running at night vs. day

thursdaystgiles
thursdaystgiles Posts: 98 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm on week 6 day 1 of C25K. I've run at night all but twice, early on, because of our messed up schedule (3rd shifters and toddler). I've managed to do all the runs, even though sometimes I've thought I was going to die. Last time was a 20 minute run that was very challenging, but I did it, with my best time ever. Then I missed my Monday, so I decided to squeeze it in today around 1 in the afternoon. I honestly didn't think it would be a big deal because it was an overcast day and no hotter than the hottest night I've run. Does the presence of the sun make that much difference???? My max heart rate at is right around 180-182. Today it was 197! (that's going up hill/when I pick up speed, etc), with my average usually at 160, today at 176. I thought I was going to die. Wheezing for breath, heartbeat in my ears. Today's run was even easier! 5min run/3 walk/8 run/3 walk/5 run. It was tough, but I made it through the first two runs. On the last one I gave up after 2.5 minutes. I tried pausing, catching my breath, but even then I couldn't make my muscles work to start running again. I barely made it home just walking. I feel so discouraged and frustrated, like a failure. The worst is that I'm doing several 5ks, and all but two are during the day, so my plans for running seem shot.

Two questions -- is there anything I can do to build up better endurance for day time runs when I usually can only run at night? and my hrm says I burned over a 100 more calories today, but that doesn't seem accurate. Does the heat or presence of sun alter the hr that much, and if so, am I REALLY burning that many calories?

Replies

  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    I'm on week 6 day 1 of C25K. I've run at night all but twice, early on, because of our messed up schedule (3rd shifters and toddler). I've managed to do all the runs, even though sometimes I've thought I was going to die. Last time was a 20 minute run that was very challenging, but I did it, with my best time ever. Then I missed my Monday, so I decided to squeeze it in today around 1 in the afternoon. I honestly didn't think it would be a big deal because it was an overcast day and no hotter than the hottest night I've run. Does the presence of the sun make that much difference???? My max heart rate at is right around 180-182. Today it was 197! (that's going up hill/when I pick up speed, etc), with my average usually at 160, today at 176. I thought I was going to die. Wheezing for breath, heartbeat in my ears. Today's run was even easier! 5min run/3 walk/8 run/3 walk/5 run. It was tough, but I made it through the first two runs. On the last one I gave up after 2.5 minutes. I tried pausing, catching my breath, but even then I couldn't make my muscles work to start running again. I barely made it home just walking. I feel so discouraged and frustrated, like a failure. The worst is that I'm doing several 5ks, and all but two are during the day, so my plans for running seem shot.

    Two questions -- is there anything I can do to build up better endurance for day time runs when I usually can only run at night? and my hrm says I burned over a 100 more calories today, but that doesn't seem accurate. Does the heat or presence of sun alter the hr that much, and if so, am I REALLY burning that many calories?
    does not matter a whole lot. most 5 k are early whem its still cool. i trained after dark most times
  • thursdaystgiles
    thursdaystgiles Posts: 98 Member
    bump
  • Nekrachael
    Nekrachael Posts: 74 Member
    I can only answer in an anecdotal way, but I react strongly to strong sunlight. I deliberately run when I can be in the shade or I run in the cooler parts of the day. I've only run 1 5k so far, but I had the same concerns you express, because the route was on roads- not under trees. It turned out that the thrill of being in a race with lots of other people was more important than the sun.
  • Menix8
    Menix8 Posts: 210 Member
    I live in the city, so running at night is a big no-no unless I want to take the blame for getting mugged or worse.

    I try to run near water for the cool breeze, on the pier, by a lake. It makes a huge difference in temperature for me.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    I will also add this.....

    Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason as to how the body reacts. There were times training for 5k, or 10k, or HM where a supposed easier run ended up feeling much tougher than longer runs.


    I wouldnt fret it much. Just keep on with the program and you will be just fine. When it is sunnier and hotter out it does seem like it gets tougher at times. Your issue may have also been the humidity in the air. For many, me included, that is a real killer and tougher than just heat.
  • bokchoybaby
    bokchoybaby Posts: 62 Member
    I mostly run mornings where I often have a split between dark/semi-dark and sun, especially on weekends when I typically go out later so I can get a wee bit more sleep and am out longer. When it was a little cooler the daylight didn't make a difference. Now that it's starting to get warm and humid I can tell. I feel like you can train to deal with less favorable conditions. When it was 0 here I had to learn to run in that. It was really like I was learning to run all over again. Heat/sun are going to be the same way for a lot of people. Perhaps you might want to check out what people do to train for the Badlands ultra and scale it waaaaaaay down. Any training that will get one running through Death Valley should certainly work for you. I personally feel like running in the sun gets you better at running in the sun but that doesn't sound like a reliable plan for you. Maybe try adding effort to your evening runs that you can take away during the day (e.g., extra hill work, running with a weighted pack on, speedwork, etc.). The problem is that these things, especially if you don't mind doing them, might only increase physical endurance whereas running through heat/sun is sometimes about mental toughness.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    You're not burning more calories because of the sun. As for the higher heart rate ... how do your hydration levels compare between the times of day you ran? are you simply at a different point in your natural daily rhythms? caffeine levels? anxiety? There are so many things that can impact heart rate that without isolating issues it is impossible to make any definitive claims.

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