Running/Exercising while raw-what to eat?

[RawNubian]

Hi everyone, I am a runner, dancer, gym rat and aspiring boxer who has been raw for the past several weeks, high raw and then 100% raw for almost 2 weeks now. I need FUEL! I need energy to be able to get through my 5 mile runs. What should I eat before working out? And how much time should I allow between eating and running? 1-2 hours? Please advice. I do some form of exercise/training pretty much everyday.
Right now I am getting hungry and antsy, time for an orange.

[kinteet]

Experiment and see what works for you!

[RawNubian]

So I ended up having a handful of almonds and two bananas 2 hours before my 5 mile run and that worked out really well. I had enough fuel to get me through with no cramping! Anyway, if anyone has anything other raw food suggestions for endurance, let me know!

[solarliving]

I went to a lecture on Cyclists who are Raw foodists.

This is their site:

www.organicathlete.org

[RawNubian]

I went to a lecture on Cyclists who are Raw foodists.

This is their site:

www.organicathlete.org
Thanks! I am checking out the site now!

[rawzeit]

I run first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and it goes fine. I get cramps when I've eaten in the hour or so before running, but running on an empty stomach is no problem at all. I do drink a few glasses of water beforehand, though.

[RawNubian]

I run first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and it goes fine. I get cramps when I've eaten in the hour or so before running, but running on an empty stomach is no problem at all. I do drink a few glasses of water beforehand, though.
I workout/run on an empty stomach when I do my workouts during the week at 6:00 am. But I can't do long runs on the weekend on empty, especially since there are alot of hills and everything. I always eat 2 hours before a run to avoid cramping. I can't drink water right before a run or I will have the urge to go to the bathroom while I run, which is never good. I drink maybe 6 ounce of water 2 hours before the run. I make sure I hydrate really well the night before.

[barose]

I think everyone is different. I cant run on empty or I will see black (literally) and faint. I can workout about an hour after eating a heavier meal or right after having just fruit.

[RawRunnerUK]

Hello RawNubian,

Unless your diet is low in carbs, you should have enough energy stored in your muscles (and liver) for 5 mile runs; on an empty stomach or otherwise.

Take it easy for the first 5-15 minutes as your body switches to a higher fuel ratio of fat to carbs and you shouldn't run out of fuel.

I agree with Barose, I also find I can run soon after eating just fruit, although I usually leave at least 40 minutes before running, esp. if I've eaten bananas.

I've run 80 mile+ weeks on 100% raw. I only eat on the run (bananas/dates) when I run over 90 minutes (or 75 mins + when it's very hot/humid).

My tip for endurance and raw is to eat loads of fruit and try and keep the % of fat in your diet between 10-15%. This ensures carbs are 75-80% of daily calories. Green juices (kale/celery/cucumber) and young coconut water are great staples. Celery is great source of sodium and coconut water provides the other electrolytes!

Happy Raw Running :)

Matt

[kinteet]

It all depends on how much energy/vitality your body has left over from your cleansing, eating before workouts just surpresses the cleansing process and that's why it seems like eating before a workout is the right thing.

If your a newbie then your gonna get tired quick.....period.

[RawNubian]

Thanks everyone for your input!

I have a 10k race coming up, on June 9th and so far in my training I have been able to power up the hills really well. I think my energy and endurance has gotten better due to raw. I think my body didn't have THAT much cleansing to do because I haven't eaten a SAD diet in years although I was eating "healthy" vegetarian/vegan which I guess wasn't that healthy all the time, i.e. tofu/soy but I was eating salads, fruit and veggies already.

I workout pretty often, 5 days of running, 1-2 days of spinning, 3 days of strength training and conditioning and sometimes dance class. I also have dance rehearshals 1-2 times a week. In a few months, I will be adding boxing training back in too. I have felt alot less sluggish this past month and my energy is alot better since eating raw.

ETA:
I think one of the reasons I probably need to eat a little something before my runs of 5 miles and over is because I have insulin resistance and I can't have my blood sugar drop while I am running.

[barose]

ETA:
I think one of the reasons I probably need to eat a little something before my runs of 5 miles and over is because I have insulin resistance and I can't have my blood sugar drop while I am running.

I have insulin resistance too and have to eat before a 3 mile run.

[RawNubian]

Last week during my dance class, I didn't eat before going because it was at 10am and I had just gotten up at like 9:30 so I figured I would be okay...WRONG! I started seeing stars about 20 minutes into it and I had to take a little break and walk around because I felt like I would faint! Not because I tired though, my cardiovascular capacity is really good actually. I had the same feeling I had when I was doing a juice fast, running in the mornings, and it was 95 degrees outside and all of a sudden while I was waiting for the bus after work, the music on my ipod when silent. The music was still playing, I just couldn't heart it! And I start seeing stars and black. I could barely get out of bed the whole weekend!
But I digress, episodes of hypoglycemia are no joke!

[Rawmney]

I haven't been raw long, but am having banana (maybe 1/2) before a long run (1 hour+) and using raisins instead of gel or goo at the hour mark while out. Only up to 10 miles, so can't give you much experience but seems good.

I've also considered blended dates and water instead of sports drink. Another thread had a post for http://www.rawrunner.co.uk/main/index.php?page=articles.php, which includes an article on sports drinks with some good raw ideas I'm going to try.

Best,
Rawmney

[RawNubian]

I haven't been raw long, but am having banana (maybe 1/2) before a long run (1 hour+) and using raisins instead of gel or goo at the hour mark while out. Only up to 10 miles, so can't give you much experience but seems good.

I've also considered blended dates and water instead of sports drink. Another thread had a post for http://www.rawrunner.co.uk/main/index.php?page=articles.php, which includes an article on sports drinks with some good raw ideas I'm going to try.

Best,
Rawmney
Thanks Rawmney!
Your post is actually very timely because Sunday I did 5.2 miles in the park and it was VERY hot and humid and my dehydration effected my performance. I slowed down considerably. I am running a 10k race on saturday so I need to considering what my hydration plan is going to be pre-race.

[Pierre]

Could you tell me what's good for repairing muscles? I went hiking on Sunday and my leg muscles were sore for a few days after that.