I've been gradually increasing my running time and speed since I graduated a few weeks ago but I'm beginning to feel completely wiped out for the rest of the day (and part of the next day!) if I push myself a bit. I'm running before breakfast (just have half a slice of toast about 1 hour before), but just wondered:
1. Is there an ideal running time of day?
2. What do you recommend by way of recovery drink?
As always, tips from this great forum would be very welcome! Many thanks in advance
Don't try and progress so quickly, Either increase distance (following the 10% rule)
Or pace , but never both !
Thank you for the sound advice - I probably have been pushing myself too much
I prefer first thing - on an empty stomach. When I have run in the evenings I found I felt heavy and got stiches much more frequently. I just drink water - sparkling, about 3 litres a day. Good luck with your progression!
Very personal I think. Despite being a morning person I’ve actually found that post work pre-dinner is actually an excellent slot. Definitely worth avoiding having eaten for a couple of hours before hand in my case, had to do it just over an hour after my morning porridge the other weekend when I realised how quickly the rain was coming in and it wasn’t the most comfortable.
I’d recommend trying different times and see what works for you. During the week that prized post work slot wins but I do enjoy a morning weekend run pre-breakfast even if my body’s not quite as happy with it.
Which leads onto your second query. If it’s a late afternoon run a cold non-alcoholic beer is fantastic and actually very good for recovery as it’s pretty much isotonic and low calorie. Lucky Saint is my current favourite but there’s quite a few good ones these day. For the morning it’s a pint of coffee as I feel weird drinking beer that early even if it is non-alcoholic.
Thank you for your helpful advice (I like the sound of the beer, but not so sure about a pint of coffee!)
Perhaps you need a break. A week of non running would leave you revitalised.
Starting to run can sometimes show up underlying health conditions, such as anaemia, which were not so obvious when less active. If your tiredness persists it might be worth talking to your GP.
Time of day for running is a preference that is wholly individual, so experiment and see what works for you.
My son, who is a keen cyclist, put me onto very dilute apple juice (6 to 1) with a dash of salt. The water content is the most important part to replenish.
Thank you so much for this advice - I probably have been pushing myself a bit too hard on all levels recently if I'm honest and a rest does sound appealing although I don't want to lose the hard-won fitness. Some days I feel I make excellent progress and others I just seem to have legs and lungs made of lead. Not such a spring chicken with big birthday coming up so maybe trying too hard to prove something to myself and just not listening to my body!
So you've increased both the length and speed of your runs ?
General advice is to never do both. Increasing length (distance) is fine. But keep your pace slow. But don't speed up as well!
Increase speed? Fine. But keep your distance fixed - that means your runs will get shorter time-wise, e.g., you can cover 5k in shorter amount of time.
1. First thing in the morning is definitely the best time to run. I have a banana and a drink about 30 mins before I go out.
2. I just have a berroca in a glass of water, Mo Farrah has chocolate milkshake I believe.
Thank you Couchphoenix! Sounds appetising!
Nice and slow recovery run...
When is the best time to run? 
Best run yet!
