Pre-run supplement

Carnmore

Doing a 5km run on Saturday and need to do a good time.

I run regularly, have a healthy diet and lifestyle yet am lacking in running energy.

I usually get my nutrition from food but what can I take for an energy boost for the run at the weekend?

Preferably from Holland and Barrett

bxboards

A banana with some peanut butter spread on it.

You don't need to buy anything special for this.

esuhl

If you're tiring easily, I *guess* you'd need to eat more protein and/or carbohydrates. On the day, sugar will give a burst of energy.


So you could increase your protein intake in general (meat, fish, eggs, etc.), have a big carb-heavy meal the night before the race (e.g. pasta), and have a can of Coke before the run.

Owain_Moneysaver

Porridge..

TheMoneySpider

Agree. Porridge every time


and pasta the night before.

Owain_Moneysaver

And drink plenty of water before the start.

You'll run faster if you need a wee-wee.

TheMoneySpider

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

And drink plenty of water before the start.

You'll run faster if you need a wee-wee.

hee hee. Hydration is the bane of my life

parking_question_chap

No need whatsoever for sups to run 5km.

You can get all you need from food for 5km.

Good nights sleep, ensure you are well hydrated, decent carbs pre run I suggest a couple of bananas and a good warmup / stretch and some strides.

Browntoa

Most specialised "supplements" are invented by the companies to sell products rather than to fulfill a need.

Manxman_in_exile

parking_question_chap wrote: »

No need whatsoever for sups to run 5km.

You can get all you need from food for 5km.

Good nights sleep, ensure you are well hydrated, decent carbs pre run I suggest a couple of bananas and a good warmup / stretch and some strides.

I agree with this. To run 5k all you need is a well balanced diet. Unless your diet is deficient in some way you don't need anything. And if your diet is deficient it's easier and cheaper to put that right.


In many cases of tiredness hydration is the key. Drink water before and after the run. I used to use an isotonic drink called Isostar but it no longer seems to be available in the UK (although I have seen I in Holland). I now just drink a 50/50 mixture of fruit juice and tap water plus (after a run) some salt.


Bananas are great for delivering energy quite quickly. (Think Wimbledon!) They're also rich in potassium and help keep blood pressure down.


Personally, if I eat anything less than three hours before a run I don't perform so well

Adly812

It’s 5km.. don’t bother.. just run on empty. We have enough energy stored in fat cells to walk to Australia .. you’ll be fine I promise