Struggle in the morning

[PixieChin327]

I usually run after dinner around 7.30 or 8. I tried a run this morning and couldn't finish as I just felt like I didn't have any energy and it's not the first time. Is there a reason why it's easier later in the day or anything I can do in the am to help?

[bebabeba Graduate]

I much prefer mornings and I find I've more energy through the day after a run. My new years resolution was to get up early and get fit so since Jan my alarm has been on 30 mins earlier. It also wakes me up a bit more before I have to go out to work.

Now I'm doing longer runs I was flaking out a bit more after a while. There were many suggestions on here to eat a banana before you go. It's definitely helped me. Now I always make sure I have a supply of bananas ready for my morning runs!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

We are all different regarding preferred time to run. Mornings are definitely the best time of day for me, but you have to accept that for a multitude of indefinable reasons sometimes it is harder than others. You probably have enough reserves from the previous day for these short runs, but hydration is crucial. If doing a 5k run l always have half a banana and about a pint of extremely dilute fruit juice immediately before heading out. If 10k or longer then a whole banana as well as the juice.

I had planned a 10k run for this morning but awoke to find l just do not have the energy, so it will have to wait until tomorrow. So, it is not just you.

[Katie204 Graduate]

I've just finished this week's parkrun - and I'm really not a morning person! Normally I like to run in the afternoon or evening - it does take a chunk out of the day but I feel much more up for it, and I enjoy it more.

Also, if you do your run before having breakfast, you are using up your own body reserves as fuel, and that will tire you out. As IannodaTruffe says, having half a banana beforehand can help.

[Sammully Graduate]

I usually run in the mornings, find it better than evenings as feel more tired then. We are all different x

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

I used to run in the evenings and I found it hard the first few times I ran in the morning,partly because I was having to get up earlier than usual and I go to bed late as a rule. I am not a big breakfaster - just eat a small Greek yoghurt but I couldn't face anything that early so I always run on empty, just drink half a glass of water before I go.I think you might just need to get used to it.