Eating before a run

[Kory Wheatley]

I thought I would start up a discussion on eating before a morning run.  Nothing I really need to know, but I'm curious what other's do.  I generally don't eat anything before a morning run, unless I do something over 18 miles then I will generally eat a little bit of oatmeal or energy bar beforehand.  I do take gels and water with me for runs 18 miles or longer, and depending on the temperature.

What do other's do?

[Sasha Pachev]

I usually don't, long or short. I might if I am going to run later in the morning - after 8:00 AM.

[jtshad]

I don't eat before my morning runs unless, like you, I am going a bit longer then I will eat a energy bar (Melaleuca Access bar) and maybe have a cup of coffee to wake up and clear the system out.

[Josse]

I don't eat unless I run later in the morning or doing a long run.  I try to eat on saturdays no matter the distance just so I am use to it.  Sometimes I drink Heed or emergen-c before I run but usually just water.

[Michelle Lowry]

I eat before races, both because they start later and to have more energy.  Usually a piece or two of bread or 1-2 packs of instant oatmeal. 

I eat before training runs only if I feel like I really need it.  I almost ate this morning but didn't, and I was hungry by the end, but it was tolerable.  So I generally only eat for training runs when I wake up famished, and if I do it's usually 1/2-1 slice of whole wheat bread.

[Paul Petersen]

If the run is 6 miles or less, usually no food. If it's longer I'll eat a banana of Cliff Bar on my way out. Mostly I just don't like the feeling of being hungry.

[James Winzenz]

I usually don't eat before a training run in the morning if it is 6 miles or less.  Sometimes I will drink some gatorade, but usually just some water.  I always eat something before my long run, even if it is just a gel and some gatorade.  Preferably I will eat an energy bar before my long run (I am hooked on the Odwalla bars now - try the berry one!) as well, as this will mirror what I will do before a marathon.  I also will eat an energy bar before a race of any distance, including a 5K, just so I don't feel hungry - but usually at least an hour before the race so the food has some time to get out of my gut.

[Dawson Hinton]

I agree with the last two.  I need to eat something if my run will be more than 6 or 7 miles.  It usually does not consist of much, usually a yogurt with a little bit of grape nuts mixed in.  I also will take liquid of some kind and gels for longer runs.

[Adam R Wende]

Can't eat or there are problems. I'll have a glass of water and a Gu at most. Anything more and I've already had bathroom problems. Even when I did Boston with the noon start a few years back I still only had the water and Gu before hand.

[Kory Wheatley]

In shorter runs or even a 10k or 5k race eating before I can't really see how it would benefit you.  But the longer runs its good energy for your body and at least you know you have something in your stomach when you hit the later miles.  I think it's good to experiment for each runner to see what really works for you.

[Tom]

Seems like I remember reading somewhere that it may be beneficial even before shorter morning runs/races to eat something if your stomach can handle it. Won't do any good as far as helping fuel the muscles but it may help on the brain/nervous-system side of things.

Seems I recall it has something to do with the liver getting glycogen-depleted (this is where the brain gets it's glycogen) during sleep and by eating something you replenish the liver glycogen stores and prevent "brain drain".

[Shauna]

I usually don't eat anything, but I'm often starving by mile 4.  Maybe this means I don't eat enough for dinner. 

I do eat a piece of bread, sometimes with peanut butter, before my long runs.

[Jon Allen]

I cannot run on an empty stomach, ever.  If I'm doing a short morning run, I will just eat a granola bar.  Medium run will be a granola bar and apple or banana.  If it is a long run, I eat a big bowl of oatmeal plus a piece of fruit.  And I will take a granola bar to eat mid-run.  I'll also usually drink 24-32 oz of water or sports drink before.  But I have a stomach of steel in regards to eating just before a run.

[Paul Petersen]

But I have a stomach of steel...

No comment on that one.

[Jon Allen]

No comment on that one.

Stomach of steel and bowels of teflon are two different things, about 24 hours apart...  I would trade half of my stomach toughness for a reduced number of potty breaks mid-run.