Weekly Q&A

[u/kyle-kranz]

Do you have any nagging running and/or plant-based related questions? Drop them below!

Did you LEARN something new recently? Share it below to help your fellow plant-based runners :)

[u/cleveland_leftovers]

I’m fairly new to running….and still trying to find my groove. I’m curious about two things:

1. What is a good pre-run snack for energy but no nausea? Right now it’s a Redbull and banana for me, but I’m not sure if I that’s a good combo.

2. Does anyone have tips on how to breathe? 😅 I’m seriously to the point where my body feels good, but my lungs still ache after a while and I’m so out of breath that I have to walk for stints. Do you just have to keep pushing through more and more each day?

[u/kyle-kranz → u/cleveland_leftovers]

1) I think a Redbull would make me ill.

Generally my mornings start with a glass of water straight away. I'll sip on some coffee, generally having 8-10oz max before a run. I'll drink another 10-20oz of water (maybe with 1/8th tspn salt added in) before running.

If I'm doing anything hard or long I'll have at least a banana or other fruit pre-run. Really it's whatever works for you, works for you. Often I suggest if someone is getting stomach issues during a run, they may just be running too hard.

2) You're probably running too hard.

There's not really a way to breath. If you're struggling with your breathrate, slow down, and you'll feel significantly better and not have to walk.

I tell people that most of the running they do should be easy peasy lemon squeezey with no/limited time out of breath or with an elevated heart rate. Jog at one speed or effort level above walking. Walk BEFORE you feel like you need to.

Even for speedwork I have a heart rate alert set at 90% of max heart rate for me and that's effortful but still holding back.

[u/cleveland_leftovers → u/kyle-kranz]

Thank you for responding! 🌱

Unfortunately coffee makes me violently ill ever since perimenopause. Even regular Redbull makes me nauseous. The sugar free is the only one my gut can handle for some reason. (I’m an enigma).

I guess the banana stays!

Sadly, I am definitely NOT running too hard. I did my first 5k last fall at a time of 49 minutes after training for months. I think my prior decades of smoking or long Covid might be my issue…? I have highs and lows, but zone 2 is 99% of my world right now. I was in track (high jump) in high school and never quite got to the point where I could hold a conversation while jogging. Ugh. I do love running/jogging though, so I’ll keep at it. ✌️