Struggling after switch to running in the morning

For how did you train? In my experience the body needs longer time to settle into the run. For instance not feeling up to speed before half an hour or more into the run. I think you will get used to it - the "new rhytm". Also remember the body temperature is on top in the afternoon. Maybe your body isnt properly warmed up until longer into the run.

Eating 45 -60 minutes before is a bad idea. You are digesting food.

You should either not eat before a morning workout, eat immediately before and have a short workout, eat very little or have a drink of whatever agrees with you during the workout.

Also, it will take a few days for your body to get used to the change of routine.

I've always run early in the AM, anywhere from 3:30-5:00, for the past 25 years. I never eat anything prior to a workout and have never felt hungry or low blood sugar. It is important to give my body 10-15 minutes to "wake up" prior to the workout by stretching and casually walking. I think it is an adjustment to switch from PM to AM for your workout due to interrupting your normal circadian rhythm. Give it some time.

Sounds like you are more of an evening person. It will probably always be hard, and it's best to keep it easy for awhile and then give yourself extra time for a warmup if you start doing speedwork.

I always ran in the afternoon or later morning, and could never deal with early morning stuff. If you run twice, it's best to keep the easier run in the morning and the evening run as the harder effort, IMO. Everything is loosened up by then and less chance for injury.

I used to run only in the evenings too.

A couple of years ago I had to change my schedule for all kinds of reasons.

Now I am running in the morning too but not too early.

I found for myself that I am a morning person but not so much for running. I still prefer to run in the evenings. By theory is, that all your muscles are more "warmed up" and you have a smoother run.

Have you thought about enlisting? I use too have problems with waking up in the morning and running/being productive. Than I went through military basic training, and it is no longer a problem. Maybe if you don't want to enlist, try to find someone around where you live who used to be a drill sergeant or drill instructor and pay him to yell at you to wake up at 0400 in the morning.

I just recently switched over after dst ended. It takes a couple weeks before you don’t feel like garbage. Just give it more time.

I'm considering switching to morning (6am) runs. I used to be a night-owl runner, usually I'd run 8PM at the earliest. Due to the pandemic and work-from-home, I've been running around 1PM for the last 6 months. I'd like to switch to morning (6AM) runs and worry about the issues OP posted.

Do people really run completely fasted after waking up (e.g. no water, coffee, food)? If you do eat, what is the ideal timing? I've always run a minimum of 2 hours after eating a meal.

Wake up. Coffee and a little reading. Poop. Run.

It took me a little while to adjust, but when you get the hang of it, you'll be fine. I also ran on an empty stomach, don't know if that makes a difference. Be patient and give your body time to adjust.

Thank you to all for the advice. It sounds like I should persist for a while longer, and experiment with skipping breakfast. Just a little worried as I have a marathon in 13 weeks!

To give a few more details for those who asked/are in the same boat:

I trained for 65 minutes coincidentally both times, and didn't notice much if any improvement as things went on;

I usually do my runs very late, starting around 9 at the earliest, usually at least after 9:30, often after 10, but as mentioned I do sometimes (at the weekend) run in the afternoon, and those runs go as well as or better than those in the evening;

I am used to getting up early;

I have occasionally run early in the morning before, but always a long run where I was running more easily than I do on a typical every day session, and whilst I may not have been at my smoothest on those occasions, the heart rate data was normal.

I switched to early morning running about a year ago. Normally, I have a drink of water and head out the door, no coffee, juice, breakfast, or anything. When I eat all that, my run is always worse. It seems backward, but when I run on an empty stomach (except for a little water) I always have more energy than if I eat. If it eat and have coffee, I know running is going to suck for about two hours due to feeling sluggish and the need to use the bathroom.

Try having a drink of water and heading out the door. Odd are you'll feel like a million bucks.

stan the corgi wrote:

I've always run early in the AM, anywhere from 3:30-5:00, for the past 25 years. I never eat anything prior to a workout and have never felt hungry or low blood sugar. It is important to give my body 10-15 minutes to "wake up" prior to the workout by stretching and casually walking. I think it is an adjustment to switch from PM to AM for your workout due to interrupting your normal circadian rhythm. Give it some time.

exactly--if you are an evening guy, it may take 2 or 3 weeks to get into morning rhythm...I switched once I had kids 17 years ago and didn't look back; no need to eat unless you are running over 2 hours..I usually drink 8 oz of water and 4 oz of gatorade after waking and 10 minutes prior to running and I have no issues. I skip the coffee and run the 1st couple miles real slow-being in my late 40's but I feel ok by 15-20 minutes into it! Good luck!

I made the switch a few years ago, still love my afternoon and evening runs. Normally need to wake up at least 30 minutes before I run, light stretching, drink some water first thing, bathroom time and then take the first 10-15 minutes easy then you can get into hard running.

Agree with most of this. I've been running fairly early in the morning (usually start between 5 and 6 am) for about 40 years. I never eat anything before running, just a few swallows of coffee, which helps me answer nature's call before hitting the road. I regularly run fasted for up to 3 hours with no issues as long as I eat enough the night before. It does take me a couple of miles to warm up, particularly if it's cold outside.

First thing in the morning is the only time I can rely on being able to run. I haven't gotten started doing anything else at that time, my husband is still sleeping, and no one ever calls a last-minute meeting for earlier than 8 am.

Just say no to morning running. If your body doesn't like it, it doesn't like it. I've never been good at running in the morning, so I don't (except for races--early birds run the world). Rhetorical question: Why does every #*!@& race have to start as EARLY IN THE MORNING AS POSSIBLE! I used to love Sunday 2PM races and Friday evening races, but they have practically disappeared from North America.

Thanks. I feel better now.

I’ve never been a morning runner nor am I a fan of trying to be something you’re not. I run in the afternoons or evenings and I’m happy. I suppose you can discipline yourself into being anything, but why?

Jeffro wrote:

Just say no to morning running. If your body doesn't like it, it doesn't like it. I've never been good at running in the morning, so I don't (except for races--early birds run the world). Rhetorical question: Why does every #*!@& race have to start as EARLY IN THE MORNING AS POSSIBLE! I used to love Sunday 2PM races and Friday evening races, but they have practically disappeared from North America.

Thanks. I feel better now.

+1

Morning runner here. Anywhere from 5-7am. I wake up, lay in bed for about 5 minutes looking at my phone, full glass of water and then out the door. It usually takes me about 2 miles to wake and loosen up.

Major pros:

-Workout done before my day starts. Not matter what happens that day, I've already accomplished that.

-Never worry about what I ate for a meal before the run bothering me.

-Quiet roads and trails.

-No impact on family.

Cons:

-The alarm. Though you get used to it.

-Cold and dark often.

Every once in a while I run in the afternoon or evening. I always feel so heavy and sluggish. Running first thing in the morning I feel light and quick.