early morning run,eat breakfast before or after?

Winkle85

sorry for wat might be a stupid question,but im going to start running in the mornings as my hours in work have changed to start later in the day,
should i eat a meal before or after my run??

NeedsTraining

Hey Winkle,

You beat me to it, I was about to post a similar question.

I currently run 1 morning a week at 6ish, out of bed at 5.15 so don't have time to eat. After 7 or 8k though I start getting really hungry and feell energy is going. So any advice?
Don't mean to hijack the thread but feel the 2 are very similar.

Cheers,
NT

Winkle85

NeedsTraining wrote: »

Hey Winkle,

You beat me to it, I was about to post a similar question.

I currently run 1 morning a week at 6ish, out of bed at 5.15 so don't have time to eat. After 7 or 8k though I start getting really hungry and feell energy is going. So any advice?
Don't mean to hijack the thread but feel the 2 are very similar.

Cheers,
NT

no prob dude,its a similar time im looking at running around 6:30 am,so hopefully some more experienced people can help us oout with some advice

RacoonQueen

When I started running I used to always run without breakfast. I still do most runs on an empty stomach - even the 20 mile runs(none of your fancy km's here!). It's not generally recommended to do all of your runs on an empty stomach. You could try a banana or a slice of toast and some orange juice. Nice and light on the stomach and quick to grab before you get out.

RayCun

I've done both (eat and not eat) before shortish (up to 45 minutes), easy runs, and have been fine with both.
If you're going on a long run, you'll probably need to eat beforehand.
If you're going on a fast run (and sometimes a long run), if you eat too soon before running the food might not sit well.
But shortish, easyish runs shouldn't be a problem either way.

TFBubendorfer

Not a stupid question at all.

I do all my runs at that time in the morning, I have tried both, and I am definitely on the side of eating AFTER your run.

The argument "you need fuel for your run" is completely bogus, if you head out immediately after breakfast you will not have digested any of it and it will just sit in your stomach.

I've run some rather long runs this way and not once have I run into trouble due to lack of food.

RedB

I'd generally run early on an empty stomach and find no problems up to 1.5hrs. If I intend going further, I pop a gel on the hour mark.

Git101

I have a cup of coffee while I'm getting ready but I don't eat until after the run.
Although I rarely run more than 5 miles easy in the mornings.

nerraw1111

On a similar related note, how about lunch time runs? Eat something small an hour before the run and then lunch afterwards or just wait till lunch after the run?

TFBubendorfer

nerraw1111 wrote: »

On a similar related note, how about lunch time runs? Eat something small an hour before the run and then lunch afterwards or just wait till lunch after the run?

Personally I would only eat afterwards. But the only way to tell what's best for you is to try both and see what works better for you.

average_runner

If you go for a morning run, ie get up and head straight out, do you find your speed to be alot slower than it would be if you got up at 7 and waited till 9 to go for the run?

My speed always struggle when i get out of bed and straight for a run.

How do ye avoid this?

Thanks

jeffontour

Eat after works for me.

huskerdu

average_runner wrote: »

If you go for a morning run, ie get up and head straight out, do you find your speed to be alot slower than it would be if you got up at 7 and waited till 9 to go for the run?

My speed always struggle when i get out of bed and straight for a run.

How do ye avoid this?

Thanks

Everyone is different. I have the same experience as you. When I run first thing in the morning , I am slower and its just not as much fun, At 4 in the afternoon, I can run forever and feel great.

Sorry, but I have not worked out how to avoid it. I just accept this and work around it. If an early morning run, is the only chance I have to run, then I get on with it, and work in to my training plan. No point in doing a very Long run or a very fast one.

thirstywork2

I would have something before a morning run,my body has fasted long enough.I can run once I havnt eaten a large portion.
Porridge works well.

Mike D

I would go without on an early run. I usually run at 6.30 for 3m fast or
5 mile easy. You'd have to wait up to an hour for your breakfast to digest otherwise. Longer than 6 miles I would consider getting up earlier and having something light. Good luck