1. Health

Discuss in my forum

Readers Respond: What Do You Eat Before Your Runs?

Responses: 8

By , About.com Guide

Updated May 08, 2010

This content is not monitored by About.com's Medical Review Board.
Before acting on this information, check with your health provider.

It's important to eat before runs, especially if you're running long. What do you usually eat before your runs? Have you found the perfect pre-run meal or snack? Share your favorite pre-run foods and get ideas from other runners about other foods to try. Share Your Favorite Foods

Hot dogs

Sounds weird but I did an 800m race and got a pb!!!
—Guest Person

Favorite Running Foods

If it's a morning run, I have cereal and a banana (I find oatmeal gives me acid reflux) and before an afternoon or evening run, fruit, yogurt, or bagel.
—Guest Joanne D

Coffee and Dates

The ultimate pre-run meal: a double espresso or a strong cup of coffee with a couple of dates/
—Guest Runner'sGlobe

potato

A potato, punch a few holes in with a fork, and stick in the microwave for about 5 minutes. Good energy, carbs but no fats or protein. I have low blood pressure so eating it with salt tastes good and helps a lot. But not too much. And a banana for runs longer than an hour.
—Guest Marathon runner

Oatmeal

I will definitely eat oatmeal before a run, but if it is over 10 miles then I might substitute a bagel with PB instead of oatmeal. And I'll always have a banana.
—Guest Kelsey

go-to pre-run breakfast

Black coffee, 1/2 whole wheat bagel w/ peanut butter, and a banana.
—Guest tom

oatmeal!

oatmeal and coffee for sure!!! for longer runs i'll add half of a banana with a dab of PB. sooo yummy and such a good fuel!
—Guest runnerchick

oatmeal and coffee

I always have a bowl of oatmeal and a banana before a long run. If I'm doing a shorter run in the morning, I'll have toast with peanut butter. And I always have to have my morning coffee -- can't get going without it!
—shelly

Share Your Favorite Foods

What Do You Eat Before Your Runs?

Receive a one-time notification when your response is published.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.