What time of day do you run?

emkelsall

I'm having the hardest time figuring a good time to run. I'm hungry in the morning and I don't want to run after I eat. At night, same thing. Run first, eat after? Snack first, run later?

yogaveg

i'm a college student so i've got a bit of a wacky schedule but normally i can run in the afternoons or right before my dinner. typically i'll have some sort of snack before like fruit or a granola bar and then a meal afterwards. i find if i wait about 30 minutes after i eat a snack then my body is ready to run

ImpracticalGirl

I run at lunch. I start work really early and only have coffee and milk first thing in the morning. Around 10:30 I'm ready to eat real food, usually a bagel with some cheese and meat. After the run, I'll grab some fruits and a peanut butter bar.

I went to some trial and error process, but basically running while famished didn't work well for me. Also, running with a full stomach didn't feel pleasant. I suggest you go ahead and experiment a bit; you'll figure out what works best for you. Good luck!

flabassmcgee

After dinner. I hate waking up early and I eat around 6-7, so I have plenty of time in the evening to get a workout in before bed.

twopeas2

I'm a morning runner. I have a banana, or a piece of toast with peanut butter and slices of banana if it's later and then get ready and go. I find that I'm too tired in the afternoons and it feels like I'm running through mud.

eta I'm happy to walk or do other exercise anytime, not just in the mornings.

edit no 2 I actually used to do a quick 20 min run between evening exercise classes, which worked pretty well for me.

Sabine_Stroehm

Normally, before work. if I can't do that (I have some insomnia issues) then I run at lunch. Luckily I have access to treadmills at work (and home) if the weather is bad.
I try to do most work outs first thing. Except Pilates, which happens at noon. (I wish it was earlier, but oh well.)

madrose0715

Morning is my best performance, one cup of coffee and a few sips of water is all I need for my 8 km runs. I have a physical job, so running at end of day is disastrous for me.

ephiemarie

My best running happens in the late morning (after the diuretic effects of coffee, but before lunch), which is not always feasible with my weekday schedule. I usually "reward" myself with dinner after an evening run.

47Jacqueline

When I run, which I'm not cleared to do for another month due to recouperating from a broken leg, I like the morning, first thing when I get up. Most of my group classes are later and I have to abide by their schedule.

amybg1

Early morning or evening. Morning: light breakfast 60-90 mins pre-run, evening: snack 60 mins before run

twopeas2

47Jacqueline wrote: »

When I run, which I'm not cleared to do for another month due to recouperating from a broken leg, I like the morning, first thing when I get up. Most of my group classes are later and I have to abide by their schedule.

Me too!!! I'm back to walking and did 4km yesterday, so was so excited! I'm 19 weeks since surgery, how far are you?

ddmom0811

Early morning. I usually just drink a little water and then am out the door by 4:30am and back by 5:30. NEVER thought I'd be getting up that early to exercise. I'm a teacher so when school is out I don't set the alarm. However, I find if I sleep in too late, I am too hungry to run and don't do as well.

Running after work never works for me. IDK - too tired, too hungry and easy to put it off. Plus there is still grading and work to do at home. On the days I run before work I feel great. I find I hate the days I don't run, but I am only six months into running and need recovery days.

Experiment! You have to make the time. You won't regret it!

FromHereOnOut

I'm not back yet from some overuse problems, but I would run in the afternoons because my schedule allowed it. But when I could run in the morning, I'd usually eat well enough before bed (but some people can't do that).

NitoMark

Morning. I usually try to run a quick mile or two around my neighborhood before I start my routine of breakfast and getting ready for work. I will have some fat free milk, water, or orange juice before I head out. No coffee until I get back home. The nice thing about this is that it is FINISHED; and even if I get lazy and don't exercise again that day, I feel like I accomplished something healthy.

chesnity3

First thing in the morning before I eat or do anything. Running in the evenings left me extremely tired and running after I've eaten caused stomach cramping.

jenglish712

Always in the morning. I run outside Tuesdays and Thursdays Spring and Summer but now it is too dark to run at 6 am. Right now I just run a mile after lifting in the morning. When I run or lift hard in the evening I find more soreness since it limits how much I move around before bed. If I do it in the morning I have all day to walk and stretch. Also, I don't have to see or talk to people at 5 or 6 am.

gettinfitaus

I used to be an evening runner because that was the easiest time of day as DH was going to work ridiculously early meaning I had to be out and back even earlier. Now that we have moved though I run in the mornings because nights here are really windy and the wind kind of swirls so you always seem to be running into a headwind (seriously I have never experienced anything like this!!). I run on an empty stomach pretty much but if it's been a rough night I will generally down a glass of coke on my way out the door... yup super healthy over here! Right now I am attempting to transition from coke to cordial for the very early mornings.

sappy42

First thing in the morning is best for me. It sets the tone for my day. I may have a few sips of water before I head out but that's about it. I save breakfast for after my run.

babsabs2011

I run (and do all my workouts) in the morning. Its a great way to start the day! I'll drink some water, eat something light, and go...and then eat real breakfast later.

bwogilvie

I run when my schedule allows. Sometimes that's mid-morning, sometimes early afternoon, sometimes late afternoon or evening. In the winter, I also take weather into account. If I go out for a run or a bike ride early, I usually just have a bit of water or coffee first; if it's a long ride I might stop for coffee halfway, too.

I don't have a problem exercising after a meal, unless it was a big one and I feel stuffed. You might try running after eating; as long as you don't go all-out, you'll probably be OK.

emkelsall

I have been experimenting but nothing seems to fit quite right....yet I will try some of your suggestions. I haven't tried, a little something before a morning run so that will be Saturday morning since I ran tonight. I just don't feel my best later in the day, like today, but my running partner hates running in the morning.

WithWhatsLeft

Around 10.30 or 11 a.m. seems to be the best time for me - for some reason it just feels the best at that time. I've had breakfast, a few cups of coffee, and sat in on a lot of meetings by then so I'm ready to move. (I work from home so nobody cares if I'm sitting there all stinky and sweaty!)

Runcakes

If I can I usually run a couple hours after I wake up/eat in the morning (ideally). If not then it's usually before I eat dinner. It really just depends on my school/work schedule because it's always changing.

frank6666

I prefer to run early in the morning but with the job and the kids I have to say I run when I can...

MeanderingMammal

It varies for me. Weekday runs tend to be less than 90 minutes and are generally in the evening. I have some dried fruit or a granola bar a couple of hours beforehand.

Long runs are on weekends and I do them in the forenoon, up to 12-15Km I'll manage on some fruit and coffee, more than that I'll need to have some porridge or cereal.

mrsKOrtiz

As a student, mom, and wife I need to find a good schedule for me. But as of right now, I run whenever I can fit it in. But like I said I need a schedule!

wifeoferp

I used to run first thing in the morning, but with five kids and some very early start times, I was having to get up too early. Now I find that if I eat a light breakfast around 6-6:30, I am ready to run after my last child gets on the bus at 8:15.