Morning vs night time running

[Bradaz]

I have mainly been doing early morning runs before work - i have done a couple after work and have found these to be much harder. I must admit i am a morning person generally so assume i must be a morning runner too. Does anyone else find this

[runmelrun Graduate]

I've only done one early-ish run and I found it tough whereas after work I'm fine, I put it down to been active through the day being like a long warm up rather than going out having not moved much! This weekend will be first early morning run so will see!

[Pc59 Graduate]

I'm so glad you posted this as I am the opposite & I thought it was me being silly!! Tried morning runs and the early weeks were ok but once the running progressed I found I did far better in the evenings & tonight was the first time I ran in the dark 25mins & quickest!!! Added benefit no one sees me 😂😂😂whenever best for you is ok & fantastic to be on this journey!! 8 more runs to complete for me!!!😊keep up the good work😊

[ench0 Graduate]

Do whatever you enjoy, just get out there. I would love to try running early as I enjoy that tranquility and smell of fresh air. But going to bed late doesn't help and most of my runs were late afternoon.

[Fat_stab Graduate]

Hummmm

At weekends I try and run relatively early to allow me to have the day to myself; and that if I don't go by 9ish, I am unlikely to go at all.

Historically I used to do mos t of my runs at lunchtime. Work is set in the green belt albeit next to the M25. As such I tended to go running at lunchtime, we have showers and both my boss and his boss also run, as long as the work gets done, nothing is said if I have a slightly longer lunch break.

But during the first 6-7 weeks of this program, i was running in the evenings, but this week I have transferred it to lunch time. For me it makes more sensible use of this time.

A.

[Hidden]

Haven't done a morning run yet - most have been afternoons with the exception of two (which have been around 7pm). So can't say yet!

[Spoons2696 Graduate]

Hi! I am with you!

Out at 7am just as the sun (?!?) comes up, and our feathered friends are getting going for the day. I like to get it over and done so then I can glow with satisfaction for the rest of the day! I am a morning person anyway so I am sure that's the real reason!

Happy days everyone!

[pinklady2499 Graduate]

For me it depends on nutrition - early morning runs seem to be pretty successful if I've eaten plenty the previous day and fuelled my body right.

[Fat_stab Graduate in reply to pinklady2499]

Hi Pinklady,

And I agree, a sensible diet the day before is essential. Especially as I can't run on a fullish stomach.

[Bradaz in reply to pinklady2499]

Fuelling and hydrating properly is all new to me and havent got a clue. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated xx

[pinklady2499 Graduate in reply to Bradaz]

Well I'm no expert by any means. I used to completely avoid carbs and found that I struggled to run without getting fatigued, or stitch.

I've now learnt to accept that to have the energy needed to run, I had to re-introduce carbs. I try and stick with slower release such as sweet potato, oats etc and still avoid refined carbs like white bread, pasta, rice, but I definitely see that when I have a 'carb' day, I run with more energy the next day, and can go much longer distances.

I've gained 3 or 4lbs by doing this (I'm a fairly petite 5ft 2, and have always erred on the small side) which I'm not entirely happy with and am still trying to find the happy medium between eating to run, and not gaining weight but the longer runs do give a lot of satisfaction.

Drinking plenty of water definitely helps too - just keep drinking water regularly every day as a habit if you don't already.

I agree with Fat_stab that it's best not to try and run too close to eating. I think it differs for everyone but I tend to have to leave around three hours between eating and running.

Keep on experimenting and I'm sure you'll find what works for you :-).

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

I am definitely a morning runner. But only really because of time constraints - if I don't run first thing I rarely manage after work. However on the odd occasions where I run in the afternoon/evening I am definitely faster and find it easier. I was just musing this morning why my speedy, tiring, interval run, where I felt I was going like the clappers was in fact slower than my "easy", slow, long weekend run. One was at 5:45 am, the other at 3pm. Very odd!

[Amandalawrence74 Graduate]

I'm a morning runner (jogger) but not really a morning person. It's easier to get out of the house when no one else is up yet.

I work in an office and did a late afternoon run the other day - it was awful!

I do know I need to get up and go or I will back out of doing it at all but certainly for some other reasons I think am suits me best. Empty stomach is definitely one!