Monday, March 1, 2010

Fuel for Running

It has taken me a while to find both a good pre-run and mid-run snack for my long runs days. I tried the sport beans but was running in such cold weather that by the time I went to eat them they were basically frozen and I ended up at the dentist with tooth pain. I have also tried gels but just can't deal with the consistency. It seriously makes me gag.

So...here is what I eat before my long run. Peanut butter on whole wheat, mini Kit-kat and a Capri Sun. For me, it seems to be just the right amount of sugar and protein.


Midway through my run I eat one of these fruit flats. It is essentially fruit and fruit juice and each one is 70 calories. If I am out for a while, I will have another one. They fit nicely in the pocket of my jacket and don't seem to freeze on my cold runs.


I would love to know...what do y'all eat before and during your long runs?? If you are not a runner, what is your favorite healthy snack??

17 comments:

Pam said...

Pistachios! I just love pistachios! And granola bars. Now I know that the ones that I eat (the chocolate chip chewy kind) are not the best ones to eat, but I think that they taste good and they fill my snacks needs.

Heidi said...

I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me during runs. I recently tried some gummy things I bought at the running store, but I realized I don't like to chew while I run. They seemed to take so long to chew and then they stuck to my teeth. I didn't like it. The thought of those Gu products makes me gag just thinking about them. So, yeah, still working on that.

I'm kind of wondering if peanut butter cookies would work. Hmmmm???? Worth a try! Maybe I can make them teeny.

Pre-run my favourite meal that doesn't come back to haunt me is a toasted english muffins with peanut butter. Lately I've been running on empty. For short runs it seems OK, but I really hit a wall on the long runs when I do that. Not fun. I need to get back to leaving myself enough time to eat beforehand.

Cheri said...

Right at the moment I am hooked on those Fiber One bars, especially the oats and peanut butter...mmmm good. I have a fabulous recipe for a homemade granola from a niece that I could seriously eat the whole pan myself.

MCM Mama said...

I'm a PB& J before the run kind of girl. I try to eat one every time before a run. Gu works for me during, so I don't mess with any thing else.

Glad you've found stuff that works for you.

Jess said...

I've never heard of those fruit flats! Looks like something worth testing out, thanks!

Tina Mickelson said...

I usually have oatmeal before my long run with a smashed or cut up banana in it for some potasium. I do take GU during my long runs of 8 miles or more. I really really really like the mint chocolatel ones. They taste like candy. I also have tried the Luna Moons, GU Chomps (probably my favorite!) and cliff bars (margarita flavor if you need salt... I crave salts on runs over 15 miles). post long run snack is a bagel or english muffin with PB or Almond butter and honey. Quickly replenishes the glycogen stores and a little protien kick you need for repair.

I Run for Fun said...

Nice! I like your mid-run snack choices. I like shot bloks for runs of 10-14 miles and gels for longer runs. I occasionally eat half an orange or half a banana.

Anonymous said...

If the run is under about 7 miles, usually just have a Luna bar and water. Over that, I will eat a Luna bar, plus a banana, bagel, or PB&J (or honey). If the run is over 10, then I will also take those GU Chomps with me WITH my water bottle. I thought this was going to be a short answer, but look how I can go on forever!

Michelle said...

I don't really eat anything different before a long run than my normal breakfast - and egg on a piece of toast. It does seem to matter what I eat the night before. I can't eat alot of carbs (pasta) b/c it makes me sluggish.

I have been trying the honey & so far it works really well.

I wish I could eat PB before, however it just gives me indigestion, so I am envious!

greydawn said...

Milton's whole wheat toasted with peanut butter and a banana. or oatmeal
during long runs I love cliff bar shot blocks, pretzels or chex mix. I carry my camel pak with water but around mile 10 I try to swing by a store buy powerade

Jessica said...

On a competitive run day (before babies) I would have:
1 banana
1 peanut butter sandwich
2 cups of coffee (big cups so more like 4 lol)
1 motrin

I'll probably do the same for my first post baby race!

during the run? I haven't done more than a half so I haven't needed to refuel so far... if I do St. Judes next fall like planned I guess I'll look into it!

Heather said...

Pre run I like an english muffin w/peanut butter and a banana. During my long training runs, I usually use sport beans and I use gels during races. Sometimes I like little mini chip ahoy cookies during runs too, but they can be a pain to carry.

greentigress said...

Those fruit flats are great except i think we only get mini's over here
I just like any old sports 4:1 powder and mix it or i do like gels
i got bored of sports beans and when really pushing it gel is all i can handle becuase gummy sweets just make me choke...

Judi said...

Hi, I'm Judi!

I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me to eat! I usually only run in the early morning hours and on an empty stomach. After four pregnancies I can only drink a little sip of water before I leave or by the end of my lane I have to pee! I can only drink water while I am running - anything else makes me feel sick! I enjoyed reading what other people do. I think I just have a sensitive stomach when I combine food with running!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Pre-run, I often eat oatmeal with raisins or toast with PB and a banana. During the run, besides Gatorade, I've used gels, clif bloks, & Luna Moons.

WendyBird said...

fun size Butterfingers were my mid-long run snack, but I kept eating them when I wasn't running so I had to stop buying them, LOL. Worth a try if you have more willpower than me!
If I have to run early, have to go kind of long, and don't have time to digest much, and hand full of nuts with my coffee and banana is good. I'm sure peanut butter would be about the same but the nuts are saltier.
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Sherri said...

I've very interested in your post and everyone's comments. I am only up to 8 1/2 miles on my long run so I don't eat anything special but I know I will need to soon. I do know that I'm starving today after my long run. But I always feel like I'm defeating my effort by eating extra after running and putting all those calories back in that I just burnt off. Still trying to loose 10 pounds.