OK to run on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning

[KingGheedora]

I want to start running 2-3 miles first thing in the morning. I'm not doing it for any reason other than I don't have time to eat and then wait an hour to digest the food before running in the morning, so I was wondering if I'd be doing my body any harm by running on an empty stomach? I'd be eating breakfast right after the run.

 

[Jahee]

No harm, but you might not be able to run to the best of your abilities.. I know i feel horrible if i do any sports on an empty stomach.. You may be different though, try it and see how you react.

 

[Alone]

I always run on an empty stomach, but maybe my body is just conditioned for it now.

 

[SWScorch]

I do it when I'm doing high mileage; 2-3 times I week I will run 3-4 miles in the morning. It sucks ass for me; I usually run at least a minute per mile slower than usual and I feel tired and sluggish, but theres no harm in it. I think it actually burns more fat that way since you have less stored energy.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
I want to start running 2-3 miles first thing in the morning. I'm not doing it for any reason other than I don't have time to eat and then wait an hour to digest the food before running in the morning, so I was wondering if I'd be doing my body any harm by running on an empty stomach? I'd be eating breakfast right after the run.

You could eat something small like a banana and run 10-15 minutes after that. It'll give you a little bit of energy without a nasty aftertaste and without filling you up.

 

[CRXican]

I just did 2 miles on an empty stomach. It was much more labored than usual. I'll stick to eating a little something, as mentioned, a banana is good.

 

[bossman34]

Yea, there isn't really any harm in it, but you may not be able to run as well as if you eat something in the morning. Your blood/liver glucose levels are low in the morning and you can burn through it quick which is going to limit how hard/fast you can run.

When I train clients, it never fails that the ones I train in the morning who don't eat (despite what I tell them) get light headed and pale 15 minutes into a tough workout. Eat some simple carbohydrates (banana is great) or something that isn't going to sit in your gut or cause GI distress when you run.

Also, you *may* burn more fat by not eating in the morning, but you probably won't be able to work as hard and, thus, not burn as many calories which is really the bottom line if you're trying to lose weight (not sure if you are). So, I wouldn't recommend not eating in the morning as a way of losing weight if that is why you are beginning to run.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I do it all the time. Take an energy gel if you need to.

 

[Megatomic]

I eat a granola bar (typically kashi) when I do early runs. But running on an empty stomach isn't bad as long as you don't go over an hour. After an hour you need to consider hydration and energy.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I do it for anything less than 6 miles. Nothing wrong with it.

 

[StageLeft]

This is fine, and if people think it's more effort, seriously it is not. Something else is going on such as time of day or hydration rate (perhaps low fluids in the morning). Trust me: unless you are extremely low on stored glycogen, probably from aggressive dieting or other cardio, empty stomach vs not will not substantially impact blood sugar for a fairly short run.

I have done much of my cardio in the past in the morning and would only think of having a little extra sugar (would be something fluid-based like gatorade) if I was doing an hour or more, but honestly even a non fit person can hold enough glycogen stored that it takes a pretty darn harsh workout to start really impacting available blood sugar.

When I train clients, it never fails that the ones I train in the morning who don't eat (despite what I tell them) get light headed and pale 15 minutes into a tough workout.

I wonder if those people--people who don't eat breakfast--just have bad diets overall. I still can't believe some people actually skip breakfast, it truly blows my mind. To me there's nothing like a workout first thing and then breakfast right after. Truly feels like an earned meal!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I eat a granola bar (typically kashi) when I do early runs. But running on an empty stomach isn't bad as long as you don't go over an hour. After an hour you need to consider hydration and energy.

Good time for some energy drink/gel.