Why was I surprised? Because I have always run without eating before hand. Anytime I've tried to run after eating anything, I felt sick. Especially if it's hot out. So, for about 4 years I never ate anything before a run, no matter the length. I just felt too scared to eat something.
Then during a long training run for Philly last fall I crashed. I went out for (I think) a 12 mile run and when I came home I felt like death. I couldn't eat. I wasn't hungry. My stomach hurt. I think I messed with my electrolytes or some such. I didn't feel well for three days. It was after that run I figured I needed to eat something before a run...even though I had never needed to before. (I wonder to this day why I need to eat something before a long run now when I never did before...)
So, I started eating half a peanut butter sandwich before a long run. I didn't eat anything before Philly and I felt just as bad as I did after that training run. Dumb mistake.
I haven't made it since. Long runs (8+ miles) have me eating that half a slice of bread with peanut butter before heading out. I freaked before the Shamrock Half Marathon because I forgot to pack it. I grabbed crackers with peanut butter and had that. Completely worked.
So, while I still don't eat anything before going out for a run of under 8 miles, I think it all depends on the person in question. What about you? Do you eat before a run? Only before long runs? Never eat before a run?
I never eat before a run under about 8-10 miles. For longer runs I'll have a serving of Hammer Gel and take a water bottle. If the run is going to be longer than 2 hours, then I add Perpetuem. Depending on the weather, I'll also take Endurolytes. (http://www.hammernutrition.com/)
ReplyDeleteThis worked during marathon training and for the marathon I ran last month. I also think it's trial and error by person - what your stomach can or cannot handle.
Thanks for your input Kathy! I use sports beans before a shorter run sometimes if the weather is really hot. I don't need too many calories for a quick few miles, but I know I need something.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, it's trial and error on the person. What works for me might not work for you. Hoping people might see some ideas for themselves to try.