Breakfast of Champions

When I was growing up, I hated breakfast. I rarely ate it, and really didn't like any breakfast foods. Cereal, no thanks. Eggs, to this day, make me gag and sick to my stomach. In high school, I ended up eating biscuits and bacon each morning. As I got to college, I didn't eat breakfast. In grad school, however, I settled upon what I called the "Breakfast of Champions" -- two Diet Cokes and two chocolate Pop Tarts. Looking back on it, I realize why I liked it -- two big jolts of caffeine and sugar.

This came to mind today when I was walking to work. On 42d Street, close to Times Square, Kelloggs has opened, I kid you not "Pop Tart World." I had to go inside and look. There were Pop tart t shirts, a machine where you could make custom boxes of pop tarts. A pop tart cafe with everything pop tart, like pop tart sushi. As they said in Spinal Tap, there is a fine line between clever and stupid, and I am still scratching my head as to where this falls.

So that brings to mind a question: what do people eat before morning runs? My current breakfast is...a high protein energy bar. But that doesn't work before a workout. I have experimented and stick with wheat toast and almond butter. Maybe a banana. But I always feel it sloshing around when I run. And coffee? Well, I know the caffeine is a stimulant that undeniably helps performance. But coffee has a certain side effect that I really, really try to avoid when I am on the trail. Enough said about that.

Anyone have any particular favorites or tips?