what to eat before a long run?
 

I hope this isn't a subject brought up over and over again here.

For a bet with a friend, I will be running 5 miles pretty soon, most likely this saturday. What would be best to eat the day before the run/the morning of the run? Thanks.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Really for 5 miles it doesn't matter all that much in my opinion. Assuming you don't run often (and it seems like you don't or this bet would be easy money for you), make sure not to eat too much at all before the run. I'd actually do the run in the morning and not eat more then half a banana or a bottle of Gatorade; anything more and cramps could kill you.

The night before really doesn't matter too much either for a run this short. If you don't get wasted, don't eat anything crazy that will upset your stomach, and stay hydrated it should be cake.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

i would do like 1/2 cup oatmeal, 2-3 egg whites, water

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

I usually eat two slices of toast. Only one slice when I'm not hungry.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

I do a cup of coffee, plain yogurt w/ berries and granola, and some juice. I adjust that depending on my running distance.

Eating before running is a very personal thing- there is no magic combo or food to eat. It's best done by playing around with different combos.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Nothing. I always get cramps if I eat before a run.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Ive had a peanut butter sandwhich about 45 minutes before i do a harder run day (2-3 miles or so) and i always feel pretty good while running.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Milk is a bad choice.

I prefer more calories from carbs. Some people always seem to need to poop around a mile or two into competitive distance runs. If you are one of those people-- poop first or don't eat.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

i wouldnt eat anything less than 3 hrs before the run. mebbe get away with 2 hrs. i would drink coffee and eat toast, mebbe a sandwich. no more than like 500 calories, preferably around 300.

as shemp said, make sure you get your poop out of the way too.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

I read your OP. You have no chance. I'd try to find some EPO, amphetamines, etc. because you will need it.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Is it ok to go jogging like within an hour of waking up having had only drank some water. I find this easier than waiting a couple of hours after breakfast but sometimes I get dizzy- but atleast no cramp.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Thanks for the advice. I poop a lot, so I'll try to get that done beforehand [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

As other have said
- do not eat within 3 hrs
- hydrate the night before
- poop before
- a single banana is pretty good
- maybe a little salt too

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Meh, see this is why you need to play around with it. I need something fairly substantial (see above) about an hour to hour and a half before a run. If I eat less my run is always crappy...I've tried just a banana before- no go.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Djk,

Much of the advice in this thread is pretty standard; you have to see what works for you personally though (I always died in cross country if I didnt eat an hour or two beforehand)... but you dont have much time to tinker for this bet obviously.

Any more details on that bet? time limit, up hills, what kind of shape you're in, etc. I honestly think all of that will matter significantly more than how much you eat/poop beforehand

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

oatmeal is my meal of choice before any sort of really hard race or training

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

you don't need to eat anything before you run 5 miles

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

if this is just for the bet...drink a spike shooter or some kind of ridiculous energy drink...run your race, win your bet, then crash...whatever...

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

soooooooo dependent on the person

i knew a sick distance runner who used to eat a snickers bar half hour before the race. i like to have a relatively empty stomach when i run

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Eat an entire pizza

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Eat an entire pizza

[/ QUOTE ]

This reminds me of the famous advice "Eat a pound a butter." Wish I would have thought of it. Where is the thread about the wager behind this?

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Thank you for the link. Very entertaining. To the OP: At your age, if you can't do it, it was worth losing the money to find out. I'm not sure which side I like on the information provided, it is close-- but if you can't do it at 18 with an incentive, it is a wake up call.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

Toast or Bagel with peanut butter and a drizzling of honey.

Re: what to eat before a long run?
 

we always had spaghetti dinner the nights b4 cross country meets....for good reason