Nighttime or morning?: Just wondering when to... - Couch to 5K

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Nighttime or morning?

tnicholas27 profile image
28 Replies

Just wondering when to run, I know it doesn't matter as long as I do it, just wondering what everyone else thought. On the one hand, if I run at night nobody can see me waddle along, but it's dark and much cold. But if I run in the morning, it will wake me up, it's light but I have to get up earlier (still have to get up 7:00 for school every day) thoughts?

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tnicholas27 profile image
tnicholas27
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28 Replies
rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate

I run both ends of the day to fit around work

Doris-1950 profile image
Doris-1950Graduate in reply to rolysmate

That’s a bit keen isn’t it !!

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to Doris-1950

tonight it's currently looking like it will be 8.30 before I'm able to get out but it would be so easy to put it off

dennymac82 profile image
dennymac82

I tend to find I run better in the morning.. I don’t have to worry about when I last ate and the longer the day goes on the more I put it off! I prefer getting it out the way and relax the rest of the day

Wantorun2013 profile image
Wantorun2013Graduate

Definitely morning girl here sets you up for the day ahead and l just love the smug feeling I’ve done my bit 😂😂😂 and nothing gets in the way of the morning run compared to night time. Hope that helps enjoy what ever you do🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

I love my morning runs but I am having to get used to night time training sessions with my club, my brain fights it all day but as soon as I get out there my energy arrives 😀.

morning otherwise I prevaricate and don't go out...

I find stupid unnecessary jobs to do like cleaning door hinges - which then acquire a sudden importance, preventing me from running!

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply to

Oven! Oven cleaning is the best, can take hours if you're clever.

Doris-1950 profile image
Doris-1950Graduate in reply to

Agree !!

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate

In no particular order:

1. Never worry about other people when you run. You do it for yourself, that's what counts.

2. Late/dark/cold - so what? Run faster/longer, you get warmer, you sleep better

3. Early run? Is that the one when you get up a few minutes before you normally do? And after that your coffee and breakfast never taste better?

4. Do you want to run or not? ;)

teampiran profile image
teampiran in reply to mrrun

I have invested in thermal leggings and gloves... makes the cold more manageable.

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply to teampiran

Oh lord, of course! Whoever invented those things should be running a country.

However, once you push yourself toward 10k plus, you realise that a good old short sleeve and shorts do the job, although l still hang on to my gloves and ear warmer. ;)

Sarakc profile image
SarakcGraduate

Morning runs really set me up for the day so that’s what I prefer if I can but work getting in the way this week! Also if I go out in evening I find it hard to unwind for sleep!! But it’s all good really!😀

TJMazz profile image
TJMazzGraduate

When I started I always did early morning before work and this got me into a routine to stick to the running. Now I do either morning or early evening but I tend to run in the dark when it’s less busy

DBlou profile image
DBlou

When starting C25K ran in the evening, but soon swapped to early mornings before work! It certainly wakes you up at this time of year!! Evening runs after a tough day at work are so easy to put off, but a morning run sets me up for the day. PS don’t give a stuff about who sees you or what they might think, you’re out there getting fitter and they are not! X

Whenever I can fit it in. At the moment that's evening after work. Will be working from home from January so suspect that will change to early morning and more chance of daylight. Whatever gets you out the door....

mand3966 profile image
mand3966Graduate

I run in the evening, as if I were to run in the mornings, I would have to get up at 4am!!!!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Morning... brilliant start to the day... it really est you going and the world is all before you!

If anyone takes any notice of you ...''waddling''... ( which they won't).... just thibk that they are most probably... quackers!!!!

Terimanning25 profile image
Terimanning25Graduate

I am a night time girl... it calms me down after a busy day running around after my kids and I sleep a lot better x

Keep-it-ticking profile image
Keep-it-tickingGraduate

Early mornings, sets me up for the day.

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate

Definitely evening... Just the thought of a morning run makes me hyperventilate 🙈

Doris-1950 profile image
Doris-1950Graduate

I found it easier before the clocks changed as I too prefer to run incognito!! Now I have to run in daylight ( lost motivation by evening ) & I have had some strange comments from the neighbours !!

VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate

I run much much better in the morning, so that's what I do. I think it's something to do with the hormones that get released when you get up, seems to help me. On the flip side, running after I've eaten is hellish for me, so afternoon or evening runs feel gross. But, I've heard people say the opposite, that they can't run on an empty stomach. It's all about what works best for you. Try both, and see which you prefer.

Hswaff profile image
HswaffGraduate

I find mornings the best. The later I leave it, the less likely I am to go out! But just go with whatever time of day that works best for you.

Also don't worry about other people seeing you. The one thing that amazed me the most when I started my C25K journey - old and unfit as I am - was that nobody stared at me, nobody made any smart remarks and nobody laughed! They just move aside and give me the space I need to jog past them, and there is always a nod of recognition and encouragement from other (fitter and more experienced!) joggers.

Hegg100 profile image
Hegg100Graduate

No chance of me running in the morning but evenings are perfect. Whatever time I get in, straight upstairs, change and out the door. No time to think! Then it’s just me, the moon and some deers eyes, great company!

bsimonuk profile image
bsimonuk

Hi

Like some of the above comments : do what best suits you. For years I failed to get into it because I put my running gear ready in the morning and then my alarm would go off at 05:45 am and I just could not get up . So I decided early morning runs are not for me and now I go as soon as I get back from work and 1 daytime run over the weekend.

The dark evenings are not too much of a problem apart from the fact that you can’t run in the park!:-)

Sciencesue profile image
Sciencesue

Am I the only one who runs in the afternoon!?!?

I guess that’s the “joy” of a flexible work schedule ....

But it gets me over the afternoon slump,

And it’s the warmest part if the day

LM12 profile image
LM12Graduate

My two cents--I run in the morning because I don't like running in the dark. I have all the equipment to do so (because I like nothing better than to spend $ on running stuff-the expense is so easy to justify!)--headlamp, reflector vest, chest lamp, UnderArmour gear, etc) but find that I really like to see the sun coming up and as with many others, I feel great for the rest of the day and don't have that "oy, I have to run after I get home from work" feeling that I do when I leave my run til the end of the day. But any time is better than no time, so whatever works best for you!

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