Half marathon starting at 5pm

[WantLifeToBeBetter]

Just signed up for a half marathon without checking the start time and then found out it starts at 5pm

I usually run in the morning on an empty stomach (up to 10k), or have a milkshake if I'm doing a really long run. I'm just not sure I can do this! My fitness isn't great atm (have only been running 8k at a time lately) so it will be a real push for me to train for this in 10 weeks anyway.

Any tips from natural morning runners who've been forced to run late?

Thanks

I did this once, I ate my normal breakfast about 2 hours before and had a snack bar about an hour before. I had a good lunch too I think. It went ok, but like you I definitely prefer running in the morning! If you can do some training runs at night that would help. Good luck!

It's quite a change!

I was always a morning runner, and started running at other times so I could run with clubs, and now I sometimes do an evening 10k event in the summer.

It wasn't difficult really, but it did take some getting used to, as I'd always run in the mornings before (usually first thing). So you need to plan when you eat - if you normally run on empty, then a break of several hours might be best. You'll be more prone to stitch if you feel too full.

There's probably all sorts of advice on running sites about what's 'best' to eat before an event, but I've never really followed it. I avoid things I know sit heavily in my system but that's about it.

I think a few runs in the evening would be useful training. It does feel different, so a bit of familiarisation with effort at that time of day would help. And once you've cracked it, running at any time of day becomes effortless.

You could see if the Good Gym has a branch near you (despite the name, it's a running group) or a nearby Runners Need

Ooh I'd love that as I'm an evening runner and struggle to get my nutrition and warm-up right for morning events. As Auntie says, you need to practice in the evening so you understand what your body needs.