The best time to run....

[TheBoyWhoRun]

I normally run between 5am and 5:30am but due to the mornings now dark at these time I am unsure as to what should I do...should I run in the night instead ? or stick with my morning run and get some reflective stuff. I must say I do enjoy running first thing in the morning ........your thoughts welcome...

[Hidden]

This is something I am pondering too, I'm a 6am runner. I am thinking that I might change to early evening, however, I'm not keen on dragging out once I've got home!

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It's the same thing when I get in from work, it's spending time with the little man. So the evening runs is hard for me and its dark now same as in the morning cold and dark....

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I am the same as you two and I find evening runs quite hard work after the working day, but sensible running time is rapidly diminishing these mornings and also I run on unlit footpaths, which are uneven and could be a problem in the dark. Whether it's morn or evening, a headtorch is going to have to be experimented with, I think.

[Hidden]

Unlit pathways = falling down holes, or is that just me?

[Beads Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I can do that on a Saturday morning at parkrun in full sunny daylight, doesn't need to be unlit!

[Beads Graduate]

It depends on where you're running. If you have pavements with streetlighting then carry on in the morning. If you're on country tracks, across fields or unlit footpaths then you need to think about going somewhere else. The evenings will be drawing in again soon though so just moving your run to the other end of the day, although it is good now, will only be good for another 6 to 8 weeks. Consider shorter 'placeholder' runs during the week and save your longer runs for the weekend (or day's you're not working), just go out a little later when it's starting to get light.

Yes, reflective stuff is good, as much as you can. When I was looking for my first running kit just after graduation I was comparing how much reflective tape everything had, lighter colours are good, anything, just make sure that you can be seen!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I am struggling with the same thing... I love my early morning runs but like others I run in the middle of nowhere for the most part, I have a head torch but I'm a bit worried about falling in a hole, getting attacked, being scared... But then evenings will be dark too as I get back late from work... What a conundrum.....!!!!

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

It's looking like c25k mining helmets all round soon. At least we have the weekends.

[bjammin Graduate]

I was thinking about this too as I tend to run on footpaths in the woods. I run of an evening now when its a bit cooler but still light.

I was thinking about joining a pay as you go gym for the winter months to run on a treadmill. I have never run on a treadmill before and think it might be quite boring compared to running outdoors.

I might just have to consider Beads advice and have shorter runs in the week with a long run at weekends....

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to bjammin]

I was considering the same thing for the winter months, didn't plan on it so soon. But, I was thinking of going gym two days a week and run the other three days....stepping it up ...

[Pat184 Graduate]

Hubby and me ran all last winter early morning, 6.00 am, our local park is a short drive away. We tried a treadmill but didn't like it and plodded away outside. Just love the glow I get after a winter run. Pat .

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to Pat184]

My issue is because of work, time is important so my monring run would have to start at 5am or 5:30am giving me an hour MAX before its time for my to get ready for work without been too late....conundrum !

[bjammin Graduate in reply to TheBoyWhoRun]

yeah I have a similar issue. I leave for work at 6am so would need to get up at 5 for a run and shower. Think I might just have to road run or try out the gym. I suppose the other alternative is to run with others that way less likely to get jumped

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to bjammin]

I normally run in and around the park its really lovely, so I guess my next post would be asking anyone to join me on a run in my area....lol

[bjammin Graduate in reply to TheBoyWhoRun]

before they changed the format of this site there used to be a map of where all the members lived (general location not addresses) so trying to find a running pal would have been easy. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find this functionality on the new site which is a shame!

[Clueless]

I started the programme in January and live in an area which is unlit and unpaved so took my stuff with me to work, got changed after work and ran around the housing estate there on pavements which are well lit. The positive thing was that no-one can see you puffing around under the street lamps! I was quite shy when it came to spring and people could see me! Also was a good excuse for me to get out of work on time, got the exercise out of the way early evening and warmed me up before going home so needed less heating! Roll on the clocks changing for me!