What do you eat before a morning run?

[stephm0188]

I'm struggling. My evening runs are always great. I feel like I could keep going and going with no issues. Once school starts for the little person, those runs aren't going to be practical. Besides, I need to adjust because races are almost always in the morning.

I can not figure out what to eat. I feel totally zapped and struggle through morning runs. I've experimented with oatmeal (bad bad bad!) bagels, toast, dry cereal, and none of it seems to give me what I need. I know bananas are supposed to be good, but I'm allergic

What do you eat?

[wambam]

For morning workouts (I've only done two morning runs so far), I usually eat 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato mixed with 1/2 cup applesauce and drink a 1/2 serving of protein.

[PatBenatar]

I've personally had success with some type of carb/peanut butter combo. Plus a little bit of coffee helps.

[venice2007]

Cashew butter or pb on a banana, water and coffee
Or
2-3 hard boiled eggs, water, and coffee

[jamalynn]

I do bananas. If you are allegric (bless your heart, I love bananas), could you try some cliff shot bloks for quick energy. I stay away from protein and fat before my runs, it makes my tummy turn during long runs. How about rice cakes?

[Wines Not Whines]

Do those foods give you GI distress, or is the problem that they don't give you enough energy in the morning? If it's the energy thing, the only thing that gives me energy in the morning is a cup of coffee. If it's a GI issue, bananas are great for me (sorry!) but Clif Kid bars are also surprisingly good. They're not the healthiest option, but I have a sensitive stomach, so I use what works for me.

[shorewife]

I have trouble with eating before runs too. I often go with nothing or just coffee, but if it is a longer run I'll eat a Gu or some other easily digestible quick energy or even one of those Naked Juices (I use the ones with protein before races).

[osulori]

A banana is usually my go to, but when that's not an option I'm a big fan of a piece of toast with peanut butter.

[gt7301b]

I usually only eat before a long run or race. I typically eat an English muffin or bagel with peanut butter or just plain butter.

[secretlyevil]

Hard boiled egg and half a cup of unsweetened applesauce. Longer runs and half's I usually do oatmeal and applesauce.

[ktzmoh]

I do bananas, but that's bo help to you. When j don't have bananas, I eat some other carby soft fruit like oranges or something like that. I sometimes do toast, but i dont have luck with protein or fat before a run so PB is out for me

[cinco]

I am by no means someone to emulate, but I have either an English muffin with a little peanut butter or jelly or a pop tart. My focus is what will sit in my sensitive stomach okay vs. nutrition. 2nd breakfast/lunch is usually a little more nutritious.

[Nonny]

I have IBS and I don't run, but before long morning bike rides (that go for about 2-3 hours) I do toast with peanut butter, and then I eat a Luna bar and a small can of V8 juice at my turn around point.

I also sometimes do Greek yogurt with canned peaches, but I have to be careful, because too much dairy can set off my IBS especially when combined with other foods.

[moreace01]

Depends on how long I wake up before I run. If I'm rolling out of bed and going - a spoonful of peanut butter. If I'm meeting my running group - peanut butter toast. If I'm racing - peanut butter toast and a banana. So....basically, I eat peanut butter (which I am getting very sick of, for the record).

[woowoo]

For whatever reason, bananas give me bad stomach cramps if I eat them before a workout. BUT if I eat them in a baked good like a muffin they don't bother me at all. So I'll eat an almond muffin (I make a batch every other weekend) with almonds and diced apple and just a few bananas, etc. and have just one before a morning (or afternoon!) workout. It's the perfect mix of protein and simple sugars (I sweeten with honey).

Just keep trying options, you'll find something that works for you!

[libbygrl109]

Depends on how long my run is. For short runs under 5 miles, usually nothing. Lately I've been eating Belvita biscuits on the way to meet my training group. English muffins with either peanut or almond butter works when I'm home.

[al320]

Usually nothing. Just have a bigger dinner, or higher calorie day, the day before a long run.

If its a short run....well, i always have enough extra storage for a short morning run lol

[shellfish26]

Like libbygrl109, I'm a fan of Belvita.   I was eating a bagel thin with PB, but I had the most awful burps!   I find that the Belvitas are filling but sit pretty well (and bonus: I don't mind burping the cranberry orange flavor, lol.).  If it's crazy hot, I also take a Salt Stick Plus capsule, but I can't take that on an empty stomach. 

[Deleted]

Nothing. I run on empty or a hangover usually. Sometimes if there is a banana to hand, I will have it, but otherwise nothing.

[fuckyourcouch]

I don't eat. If it's a long run or a race on the weekend, I will eat like one piece of carb (bagel, toast, whatever) with pb.

[brooke77]

For me, it also depends.

For runs around 5ish miles, I don't eat.

For races and long runs, I have to eat at least two hours in advance or I have major GI issues. I eat PB toast, kind bars, plain bagel, protein shake made with almond milk and banana. You can see I typically have a carb heavy bfast. I've tried eggs and it was baddddd. Race days I will also have coffee and water.

[creamsiclechica]

Short runs, nothing but coffee. Long runs, toast with peanut or almond butter with coffee.

[jordylee]

Either toast or a bagel with jam for me. It's more habit at this point than anything else.