Early morning runners...

[iwillbefit]

I'm keen to hear from you. I ran in 'proper' sunshine for the first time today and it wasn't my favourite! Thinking I might have to try early morning but am concerned my body won't be warmed up enough. What do you do to prepare? Also, what about eating? Thanks and look forward to hearing your experiences.

[Hidden]

I usually run in the early (ish) morning and find no problems with the warm up - the 5 minute walk does seem to do the job. I usually have something very light to eat (piece of toast maybe) about an hour before my session. I have had no problems with this - I used to run before breakfast but, as I got to the longer runs, I found I needed something in my tummy. I think it's a case of what suits one may not suit another and we are all individuals. If the weather continues to be warm and sunny you may find early morning runs will be necessary just to keep reasonably cool whilst running. Good luck and best wishes.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

If I run in the morning its usually at 5.30/6am to fit in with work. Once I am out of bed its fine...I do a full 5 minute warm up walk, and I find it totally energising. I often finish the run, and think, 'was that a dream'?!!!! I just eat normally unless its a very long run, then its carbs. I drink a good glass of water before I leave too ( or a berrocca) and a little sweetie

[iwillbefit Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Sweeties for breakfast...now it might just be worth getting up early for that! Can only imagine my kids' indignation if they found out ☺

[lemondoodle]

I started running in the autumn so am also facing the weather warming up for the first time as a runner. I too will definitely need to run earlier in the day as the weather warms up. So far, the earliest I have run is 9,30, and like Fitmo, I have a bit of toast (in bed) at about 8.30 and that's enough for me so far.

[Hidden]

I run at just after 5am, mainly because that is the only time I can fit a run in to my day. My routine is I'll get my kit laid out the night before, get up at 5, and get straight out the door after a brush of my teeth. I usually have some water before but don't eat. I'll have a cup of tea when I get back and then it's time to get ready for work/feeding and watering my toddler and dog. It kind of works out because I don't get properly hungry till around 10:30-11 but I think I'm the exception rather than the norm. You need to listen to your body and do what works for you.

[kickibro Graduate]

I didn't eat before my run in the early days of the plan but as the duration of the runs increased I found I was running out of energy. I still don't like to eat early morning as I am just simply not hungry but I force myself to eat a few mouthfuls of banana and natural yoghurt and I then finish it when I get back.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

Running early in the morning is the only way I can fit it around work, but I really enjoy it. So much so that over Easter Bank Holiday when I'm off, I'll still get up at 0430 for my run just before five.

I love it: it's so peaceful and serene and quiet out, minimal traffic and just so nice to be out at that time; I was never really a morning person before but I adore my early runs. The night before, I lay my kit out. When I wake up just before half four, I go and have a mini breakfast for energy: usually a spoon or so of peanut butter and a slice of malt loaf, and some water. Out the door just before five and have a bit more to eat when I return. Often when I wake up I'm tired and a bit achey but after a bit I feel ready to go; the five-minute warm-up walk, I find, gets me nicely ready to run. Give early mornings a go; if I can love them after being a previous hater of early starts, anyone can grow to love them!

JuicyJu: so it's NOT just me! I often wonder if the run was a dream too! Sometimes when I think back to it later in the day, it somehow feels like a dream!

[Beyond Graduate]

I am not keen on running in the sun. I like running in the dark after sun set as I am more in tuned to my inner self and the music that I am listening to. In other words, no distractions. Luckily where I live, it is pretty safe and I tend to run on brightly lit roads. I realise I must be the exception here. But the feeling of coming back and crashing in your warm bed is amazing. I do not sleep too well so running at night time helps in that area too

[tomlertoos Graduate]

I'm fairly new to this running lark ( currently on WK8 ) and I've always favoured the quiet of the early-ish morning...6.45/7am. It's a quick get up and out the door to start the 5 minute brisk walk. I'm lucky in that I never seem to feel hungry in the mornings, but make sure I have water before I leave. Completing the runs at this time gives a huge feeling of satisfaction and well being....I swear I feel more energised during the morning, even if a bit tired later in the day. Also, this time of the year it's so interesting to look at all the new growth, young birds etc...better stop now or I'll be in danger of becoming poetic...NOT!

[AncientMum Graduate]

I always run first thing - off by 6am, home and out of the shower by 7am. Only drink water before I go, then tea and breakfast after the shower and off to work with a spring in my step. ( I do tend to completely run out of energy late afternoon though, but I am ancient and so need no further excuse for an afternoon siesta on run days)

[caj62 Graduate]

I rashly entered the Cheltenham Half Marathon last September, having graduated in the previous November. In order to do the necessary training (which involved increasingly long runs on a Sunday!) I had to run very early because I can't run in the heat. I get hot and bothered when running even on the coldest days. I found I could manage on a gulp of water and a biscuit, and had breakfast when I got back. However on HM day, I did it properly and got up extra early to have breakfast. I guess the answer is everyone is different, you just need to find what's best for you by trial and error I suppose. It can be so lovely running early in the morning.Good luck.

[swanscot Graduate]

Many runners find their bodies are able to cope with running for up to an hour without breakfast. That's about my limit too, whether I'm running at 7am or 10am (I'm not a very early morning runner). I drink two glasses of water, do aerobics style warm up in my kitchen for 5 minutes, then my warm up walk before running.

As for coping with the heat, you need to dress for about 5 degrees C warmer than it is. For me, that it vest and shorts once it's above 10C (if no wind chill). You should be a little cold to start, so that you walk up by very brisk walking.

[spoonierunning Graduate]

I mainly run in the morning. I wake up have a glass of squash (a type with real sugar in) get running kit on and off me and the dog go. Warm up is fine though I walk a more than 10 minutes at the start because I prefer to run at a nature reserve rather than the road (I know I am lucky to have one so close) I then eat when I get home

[Windswept1 Graduate]

I find I am OK with some water & half a glass of fruit juice. I normally have this after breakfast but if I do an early morning run I have it before I go and breakfast when I get back.

As I don't normally eat anything sweet I think this gives me enough to do 30 minutes. Not sure about longer runs though.

[iwillbefit Graduate]

Thank you all for really helpful replies. Will be trying them out and seeing what works best. Looking forward to an early start on Monday now!

[Pc59 Graduate]

Well done I've just posted & I'm definitely not a morning runner! Was a beautiful morning saw sun rise but just a lot slower so will look forward to tips! Keep going though 😊😂