What is the best time of day to run for full time worker?

It really depends on how your life is set up. You should be able to answer this better than anyone else.

Well I would really like to do mornings as I think morning really is best. However, running in the morning does make me a little tired during the work day. Maybe my body just has not adjusted? Just looking for some insight of others to help weight the pros and cons of morning versus early or late evening.

You might adjust. You'd have to do it for a bit and see. I did read long ago that people who ran in the morning tended to be more regular in getting their runs in because if you put it off to later in the day other things interfere. I've never been a morning person and just decided not to let the other things interfere.

I'd keep the mornings going. Do you drink coffee?

I run mornings and it wakes me up for the first couple hours of work.

Then I have a coffee at 10 or so and then another one at noon for lunch. Works out

At lunch. Maybe get 3 or 4 or 5 miles which isn't much but then I'll double up some days and 10-20 on Sat and another 6 to 10 on Sun and you have decent 45 to 60 miles.

If you are at all serious you'll run before and after work.

11 a.m. always worked best for me

If you can manage mornings, I think that sounds better, but for myself I just can't seem to wake up early enough. I work at 7am though, only get a half hour for lunch so I am done by 3:30. Im on my feet all day so I usually rest a lil before running and then have dinner, or I eat and then run at like 8pm. I'm used to it so it works for me. Try the AM runs and see if you adjust. If not, then switch to nights

Also something to consider is the temperature. It's cooler in the morning which would be nice in the summer, but depending where you live, could get real cold in the winter. Since I'm an after-work runner, some days I have to wait until practically sunset for it to cool off just a tich because it has been so hot.

newtotheworkforce wrote:

I appreciate your insight. Thanks.

Early AM for me. I am usually out the door by 4:15. Work start varies from 7 to 8 AM for me. So, I have enough time most days for runs up to ~ 12 miles +\- core + weights. I agree with the coffee comments and the feeling a little tired some days. I've got small kids though, so no other time of day really will work.

For amazement, I have a friend who runs before work and she works at 3:30-4am as a baker/pastry chef. So she is out there running at like 2am. Blows my mind. But it works for her!

Iagree wrote:

For amazement, I have a friend who runs before work and she works at 3:30-4am as a baker/pastry chef. So she is out there running at like 2am. Blows my mind. But it works for her!

Wow, I would be scared to run at 2am, but it kind of makes sense as no one would be out there.

For those of you who run after work, do you do the majority of your runs in the pitch dark during the winter months?

I've always been a lunch time runner and am lucky to have always had the opportunity to do so. If I was more of a morning person I would definitely run then. The earlier in the day you can get your run in the less likely something will come up to interfere.

If you enjoy getting up early then stick with that, but it is really whatever fits best with your schedule and priorities.

best for work productivity: run in the evening

get in to work early and kick butt. not tired from a morning run, so can put energy towards work. but a long stressful day at work will affect your run.

best for running: run easy days and long runs in the morning, but key workouts in the evening.

might be tired at work post-run, will affect work productivity. for fast workouts, do them in the evening so you are awake and hit top speeds.

Bruhhhh wrote:

I'd keep the mornings going. Do you drink coffee?

I run mornings and it wakes me up for the first couple hours of work.

Then I have a coffee at 10 or so and then another one at noon for lunch. Works out

pretty much my exact situation. I can usually get through lunch but need some caffeine again at around 2.