When
To Run
Running can both waken and refresh
you. Here are the ups and downs of running at different
times of the day.
By Hal Higdon
Run at a time that is
most convenient for you. Here are the advantages and
disadvantages of running at different times of the
day:
MORNING:
Many runners run in the
morning, before they eat breakfast. It's a good way
to begin the day. Running can both waken and refresh
you. If you run in the dark (particularly in winter),
wear a reflective vest so cars can see you. The one
downside of training at this hour is that morning
runners seem to get injured more often than afternoon
runners. That's probably because they're stiff getting
out of bed. To combat this problem, start your morning
run by walking or running very slowly, then stop to
do some brief stretching exercises before continuing.
NOONTIME:
If you have an hour or
more for lunch, you may be able to squeeze a workout
in at this time. Some offices have health clubs with
showers and encourage workers to exercise mid-day.
Learn to manage your time. Plan your lunch in advance
so you can grab a quick cup of yogurt or bowl of soup
before returning to work. Noon is a good time to run
during the winter when temperatures can be warmer,
but bad for that same reason during the dog days of
summer.
EVENING:
Stop for a workout on
your way home from work. Or go for a quick run before
dinner after returning home. This may not work if
it is you who are expected to put food on the table,
or if there are kids waiting to be fed. If this is
the case, negotiate days when you and your spouse
can alternate training and homemaking. Late evening
after the kids go to bed is another option, but this
probably means running in the dark. You should always
run in a safe area. There are some places where you
do not want to run alone even in the daytime.
WEEKENDS:
Saturdays and Sundays,
most runners have more time for training. That being
the case, you may want to plan your workout week to
do most of your mileage on the weekends. Most runners
(particularly those training for a marathon) do their
long runs on the weekend.
ANY
TIME:
Who says that you need
to run at the same time every day? There's a virtue
in regularity, but you can also get caught in a rut.
Once running becomes a regular part of your lifestyle,
feel free to experiment with different training patterns.
