water with me also...(although carrying it will be a pain!!)

http://www.elverys.ie/Product/1000-Mile-Runners-Bottle-Small/209765/0000000139

This bottle is fairly handy for running, takes about 400-500 ml of water for a run.

elmo101

backspacer wrote: »

http://www.elverys.ie/Product/1000-Mile-Runners-Bottle-Small/209765/0000000139

This bottle is fairly handy for running, takes about 400-500 ml of water for a run.

For morning runs I find porridge an hour before run will see you up to 10 miles - for evening runs a baked potato is good too.

Zak Flaps

i was wondering is it ok to eat something very small just before a run, like a banana or a handful of nuts/berries....not a full meal....

digme

Zak Flaps wrote: »

hi guys....i'm just finishing off the C25k, so my runs are only 30 mins at the moment...i find that sometimes i feel hungry on my run and don't have as much energy as i'd like...what light snack is good to eat before a run? or should you not eat anything at all?

zak.

things like jelly babies are fine to eat during a run,have 1 or 2