Breakfast before a Half Marathon - General running

Lil.

11/09/2011 at 10:29

Running a Half marathon next week and will be staying in a Travelodge (No kitchen) Usually have porridge but of course won't be able to.

Just wondering what others munch on before races in the same situation.

Thanks

swittle

11/09/2011 at 10:36

Toast & honey + strong coiffee

Steve C.

11/09/2011 at 10:37

Do they have a kettle in the room? You could still make an instant carbo breakfast thing. Or muesli, milk, banana a couple of hours before would do the trick. Nothing excessive.

ross riley

11/09/2011 at 10:39

Eating before races is very individual, so the best advice is to do what you normally do before a run and not change too much. So if porridge works for you normally try and stick to it, maybe get a pot of porridge, they sell them in M&S and Pret amongst others, where you just add hot water.

Failing that, a flapjack bar would probably be quite similar.

Good luck with the race.

Emmy H

11/09/2011 at 11:35

I normally have weetabix made with hot water - works a treat! I normally mix in an apple as well to give it some flavour

Mr. K.

11/09/2011 at 12:00

Take a small travel kettle & some of those `Oat So Simple` type of pots that`s what I do.

Lil.

11/09/2011 at 15:14

Thanks for ideas. I will try one of those porridge pots & putting water with it this week. Trouble is I always add milk. If it tastes yuck I might just go down the weetabix road.

mrs. hog - mousey

11/09/2011 at 15:24

I don't eat before a race but I like to drink fluids - well sip at a bottle of water with plj.

Porridge made with water tastes fine, you could add a knob of butter though.

Running Rodent

11/09/2011 at 15:40

I usually go with a bagel with peanut butter and a banana if I'm staying away from cooking facilities (and yes, I have taken little tubs of peanut butter through airport security as hand luggage). But leave at least two hours to digest, and whatever you have make sure you try it out before a training run in advance.

Johnny again

12/09/2011 at 16:36

I had the same problem, and opted for readibrek. Not as good as porridge, but a taste of my childhood, and it did the trick.

Sprint for the line

13/09/2011 at 08:18

Oreos

sian wright 2

13/09/2011 at 08:47

if you take the porridge from m&s & your milk i bet if you ask really nicely at reception the staff there would probably have a microwave in their tea room... worth a try!! I like you always have milk on my porridge, hate it made with water & have done this a few times before marathons & been in other countries & they have always been only happy to help!

Good luck x

oii

13/09/2011 at 09:12

second vote for take a travel kettle and one of those pots of oats. i have seen them from m&s & oat so simple. If you prefer it with milk ring ahead and see if they have a microwave in their kitchen you can borrow per the suggestion Sian made....

Carrot

13/09/2011 at 09:33

I've just used my usual oats and poured hot water over them before a race if I don't have access to anywhere to cook porridge normally, it doesn't end up perfect but it's not too bad! Maybe have a try one day this week while you're still at home? I never used to use milk in porridge though.

Good luck for Sunday

Intermanaut

13/09/2011 at 09:37

Have a word with the Travelodge staff - they will probably be able to help with getting some porridge sorted out for you.

CazSoul

13/09/2011 at 09:45

The pots of oats-so-simple or Flahavens version (which is the one I use for races away from home) are meant to be made with water....they have powdered milk in them. Taste just as good as my normal porridge made with milk in the micro. All you need is a kettle & a spoon which you can generally find in most hotel rooms.

mrs. hog - mousey

13/09/2011 at 16:55

Running Rodent wrote (see)

I usually go with a bagel with peanut butter and a banana if I'm staying away from cooking facilities (and yes, I have taken little tubs of peanut butter through airport security as hand luggage). But leave at least two hours to digest, and whatever you have make sure you try it out before a training run in advance.

Try dates.

David White 35

13/09/2011 at 17:01

how about a smoothie? Every night I mix up some yoghurt, banana, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, oats and some protein powder in a blender and drink on my way in to work the next day. I have before runs too and works well for me

PhilPub

13/09/2011 at 17:34

When I stayed at the Hilton before the MK half (sounds dead posh, was the same price as the Travelodge), they knocked up a bowl of porridge for me. Didn't stop me craving and lusting after the bacon/sausage/scrambled egg buffet though. D'oh!

Lil.

14/09/2011 at 19:48

Thank you everyone, helpful suggestions from you all. Thank you for the well wishes too.

I have been testing out porridge this week with boiling water, leaving to soak for 1-2 mins covered, then adding enough milk to make it taste nicer but not enough to make it go cold. Not of course as yummy as my usual version but will be good for the morning of the GNR & other races.

A bagel with peanut butter is up there too. This might go into my bag for after the race. Depending.

A smoothie sounds lovely but it would have to be in my bag for 24 hours. Not so lovely...