Any tips for running in the morning?

[1Cat]

Week 4. Loving the evening runs in the cold and dark, but just cant get the hang of running in the morning. Tried a couple of times and felt sluggish, a bit out of breath and tired quickly. Any tips?

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Make sure you've drunk enough before going to bed. Maybe have 1/2 a banana before you head out if you're going on an empty stomach.

[1Cat Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks, I have breakfast but you're right I probably don't drink enough ... will try more water!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

I suppose if you get a good night's sleep it will help, but you sound to me like a late night person, rather than a early bird, if you find it hard to run in the morning, then it's better for you to ran later in the day, however, if you really want to run earlier, as I say, get to bed a bit earlier than you have been recently and see how it goes. 😊 🏃🏾

[1Cat Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks, still keen to try being a morning person so will have a go at an earlier bedtime, could work!

[Beany123 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I’m awful in the mornings. I’d have to go out at 6am and I cannot do it. I only run at night but I run with a group. Parkrun is an early enough run for me. Gets me up and out on a Saturday! Plus you can do anything at parkrun (all walking/walk-run etc). Wish I was a morning person but I never have been and don’t think I’m going to become one soon!

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

I never thought I was a morning person but have done most of my runs straight from bed. Pot of tea in bed then straight into kit and out the door unless cold like today when I do 10mins warmup inside before heading out. Always keep all kit together in a box so no searching for it. Final thing that helps us hubby does same. 1 day run, 1 same time on strength and flex. Breakfast when done and showered

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks, sounds like a nice routine, especially the tea in bed before heading out. A nicer way to start, and I'll get s bit better organised.

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to 1Cat]

Organised is best. We each have a box beside washing machine that every bit of kit goes straight into as soon as its clean so no searching for anything.

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

So much to learn, thanks for the tips!

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to 1Cat]

No hard and fast rules, we all do it our ways. Relax and run happy

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

I’m with Grannytobe, cup of tea then out - often have half a banana with my cuppa too!

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

Half banana is brilliant 👍

[Runawaytrainer Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

That's how I do it, too! I love running during the sunrise, the start of a fresh day, especially if the rest of the world is still quiet. This autumn it's been so beautiful on the days when the sun starts to colour the trees or the mist starts to lift on the lake. I've been missing fresh mornings all these years. I had no idea!

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Runawaytrainer]

Fantastic effort. Cant say I get out early enough for that but one day I'll do it 😀

[Runawaytrainer Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

I could never do it in the summer! It's a midwinter treat, when it's not wet or icy.

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Runawaytrainer]

I've been very lucky with only 3 damp days in 3 months but goodness the first is something else just now so I have to wait for fritters to do their business. -3 according to phone app and ground like a Christmas card.

[Runawaytrainer Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Oh, yes. You're away up North, aren't you? We raised our children in Ayrshire. It rained a lot, I remember!

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Runawaytrainer]

Lovely west coast rain. We're on east coast so in a rain shadow but do get the cold noth winds from the arctic and Scandinavia. Love cold bright days where the distant mountains grow white with snow.

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

I love the idea of you chasing the gritters!

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to 1Cat]

After years following them in cars I'm now waiting for the uni groundsmen to grit before heading out. So lucky we have many pavement fritters as well as street gritters up here. Don't get so much snow now though as we did in '70s and '80s. Happy slidy running everyone

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

You too, I lived in Scotland in the 70s and remember the snow Beautiful though ... your mountain view sounds like a real treat.

[BargainRzl Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

I do exactly the same thing, only instead of tea I have half-and-half orange juice with water (I fill a pint glass, drink half of it, then put the rest in the fridge for when I get back). I like to run on an otherwise empty stomach, and I find it's very important that I ensure I'm adequately hydrated before I go to bed the previous night.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

This is me too!!!!

[Enxo Graduate]

It takes me a while to warm up and iron the creases out of my back so I run at lunch time when it’s warmest!

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Enxo]

Thanks, sounds like a good plan if I can't get the hang of mornings.

[1Cat Graduate]

Hmmm, suspect I'll need to eat something, maybe I'm eating too much .. I just wake up hungry! I'll keep trying, and seeing I can be a bit more organised and quick off the mark.

[Runawaytrainer Graduate in reply to 1Cat]

Could try lowering carbs and upping healthy fat. Reduces those hunger pangs.

[Brooko Graduate]

I find morning runs before say 9am nearly impossible I just don’t feel them. So you are not on your own.

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Brooko]

Good to hear!

[LeeU Graduate]

I used to run in the evenings, 9pm every time problem was I was then too fired up for sleeping, which isn't good if you have a 3-4 hour drive and need to be at a customer's offices for 9am!

So now I run in the mornings, I have run a couple of runs in the evening this time around but you could count them on one hand I think.

Running in the morning gets me going for the day, I'm full of beans and raring to go. I flew back from the US and landed at 6:45 on Sunday morning, I drove home, threw on the running kit and went for a run with the wife, I managed to make it until around 11pm before I went to sleep, if I didn't go for a run it would probably have been 5 or 6pm.

[1Cat Graduate in reply to LeeU]

That's impressive, something to aim for, being energised for the day. that does sound like a long day tho!

[Rigpig Graduate]

I'm the opposite, I feel motivated to run in the morning but find it hard to do anything after work. I guess the answer is just go with whatever works for you personally

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Rigpig]

Gym in the morning works for me, but there's something really nice about running off the day. I'm just a bit jealous of all the morning runners I see when walking the dog!

[Rigpig Graduate]

And from what little experience I have, running in the morning just fires me up with a massive rush of enthusiasm for the day!

[Candy46]

Isn’t it interesting how different we all are....😍 I am definitely a morning person but life/children/work don’t always make this possible. Fab advice from the others. ❤️ Cx

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Candy46]

Thanks, great isnt it. some really good advice there!

[pete1212 Graduate]

I done all my runs in the morning I drink plenty of water the day before and get have light breakfast with a banana about two hours before I run seems to be ok for me

[1Cat Graduate]

Thanks everyone for the great advice!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Iannodatruffe’s suggestion of very diluted juice before a morning run works well for me - I use about 4 parts water to 1 part juice- ( as well as an essential mug of tea!)

Occasionally I have half a banana too. 😄

Oh yes - & I discovered that I CAN sleep run!! 😂

[Deals1 Graduate]

I prefer morning to evening..... I don't tend to eat anything If out first thing. But u'll find what works for u. Its also easy when it's light and not pouring down or too cold 😂. Having all my kit ready to go also helps... Altho I've been struggling recently in a morning. Good luck

[Sparkey5000 Graduate]

I’m like you.....evening runner. Even mornings at the weekend I struggle with. I suspect I’m not hydrated enough but I’m ok evening running. I like that hour of just me time to review the day and get it out of my head. Home, warm shower and bed. It works for me. Like most people are saying it’s finding what works for you and fits in best with your life.

[Mimirossi Graduate]

I am the complete opposite. I love morning runs. I have a drink and a paleo bar and then head out. It sets me up for the day and on run days I feel much more energised all day.

I would love to be able to run in the evenings, but I just feel too tired.

Everyone is different!

[Hidden]

I'm out at 0500/0530 every other morning, it's a beatiful time to run (more so in the summer mind).

As has been mentioned make sure you drink plenty of water the day before, I make a weeks worth of smoothies at the weekend & pop them into 250ml freezer friendly bottles, pop one into the fridge the night before to defrost & then drink whilst lacing up then I'm off! Gives me a good kick from the natural sugars.

Good luck :o)

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the smoothie tip!

[Wainwright22 Graduate]

Agree with others, I leave my running kit on the landing so dont have to wake anyone up, quickly get dressed and half a banana, Strava on then straight out....love early morning runs so much, so peaceful before work traffic starts and feel so energised and smug all day! If I left it til evening would think of an excuse....

[Anren Graduate]

I like to go early straight out of bed

Just have a little drink fo water if I'm thirsty. I quite like the bed to street shock, it's not long at all before the music sounds good and I get into it.

If it's a nice morning I go straight up a hill where I can see the sun coming up

It was good when I was getting started as I didn't have time to procrastinate!

[1Cat Graduate in reply to Anren]

It's the bed to street shock I'd like to avoid, but perhaps I'll grow to like it! Sunrise would work well though!

[Enxo Graduate]

When I was at Uni I used to run in the early morning and I'd like to again however I'll wait until I graduate...I need every advantage I can to get me to the finishing post!