Pre-run Breakfast

My least favorite thing is running early in the morning. I'm annoyed by the race start times and offended by the people that can chat and bounce and jog around merrily at that time of day... its still dark people! (When can I get coffee?!)

So a pre-race breakfast is key. IF (big if), I'm lucky enough to make it out of bed with a bit of time on my hands (so I end up with more than a cliff bar or a piece of fruit) this is what I like to treat myself to:

I'm a big fan of Ezekiel Bread with some bananas and honey. Ezekiel bread can sound strange - with ingredients like millet and spelt - but it's hearty and healthy. Unfortunately, I can tell just how hearty and healthy it is by the taste so I load up on the bananas and honey.

Or I'll have a bowl of oatmeal with any number of fruit options thrown in. I am the biggest fan of the this breakfast in the winter. With oatmeal, I have to eat just a little so it doesn't feel like a brick one mile into the run.

I also love to eat a whole wheat waffle with peanut butter and cinnamon. It feels like dessert.

But I just read a book called Vegan for Life (I'm not vegan but it gives a lot of good information on nutrition) and the author suggests eating salad before a big running day. 

Salad for breakfast? whaaat? 

He swears by it. He claims its not heavy, you can eat a lot of it, its refreshing, it wakes him up a bit, and always makes him feel good on a race day.

He usually goes for spinach, fruits, walnuts, and a bit of vinnegrette. 

Does this sound crazy to anyone else? I'll admit. I was skeptical but the idea is growing on me. I have yet to try it, but I'd love to hear if anyone else has.

What is your race day breakfast? Let me know - especially if you are one of those happy jumping people I can't stand see out and about.