Running first thing in the morning - do you eat first?

[fluffycookie]

I think I am going to try and get up on Friday morning and go for a run before MH leaves for work, but its been a long time since I've run first thing in the morning.  If you run early do you eat something first or just run on an empty stomach?

TIA!

[clseale]

It depends on the length of the run. Up to 6-7 miles, I'd just eat when I get home. Over that, I might have a slice of toast before heading out.

[jreeds]

I don't because I wouldn't have enough time to let it settle before I leave. If you can get up early enough and eat a little while before you have to run ( or if running right after you eat doesn't bother you) I say go for it.

[ebeth]

everyone else pretty much has it covered, but less than an hour and I'll just have some water and bounce. unless it is especially hot. then I have a little bit of gatorade or some orange juice.

[archaeominx]

Agreed with the others that it depends on the length. Under 6-7 miles, I don't bother.

[girlblue]

I try to run first thing because I have a really hard time running after I eat anything at all. So for me, no food even if am doing a long run.

[fluffycookie]

Thank everyone! We have some tiny bananas (seriously less than 4" long) so I may have a few bites of that. This will be my first outside run since my 5K in March. DS has his infusion on Friday which means we're at the hospital the majority of the day and by the time we get home the last thing I want to do is go to the gym so if I can get myself up and motivated this could work out well!

[boston340]

I'm the odd man out: I do eat before a morning run, no matter the distance. Usually an English muffin with peanut butter and banana.

[mrshandy]

Yeah I usually eat at least a slice of toast with PB. I did an early weekday run of 5 miles this morning and had a toast with PB. It worked well. I'm one of those people that hates to workout on an empty stomach.

[lb2006]

I run first thing and unless it's a long run (8+ miles), i don't eat anything beforehand - just when i get back

[shorewife]

I think I'm the odd man out. Never. Not even for a 20-miler.

[wambam]

I usually eat a fat and protein breakfast only throughout the week. On Saturdays, I workout at 9:00am, which for a weekend is first thing in the morning. I dial back the fat a bit and add a banana for some carbs. But yes, it's a full breakfast that I eat around 7:00.

[lovesherheels]

Under 6mi in the morning, I'm usually good without as long as I'm not awake for too long before going. I usually hop right out of bed and go.

[skwcm80]

Nothing unless it's my long run, then I eat PB&J on toast.

[kams]

May 7, 2014 7:14:12 GMT -5 clseale said:

It depends on the length of the run. Up to 6-7 miles, I'd just eat when I get home. Over that, I might have a slice of toast before heading out.

Same for me. Just eat a decent dinner the night before.

[greysgirl]

I don't eat. From when I wake up till when I leave my house is usually like 5 minutes so it wouldn't be enough time for food to settle in my stomach.

[cinco]

I usually drink coffee and eat something small (banana or toast with nut butter). This does mean getting up an extra 30-45 minutes early to clean out the system, but it may be my only quiet time of the day. If I'm really short on time I'll take a gu with caffeine and call it good.

[Deleted]

Just water unless I'm running more than an hour or so.

[bluedaisyus]

I don't like to eat before I run. If I do it's something very small, and usually only if I'm going to be up for a while before I go out.

[runaways]

Yes, I almost always do. I can manage a short run (3-4 miles) on empty when I'm in marathon shape, but that's it. I need some calories.

[taratru]

May 7, 2014 8:24:46 GMT -5 shorewife said:

I think I'm the odd man out. Never. Not even for a 20-miler.

Me either.  Sleep is too important for me. 

I will eat a couple of pieces of toast & pb late the night before though.   And on race days (10k and up), I will eat something beforehand.

[enfuego23]

May 7, 2014 9:37:28 GMT -5 runaways said:

Yes, I almost always do. I can manage a short run (3-4 miles) on empty when I'm in marathon shape, but that's it. I need some calories.

this for me

[spunkypenguin]

I always eat and have coffee beforehand. I get up at 4:55 everyday and either run or go to the gym. Gym opens at 6 and it gets light around 6, so that's when I head out. I usually have a banana or english muffin w/ nut butter for running. Guacamole Devilled Eggs (protein/fat) for lifting or Cross-training. Oh and coffee - I do not function at that hour w/o coffee.

[bostonmichelle]

Even if I'm doing a few miles on the treadmill I eat at least a granola bar, if not I end up feeling dizzy and/or nauseous. If its anything more than 3-4 miles then I eat pb on toast.

[Deleted]

I don't run more than 3-4 miles in the morning, or do a 30-40 min kickboxing/weight routine. I tend to have a spoonful of honey or half of a banana because I tend to have low blood sugar and it keeps me from feeling spacey/low-energy about 20min into the workout.

[jordylee]

I usually have half a bagel or an english muffin before an AM run. 3 or 4 miles is my max on an empty stomach... anything longer than that and I am ready to pass out if I don't eat something.

[osulori]

Always. A banana or a cereal bar if I'm out of bananas, regardless of distance.

[marcyiam]

Similar to others - unless I'm absolutely starving, I don't usually eat before I leave. Longer runs I may, but not typically for usually during the week runs.

[G22]

Anything less than 6-7miles, I only have a coffee before running. Anything longer, I'll eat an orange, PB/banana, or maybe a granola bar. Just something small so I'm not running on a completely empty stomach.

[Brit]

I drink coffee in the morning before every run because my trail has no toilets...

If I will be awake for more than an hour or so, I eat my usual oatmeal before I go because I usually wake up hungry. Eating before running doesn't usually bother me though unless it is fast food. I still remember my long run after a six pack of BK Burger Shots. Barf.