{"id":12197,"date":"2023-03-07T20:55:01","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T20:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/what-is-the-best-time-to-go-for-a-run\/"},"modified":"2023-03-07T20:55:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T20:55:01","slug":"what-is-the-best-time-to-go-for-a-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/what-is-the-best-time-to-go-for-a-run\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Best Time to Go for a Run?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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If you\u2019re new to running, you might wonder when is the best time to run. Do you only have time in the morning or on your lunch break? Are you a night owl who feels the <\/span>most motivated at night<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While not everyone can choose at what time of the day to run during the week, you\u2019ll still find benefits to running in the morning, afternoon, or late evening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

See our breakdown of the pros and cons of running at various times of the day, plus our tips for maximizing your performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of running in the morning<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are plenty of physical and mental benefits to running in the morning. For those who struggle with motivation, getting your exercise out of the way first-thing can be a good way to form a healthy habit.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, it can be hard to set the alarm clock an hour or two earlier in the morning and push yourself to get out of bed if you\u2019re still groggy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantage:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A jog or run in the morning can give you an energy boost that keeps you going throughout the day and improves your concentration.<\/span>(1)<\/sup><\/p>\n

A morning running routine can also lower your blood pressure and improve your sleep pattern.<\/span>(2)<\/sup> It also speeds up a person\u2019s metabolism, which improves<\/span> calorie burning throughout<\/span> the day\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, running in the morning gives<\/span> your body a healthy dose of oxygen. The higher oxygen content in the morning air makes it easier to breathe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disadvantage:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Running in the morning can feel harder than other times of the day. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Right after you get up, your joints might feel stiff, and your muscles tense and inflexible. This means that you don\u2019t have the necessary muscle control and coordination when you are running.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make time to incorporate a <\/span>dynamic warm-up routine<\/span> i<\/span>n the mornings before you run, so you aren\u2019t fighting resistance in your muscles while running.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Running at Lunchtime or Early Afternoon<\/span><\/h2>\n

Want to avoid an afternoon slump? Going for a midday or early afternoon run is a great way to break up the day and fight fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantage:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The middle of the day has the best conditions for a high-intensity run. <\/span>You\u2019re not too tired from a long day at work, and you\u2019ve had breakfast or lunch to give you energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, it\u2019ll give you more energy to finish off your tasks at work. Just half an hour of moderate exercise can\u00a0 clear up cognitive fatigue.<\/span>(3)<\/sup><\/p>\n

Disadvantage<\/strong>:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Running after lunch can be very strenuous. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Your body needs more time to digest depending on how heavy and rich your lunch was. In order to avoid having to deal with digestive problems (e.g. stomach cramps) during an intense interval training, follow these guidelines:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Wait about 30 minutes<\/strong> after a light snack before you go running. <\/span><\/li>\n
  • If you ate a large lunch, <\/span>wait 1.5 to 2 hours<\/strong> before your run. <\/span><\/li>\n
  • If running after eating doesn\u2019t make you feel good, do your training <\/span>before lunch<\/strong>. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    However, it might be harder to run because your energy stores are not entirely full.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Nutrition guide for runners:<\/p>\n

    Do you want to know what you should eat before, during, and after your run? Find out in the nutrition guide for runners<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Running at night or in the evening<\/span><\/h2>\n

    For some of us, running at night or in the evening is the only time we have for a workout. It can also be a great way to blow off steam or unwind after a long day.<\/span><\/p>\n

    While it\u2019s best to avoid high-intensity runs right before bedtime, running in the evening overall can actually help you catch more Zs.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Advantage:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Are you stressed out at the end of a hectic workday and have trouble unwinding? <\/span>An easygoing endurance run<\/span> can help you blow off some steam. <\/span>You might also have more time in the evening for a proper warm-up and stretch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Disadvantage:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Traditionally, we\u2019ve been told that exercising late in the evening can affect our sleep schedule due to the production of cortisol, a stress hormone.<\/span><\/p>\n

    However, a 2019 study concluded that exercise at night can aid sleep\u2014as long as it\u2019s more than an hour before bedtime.<\/span>(4)<\/sup> That means you should schedule your runs at least 2 hours before sleep and avoid high-intensity exercise such as interval training or running.<\/span><\/p>\n

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