Early morning runs

ASISEEIT

Do many of you get up early to go for a run ? I have weeks when its just plain awkward to run in the evening or afternoon. It would just mean one early run this week. Have to be up before 6!

TFBubendorfer

I do the vast majority of my runs early in the morning. It's the best way to ensure consistency. Go up and run, before you have the chance to make up some excuse for not doing your run.

Lazare

Once you get used to it early morning running can't be beaten, for myriad reasons.

On the training side your body is responding better due to early nights and good quality sleep, plus you're doing most of your running on empty.

On the lifestyle side again the good sleeping works magic for stress levels, plus your productivity in work goes through the roof.

Nothing sweeter than finishing an hour long session on a Wed morning an hour before you've to leave for work, endorphins flooding your brain. Plus the crack of dawn is the most peaceful and beautiful time of day to run.

I'm forced to do it with a baby and a toddler in the house but I wouldn't have it any other way.

ASISEEIT

Good Points but its only once a week I cant do an afternoon. Wondering is it worth it once a week? Early morning?

Lazare

ASISEEIT wrote: »

Good Points but its only once a week I cant do an afternoon. Wondering is it worth it once a week? Early morning?

I'm nor sure what you mean by worth it.

There's no negative to early running, bar maybe dragging yourself out of the leaba. That feeling disappears in minutes though.

average_runner

ASISEEIT wrote: »

Good Points but its only once a week I cant do an afternoon. Wondering is it worth it once a week? Early morning?

My long runs are always at 630 am on a sat morning. Rest of the day is taken up with the kids sports and family stuff.

gucci

Its something that has went from an occasional once or twice a week to being a training staple for me since junior arrived, I just wouldnt have the time to train properly otherwise. It also allows me to spend some important time with the family at the weekends. During the spring marathon training I was often home a long run by 8am and showered just when everyone else in the house were starting to stir.

As mentioned above, its not much more difficult get out of bed for a run at 5.15am to just getting up for work at 6.15, once your up you up. It keeps manners on you in the nights too, if you want your training to be worthwhile, you got to try and get to bed at a reasonable time too.

This is best time of the year to do it, nice bright mornings, leaves you in great shape for the day.

ariana`

The only draw back i can see is in a house with kids they sometimes get woken (it doesn't help when one of them is usually in the bed beside the wannabe early morning runner) and it's not easy trying to convince them to stay in bed when Mammy is up so then everyone ends up too early :cool:

average_runner

ariana` wrote: »

The only draw back i can see is in a house with kids they sometimes get woken (it doesn't help when one of them is usually in the bed beside the wannabe early morning runner) and it's not easy trying to convince them to stay in bed when Mammy is up so then everyone ends up too early :cool:

That's Daddy's problem to deal with. Kids will wake up early.
You can give Daddy a break the next morning.
That's what we do.

ariana`

average_runner wrote: »

That's Daddy's problem to deal with. Kids will wake up early.
You can give Daddy a break the next morning.
That's what we do.

You're right, i need to lose the guilt complex :cool:

TFBubendorfer

ariana` wrote: »

The only draw back i can see is in a house with kids they sometimes get woken (it doesn't help when one of them is usually in the bed beside the wannabe early morning runner) and it's not easy trying to convince them to stay in bed when Mammy is up so then everyone ends up too early :cool:

That's what Postman Pat / Lunar Jim / Fireman Sam / Bob the Builder were there for.

Thankfully mine are well past that stage.

boydkev

I do most of my mid week runs before work, Up at 5.20, Drive to work and then run from work starting at 6.00. Depending on what distance i can be at my desk showered etc by 7.00 or 8.00 if doing 12 miles. I dont usually eat before unless mileage is high that week and im doing 12 miles. Winter is tough for the early starts, Rain, Cold and dark, But once clocks change it becomes much easier.

robinph

Did someone mention kids and quality sleep in the same sentence up there? You'll have to let me know how that works.

I'm currently trying to get in a couple of early morning runs a week, but when you've been up on the hour every hour during the night and after the kid refused to go to sleep at a reasonable hour in the first place it really doesn't always put that much of a spring in your step when it comes to starting the working day. If it wasn't the only available hours for me to run on those days I wouldn't bother and would stay tucked up in bed.

Lazare

robinph wrote: »

Did someone mention kids and quality sleep in the same sentence up there? You'll have to let me know how that works.

I'm currently trying to get in a couple of early morning runs a week, but when you've been up on the hour every hour during the night and after the kid refused to go to sleep at a reasonable hour in the first place it really doesn't always put that much of a spring in your step when it comes to starting the working day. If it wasn't the only available hours for me to run on those days I wouldn't bother and would stay tucked up in bed.

The trick is to have your wife breastfeed and sleep with the baby for 8 months while you sleep in the spare room.

Toddler doesn't always play ball though.

I do all the cooking and toddler to bedding to pull a little bit of weight though.

average_runner

robinph wrote: »

Did someone mention kids and quality sleep in the same sentence up there? You'll have to let me know how that works.

I'm currently trying to get in a couple of early morning runs a week, but when you've been up on the hour every hour during the night and after the kid refused to go to sleep at a reasonable hour in the first place it really doesn't always put that much of a spring in your step when it comes to starting the working day. If it wasn't the only available hours for me to run on those days I wouldn't bother and would stay tucked up in bed.

It gets easier when around 3.5 years old. Its all a phase.

robinph

I'll be back in a couple of months and let you know.

ASISEEIT

Can i ask another question rather than start a new thread? If i plan to run Dublin marathon in Oct-how many miles should i be running before june or in June ?

gucci

robinph wrote: »

Did someone mention kids and quality sleep in the same sentence up there? You'll have to let me know how that works.

I'm currently trying to get in a couple of early morning runs a week, but when you've been up on the hour every hour during the night and after the kid refused to go to sleep at a reasonable hour in the first place it really doesn't always put that much of a spring in your step when it comes to starting the working day. If it wasn't the only available hours for me to run on those days I wouldn't bother and would stay tucked up in bed.

If you read my post correctly, you will notice I said get to bed early, as opposde to quality sleep :P:P i also didnt say it was easy! we have a charming 7 month old who has often been keen to discuss training schedules with me in the middle of the night.
Some of my runs were absolute shockers, but at end of the day, I took the approach that some of them were just about getting the miles in as there was no other time to do it.

I admit to sacking off the odd run here or there when everyone would just be back asleep around 4.50 am and I would switch off the alarm rather than risk the 5 am one creating a flash point for the family!! The other thing I have came used to is having a shower in absolute silence, all part of the fun!!

RayCun

ASISEEIT wrote: »

Can i ask another question rather than start a new thread? If i plan to run Dublin marathon in Oct-how many miles should i be running before june or in June ?

join this thread and ask there.

(the answer is: it depends)

ariana`

robinph wrote: »

Did someone mention kids and quality sleep in the same sentence up there? You'll have to let me know how that works.

I'm currently trying to get in a couple of early morning runs a week, but when you've been up on the hour every hour during the night and after the kid refused to go to sleep at a reasonable hour in the first place it really doesn't always put that much of a spring in your step when it comes to starting the working day. If it wasn't the only available hours for me to run on those days I wouldn't bother and would stay tucked up in bed.

Oh dear... it does get easier. Fair play to you for doing early mornings, i wouldn't have been able when i was up at night through the night, you deserve extra cardiovascular benefits for that but i don't suppose it works that way :rolleyes:

Lazare wrote: »

The trick is to have your wife breastfeed and sleep with the baby for 8 months while you sleep in the spare room.

Toddler doesn't always play ball though.

I do all the cooking and toddler to bedding to pull a little bit of weight though.

This doesn't work so well when the runner is also the breastfeeding momma Ah no thankfully passed that now but there is a bit of give and take raring kids right.

average_runner wrote: »

It gets easier when around 3.5 years old. Its all a phase.

It's true but unfortunately as it gets easier i find my need for sleep increases proportionately if that makes sense, so 2 years ago 5 hrs straight sleep was literally the best night ever, now 5 hrs is a really really rough night!!! But maybe it'll plateau out eventually, they're not all 3 yet :cool:

average_runner

ariana` wrote: »

Oh dear... it does get easier. Fair play to you for doing early mornings, i wouldn't have been able when i was up at night through the night, you deserve extra cardiovascular benefits for that but i don't suppose it works that way :rolleyes:



This doesn't work so well when the runner is also the breastfeeding momma Ah no thankfully passed that now but there is a bit of give and take raring kids right.



It's true but unfortunately as it gets easier i find my need for sleep increases proportionately if that makes sense, so 2 years ago 5 hrs straight sleep was literally the best night ever, now 5 hrs is a really really rough night!!! But maybe it'll plateau out eventually, they're not all 3 yet :cool:

I never got my sleep pattern back, wake up at 630am on the dot every sat morning

Swashbuckler

Finally the thread I've been waiting for. The "how the hell do you manage running after having kids". Little one is 7 months old and struggling a bit with sleeping lately. Absolutely bate this week.

SeeMoreBut

Love the early morning run. It’s not hanging over your our head while in work. Feel more alive during the day. I’d encourage it. It’s easy for me as always been an early riser. Remember doing a training run in a group which was a marathon distance. All done by 10am

ariana`

Swashbuckler wrote: »

Finally the thread I've been waiting for. The "how the hell do you manage running after having kids". Little one is 7 months old and struggling a bit with sleeping lately. Absolutely bate this week.

I never tried to train more than 2-3 times a week til i suppose my youngest was a year older than yours so i can't advise but i can tell you it does get easier - hang in there. The only downside of it getting easier is that it gets busier!!!! Cos unlike little babies, little kids have social lives :eek: I know the cheek of them right So while it's not easy right now, do try to enjoy the little bit of flexibility that you have and not to mention all the cute little things that small babies do... they get less cute too, again the cheek of them right

Swashbuckler

Haha I hear ya. In fairness the cuteness outweighs everything. I'm lucky in that 5 of my 6 weekly runs are on my lunchbreak at work. The only one that impacts the family is the weekend long run so not so bad. And to keep the thread on topic I try to get that run done early unless my wife wants a lie in

ASISEEIT

I concur about kids. Be realistic. Until kid is 2 serious running is hard . Also when im really running hard i need more sleep . Body gets tired. If you have more than one kid even trickier. Take a bow if you get out 2-3 times a week

rainbow kirby

I run-commuted to work while I was marathon training when my older son was around a year old. More pleasant than standing on the train and I got my run in without really thinking too much about it.

On maternity leave after #2 at the moment and I usually do 2-3 short runs a week with both kids in the double buggy and 1-2 without it. I do tend to have to pay the Playground Tax afterwards and let the 2 year old run around a bit though

I'm blessed that both my kids are good sleepers, baby hasn't hit the crap sleep regressions or serious teething yet though but 2 year old sleeps the night and has done for a good while.

Our Saturday parkrun is a family thing generally, we both do it and it's usually me pushing the buggy. We are serial tourists and try to do as many different ones as we can and make a day out of it if we drive a decent distance to get to one.

mojesius

Also on maternity leave and just managing to sneak out the door for short runs every second day as baby approaches 4 months. After run shower routine is now sped up X10 to get back to babyzone!

I did a stint of early morning runs when I was footloose and child-free, loved it. Loved having the buzz in work all day and got a lot more done in work. Then again, I also like a 7-8pm run, when the evening's kicking in, especially this time of year.

Now I'm just opportunistic - spot a gap (quick baby's in stage 5 sleep), throw on running gear and leg it out the door before whoever is there to mind her says no!

echancrure

ASISEEIT wrote: »

Do many of you get up early to go for a run ? I have weeks when its just plain awkward to run in the evening or afternoon. It would just mean one early run this week. Have to be up before 6!

Hate them.

ASISEEIT

After all that i never got up for the run! Decided no point doing once off . If i was doing it two or three Times a week its worth the upheaval . As for kids i think parents over do it with activities. The more runs you do the less stressed you will be. Its often us insisting the kid gets x lesson because we never did and we can pat ourselves on the back.

Derco

I had to switch to morning runs a couple of years ago when I started a college course in the evenings. Wouldn't run at any other time of the day now, even in winter.

ahnoyouregrand

I find it really difficult to run in the morning. It feels as if my body is still asleep, I have no energy and I am not fueled for running. However, I have never gone through a consistent period where I have ran a few times a week for a period of time, rather it has just been a once off and then I revert to running in the evenings. A morning run once or twice a week would be much handier for me though.... is it a matter of persevering for a few weeks and the morning runs will become easier?

average_runner

ahnoyouregrand wrote: »

I find it really difficult to run in the morning. It feels as if my body is still asleep, I have no energy and I am not fueled for running. However, I have never gone through a consistent period where I have ran a few times a week for a period of time, rather it has just been a once off and then I revert to running in the evenings. A morning run once or twice a week would be much handier for me though.... is it a matter of persevering for a few weeks and the morning runs will become easier?

It does take time to get with it but i wouldn't do a hard session at 6am, more like a long run or recovery. Long run always starts 25-30 secs slower but after 8k it comes back.

coogy

I have done a few early morning (6am) runs and apart from the stealth-like tip-toeing around the house, trying not to wake everyone up beforehand, I've really enjoyed them. It's such a good feeling arriving back to the house when the others are just waking, or even better, still asleep!
Have tried not to do any early morning runs further than 10k as I am conscious of not having eaten since the evening before.
Am doing the Dublin Marathon as a first-timer this year and I have been running consistently since the beginning of November 2017.

Goose76

Did my first early morning run in months this morning - an easy 5k - feel absolutely amazing now after it despite feeling like death when I woke up.

it's definitely a nice change and I think i'll be incorporating more short/easy runs in before work from now on

squirrel84

Recently switched to early 6am morning runs, setting off on empty stomach but struggling with toilet stop needed after 4-5 miles, don't have the time to wait for digestive system to wake up before setting off. Any advice welcome?

Ultraman100

squirrel84 wrote: »

Recently switched to early 6am morning runs, setting off on empty stomach but struggling with toilet stop needed after 4-5 miles, don't have the time to wait for digestive system to wake up before setting off. Any advice welcome?

have breaki b4 u go to bed...ur digestive system will be ready to rock wen u wake up

cullenswood

squirrel84 wrote: »

Recently switched to early 6am morning runs, setting off on empty stomach but struggling with toilet stop needed after 4-5 miles, don't have the time to wait for digestive system to wake up before setting off. Any advice welcome?

I used to have this, but the body got used to it eventually.

TFBubendorfer

squirrel84 wrote: »

Recently switched to early 6am morning runs, setting off on empty stomach but struggling with toilet stop needed after 4-5 miles, don't have the time to wait for digestive system to wake up before setting off. Any advice welcome?

A cup of coffee usually does the trick

shotgunmcos

squirrel84 wrote: »

Recently switched to early 6am morning runs, setting off on empty stomach but struggling with toilet stop needed after 4-5 miles, don't have the time to wait for digestive system to wake up before setting off. Any advice welcome?

I'm in the same boat. I'm out the door within 10 minutes of waking usually. So much so I'd say I'm still half asleep for the first mile. But then same at 35-45min the body wants to do its business. On an hour run I can hold it but longer usually involved impromptu bush stops.

I had this years ago when I last did morning runs. I've tried breakfast the night before but maybe that makes it worse. My only solution seems to be getting up a half an hour earlier but I'm already up at 5-6!

conti

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

A cup of coffee usually does the trick

+1 for the coffee. My routine is up at 5:45, drink water and small cup of black coffee. Line up a podcast and browse Reddit/YouTube while I await nature's call, generally I'm out the door by around 6:20.

Testosterscone

squirrel84 wrote: »

Recently switched to early 6am morning runs, setting off on empty stomach but struggling with toilet stop needed after 4-5 miles, don't have the time to wait for digestive system to wake up before setting off. Any advice welcome?

Water before you leave. Bar that toilet roll in the gel pocket of shorts

Testosterscone

Slowly becoming a convert and embracing the morning runs. Currently have a 5 week old and now back to work routine is finally settling in.

Do the night feed which happens around 4-4.30 am so I get up, brekkie, feed baby put them down and get out. Well woken up by the time I hit the roads and at the desk in work for 7 post shower. Sneaky lunch time half hour and I am done and dusted with training before I finish work so I can take over when back from work. Oddly enough I am actually getting more done and less guilt as I am not going out in the evening's and not trying to squeeze the runs in as much.

Winter might be another matter mind you

shotgunmcos

Testosterscone wrote: »

Slowly becoming a convert and embracing the morning runs. Currently have a 5 week old and now back to work routine is finally settling in.

Do the night feed which happens around 4-4.30 am so I get up, brekkie, feed baby put them down and get out. Well woken up by the time I hit the roads and at the desk in work for 7 post shower. Sneaky lunch time half hour and I am done and dusted with training before I finish work so I can take over when back from work. Oddly enough I am actually getting more done and less guilt as I am not going out in the evening's and not trying to squeeze the runs in as much.

Winter might be another matter mind you

Good stuff. Balance is everything with those brownie points. Getting as much done without affecting family time means a lot. Great habit to get into before the winter, then its just HTFU!


My little one usually wants breakfast the second she gets up but if I'm out running she will wait for me to see if I am doing yoga afterwards. She likes to do yoga with me and then its the best quality time breakfast you can have.... all came from the morning habit created when she was weeks old

coogy

I did my first run to work this morning. I live in Lucan and work in city centre so I got the bus as far as Liffey Valley and ran the rest of the way, 6 miles in total.

Was well hydrated before I left and ate a banana about an hour before I left. Took it nice and easy and ran part of it through the Phoenix Park. Great way to start the day, I'll definitely be doing it more often!!

average_runner

coogy wrote: »

I did my first run to work this morning. I live in Lucan and work in city centre so I got the bus as far as Liffey Valley and ran the rest of the way, 6 miles in total.

Was well hydrated before I left and ate a banana about an hour before I left. Took it nice and easy and ran part of it through the Phoenix Park. Great way to start the day, I'll definitely be doing it more often!!

Its a nice route to run. Sometimes I run it in from Lucan.

cullenswood

coogy wrote: »

I did my first run to work this morning. I live in Lucan and work in city centre so I got the bus as far as Liffey Valley and ran the rest of the way, 6 miles in total.

Was well hydrated before I left and ate a banana about an hour before I left. Took it nice and easy and ran part of it through the Phoenix Park. Great way to start the day, I'll definitely be doing it more often!!

You could also keep going straight at Chapelizod and then run by the banks of the Liffey and through the War Memorial Park, which is also quite nice.

backofthepack

From the beginning of training i always did my long runs early on a saturday morning.
It was of great benefit as my body was used to the early mornings by the time marathon came around, and it means you can eat all day long to recover, particularly nice when the really long miles kick in!
I usually have one weetabix around half an hour before i head out.
A carb rich dinner the night before helps with energy too. And a good drink of water as soon as i wake helps get the system going so i can get a morning toilet trip in before heading out

Paul_C

cullenswood wrote: »

You could also keep going straight at Chapelizod and then run by the banks of the Liffey and through the War Memorial Park, which is also quite nice.

I've started running in from Lucan too (Marathon training for Sept)
The run along the banks of the liffey is great (not sure what its like in the winter) and then grab a bike somewhere around Kilmainham. Have done the whole thing (16K) a couple of times.
I normally eat a couple of peanut butter /oats/honey balls that i make which gives a little boost, i normally have to wait at least 3/4 hours after breakfast so this seems to be working.
Like most people here I've had to adjust my training since the arrival of the wee person, to be honest even though i do be knackered getting up It quickly wears off once you get going!

rm75

Did most of marathon training early morning, easier with 2 kids.The midweek medium long run was the toughest, especially for a spring marathon as means you're running in the dark. Long run saturday morning, kids activities afternoon, few glasses on wine sat night and would usually be asleep early enough !!

Keep telling myself will do the run commute, but running with any kind of bag does my head in.

RayCun

rm75 wrote: »

Did most of marathon training early morning, easier with 2 kids.The midweek medium long run was the toughest, especially for a spring marathon as means you're running in the dark. Long run saturday morning, kids activities afternoon, few glasses on wine sat night and would usually be asleep early enough !!

Keep telling myself will do the run commute, but running with any kind of bag does my head in.

Bring a bag in the day before with your change of clothes.

Even better, go in one day with a bag with running gear and a change of clothes. Run home that day, run in the next.