Monday, 24 August 2009

  • What Do You Eat Before Your Workout?



    For those of you who are runners, or currently live in NYC, you probably heard about the NYC half-marathon on August 16th. I’m a runner myself, so I--along with over 10,000 other people--didn’t miss out on my chance to participate in it.

    The race started at 7 a.m. in Central Park, and finished downtown near Battery Park. It was a nice sunny day to run, but the humidity definitely made the race much harder. It took me about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but I was just glad I finished, and made it under the three-hour-limit. It was hard, but all in all, it was definitely a fun experience; I would like to make the half-marathon an annual thing.

    I’ve done several short distances (like 4 to 6 miles) and couple half marathons prior to this race, and I’ve realized that it’s really important to eat energizing foods (Maybe that’s why, I often feel groggy afterwards).

    During this NYC Half-Marathon as well as other long distance races, I noticed how  a lot of people eat energy bars, gels, sports jelly beans (?!), or drink sports drinks before and during the race (For long distance ones, both water and Gatorade are always provided).  I personally am not a huge fan of sports drinks or energy bars, but since so many other runners usually reach for Gatorade rather than water during races, I decided I would give it a try and see if it would really improve my performance. What was the result? Maybe I wasn’t drinking enough or was expecting too much too soon, but I couldn’t really feel a difference. Is it just me or do others feel the same way?

    Do you think these sports bars or drinks help your overall performance? What gives you the most energy before your runs or workouts?


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Comments (26)

  • soniiuh@xanga

    A banana and maybe some milk lol. 
  • exhale_whispers@xanga

    carbs.
  • Dare2BDiferentt@xanga

    I don't run at the moment, but in the mornings before my workouts, I usually don't eat anything until I'm done for the morning, then I eat, let my food settle a while, and do another workout. I have a hard time doing anything exerting right after I eat, so I don't.
  • kirisheart@xanga

    Anything sugary would only help for a little while o_o and only if you eat enough of it otherwise sticking to energy bars and water should keep a consistant performances.


    It really depends on the person but I'm a swimmer and I've noticed I do better during meets if the night before I eat alot of carbs, like pasta, and just before eating something like an engery bar.
  • MissPixieGlitter@xanga

    before a race, oatmeal and egg whites. nooo milk.
  • prototype_abbeyancyF7@xanga

    I think people reach for energy drinks because the psychology there helps them do better. They're either so used to drinking Gatorade that it's more of a ritual than a necessity; or they believe that the sugary drink will somehow make them perform better -- and that "I know I can" mentality really does help.

    I eat bananas before, to prevent muscle cramps, and oatmeal with eggs in the morning. Good carbohydrates burn easily and release their energy better.

  • JoeytheGenie@xanga

    I tend to eat something light like yogurt and fruit before a normal workout - around 1-2 before
    if it's a long run then I eat 2 bananas (ew, I hate them), orange juice, and 3-5 animal crackers (I have to finish the bag) - I run in the morning.
    I hate Gatorade but I find I have a better performance when I reach for that gross  bottle at 13-15k, that enables me to finish the run strong
  • stay__gold@xanga

    I am not a runner, I have never been nor do I ever plan to be, but I absolutely detest Gatorade, or any other sports drink, flavored water, etc. I almost only drink water, ever.
  • tastytimmm@xanga

    I don't run, but if you were to do a half marathon, your glycogen stores would probably be depleted after a while. Something slow digesting, yet light, would be good... such as oatmeal. During the run when your really feeling out of energy, a banana might be good and maybe a little bit of gatorade. Gotta refuel those electrolytes and stay hydrated. But mainly water during the race would be the best.
  • Btrfly_Wngs@xanga

    I hate sports drinks when I work out. Honestly, they only work the day after heavy drinking. Lol.
    I normally eat some fruit or drink some juice before working out. If I plan on working out for more than an hour, I drink about 16 ounces of water before it and I will also have a sandwich with the fruit.

    The fruit is mostly just because I just love fruit. Ha. I don't think it has any awesome effect. Haha.
  • Je_Suis_Vrai@xanga

    Eat carbs the night before, but don't get too full or you'll have stomach cramps.  I don't know much about the snack bars, skip those and eat normal foods, but the Gatorade is supposed to to replenish electrolytes and other things that water doesn't... It's not going to make you do any better or feel much better... You'll still feel like you just ran a marathon lol, but it's supposed to do more. I would trade off between Gatorade and water.
  • OffWthHerHead@xanga

    HoneyBunchsOfOats. An Apple. Water.
  • SoHoian_NightOwl@xanga

    Pizza sometimes... Yes, i'm guilty of doing that. 


    x
  • PervyPenguin@xanga

    I think that whole "sports" thing is just for marketing. Gatorade tastes pretty salty to me and salty takes away water from your body, even though I'm aware it's mostly sugar. I stick to water. However, I know for a fact that caffeine can help improve your endurance. Sometimes, I have a bar of dark chocolate before I run. Carbohydrates are your friend, if I'm going to do a strenuous workout, I eat plenty of carbs and proteins. :D
    The trick with Gatorade is that sugar gives you a small energy boost. Not just Gatorade, but juice or anything really sweet.
    It's best to stick to water e_e and if it's not enough, mix it in with a little sugar *shrug*

    - Kunoichi
  • tenwishes@xanga

    eat something sweet like candies maybe?
  • dayscue4

    Before workouts, I have started eating cottage cheese with cinnamon, and banana cut up in it. It has enough protein and carbs to give me energy throughout my workout. It sounds gross, but it has definitely grown on me, and now I love it.
  • xXCrystal_RaindropsXx@xanga

    banana
  • kimjh125

    Thanks so much for all your great info! :) 
  • G1G1626

    I love ENERGY DRINKS... but not just ANY... I only drink calorie/carb & sugar free drinks like Redline & Xyience = mm mm good! Oh and when I can get in some grub before a work out I chow down some pureed pumpkin and an over-easy egg! 
  • shes_lump@xanga

    I eat low-fat cereal with low-fat milk.. then afterwards I make sure to eat protein (like an apple with peanut butter). that's the best way to do it.

  • cRyStaL_rAiNe@xanga

    a good mix of fiber, protein, and carbs is what feels good in my stomach and body before i work out. so an hour before i work out or run a race, i'll have something like whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana or apple
  • pinkball83@xanga

    Sports drinks might be better for you if you're running a marathon because it replaces some of the salt you're losing while sweating.  And you lose a lot when you're running a marathon.  Anyway, everyone is different and water is for sure the best thing for you.  Who knows.  I eat a banana with peanut butter and some kind of juice.
  • anonymous

    I'm training for my 3rd Chicago half marathon currently (see last5lbs.com). In the past I've always been a straight water girl, but struggled through the run. The gels make me sick..can't stand the taste. But I tried something that seems to be helping a bit and actually tastes good! They are 'energy chews'....the ones I have been eating are by Luna Sport, but I think several brands make them. This is for during your long runs...there's a lot of good advice from people about before and after meals/snacks :)
  • skinnny_biatch@xanga

    I eat after I work out
  • yudesc@xanga

    Before I play a game of tennis, or any sport, I'll either have a fruit or a bowl of cereal. My older brother who is doing exercise science in university knows some good facts when it comes to body health.

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