Tips for better morning running?

[fed68]

I was wondering if anybody had any tips for early morning running. I find it a real struggle to run first thing, before work. My legs feel extremely heavy and I have very little energy. This morning I had to walk a couple of times during a 4km, when I felt very strong running the same distance on Tuesday evening, and I now regularly run twice that distance and more.

I can’t eat before I run (my stomach hates it) and I guess I’m probably a bit dehydrated from sleep? It’d be really useful for me to be able to fit in more pre-work runs, but they feel a bit demoralising at the moment! Does anybody have any suggestions for stronger, more enjoyable running first thing in the morning?

Thanks! x

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Lots of water the day before, and my choice of rocket fuel before a morning run - a cup of coffee! I generally drink a big glass of water when I get up, too, and then get out to run 45 mins after. I don’t eat before a run. I have ALWAYS run first thing - but I am a morning person and that’s when I have the most energy.

Good luck!

[limberlou Graduate10]

In summer I usually have a small banana and then a glass of SIS tablet in water. In winter it’s a small coffee or sometimes if I’m on a real health kick I have hot water with a slice of ginger/ or grated fresh turmeric and a slice of lemon before I run.

[RunRunRun13 Graduate10]

Lots of water each day and try to have a good evening meal the day before your run to give you energy so your not running on empty. Normally pasta/rice works for me, in the morning I also sometimes have half a small banana and some water if I feel the need.

I literally get out of bed, clothes on and out the door 🏃‍♀️

Good luck x

[BarbieW Graduate10]

I too am an only-in-the-morning runner.

I try to drink lots of water the day before and seriously cut down my wine the night before (whoops, what an admission.....)

But I guess it depends what sport of person you are. I just find it easier to get out of bed, into the gear and off out the door. But I tend to fall asleep about 8 every evening, so I am obviously a bit of a morning person.

[Coddfish Graduate10]

I much prefer running in the morning, I feel leaden later in the day and find it all to easy to make excuses not to go or abort part way through. I used to ‘run on empty’ but once I started going beyond 5k found that wasn’t an option. I now make up Bircher muesli the night before, have it first thing, and then set out. It is easier at this time of year, I find I am often awake at 5am and would be happy to go out if I could have a snooze later. Midwinter is a whole different thing.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Haven't run really early for a while but when I did i always used to have some milk and half a banana to keep me going

[Jell6 Graduate10]

I always run early, and on empty, not even a small drink.

I do try to have at least 2 litres of water the day before though 😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

I have read these replies with interest as I run much better later in the day. However, as summer approaches, I would like to try and run before work occassionally in order to catch the coolest part of the day! When I have run early in the past I have usually had half a banana and a little water.🙂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Another morning runner here. 😀 I tried an afternoon once and felt like a sloth. I have a cup of tea, a banana and a sip or two of water. If I have a long run planned, I ramp up the amount of water the previous day and try to eat carbs that same evening too. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[ktsok]

Another morning runner here, which is strange as I am not a morning person! If I can lever myself out of bed though, the run always goes better than any other time of day. Things that help: hydrate well the day before, no booze, reasonable bedtime hour and sleep - and coffee ☕️😍

[Langley-Loper Graduate10]

I'm the same. My only morning runs are Parkruns, otherwise I'm an evening runner.

For Parkrun I have a cup of mint tea and half a glass of water, no food. If I can't "go" before I leave the house then I know I am doomed to a poomergency mid-run. The only time I tried running before work (before 7am) that happened.

I guess we are all made differently. To be honest, much as I'd like to run early as everyone says it's very energising, I've given up.

[Footleg 60minGraduate in reply to Langley-Loper]

Why do we suffer poomergencies?

[Langley-Loper Graduate10 in reply to Footleg]

I think it must be the jiggling up and down. I suspect it's more common than people want to admit to.