Morning Run v Evening run

G-Money

I've been running in the mornings before work over the last week or two and I find it enjoyable, once I get over the struggle of actually getting out of bed that is. I set the alarm for about 6.10am to allow me to wake up a bit, go to the loo and get changed and have enough time to come back to the apartment, get showered, some food and walk to work (30 mins approx).

However I've noticed that even if I go to bed at 9.30pm, I'm still struggling to make myself get out of bed. But despite all that, 99.9% of the time I've more energy in the mornings than I would have at 4 or 5pm in the evening. Even when I feel tired in the mornings, it's almost like the tiredness is confined to my head and the rest of my body can motor along.

Just wondering what others do and what their schedule is? Do you go for a morning or evening run and if you're a morning runner, what's your schedule for going to bed, getting up, etc?

earlyevening

I've always been an evening runner. The few times I've tried it in the morning, I'm always a little slower and more sluggish feeling.

I've always thought it was all the coffee I drink during the day that meant I was ready to give it my all during an evening run.

Coming up to the DCM, I'll try and acclimatise and run a few 9am 3 mile jogs in the preceeding days to get the body ready for it.

That said, I think most others feel, like you, better in the morning.

re schedule, I generally run at 7pm, sleep at 1am, and get up at 7,8 or 9 depending on what I've planned for the day. On weekends, I like to run at 2 or so.

az2wp0sye65487

I'd be interested to hear some others opinions on this too. I've done morning runs a few times in the past but for the most part I would run in the evenings. I've started running in the mornings this week though so that I have time in the evenings to go to the gym. But I do find it tough climbing out of bed, especially now that it's dark when I'm gettin up!

Nwm2

I'm a night time runner.

Treadmill sessions starting after 9PM usually. Sometimes getting off the treadmill at 11:30PM.

Morning is for swimming.

RayCun

I run into work twice a week, and last year in DCM training I used to run twice a week before coming home, showering, and going to work. They're always easy runs, I wouldn't like to try pushing the pace that early.

Weekend run is in the morning too, but that's when I've been up for an hour or more.

A0

I like to run in the morning but if I do a speed - tempo session, I do it late afternoon or evening.
Morning runs are good as they are generally done in a fasted state, so it improves substrate utilisation and burns fat.
A good thing to do is to run a short and easy jog in the morning when a speed session is scheduled in the evening.
In the morning, if it's really cold outside and I feel tired, I do a passive warm-up (lukewarm water on my legs before the run).

hardCopy

I like my morning runs, I find it a great way to free up my evenings.

Although I do find my back is very stiff first thing in the morning so try to leave enough time to wander around the house a bit first and loosen up.

I feel great going to work afterwards as well, it's a bit like going to work at 10am, feel wide awake and fresh.

ecoli

More an evening person even on double days the pace of my evening runs always seems to be faster. This is why i prefer to do my sessions in the evening however if I am forced to do AM sessions due to work or other commitments I would wake up earlier than usual as usually takes the body 3-4 hours to wake up properly in order to perform to normal ability.

Hate 9am races as means I have to be up before 5 which is not fun at all:D

Tom Joad

Converted to Morning running in last two years(since I became a parent) - only time available to me. Go to bed at 10.30 - 11.00. Alarm goes off at 5.45 - in the car at 6am and running by ten past 6 and back home by 7am.

To be honest the hardest part of the morning run is the getting out of bed - doesn't matter how much sleep you have its still bloody tough. But once I'm out its grand but still wouldn't do speed work that early in the morning.

Bonus is that its a great feeling to have done a run before the day starts really - gives me a buzz for the day!

I have found that when I do a race I surprise myself about how good I feel having been awake for a few hours and times are better than expected.:D

Ruu_Old

Don't like evening or nights after a day of work, I would rather have the feet up but will run if miss a morning run. Love mornings, no issues about getting up early. It is just routine at this stage of the game.

Peckham

As above I really became converted to morning running when I became a Dad, and evenings became less free. Any day when I've a run of up to 6 miles, with no speed work, I'll do it in the morning.

Up at 5.35, running by 5.45, home by 6.30, off to work at 7.15. If I'm doing that I try to have lights out by 10.30 the night before, but generally it's closer to 11. Do that two mornings a week.

Really frees up the day, but takes a while to get used to it. Just take it in gradual steps - it's a big step from getting up at 6.30 normally to almost an hour earlier.

elvis jones

Sent you a PM G-Money !

TFBubendorfer

I do virtually all my running in the early morning. On the very few occasions when I manage an evening run, I run 20 seconds per mile faster at the same perceived level of effort.

BUT!!! My HRM clearly tells me that the evening effort might feel easier compared to the morning, but the HR is pretty much the same for the same pace. Or, in other words, running faster might feel easier in the evening, but your heart beats faster, so it's not actually easier on the body.

But as a father of 4 young children, running in the evening is not an option. I can only do my miles when everyone else is asleep, otherwise my wife would be swinging the rolling pin on my return to adjust my attitude.

Dan man

I wonder does the environment have an effect on how morning runs feel. For example, when I was attending college and thus living in the city I found morning runs a bit more challenging. But back at home (in the countryside) morning runs seemed much easier. Similar road surfaces and gradient so this was not the factor. I think I just enjoy running out in the country in the morning more than I would in an urban town/city....not sure why, for some reason I just feel more energetic or refreshed. However, for evening runs I didn't find the same difference.

menoscemo

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I do virtually all my running in the early morning. On the very few occasions when I manage an evening run, I run 20 seconds per mile faster at the same perceived level of effort.

BUT!!! My HRM clearly tells me that the evening effort might feel easier compared to the morning, but the HR is pretty much the same for the same pace. Or, in other words, running faster might feel easier in the evening, but your heart beats faster, so it's not actually easier on the body.

But as a father of 4 young children, running in the evening is not an option. I can only do my miles when everyone else is asleep, otherwise my wife would be swinging the rolling pin on my return to adjust my attitude.

Funny, my HRM shows that my HR is much higher in the morning for the same pace (about 5-10 BPM higher). It also feels tougher. that's why I prefer running in the evenings.

yeppydeppy

Since I started in January I've been running in the evening but this morning running business interests me as it would be more efficent use of time and I'd be back to showering once a day. My problem is getting out of bed in the morning - I find it very difficult no matter what.

conseng

Have just started running this year and converted to morning running about 6 weeks ago. Have a 3 year old and 22 month old twins at home and a wife who runs/trains a few times a week aswell so I do mornings and she does evenings. Really enjoyed it for the first while when the mornings were bright and I could head out the country safely but have started running on footpaths around town on the darker mornings. Still prefer the mornings as I am up and out the door before the madness starts at home.

Tom Joad

yeppydeppy wrote: »

Since I started in January I've been running in the evening but this morning running business interests me as it would be more efficent use of time and I'd be back to showering once a day. My problem is getting out of bed in the morning - I find it very difficult no matter what.

I'm the exact same and sorry to tell you it doesn't get any easier! But it's just the whole getting out of bed thing when its cold and dark that's the problem - once you are out its fine. Just have everything ready to go from the night before. Once you get a blast of fresh air you'll be awake .

Bruncvik

I'm not really a morning person, but I much prefer morning (6AM) runs. I usually do 5 - 10k, and at the effort my adrenaline spikes so much that I'd be unable to fall asleep afterwards. In fact, I recently ran a 9k race that started at 8PM, and I was wide awake till 4AM afterwards.

shotgunmcos

Tom Joad wrote: »

To be honest the hardest part of the morning run is the getting out of bed - doesn't matter how much sleep you have its still bloody tough. But once I'm out its grand but still wouldn't do speed work that early in the morning.

+1 Getting out of the bed is the hardest thing no matter how much sleep you get. Routine helps. Once you are out you are good to go. I'm a morning runner preferrably as I like to get it done and out of the way in the morning. However having said that I'm no good for speedwork at 6-7am. I prefer to do intense sessions in the evening.

donfers

they say it takes five weeks to adjust to a radical change (more than 1 hour) in waking up time

but jesus, getting up at half five in the dark, wet and wind or my cosy bed and a few more hours sleep, sometimes the temptation is to catch the extra few horus shuteye and do the run in the evening, i wish i found it easier to wake up earlier but all my life i've had a problem with it and i really envy those people who can just get up at the crack of dawn and it's not a bother to them, i don't know how they do it

Pisco Sour

Being honest I hate both. The thoughts of getting up at the crack of dawn to run is a killer. I love my sleep and am a regular presser of the snooze button so morning runs simply wouldnt work. But I also despise running in the dark. Nothing worse than being tired after a long day in the office and then having to drag yourself out for a 30 minute plod in the cold, wind, dark and often rain. I didn't enjoy it, and it was only the motivation of my first marathon, and the novolty of training for one that kept me going. I always longed for the weekend when I could run at aroun 11am, the perfect time for running.

That was all back in a former life when I did distance events. Now that I'm doing sprints, the training is something I am finding far more enjoyable. It is coming into summer now in Oz and the track season is starting soon so for the next few months we'll have long evenings which is perfect for me. Plenty of bright evening time sessions. The days will only start to get shorter next April, by which time the track season will be over, and I'll prob do Lunchtime sessions and weekend sessions to keep me afloat during that time. Wouldnt be safe to start doing quick strides in the dark to be fair.

elvis jones

early in the year i was up at 5:30 and in the pool for 6, out at 7, back home to get the train to dublin for work for 9...........it was hard but my body adapted.

I also get a train at 6 to dublin, in work at 7, out running at 7:15 and back at my desk by 8:30 showered and all.

No matter if i want to run in the morning or early evening i have to be up early so i can workout or get out of work early to train so i can see the kids.

I want to get back to workout early, a medical problem i had but didn't know about put a halt to it but now i have it sorted getting up early is easy again.

Early to bed is the secret !

G-Money

I definitely find morning running easier than evening running. I'm not sure if it's just my job that can really just drain me completely mentally and by the time I get home in the evenings the last thing I want to do is go for a run. Not always, but I'm wondering if that explains how I find evening runs a bit more difficult.

It's tough getting out of bed alright early in the morning. I think going to bed early is the key. Last night I messed around and didn't get to sleep until nearly 1am so getting up at 6.30am was immediately out of the question.

It will be harder when the weather gets worse. Although I'm wondering where the f*** this wind has come from these last few days.

I'm seriously tempted to move somewhere warm for the winter. Well, it's a nice thought I mean, but there's a few reasons I can't move at the mo.

jprender

I much prefer evening runs rather than the morning time. I feel much looser after a day of moving around and the runs seem much easier. Getting out of bed isn't too bad as I am used to very early starts for work, it's just that I take a while to loosen up.

I'm trying to put together my Winter training schedule right now and it seems like it will be a mixed bag when it comes to training time.

Mondays and Tuesdays are grand and will be between 0930 and 1200.
Wed, Thur, and Friday , I either have to be back at the house by 7am, or my runs have to be later than 9pm.
Saturday and Sunday will definitely have to be night running after 9pm.

Hoping to get some swimming done over the Winter too so I'll be very busy.

Kids dictate the times available.

G-Money

The weather is awful at the mo. I think the tights might be donned tomorrow possibly :eek:

liamo123

G-Money wrote: »

The weather is awful at the mo. I think the tights might be donned tomorrow possibly :eek:

Tights on men is like women smoking cigars.... Should'nt happen

A0

liamo123 wrote: »

Tights on men is like women smoking cigars.... Should'nt happen

Running in tracksuit or shorts in the winter is not possible
And... tights on women should never happen (other than wearing them for running I mean)

dernipper

Always ran in the evenings, could not handle morning or even midday runs, races could be a bit of a nightmare at tines. I think it might have been a legacy of years of playing GAA I,E training And games usually at 19:30 !

This year had no choice but to run when I can which usually means early morning. I have done nearly all my LSR at 6:30 / 7 am in the morning and loved it, converted to morning running which is something I would never have thought,,,, I suspect however the onslaught of winter will test this new found love of am starts !!

EdMoses

Always run early in the morning. Alarm goes at 5:50am, up at 6am, out the door by 6:10am and back by 7am to get the kids up and out. Don`t think I`d be able for evening runs after a day`s work. LSRs on a Saturday at 7am. Nice lie on!

Ruu_Old

liamo123 wrote: »

Tights on men is like women smoking cigars.... Should'nt happen

Don't be silly, real men wear running tights!

eyeball kid

Evening runner myself. Except at weekends. There's just no way I could drag
myself out of the nice cosy bed to go for a run at 6ish in the morning.
Find it a real struggle to get up for work let alone go for a run!

I find the evening runs a great way to destress and relax after work.

ger664

In general an evening runner, but decided to do a morning LSR today.

I had no problem with the mind been awake as God decided to throw several gallons of water over my head.

G-Money

liamo123 wrote: »

Tights on men is like women smoking cigars.... Should'nt happen

If tights are good enough for Superman (and Haile) they are good enough for me :cool:

lway

jprender wrote: »

I much prefer evening runs rather than the morning time. I feel much looser after a day of moving around and the runs seem much easier.

+1 on this point. The few times i've tried early morning runs I found it took a long time to get loosened up, I much prefer running after a whole day of moving about (less chance of injury ?) and as stated in other posts I find it a great way to clear the head after a day in the office. Back from work, throw on the gear go for a run, shower then dinner and relax for the evening.

Brianderunner

Evening running all the way, you're always better fed, hydrated etc and there's no time pressure to get into work etc. Would prefer if there were more evening races on, i don't see why not.

G-Money

Well I was out the door at 7am this morning for my run. It wasn't that bad getting out of bed surprisingly despite the howling wind. I didn't really want to and I had all the negative thoughts saying to skip it but I didn't feel that tired so I went.

And yes, I did don the tights, and long sleeve top and hi-viz jacket. :cool:

Seres

Morning runs are great : but gotta go to bed earlier , which never happens and cant do speed They are a must on the weekends or the day will just run away( pardon pun) on me

Evening runs : better for speed but not too later or im wrecked

Lunchtime run : the best job , time can be tricky though :

yeppydeppy

Running tights? Are they just ladies tights or are they a separate thing?
Sound like the right thing for the months ahead.

BobMac104

ugh i struggle to get up at 8 for for work at nine no matter what time i go to bed. Never mind up at 6 etc. I love the idea of being a morning person and i wish i was but I just hate getting out of the bed in the morning.

my commute is only 15 mins so i have a great set up to do morning runs. I may make the effort to do a few in the coming weeks as i would like to have a few full evenings to chill out .

TFBubendorfer

If you worry what you look like when you're out running, you're not a runner.

Thread over. :cool:

Ruu_Old

yeppydeppy wrote: »

Running tights? Are they just ladies tights or are they a separate thing?
Sound like the right thing for the months ahead.

Look for Under Armour Coldgear Leggings.

tassajara

Evening runs for me! I have to be in work at 7.45 each morning so I would need to get up way too early for the run to be enjoyable. Running in the evening also helps me sleep like a baby that night, perfect cure for my occasional insomnia.

Also men in tights, mmm...