This morning I went for an easy 3 mile run on the roads around our house. It was overcast and it felt pretty cool outside, but once I was running I realized how humid it was. Even though it was a short run, I felt very fatigued at the end. I didn’t eat anything beforehand and I feel like that definitely affected my run. I felt low on energy and the hills felt tougher than they usually do.
In addition to not eating before my run, I only had a few sips of water. It probably would have been best to have a bit more. I was only out there for about 30 minutes, but it was humid and I was sweating like crazy.
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| A little of this would have been a good idea |
I don’t think it’s necessary to eat before an easy 3 mile run. My body shouldn’t need the extra carbohydrates to fuel the run. I think it’s really only necessary to eat before a run that has a higher glycogen demand, such as a long run or a race/hard effort run. That being said, I feel better on any type of run if I eat first.
Speaking of fatigue, my legs still feel tired from my track workout, particularly my hamstrings. After last Saturday’s 5K I was a bit sore, but I got up the next morning and met up with my running buddy for a 6 mile run. After that my legs felt pretty good and I wasn’t sore at all on Monday. Then I had my track workout on Tuesday, but wasn’t able to run Wednesday due to working late and going out to dinner for our anniversary. I think not being able to do an easy, recovery run the day after a hard workout definitely affected how long it took me to recover from the hard workout.
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Did anyone see where one of the team buses got stuck under the finish bridge at the Tour de France?
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| The driver covering his/her face cracks me up |
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I have exciting plans for my long run tomorrow! It’s nothing earth shattering, but I am looking forward to meeting up with my running buddy, Kim! 🙂
How do you recover from a tough workout or race?
Morning exercisers: do you eat before you work out? Do you see a noticeable difference when you do eat versus when you don’t?
Turkey Runner 
Christmas in July! David was just doing online Christmas shopping for his mother this morning. I thought he was nuts! I lay on the couch and pretend that I ran 10 miles (even if it was just 3!) after a bad run and do all my recovery things and hope that it gets better for the next run.
Good for him! I usually start mine by September or October. Really it’s just as I see something that would be a good gift for sometime I go ahead and purchase it. Hah! Your recovery sounds like my kind of recovery 🙂
I do like to eat before I workout. Even if I just have a slice of toast I feel like I’ve done something to give me an edge. Also, I’ve started to bring water with me on almost all of my runs. I’m not sure if this is a good idea, but it’s summer… it’s dry… and I’m thirsty!
It definitely helps you both mentally and physically. Water, no matter the temperature, is a great idea throughout the summer!
I can do 3-milers w/out eating but I will sometimes “bonk” on them if I’m too hungry. Since I often run right before dinner, sometimes I’ll eat some peanut butter on a spoon w/ some chocolate chips, or more recently, those peanut butter/oatmeal bites I posted about.I had not seen that team bus pic but that’s hilarious what the driver’s doing! I’d be hiding so no one took my pic I think. LOL Hope no one was hurt! I have to admit all of the doping scandal makes me not even want to watch cycling anymore. Chris says it’s common in all sports but I don’t know!
I also usually have a small snack before my typical evening weekday runs. That poor driver looks so embarrassed! As far as I know no one was hurt. They got the bus out before the cyclists got to the finish line.
I can roll out of bed, drink a big glass of water, and go on a run without any problems; but if I’m up for very long before I run, I need to eat. This morning I got up, trained a client, forgot to eat, and went on a run. I had been up too long and felt it on my run…
The next time I do a shorter morning run, I will try the big glass of water! I think just a few sips of water was not enough.
I usually don’t eat before a run unless it’s going to be 8+ miles…then I get ravenously hungry during my runs, so I have to have something beforehand, ha. I would probably assume that heat/humidity was the cause for your fatigue. In the summer (particularly since I’ve moved to the east coast), I take water with me on almost every run, no matter how long. It’s just toooooo hot and I sweat like crazy. I think it really helps.
Good point- I probably should have taken water with me, regardless of the short distance.