Time of Day! Does it Change You Running?

[OldManRunning]

Hi All, I generally get up early to run normally finished before 8.30am latest. Twice during C25k my daughter has come out to support me but we have to go early evening after she finishes work. I've found these runs the most physically difficult. It's nothing to do with pace I'm generally faster on my own. Is it quite normal for the time of day to affect you like this? Cheers

[Instructor57 Graduate]

I absolutely find the time I run makes a huge difference to me ,

When I started c25k it was during our first lockdown and I used tobrun around 11:00 or 11:30

I then started a few earlier runs once I returned to work , occasionally out of the door before 6 am .

Now it tends to be around 08:30 after the local school has started .

I have tried running in the afternoon but I just can't get into that at all , it feels so much more difficult 🤔

[Cmoi Graduate]

Time of day certainly affects me OldManRunning : mornings aren't my thing, never have been, never will be!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

We are all different but everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

This FAQ post expands on the theme. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

If all preparation is good then the actual time of day is probably of less significance.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

It does for me... I am an early morning runner . have run later on occasions, for Park Run, my Half Marathon and once when I was at the Coast and just had to get a run in by the sea, after along spell on the IC!

I ran every day in December some years back for Marathon and ran at all times... in dark and cold. All very different and although it was fun, it would not be something i would choose to do again

The morning run for me, any weather is the perfect start to any day ! Good post!

[Keeponrunning68 Graduate]

I am the same. If I don't run in the morning it doesn’t happen! I feel lighter of foot and more energetic first thing and it sets me up for the day.