Running first thing on a morning

How’ve you been getting on OP?

I’m not a morning person either but I would like to switch my after work runs to before work runs in order to fit them in, as I’m trying to increase my mileage and it’s becoming quite time consuming!

I think we are all different as to what time of day suits us to run. You only have to listen to Jenny Falconer's podcast 'Runpod', where she interviews well known people who run, to know that.

I have gone early a couple of times recently due to fitting it in and they have not been my best runs. Like you, I feel sluggish and I find my body needs time to warm up and get moving before I go straight into a run. A bit later in the morning suits me better - at least an hour after waking (when I'm not working) or after work (I start at 7.30am and finish at 4pm) is perfect this time of year.

It's for the end of the day for me

I tried it before, it makes the day all wrong

I'm tired before I start my day

I like to have it to get rid of the stress of the day and help me sleep.

Do what suits you.

I run early (6:15), I find I’m better first thing than trying to run later. I usually just have a glass of water and a cup of tea, then music on and out the door.

definitely a habit thing. I used to hate running in the mornings, couldn't face 3 miles and hated everything, but then found myself jogging 9 miles to work and feeling like i'd stolen a march on the world and was actually the Queen. Although that was in the days when the end of my run was dotted with Prets to buy a bacon bap.... that probalby helped.
On a serious note: running fasted is fine apart from around 4 days before your period comes, that makes it harder due to hormones dropping and for those days I would take a muesli bar to eat half way round.

I don’t run, but walk briskly for a couple of hours.
I walk at night now because of circumstances but can’t wait to get back to the 6 am starts in a few weeks. At first, it took a few weeks to get comfortable with it but I found if had warm milk and a snack before I went to bed, I didn’t flag.
I still never particularly enjoyed dragging myself out of bed but was always glad I’d gone and it was job done for the day.

I run at 6am and don’t eat anything but I do drink a glass of water. I find it helps to properly warm up before I run, so I spend 5 minutes on that before I set off. Some days are easier than others, but generally it takes me a good 20 minutes before start to enjoy it. It’s much better than going later when it’s like a 3 ring circus where I live at the moment. Solitude is easier to come by at 6am!

It really depends on what works for you. I don't run early as it basically wears out my body for the day and it is also really stressful trying to squash in the post run stretch and shower before the workday starts. Running after work (well, wfh!) is so much better as it is a great way of clearing my head of work stuff and I can stretch, shower and do whatever afterwards without worrying about time constraints. I tend to run in what use to be my commuting home time.

I get up at 5.45 and run fasted at 6am (earliest we're allowed out as we're under curfew in France!) On days I don't run I do strength training at 6am instead. I do find getting up at the same time every day helps, otherwise if you lie in some days it makes the earlier starts seem harder.
I put my clothes out the night before and have some good music on my pods. Then straight into a hot shower and breakfast afterwards.
I love it and find it sets me up for the day, but I am quite a morning person and would be up at 6.30 anyway.

I'm usually up and out the door by 5am. Never eat, just have a quick drink of water, I've always been like that. Works for me and it's nice to get out when nobody else is.

Everyone’s different. I run early, after a cup of tea and a poo. If I’ve had anything at all to eat, I struggle.

I can’t exercise first thing, just don’t get such a good workout, so I don’t. Did a workout at 1030 yesterday.

Can you get a treadmill or join an online class?

I love running first thing, but need to have a coffee before I go. I never eat beforehand, even if doing up to half marathon distance, but do make sure I have a decent amount of carbs the night before. I agree with SendMeYourSpuds - you need to just decide that‘s your new routine and go until it becomes a habit. Doing it sporadically will always feel hard.

Find a buddy? Mutual accountability helps me and great to have a morning chat before the day gets on top of you. Albeit that we run slower than we would without the chat!

I like to eat, drink and poo before my runs too so struggle with early. I can manage 730/745 but I start work at 9. Love the weekend as 1030 seems to be the optimal time for me. If only I didn't have to work I swear I'd be super fit. Running in the evenings more enjoyable now that it's getting lighter though!

Would be somewhat easier if you ran early much more regularly.

Sporadic is like worst of all worlds.
The point is being there not being energetic about it.

I remember when I started cycling to work, the first few weeks were hard and I felt very sluggish. However, after that it became a lot easier, get up have a quick cuppa and then go out. I was leaving at about 5:30, getting there at 6 feeling great!

I do run first thing occasionally but I don't get a "good" run then, I use it for recovery runs or very short efforts. I have to do the quality sessions later.

It does make a big difference if you est something, even just a banana or a glass of orange juice.

Love a morning run, but when I feel sluggish it's because I haven't had carbs the night before.

I don't run but pre lockdown did a 6am HIIT class a few times a week, absolutely my favourite class of the week but I am more of a morning person. I don't eat before, I roll out of bed at ten to six, chuck some clothes on and get there for 6.

I struggle with morning exercise too. I can drag myself round a half decent 5k at 8am but I'll never enjoy it or get a decent trot on. BUT it's better than nothing. I have to eat, drink and poo first.

You'll get into the habit and it'll make weekend runs easier.

I should do my run first thing, but like you I just can't. I really need a coffee and to wake up properly first, or I'm just not in the zone! I absolutely can't run in the evening.

Oh yes to headphones. Can't listen to myself breathing!