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I just recently started running again, and have been at it for a few weeks now. A quick question for any runners out there - is it "better" for your body to run early in the morning or in the evening? Does it matter at all beyond personal preference?

(Sorry if this is the BBb vs CC equivalent of a running question.)

If you can run early in the morning, then you're no low brass player!

bort wrote:I just recently started running again, and have been at it for a few weeks now. A quick question for any runners out there - is it "better" for your body to run early in the morning or in the evening? Does it matter at all beyond personal preference?

(Sorry if this is the BBb vs CC equivalent of a running question.)

I prefer to run in the afternoon instead of having lunch. I can use some stress reduction by that time. However, around DC, as you know, it is really humid in the afternoons, so check your pulse every mile or so.

I've heard that, for weight loss, evening running keeps the metabolism going all night while sleeping, when there is less temptation to snack.

You don't have to do it all at once, either. I've also run two or three times during the day when working on getting in lots of miles before a race. For example, I've run two miles in the morning to the Metro, then another two to four at lunch, then another two in the evening from the Metro to home. I simply keep several laundered shirts and work attire at the office.

I agree that whatever routine you enjoy the most is the correct thing to do. Stay with it long enough to get through the retraining phase of stiffness and sore joints.

You could get on the conveyor with that damned airplane

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I started running last year, after a 17 year hiatus. Started in July, ran the Chicago Marathon in October. I'm not sure it matters when you run, although I think certain times have benefits. I finally fell into a morning routine, which allows me to push back breakfast and lunch, and usually resulted in a small dinner or no dinner. That helped with weight loss. By noon around here it's usually too hot. I always say I'm gonna run at 7 am so it's more like race conditions, but that's hard to do, get up so early because I usually stretch and work out first, so it really means starting at 6 or 6:30. Going to bed at 1 am doesn't help that schedule.

All that being said, there is current thinking that you provide your legs more endurance by working out tired, which would mean the end of the day would be better. When I ran in 1988
(a much younger person) I used to run at 8 or 9 at night, after a busy day which usually involved cutting grass. I ran tired all of the time. I ran faster then (youth) I run longer now, but I feel much better now then I felt then.

No matter what you do, stretch, do other things than running, keep your muscles in balance.

What is your running goal?

I like the morning run. Get it over with and on with the day. A cool site that might help is http://www.coolrunning.com

dunelandmusic wrote:What is your running goal?

I want to run a marathon before I'm 30 - I'm 25 now, so I think I can certainly work towards that goal. I think I can run about 5 miles right now, which is an okay start, but I realize I've got some homework to do to make sure I don't hurt myself trying to do more.

Whatever distance turns out to be a good match for me, I just want to have fun with it and keep in good shape.

i like to run in the morning, get it done don't have to worry about it later.

However if i need to do it at night/afternoon i'll do it then.

Do it whenever yuor shedule allows

I would say in terms of metabolism, the morning is better. In terms of your joints being ready to go, later is better.

IMHO. . .

I don't think that there's a "better" time for anyone to run. More than likely, the best time for anyone to run is when they can.

I've done the morning thing (wake up at 5:30am, pull the shoes on, head out the door), the evening thing (get home from class at 8:00pm, pull the shoes on, head out the door), and the lunch thing (skip lunch, etc...) and all of them were just fine, but I dig running. A lunch time run in Atlanta in the summer, though, will really shoot the rest of your day, especially when you've got a 30 mile bike ride scheduled...

If you're pressed for time, run whenever. If you're trying to get into a routine, schedule a time. With regards to running in the evening, your muscles are already warmed up with your activities throughout the day, so injury is less likely (not impossible, just less likely) than running cold (i.e. in the morning).

Whenever you run, HAVE FUN!

Steve "I quit smoking 2.3 years ago, started eating better and started running, then lost 100 lbs" Ranney