General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Nutrition for early AM workouts? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-07-10 8:43 PM

User image

Master
1858
10005001001001002525
Salt Lake City
Subject: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
The summer Arizona weather added to a changed work schedule, and the seasonal afternoon downpours has recently driven me to do the one thing I never thought I would do:  Waking up at 5AM to get my workout in before work.  This morning I managed to drag myself out of bed and get a 15 Mile ride in.  Surprisingly, despite almost two weeks away from training, I had a great ride.

The question for those of you who do early morning workouts, (I'm planning to run or bike since I can swim in the afternoon even if its raining)  do you eat breakfast before going out?  I feel like eating a full breakfast would be too much food before a workout, but eating nothing would leave me with no energy whatsoever.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.


2009-07-10 8:48 PM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Veteran
223
100100
Arlington, VA
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?

Very interested here as well.  I just don't have time to eat anything of significance and wait to digest before jumping in the pool at 6:15am.  I've been doing Power Gels to keep from working out on an seven or eight hours empty stomach.  Curious about others experience.

2009-07-10 9:05 PM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Expert
1276
1000100100252525
Salem
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
I will eat a banana and a couple tablespoons of peanut butter.  Sometimes I'll eat some Fig Newtons and some kind of breakfast bar.  I will also take a Gu with me and drink Gatorade on early morning rides (15 to 20 miles).
2009-07-10 9:19 PM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Extreme Veteran
419
100100100100
San Jose, CA
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
An English muffin with jam or a banana or a fruit smoothie work well for me. It's taken time to train my stomach but I can eat an English muffin within 30 minutes of a run without a problem now. Reading Monique Ryan's nutrition for endurance athletes book really brought home to me the importance of fueling before a workout, even an early morning one.
2009-07-10 9:29 PM
in reply to: #2277408

Regular
132
10025
College Station
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
I usually try to get something that goes down easy and tastes good for me. If it's a short workout (1 hourish) I'll go w/ some fruit, yogurt, and maybe sip on some gatorade. Then I'll take a gel right before starting. If it's a longer workout, I'll try to scarf down a bagel w/ PB on it and a gel before, along w/ sipping gatorade. If it's a longer workout, I'll try to get up a little earlier and eat earlier so that I dont workout immediately after eating the bagel.
2009-07-10 9:51 PM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Veteran
301
100100100
Smithfield, VA
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
For me, an english muffin with PB&J hold me just fine.  If I have time, I might have an apple as well.

I am going to try my first GU in the morning on my 12 mile run at about the 1 hour mark.  Curious to see A. what it tastes like, and B. what effect it has.

Edited by mandsberry 2009-07-10 9:53 PM


2009-07-10 11:14 PM
in reply to: #2277494

User image

Expert
1276
1000100100252525
Salem
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
The Chocolate Gu is great. 
2009-07-11 12:28 AM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Expert
977
500100100100100252525
Huntington Beach
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
I have wondered about this too.  So for example tomorrow morning I should eat a banana and pb before heading out on my 55minute bike ride and then 20 min run?  Doesn't it make it hard for my body to digest the food and do the exercise at the same time?  Doesn't my dinner from the night before help?  I hate eating under two hours before I exercise but want to do whatever will help my machine run efficiently. 
2009-07-11 1:13 AM
in reply to: #2277642

User image

Champion
7233
5000200010010025
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
if i need to eat in the morning ,cereal or banana, bagel, english muffin, leftovers, etc are all fine with me, i can work out on about anything

two days ago i did a swim and ride about 50 min after eating at chipotle.........
2009-07-11 4:11 AM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Long Island
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
yummmmmmmmmm..............chipotle.................
so jealous.
2009-07-11 5:18 AM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
Glass of OJ.

Unless you are working out for 2+ hours, you really shouldn't need anything if you ate reasonably the day/night before.  But some people feel better with a small snack.


2009-07-11 5:31 AM
in reply to: #2277417

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
I do most of my workouts in the morning.  And even for centuries and 20 mile runs the most I will do is take a gel as I'm walking out the door.  Usually nothing though.
2009-07-11 8:13 PM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Master
1858
10005001001001002525
Salt Lake City
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?
I ate a gel this morning before leaving.  It was only an easy 3 Mile run, but I didn't feel hungry.  I'd risk going out after eating nothing at all, but I tend to get a bit of an upset stomach if I haven't had anything in a while.  Maybe I'll experiment with eating some fruit or an english muffin over the next couple weeks.
2009-07-11 9:27 PM
in reply to: #2277408

User image

Extreme Veteran
547
50025
Canyon Hills (Lake Elsinore), CA
Subject: RE: Nutrition for early AM workouts?

I also live in the desert so I'm dealing with the same thing.  I need coffee in the morning so I have a half a cup and 1-2 fig newtons for shorter workouts (less then an hour) and for longer workout's I take a gel and some gatorade with me.  This time of the year, my long runs are loops so I can drink every 3-4 miles since it's already getting hot at 6:00 am.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Nutrition for early AM workouts? Rss Feed