Does it get easier....?!

[Flower27]

If I'm out running in the early morning/late afternoon sunshine, sweating buckets and powering through my workout, will my running be that little bit faster come the cooler months?! I'm really hoping so!!

[achydunlin]

I hate extremes of temperature. I hate running in the cold though - it takes me ages to warm up and my muscles ache more, so give more warm weather every time. On the other hand, I live near the coast and it never gets too hot here - sea breezes. Try taking a bottle of water out with you - especially if you're running in the heat of the day.

[Tomas Graduate]

Yes, it gets easier to run the same distance at the same speed.

Or alternatively you end up running longer or faster with the same amount of sweat and exhaustion.

[Nerdio Graduate]

If I look back a year, when I was still working my way through the 9 weeks, it was harder then. I run further now, and it seems to be less like hard work.

As for when to run, avoid the sunshine. I run first thing in the morning (06:45), when it is cool. Running gets me plenty warm enough, and I am fine then. In the winter I tend to run at the same time, when it is really cold, which is really nice. Cold fresh air is great, if you don't mind running in the dark. (I am a very warm-blooded person, so I don't mind the cold).

That all said, I did run mid-afternoon the other week. It was warm, and I did clock up a good time. It was tiring though, and I really needed water when I finished.

So, run when cooler if you can, and hydrate plenty, before and after. (I drink about half a pint of water first thing in the morning before my run, then a smaller glass on my return).

[PilgrimPip Graduate]

I'm definitely a cooler weather runner - I find I feel quite sick and dizzy if it's too warm. So that means early mornings or evenings for me. I seem to do better at the end of the day, when it's cooling down and I can then come home and have a shower and really appreciate my dinner. And yes, it does get easier, even though I am a very recent graduate!

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

It's a funny thing and a question regularly asked. Is it difficult because it's hot outside? In which case, try running early in the morning. I do most of mine at 05.30 ( I know, that's stupid early, but it fits in with my work) and it's always nice and cool. Alternatively is it difficult because you're pushing yourself a little more every time? Now that's a good thing.

Last time I answered this question I said that no, it doesn't get easier, but it does get better. Personally, as I push myself a little more, I find my recovery time improves and it gets 'better'. Another surprise is that I've found that my longer runs, and I've got up to a half marathon distance, are far more enjoyable than my regular 5ks because I do them at a lower pace and without the pressure of 'must beat 30 minutes' that I strangely still put on myself. Those runs aren't easy, but they are.....better.

Weird but true!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

It does get easier, your body gets more used to the demands you are expecting of it too. Heat can be dangerous you need to make sure you are well hydrated, take water with you if you are planning on being out a long time in the hot sun, a cap is good too, you can turn it around to keep the sun off the back of your neck which is a bad place to have the sun beating down on.

Another factor to take into account too is the air quality, I live in a city so its better air early in the mornings before rush hour traffic. It can be very poor air in the warm evenings when the traffic fumes don't rise and disperse unless there is a good breeze/wind.

For me the best time to run is on a warm morning in the rain, its cooling, refreshing and I've clocked some of my better times when its raining, it must be a psychological thing to get home quicker