What do you guys eat before a 5+ mile run?

[Deborajen]

Although I prefer to eat breakfast and then run an hour later, this morning I wanted to go earlier to beat the heat and get in 6 miles, so I just had whole wheat toast with peanut butter and honey before the run. It worked great. Usually before runs of 4 miles or less, I eat half a banana and sometimes a few peanut M & M's.

I've also tried Gu or another gel before a run (Hammer is my personal favorite) and those work, too. Liquid on an empty stomach doesn't work well for me. You might want to try gel or Gatorade with some crackers - those aren't as heavy as food and not sloshy as plain liquid.

Deb

[Kimmyt]

This morning I had half a bagel with butter, and a small slice of cantelope. If I have some time between eating and when I start moving, like a race morning, I can eat some cereal and milk b/c it won't be all sloshy by the time I run. But i really like the solidity of half a bagel, it makes me feel full without feeling like I have a brick in my stomach.

K>

[jesvetmed]

If I'm just getting up and going soon, I'll have a banana and water. But if I'm going to go in more than an hour, I'll have cereal, banana and soy milk, and a few bites of cottage cheese. It all seems to settle fine by an hour later.

[emily_in_nc]

A Clif bar holds me comfortably for a five-mile run.

[rbs4fun]

Most of the time if I get out of bed to go for a run, Gatorade only. But if I will be up more than 2 hours before my run, a banana or instant oatmeal works well for me.

[michelem]

This is interesting. When I run in the morning, I run on an empty stomach. Granted, I'm only running for about an hour-and-a-half and it is said that one doesn't "need" to eat unless exercising for 2 hours plus. Also, I don't bring fluids with me on my runs, but drink quite a bit the day before and when I get home and throughout the rest of the day. If I eat or drink before I run, I end up getting stomach pains andn needing to go to the bathroom . . .

I ran a 1/2 marathon late last year and sucked on Clif Shot Blocks throughout the race. That worked well for me.

[rocknrollgirl]

I can't eat before I run. If I run in the am, I go on an empty stomach. If I run in the afternoon, I have to make sure that my last meal was 3-4 hours before I run. My stomach gets really upset if I run with food in it.