Performing high-intensity training like running can take a lot of energy out of your body. Therefore, if you want to increase your stamina, you might be wondering about pre-workouts for runners.

Pre-Workout for Runners

One of the most important elements a runner has to develop is endurance. Therefore, drinking supplements is an excellent way to break personal records. However, not all products work the same; some have different characteristics and effects on your body.

A good supplement can help you perform better, reduce muscle tiredness, and maintain a more concentrated mind. All of this may help runners achieve their goals more quickly, literally and metaphorically. However, remember that energy drinks and supplements are not essential for your body.

While they can boost you, your body doesn’t require them to reach your goals. In other words, with supplements such as pre-workouts, you can help your body reach your goal; without them, your body will still be able to reach it over time.

What You Should Look For in a Pre-workout for Running

Since all bodies are different, you should be careful when choosing a supplement. For example, some may contain traces of peanuts and milk. Therefore, these products are not compatible with vegans or people with nut allergies.

No Additives

Additives are added to the product to make it last longer, taste better, have a different texture, and even have a different color. Of course, these substances are not generally consumed as food. Therefore, your body might have a more challenging time digesting them.

Although these artificial foods are not harmful, they can affect your performance and well-being. For instance, if a product you drink has too many additives, you might experience a post-workout crash. This happens when your body has difficulty recognizing and digesting many of these artificial foods.

Eating them in small quantities is fine. However, ingesting them daily can cause problems in your body over time.

No Chemicals

Like additives, pre-workouts with too many chemicals can alter your body and make you feel sick. For instance, you should completely avoid products with artificial trans fats or aspartame.

Natural Ingredients

Since natural foods are one of the finest energy sources, you should always pick products mainly manufactured from them. This allows your body to digest it more quickly and absorb all of the nutrients more accessible.

Pros of Pre-workout for Runners

When it comes to pre-workouts, there are many benefits that runners can experience. To feel these benefits, you will have to drink it 30 to 60 minutes before you start running.

• Increased blood flow
• Increased hydration to the muscles
• Reduced muscle fatigue and pain
• Increased endurance and stamina
• Improved mental focus
• Increased both muscular and mental endurance

Cons of Pre-workout for Runners

There can be many downsides for runners when it comes to drinking these products. First, you can get too accelerated if the product has too much caffeine and other stimulants. This will lead you to a post-run crash where you will feel tired, fatigued, lightheaded, and nauseated.

Secondly, it can hit hard on your gut, especially if you drink it on an empty stomach. The huge amounts of caffeine can affect your gut, causing nausea, cramps, and bloating. 

Lastly, as we mentioned before, some of them can contain additives and other chemicals that are unsafe for your body.

Best Pre-workout Option for Runners

Although most of these products have lots of sugar, additives, and chemicals, Shifted is a safe option that avoids these ingredients. Since it is vegan, it is entirely natural and avoids additives and unnecessary ingredients. Also, it doesn’t contain gluten, soy, or dairy. 

The best part is that it contains caffeine with theanine, an amino acid that prevents the downsides of caffeine. Therefore, it prevents feelings like anxiety and shakiness. Lastly, it is keto friendly, which is great for people doing this diet.

Alternatives to Pre-workouts for Runners

Although some of these supplements are healthy, it is good to learn about the different actions runners can take before running. These will prepare their body and get them full of energy.

Consume Enough Carbohydrates

Carbs are one of the body’s main sources of energy. When you eat something high in carbohydrates, your body will turn it into glucose which will then get used as energy. Therefore, since runners can use a lot of energy when sprinting, they need to eat a lot of carbs before their runs.

You can increase your carbohydrate intake by eating bread, rice, pasta, cereals, chestnuts, beans, and potatoes. 

Drink Enough Water

Water is one of your body's most important resources; if you don't have enough, your body will grow exhausted. Beginners can often forget about this and run miles without drinking water. This can cause lightheadedness and even nausea.

Therefore, to avoid fatigue throughout your runs, you should emphasize hydration. It is possible to do it before, during, and after each run (unless you make short sprints, in that case, just do it before and after).

However, drink only a little water before running. This could bloat your stomach and make you feel heavy. Also, drinking it in excess might cause serious problems, so just drink a moderate amount of water.

Related Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about energy drink replacements.

Do Professional Runners Use Pre-workout?

Yes, professional runners often drink pre-workouts. As long as the product doesn’t contain any banned ingredient, they can safely use them to get their benefits.

Is Pre-workout Banned in the Olympics?

No, runners can drink pre-workout before their games as long as these do not contain any doping agent. To ensure this, runners need to cross-check the ingredients on their products before ingesting them. If not, they could be suspended.

What Is a Good Pre-workout Meal for Runners?

A good meal you can eat before going to run involves cereal, fruits, and nuts. For instance, you can prepare a smoothie with fruits, eat oatmeal, or eat a cup of cereal with milk. Try to eat at least 30 minutes before a run.

Conclusion

Running takes a lot of energy. Therefore, pre-workouts can be great when it comes to increasing endurance. However, you need to know what kind of product you should drink. After all, it can affect your body.