I like to eat. It’s one of the reasons I run. And to run as much as I do, I have to eat a lot. I consume on the order of 5000-7000 calories a day, depending on my running schedule. Typically that becomes two large meals: one right after a run (breakfast/lunch), and one in preparation for the next morning’s run (dinner). Breakfast/lunch is often a whole box of cereal, maybe raisin bran or something with oatmeal in it. Whatever the case, I’m shooting for 2500 calories. Dinner is frequently pasta or rice, supplemented with rolls and veggies. And of course there are snacks in between meals, ranging from apples or bananas to toast or granola bars or even (gasp!) cookies and other desserts!
During a run I don’t eat very much at all. Sometimes I don’t eat anything, but when I do it’s never more than 400 calories. Typically it’s more like 200 calories, usually in the form of granola bars (I’ve been trying to avoid expensive products marketed to runners). Right before a run I often have a banana or apple sauce. Whatever I eat right before or during a run, it’s usually more to prevent my stomach from feeling too empty than to provide fuel for the run.