I give up trying to eat almond butter or peanut butter before I go for a run. It always sounds so good first thing when I wake up and so I keep trying to eat it right before I run and then boom… it makes my stomach hurt while running. I think pure carbs before a run is what works best for my stomach. Toast with jam seems to work great lately.
I will just have to wait to eat my beloved almond butter until after my run. Self-control isn’t my strongest attribute.
10 miles for my Monday at a 7:43 pace. I love Monday workouts because I always feel really motivated and ready to go for the week.
We went straight to the playplace right after I finished running so that Brooke could get her workout in. While we were just hanging out my good friend that I used to waitress with 8 years ago waltzed in and we were able to catch up on everything. She was in town visiting and I am very thankful that the playplace could reunite us.
I do want to apologize to her for making her hug me right after I finished 10 miles.
I got to go see my sister’s little baby again and he is so sweet. Newborns are the best.
For dinner I made a big ol’ turkey burger and avocado salad and ate a bowl of Brooke’s shells and cheese.
Growing up my family always did ‘Family Night’ on Monday nights. It was a night where we didn’t plan anything else but hanging out together doing something more special/fun/exciting than the other nights of the week.
Technically, every night is family night with me and the Brookers but I like to try and plan something a little more special for Monday nights for us.
We hung out at the Provo temple water fountains and walked around talking (she is quite the conversationalist lately) for a while.
After Brooke went down for the night I had the perfect ending to the day…. TV and ice cream cake. This season of The Bachelor has taken crazy to the next level.
Megan texted me earlier in the day to match her for our Bachelor night so I did my best and it was pretty darn close. I will always enjoy matching people.
————————————————————————————-
Who has been a server before? What restaurant(s)?
-Los Hermanos, Happy Sumo, Magelby’s and Brick Oven:)
What foods upset your stomach before a run? Or do you have a stomach of steel?
Who watched Bachelor last night? Thoughts?
What day of the week do you have the most motivation to work out?
90 comments
Kirtley Freckleton @ The Gist of Fit
Haha I think I have a stomach of steel…living in the Philippines helped. If chicken feet or goat guts doesn’t bother me I don’t know what would ;)
Karien @ Running the Race
Your little nephew is gorgeous!
I pretty much stick to bananas before a run – works for me :) .
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Anything too heavy upsets my stomach before a run, so high fat foods aren’t great, of course afterwards it’s another story! I was a server at a steakhouse in college, was not my thing! Mainly being on my feet for double shifts was too much. Tougher than long runs in some ways!
Sarah @ KS Runner
I haven’t watched last nights Bachelor but there are some crazies there this season. I mean, there always are but its like all the girls came with a side of crazy this time around!
Mondays are usually my best day of the week, workout-wise. Things haven’t generally gotten derailed by life at that point!
I usually do a bagel with pb and jam before a run. I have a weak stomach in terms of what I can have beforehand, but those things seem to work for me!
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff
I get heartburn if I drink more than a sip of coffee before running. But if I don’t drink that sip I can’t function. It’s a balancing act. Lol.
Thursday’s are my favorite day to run. I am always excited for a tempo.
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes
Monday and Friday/Saturday runs are my most-motivated. I love to begin and end the week with a great workout!
I used to eat bread with PB before my runs but it bothered my stomach also. Now I eat raisins or a banana.
Brooke is so cute! Her hair is too adorable with all those curls!
Casey @ bahstonrunnah
I have a hard time with dairy the morning for a run. I’ve tried bowls of cereal before and no bueno. I usually stick to just a banana for shorter runs or oatmeal (made with water or almond milk) and a banana for longer.
I LOVE your shorts in the almond butter photo. Where are those from?
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you Casey! They are from Lululemon. Good call on sticking to bananas and oatmeal… those work for me too!
Amanda @ Slimplify Life
The Bachelor is an absolute train wreck but I cannot stop watching. I accccidently Googled the winner and now I watch it completely differently.
CANNNNOT eat Gu! So wish I could but my stomach cramps and then my long runs turn into horizontal running :).
Erica { EricaDHouse.com }
I was a waitress for 2 weeks. I was miserable and totally sucked at it.
Anna @ That DAMM Runner
I discovered the same thing about nut butter before a run! I had the same *sigh* I give up moment.
Brenda @ Don't Lose the Trail
I think I fall into the stomach of steel category, at least where running is concerned. I can hit one side to the other of an aid station at an ultra eating all the different foods and feel no ill effects – people have been known to be impressed.
Jennifer
I was a server in college and will forever be a big tipper. It’s hard work!!
I avoid dairy before running.
I’m always motivates for the Saturday long run!
Staci @ Hoosier Running Mom
I have never served nor watched the Bachelor! I love working out…I find that for some reason Monday is my best motivational day, I think it is due to being back at work and wanting to start the week off stress free!!!
tess
Me, either. I don’t think I missed anything on either side. But I do appreciate servers and recognize it’s hard work.
Natalie
There’s definitely no way I could eat peanut butter before a run. Dry things usually work best for me–especially Wheat Thins. Usually on race day, I got for Wheat Thins and a banana, and I’ve never had stomach issues with that.
Kristina @ Blog About Running
The bowl you have your shells and cheese in is really pretty!
I can’t eat pb before a run either, but I can definitely eat lots of it after a run :)
I think I am most motivated during the weekend because I know I can take a nap later in the day, haha! Plus I can run when the sun is still out on the weekends! I am counting down the days until the time change because it means it will be bright out again when I go running after work!
Sam @ The Running Graduate
I’ve waitressed at many restaurants! Most of them were just small local ones, but my favorite was a tiny cafe that I worked at for 2 years. It closed after I went to college and it was so sad!
I am so so happy both Ashley and Kelsey got sent home. They were both missing a couple of marbles (or more than a couple). This season is super weird though. It’s going to be interesting when they all go to Iowa!
For me it’s not so much what I eat before running, it’s when I eat it. I have to wait around an hour to run after eating.
Bridget
I don’t have a particular day of the week that is more motivating. It’s more about the temperature and the sunshine. I love running when it is 50-60 degrees and sunny! I could run for days in those conditions.
I get an upset stomach if I drink a protein shake before a run. Other than that, I have a stomach of steel.
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out
Ok seriously! The bachelor is unpredictable this season but I am eating it up!
Linda @ TheFitty
I only drink water preworkout and thats it–hope you’re able to resist the nut Butters until after the run!
Addison
I love Friday morning workouts best — I’m so excited it’s the weekend and I get to end work early on Fridays. So I’m always really motivated to go out with a bang!
Holli
Oh my goodness I basically ate way too much peanut butter and almond butter during college and grad school. I would eat it on toast, a banana, or just off a spoon before a workout and eventually my stomach started revolting. It got so bad I’d end up on the side of the road or path in the fetal position until the pain and cramping would go away. I don’t touch that stuff now, and I’ve been great! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it though.
I don’t watch the bachelor anymore, but I used to watch it all the time. Dr. Andy Baldwin recently moved to the area so I’ve been running with him occasionally, which is funny to look back on his episodes of the bachelor!
I think I’m most motivated to work out on days I know that will challenge me! The easy days/recovery days are awesome but I really enjoying pushing the limits at time.
Hope your week has started out fantastic!
Rachel Runs Music City
I was server (for a very short time) at a local pizza place. Wasn’t real good at it…
I can’t have any kind of dairy before a run. I’m borderline lactose intolerant and it’s just not fair to my stomach.
Bachelor-Good grief! I think they got the craziest women they could find this season. But at least now I think all the major crazies are gone. I think a lot of what Chris does isn’t always fair to the girls, but I do understand why he does it. It’s a very intriguing season, I will say that!
I always like my first workout of the week, whatever day it falls on.
Jessica @ Laces and Lattes
I agree with you on the nut butters being hard on my stomach before a run. At least it gives us something to look forward to when you return back home!
Brooke@runningonchange
If I eat potatoes before a run my stomach cramps up like crazy, so no sweet potatoes or hashbrowns before my long runs!
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles
My stomach can handle peanut butter before I run but in a small amount. I found pb2 to work really well pre-run over the full fat kind. Satisfies the craving and sits a bit better in the stomach.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine
Most of the time I am ok with eating a banana with PB or a honey stinger waffle before a run. I used to be able to eat a bagel but not anymore.
I think that Mondays are my favorite day to work out since Sunday is usually my rest day!
Chelsea @ runner's table
I can never do peanut butter before a run, but almond butter is usually ok. Lately the only thing that doesn’t bother my stomach is oatmeal or a banana.
I think I’m pretty motivated on Mondays, and probably least motivated by Thursday…
Your salad looks great! Last night I ordered a ‘marinated citrus’ salad thinking it would be greens with some citrus slices, but it was only grapefruit and orange slices…needless to say I had to pilfer food from my husband and friends…
Charlie
Wednesday is my most motivated workout day for me. I get up at 5.30 to go to an amazing free workout with friends and I love it!
Monica
I was the worst waitress ever. It was a very small pizza place, so thankfully we rarely had people come in to dine (mostly takeouts or deliveries) but I actually once dumped a pizza on some poor lady. I went to set it down and it slid right off the pan.
Strangely enough, I got a big tip from them! I think they felt bad for me…
Kristen
I never actually worked as a server but I made sundaes and worked the ice cream window at Friendly’s.
I can eat pretty much anything before a run. I learned the hard way that the same isn’t true for a yoga class with a bunch of inversions. Holy Heartburn Batman!!
My motivation varies. Sometimes I like to schedule Monday as a planned rest day so I can chill after work.
Heather @ Run Eat Play
I have never been a server!
I have such a set schedule that I’m pretty motivated to workout everyday! Weekends are a little harder but Monday-Friday is easy peasy! It’s routine!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
Haha I wish I could workout with Brooke! Playing is the best way to get your exercise in!
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog
That salad and mac & cheese looks HEAVENLY. The only thing that really upsets my stomach before a run is coffee, so I usually wait until afterwards and try to view it as a reward! :)
Karina @ fitsickle
I somehow never worked in a restaurant! I was always babysitting. SO glad both of those girls on the Bach are out of here!! Umm and your sweatpants look incredibly comfy. I can only eat a banana before a run… then Gu all the way! Have a great day!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
Isn’t it weird how different people are? Toast with nut butter is one of the easiest things for my stomach to handle before a run. My husband can’t or he’ll feel sick.
mary @ minutes per mile
i can’t do any sort of nut butter or dairy before a morning run. and i really hate doing evening/afternoon runs — when i’ve got a stomach full of food! coffee and buttered/jam toast work best for me. took me four years to figure that out :)
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
That is exactly why I eat nothing before a workout or run. My stomach ruins the whole thing & it never reacts consistently either. Funny thing is after my workout I don’t feel like eating right away.
Hayley@healthyregards
I am right there with ya!! I always want PB in the morning but know it actually doesn’t make me feel good.
afterWOD
One of us used to be a server at TGIFridays and we’re glad it’s TGIFinished.
We find that anything more than fruit or chia pudding is a no-go before running (check out http://www.afterWOD.com for a 100% Paleo Chocolate Chia pudding recipe).
By keeping our workouts constantly varied it’s difficult to single out a specific day of the week, but there’s always the desire to start the week off right with an intense and invigorating session on Sunday/Monday.
Elle @ The Clean Project
Watching the Bachelor right now… anxious to see the continuation of Kelsey’s craziness!
Peanut butter toast or yogurt are my go-to pre-run foods
Kristin
That dinner looks awesome and your sister’s baby is precious! What a sweet little guy. It is hard for me to resist peanut/almond butter no matter the time of day. Yesterday there was a bit of it in my breakfast, lunch, and night time snack.. hehe. How long does it usually take you to finish a jar?
Becky @ Ok, so here's the plan
I waitressed in high school at a restaurant inside a small hotel – maybe 12 tables total. Not a fan.
I mostly have a stomach of steel. The only time I have a problem is if I eat too soon before I run.
Saturday’s are my easiest motivation days, that’s the only day I don’t workout on my own.
Kathy
Normally my stomach can handle anything. However, this Sunday I learned that a tempo run fueled by leftover taco meat and diet coke is a bad idea. Who knew?
The Hungry Runner Girl
hahaha sounds like a great pre-tempo meal to me:) Have a great day Kathy!
maria lowery
I go for a dry crunchy granola bar before my morning run. Bread/toast seems to sit to heavy in my stomach. My theory is it soaks up the water I drink and makes for a sloshy run. I usually go for Nature valley oats n honey or something similar. Just enough carbs to get me through without feeling heavy and weighed down.
Megan D
I didn’t watch The Bachelor last night. I plan on watching today. While I foam roll. Hopefully the crazy will be enough to motivate me to actually foam roll.
Your nephew is so dang cute. Why does the newborn stage have to go by so quickly?? And the pictures of you and Brooke are gorgeous.
Monday I always feel fresh and ready to go (way to kill it on your run – that is a long speedy run, my friend) Friday, well that is a different story.
Suzy
Stomach of steel! Well, when it comes to food, I do. But when I’m nervous or stressed, anxious, tired, you name it, I get diarrhea. But as for running, I once cranked out my best 20 mile training run after only eating 5 plain Ritz crackers and no water. Rawr.
Monika
I don’t like nut butters (please still be my friend) but I do get side cramps during runs some times which I’m sure is because of eating/drinking too soon before…it’s gotten better recently though! I stick with my bagel and cream cheese (sometimes a banana) and definitely coffee (but not too much because small bladder haha). I was a hostess at a steak house my senior year of high school and loved it! Mostly because I got to listen to country music all day ;) And AHHH Bachelor spoilers in the comments! Knew I shouldn’t have read.
Kristy
I’m LOVING this season of The Bachelor!
First of all, Chris is as bad at being The Bachelor as Juan Pablo, if not worse. That whole making out with the girls in front of each other is SO not classy, and leaving all the other girls hanging for an hour plus so he could take Britt to the concert was a total jerk move. Boo Chris!
Kelsey is off her rocker. She seems like a sociopath, if you ask me.
My favorites are Becca, Jade and Kaitlyn. I hope they all dump him and one of them becomes the Bachelorette!
Katy
Hi there – I had the same issue with peanut and almond butter before running. I did a cleanse (another story for another day) 18 mo ago and during that time I removed nuts from my diet. BUT I discovered tahini (sesame paste that makes hummus so delish) along the way. Because tahini is just ground sesame seeds it is much gentler on the stomach. I will often drop a tablespoon or two into a small bowl with a squirt or two of honey before running. Tastes like pnut butter candy but gives a ton of quick and slow release energy. Try it!
The Hungry Runner Girl
THANK YOU KATY for telling me about this. I am definitely going to have to try out tahini with some honey. You are the best!
Annette@FitnessPerks
I sometimes can’t handle almond butter either–it just makes me gag which is so sad b/c it’s the perfect fuel as a pregnant lady (yay #2!) before teaching my fitness classes.
And your sister’s little boy is just darling!!!
Chloe
Was a summer camp waitress – does that count?!
Watched pieces of the Bachelor on Hulu…can’t bring myself to watch the whole thing – but that drama definitely sucks me in!!!
Half banana with tiny bit of PB or about a third of a clif bar with coffee – the second sits better but the first is more tasty to me! I tend to run really early also, so I usually don’t allow for much digestion time (read: I eat a tiny bit while lacing up shoes), which can be a problem! I used to just go empty stomach in the morning, but a little food helps a lot to keep me going.
Monday is the most motivation for sure. Saturday is long run day and I never feel like going out the door or doing something “tough”, so having people to meet that day is crucial!
Laur
My stomach cannot handle ANYTHING before I run. I’ve tried pb, toast, banana… ugh, it’s so frustrating. So now, it’s coffee so I don’t burp every five seconds.
Okay, I am SO happy he got rid of both of them last night. SO happy. The one was practically a Kardashian which wouldn’t have flown with his lifestyle… And the other… I just can’t get over how insane she is with her “life story”. She’s obsessed with the fact her husband died?!??!?
Jane @ 50statecanuck
For me it mostly about making sure I get in ENOUGH food rather than what KIND of food (but let’s be clear a milkshake or bacon is probably not going to be a good idea). I used to be worried about eating too much and would often get stomach upset (and be desperate to find a bathroom or bushes!) and so my solution was to eat less because I thought my stomach was “sensitive”…but then I started doing the opposite, eating more and no worrying to so much, and it has TOTALLY helped.
I am not watching the Bachelor…just wasn’t in the mood to watch another round of cat fighting between women LOL. But I caught about 10 minutes last night – Chris was meeting with two girls out on some windy desertscape and drama ensued (obvi) with tears…it was entertaining.
samantha
I love your pants! where did you get them from?
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you Samantha! Here is the link and they are the most comfortable pants on the planet!
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1015319&vid=1&pid=139928002
Irina
Eating any sort of proteins before my runs is disastrous for me. I can usually handle toast with pb and bananas but once upon a time a time I ate egg+avocado toast about 1.5 hours before a run and barely made it home alive. Carbs for the win!
Caroline @ The Little Things
This season does feel a little crazier than other ones! Last night’s two on one was painfully awkward but I couldn’t stop laughing.
chelsea @ the new wifestyle
ohhh i cannot stop eating almond butter either! it’s SO good…but pricey so i need to chill out. i find the hardest day to workout is on the weekend…i just want to brunch and sleep all day loooong!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties
I love that idea of family night- so cute!
Heather
Just got THE WORST craving for TJ’s almond butter thanks to this post. I won’t be able to think about anything else for the rest of the day.
The Hungry Runner Girl
You are so welcome:)
Emma Hogg
I used to eat a bag of nuts for pre-workout fuel and got a stomach ache during my run every single time. Cut that out and no problems since. Carbs rock! Hope that works for you!
jade
I’ve never been one, but have tons of respect and admiration for anyone in the server industry.
I can’t eat any fats or proteins like almond butter or cheese before a run, it just seems to sit in my stomach undigested for the entire run. Any carbs before and during are fine.
Megan Chism
I ran out of almond butter this morning which means I need to make a trip to the store, ASAP!
I do not usually watch the Bachelor but I am tempted to look it up on Hulu and see if I get hooked.
Oh, I also feel like sharing that I just signed up for my FIRST MARATHON!!!!!!
It isn’t until this coming fall, but registration opened today and I wanted to get a good deal.
The Hungry Runner Girl
MEGAN!!! I am seriously so stoked about this. You are going to rock your fall marathon!
Megan Chism
Thanks! I sure hope so!
Courtney! @ Redefining Athlete
I’m lucky enough to mostly have a stomach of steel. Before long runs, I usually go for bagel with cream cheese.
Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse
Your new nephew is the cutest!! Isn’t the temple so pretty?! I was walking around it this last week with my daughter and I had to stop and take a picture of the temple and the mountains just to remember how grateful I am for them! :) I usually can’t eat much of anything before a run because my stomach is just that sensitive, but if I need to eat something before, then it is usually a toast or part of a banana. I feel like I am definitely the most motivated on Monday, but generally each day I feel motivated in the mornings :)
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job
It is really hit or miss for me. When I was race training, I learned to fear my long runs bc my stomach would ultimately cramp up and then I would find myself rushing to go to the bathroom in the woods. Youre welcome for that. I eventually found eating a sweet potato and plain grilled chicken before those long runs seemed to work best.
Amy @ Life to the Full
Well, I’m making macaroni and cheese for supper tonight. Your salad looks very healthy and nice but get me some of that mac n’ cheese!!! Yum.
I used to think my stomach was made of steel but over the past year and some I’ve learned it’s best for me to run on empty. With this pregnancy, I need to wait at least an 1.5 hours after eating to run, otherwise I end up with side stitches or bathroom trips :(
Fridays are really motivating to work out because the weekend has arrived!
Liv @ Healthy Liv
I stick to straight carbs, too. No PB for me before runs!
And I’m really not loving Chris so much as the Bachelor. He’s not terrible, like Juan Pablo, or really lovable like Sean, so he’s just kind of meh to me.
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Stomach of steel over here! And family nights are a great tradition to carry on with Brooke! :)
MartinaNYC
I’m just like you – I absolutely can’t have nuts before a run. They make my stomach extremely bloated… It took me a while to figure this out. When I first started racing, I would follow people’s suggestion and have bread+PB for breakfast and I couldn’t understand why I’d feel so miserable during my runs… Turns out that what works for most people doesn’t always work for YOU!
Kristen :: Kristen Runs
Almond butter used to do the same thing to me too! It’s sooo good it’s almost worth the pain! I’ve switched to Sun butter now though, which doesn’t seem to hurt!
That ice cream cake looks AMAZING!!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona
Sunday’s are usually when I’m feeling more motivated to get in a workout. I want to start the week off right, and if I end up not working out it tends to make them harder throughout the week.
Danica @ It's Progression
I was a waitress for a couple different place during college. I didn’t really like the job but I liked my co-workers, it also taught me a lot about how restaurants really operate. I think that saying is true that everyone should be a server at some point in their life!
Kim
I eat nothing before or during a run no matter the distance – I just can’t do it.
This morning I did 20 on the treadmill and one of the shows I caught up on was The Bachelor – Kelsey is a mess!!!
Nina
Normally I have a stomach of steel but not when running. PB kills me, I avoid coffee, cold cereal and most fruit. I also can’t eat artificial orange flavor of any sort, especially when running. Sunflower butter works nicely – not too oily and I love the taste.
I like to workout most days. Saturdays it seems easier to get up and get going. I think partly because I run with others and look forward to seeing them.
I love Love Crunch Granola. The Macaroon Crunch is crack and the Chocolate Strawberry is almost as good. Otherwise I don’t eat much cold cereal.
Julie
I worked at a Perkins for all of 3 months in college…I was a HORRIBLE waitress! I once had a customer not only refuse to leave me a tip, she also left me a mean note! :( I can laugh about it now!
Nicole@thegirlwhoraneverywhere
I seriously want that ice cream cake right now! Yummmmmm!!
Kathee
I bought those packets of chocolate hazelnut butter from Justins. I squeeze that over a banana for long runs and eat it one hour before I leave. It’s perfect! But the stomach is very fickle and my stomach of steel now needs homemade fuel that isn’t as concentrated as GU’s.
Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes
Okay… I’m glad it’s not just me. The girls on the bachelor this season seem like they came from crazy town or something! I didn’t think Chris would be interested in girls like that but I guess I was wrong!
Amy @ runlikeabird
I’m in the middle of last night’s episode RIGHT NOW and I’m loving this season. No one here is redeemable and you just KNOW that this season’s going to end in turmoil. Loving it.
Nona @ RunningHigh
I agree with you. The amount of crazy on this season of bachelor is insane. I really like Carly, but she is so close to crossing the crazy girl edge. She needs to give it a rest. I thought Chris was super rude when he ran away with Britt and left the rest of the girls sitting there–kind of a dick move. I am SO glad he sent Kelsey AND Ashley home though! I could not stand either one of them!
Tara
I cant even handle seeing you out and about in shorts, out at night with no jackets. NO snow .
Boston has over 5 feet of snow in the past 3 weeks, getting more snow tomorrow and then another blizzard on Sunday.
We wont see the grass until June : (
Kay
Reality TV and ice cream cake- sounds amazing!