All of the runners I knew put more faith in carb loading the night before, and then it was fruits and bagels when they were done. Granted, that was 20 years ago or so, but it was a running club/racers I was hanging out with (my dad's a runner). I used to work the volunteer tables at the races, cutting up bananas and oranges and watermelon.
I think that's still the wisdom, but I'm totally not at that level. I'm running between 2 and 2.5 miles like a little wussy. But I still would like my stomach to stop screaming the entire time.
I eat as close to nothing as possible for several hours before running. The best I've found is eating cookies (sugar + caffeine in chocolate) over an hour before running, they digest completely in about an hour but give energy. Or I just drink Gatorade. When I run in the morning I don't eat anything beforehand even if I'm running 5+ miles.
Any time I've eaten a regular meal even 4 hours before any significant kind of cardio workout I can feel it in my stomach and it really makes running a chore.
It's a myth that you need "fuel" right before a run. You can get that fuel 4-12 hours beforehand, and have your stomach completely empty before the exercise, and I've found that's far better than having stuff to digest. If you're doing something long and strenuous have Gatorade and/or small sugar snacks along the way.
Really? See, I've tried running on an empty stomach and it is a DISASTER. I feel like puking the entire time, then when I'm done, I feel like I just had a near-death experience, not a good workout. Hmmm, interesting that you go the little food route.
A short run first thing in the morning (3-4m?) I at least eat a little cup thing of applesauce or the equivalent 10-15 minutes before, basically while I'm gathering my stuff up. Or a banana sometimes.
Longer runs I eat my regular breakfast (eggs and veggies) and then within 30-45 minutes am usually out the door.
If its the middle of the day, I just try not to eat RIGHT before or I notice I'm slower and blargh.
Runs an hour or longer I always take fuel, otherwise it leads to me bonking on the run or almost passing out in the shower after the run. I like Clif Shot Bloks (the non-caffeinated kind, YMMV) because gels are gross, I like chewy things, and instead of a gel every hour, I can have 1 piece every 15m and space it out, taking in the same carb amount over the hour. There are a million types of this stuff, so it's easy to try a bunch and see what you like. Gu chomps are vile, btw :)
I don't really think much about it anymore, I guess? I run so much that my body just works with what it has.
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Any time I've eaten a regular meal even 4 hours before any significant kind of cardio workout I can feel it in my stomach and it really makes running a chore.
It's a myth that you need "fuel" right before a run. You can get that fuel 4-12 hours beforehand, and have your stomach completely empty before the exercise, and I've found that's far better than having stuff to digest. If you're doing something long and strenuous have Gatorade and/or small sugar snacks along the way.
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Longer runs I eat my regular breakfast (eggs and veggies) and then within 30-45 minutes am usually out the door.
If its the middle of the day, I just try not to eat RIGHT before or I notice I'm slower and blargh.
Runs an hour or longer I always take fuel, otherwise it leads to me bonking on the run or almost passing out in the shower after the run. I like Clif Shot Bloks (the non-caffeinated kind, YMMV) because gels are gross, I like chewy things, and instead of a gel every hour, I can have 1 piece every 15m and space it out, taking in the same carb amount over the hour. There are a million types of this stuff, so it's easy to try a bunch and see what you like. Gu chomps are vile, btw :)
I don't really think much about it anymore, I guess? I run so much that my body just works with what it has.
Smoothies are great bc blended fruits are ( ... )
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I will not be running for an hour or longer any time soon, so no fuel-on-the-go for me.
I do do podcasts. Hook me up!
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