How to adjust to early morning training ?

[RedFred]

Hey 👋 My preferred time to train is about 5pm, but anything after 8.30am is ok. I'm increasing my hours per week and am finding the early morning slots really very hard. The sessions have been short and relatively steady, but I just have no energy and feel so weak. If I eat I feel nauseous. Do you think I can tough it out and it will improve with time ? Any tips ? I'm planning on doing a triathlon so I may need to race at silly early times too 😞 Thanks

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

I will be watching the replies with interest as I too run better later in the day. I want to try and include more early morning runs to get me through the hotter days of summer(when they arrive!). I used to run early in the morning a few years ago, so I think it is just a matter of retraining our bodies to function at an earlier hour! Good luck!🙂

[RedFred in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandraj39 I was hoping it was just a case of suck it up, sounds like it will improve in time.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

If you are low on energy in the morning I think you will need to experiment and find something you can manage to eat. Maybe have a mouthful of something sweet (ripe banana, raisins, bread and jam etc.), and a few sips of coffee or tea might help, if it doesn't contribute to your nausea - the bump of caffeine might pick you up! A drink of water also is very important. And then a quick shower to help warm up your muscles, let the water go down, and give the sugar and caffeine time to do their work. Lay your running gear out ready the night before, so you can get going quickly after your shower. Have a lovely breakfast after your run - an added incentive 😊😊😊

Ease into your runs. A five minute brisk walk, and then slow jogging for 10 minutes. Or the equivalent for swimming/cycling etc.. If possible try and reserve your harder workouts for the evening, but as you say it is a good idea to get used to early starts! Although I'm doing a triathlon later this year, and it is currently scheduled to start at 9 am, which isn't so bad - certainly plenty of time for breakfast beforehand 😊

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Yep, 9am I can do too, roseabi. Would love to try and run before work though, which would mean getting out running at about 5.45/6am (at the latest)....😴😴!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I assumed RedFred was asking about those sorts of times, my advice stands 😊

[RedFred in reply to roseabi]

Yep, I was indeed. Proper early 😪

[RedFred in reply to roseabi]

Thanks roseabi lots to consider, I'll give it a go 😊 Thanks for the practical ideas. I'd be happy with a 9am start too 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just hang in there... eat well hydrate well and I feel it will evolve... this is a good time to be changing your run times Glorious mornings and a fantastic start to the day!

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

I run in the morning around 5:30am. I get up find my gear set out from the night before, have a couple of sips of water, use the loo and get out the door before my brain realises what I am doing. Some days it can be very tough to do.

A nice brisk warm up walk and I just get on and go for it. This is the way I have run since day one of C25K. I have often run up to18k in this same vein too. I have run later in the day but love to get a run out in the morning to set me up for the day.

In terms of energy, it is all about the night before. No late snacks or meals, little or no alcohol. Plenty of water throughout the day. Going to bed at a reasonable time beforehand. Physiologically, you should have the energy, so suspect there is something psychological in there. If I worry about needing the toilet, I wil convince myself I need the toilet, etc.