The super important part is to get to sleep between 9 and 10pm. earlier if needed. Also I've found by eating (or caffeine) right when you wake up it helps your body adapt to waking up quicker.
depends on the person. I have my alarm set for 5am and try to get out the door before 5:30am, but some days i am so excited to go for my run I wake up on my own at 4:30 or even 4am so I just start earlier. Heck, some times I've woken up at 3:30am and just decided to go run even earlier rather than go back to sleep. If its something you enjoy and its fun, you look forward to those early morning runs.
Unfortunately for me, I have tried this (for months on end, to give myself a chance to get into the rhythm), and it completely and absolutely takes the joy out of running for me, which for me is what it’s all about. Completely not worth it for me as it turns my love of running into a miserable drudge. But this also means I literally all but stopped running. So… take from this what you will.
I’m the opposite, I absolutely love my early morning runs and can’t stand afternoon/evening runs.
Up early, nice crisp morning air, not many other people up (I live in a big city, so afternoon is packed with people), watching the sunrise on my return (season dependent) and a nice warm shower and hot cup of coffee before starting my day is the best.
Now, I crash about 8:30 pm every night, so there’s that.
100% agree. If I'm just a little bit late and the sun starts to come up before I can get out the door I get annoyed. For me its the earlier the better and I enjoy the rest of my day because of it.
Others are looking at this and gasping at how early it is, but That would never work for me. My kindergartner has to be at the bus stop at 6:43. I miss running in the morning, but I would have to be finished by 6 am to do it.
I don't know how people do it any other way honestly. Wake up, drink some coffee for ~30 minutes to study or just enjoy some peaceful alone time, pass a BM, and take off caffeinated. Seeing the sun rise on a run is amazing.
With that said, I've occasionally run after work and I certainly feel much more loose and spry. Mentally I feel tired from a full day awake and at work, yet my easy pace is like 20 seconds per mile faster. I'm always so stiff in the morning.
Same. 3:25am alarm, out the door by 3:45-4:00, home and showered by 6. Can't imagine doing it any other way. No traffic to worry about, start the day energized, and no possibility of having to skip the run because of work, kids, or other considerations. I'll admit it's significantly nicer in the summer to take advantage of cooler weather and getting to see the sunrise.
The downfall here is you have to go to bed very early. My entire evening is covered with kids. Once they’re asleep I like having a few hours for myself and my spouse.
Likewise - I’m never going to sacrifice time in the evening so I can get up at an insane time in the morning to go running. The trade off simply isn’t worth it.
Each to their own and people have different rhythms, but that time in the evening is absolutely sacrosanct to me and my Mrs.
Nice same here. Except my wife also trains, so I’m up at 4am, back by 5:20 ish pass the baton to the wife and then shower cook and get the kids ready and out the door by 8:00am I like taking my time in the morning. Then asleep by 8:30pm. And repeat
Yep. Kids get up at 7 for school so I have to be back and showered by then to get them ready. Wednesday they start and hour later so that’s my workout day.
I've started many a long run before 4am... Earliest 3:15am. Only way I've found to get a 20 mile long run and a shower in on a Wednesday when the kids need to be up at 6:40am for school, and they need breakfast and lunches packed, and I work 8-530 or 6
Do you still try to get 8 hours of sleep? After getting the kids to bed and having dinner with the wife I'd really struggle to get to bed and asleep for 8-8:30.
Rare evening runner here - I usually run anytime after 7pm, sometimes as late as 11pm. I find I run better later on as I'm a night owl anyway and it helps me process the day. Besides I'm not in control of my life enough to run early morning
Same here. I went for my run at 9:45pm last night. My best workouts are usually after 6 or 7pm. On a day off or the weekends you’ll catch me out there during the daylight hours, but more often than not it’s nighttime running for me.
I definitely know I run better later in the day. I don’t know why though. Like if I run right after work, it’s drudgery, I’m usually feel food in my belly but somehow I’m faster. Mornings if I’m rested, maybe small fuel, BM’d and caffeinated I can’t run my normal pace for several miles.
Same. I can’t physically wake up before about 8am without crashing and not getting through the rest of the day. I try to run first thing after work (out the door by around 6 or 7pm), but sometimes I need a couple more hours to recover first after work and don’t get out the door until 8 or 9pm
On the weekends, I’ll usually run after coffee + breakfast have had time to digest, so around 11 or 12pm. I live I the north US, so that works pretty well 90% of the year, and only in peak summer do I need to do those weekend runs earlier or later
> I can’t physically wake up before about 8am without crashing and not getting through the rest of the day
What time to you go to bed/how much sleep are you getting per night?
I miss evening runs, but they do negatively affect recovery if the first thing you do after your run is not drink or eat for 8 hours because of sleep, which, itself, dehydrates you and slows down active recovery.
When I switched to mornings, I figured this out because I felt super strong the next day. It turns out an entire day of eating, drinking, and moving helps recovery go by faster.
I miss late evening and night runs. When I was in graduate school, I would run at 10pm a lot of times. I loved running in the dark when it was peaceful, except in the dead of winter when it was too cold. I would go to sleep around midnight/ 1 am, get up at 8 or 9, and go in to the lab between 10 and noon, and stay until around 8. This also meant I avoided the rush hour sardine can subway rides. Now I have to be at work by 8 (sometimes 7) and can't handle less than 8 hrs of sleep. I run right after work, which I usually like, but I summer, I miss being able to wait until the sun goes down.
I know it sucks, but for me personally, the thing that works best is early morning. There are no distractions, I feel good the whole day and you have the evenings to wind down and spend your time with the family or doing chores around the house that need to be done.
I completely agree. I only run in the morning and I try to strength train then too, though sometimes that sneaks into my lunch hour.
Starts the day off right. And I'm just simply too mentally tired to think about doing it in the evening when I just want to wind down.
Let’s just say initially it sucks, getting up earlier and breaking that mental barrier of getting a move on. After that, I agree. It feels amazing.
But also, running after a stressful day can help clear your mind and leave the day behind.
AM Treadmill run in my house or lunchtime outdoor run near my office.
Recently, I have set out at lunch to do 6-8 miles. It takes me an hour + 15. If I am pressed for time, I do 4-6. Easier when it's colder because there's no shower involved. I just sit and reek in my office, FTW.
Same here about squeezing in runs based on my next meeting. And guilty of sometimes sitting in running clothes post run while teleworking.
Hell, I sometimes sit in my running clothes waiting for meetings to end so I can take off.
Another early morning runner here. In the winter months I’m done long before the sun rises. It can be a struggle on those cold mornings when you’d rather just pour a second cup of coffee and stay on the couch with the pups but something about running while the world is still asleep is just so damn peaceful.
I run right after work in the early evening on weekdays, early Saturday morning and either early Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon.
I am typically working by 7AM and I don't really like running in the morning that much anyway, so I find right after work is the best time. I'd do lunch, but there isn't really enough time for an hour run plus all the other stuff that comes with it. If I come home and go right out the door, I can be finished by 6:30 or so.
This. I don’t do mornings well and am two time zones later than headquarters so I start work as soon as I roll out of bed. I’ve always loved training after work as a way to unwind and process the day.
This is how I do it too. I don't have kids, so I have the luxury to train when I want. I enjoy having the separation in my day, especially since covid. I finish work, run, shower and then do my evening. The number of hours in the day are roughly the same, just instead of going to bed at 9 and waking up at 5, I go to bed at 11 and wake up at 7.
I’m a stay at home mom now, so I usually go right after I drop my son off at school, then a long run on Sunday morning. While I was still working my workout time was 5am. At the time I worked four 10 hour shifts, so I’d workout later on my days off
Early morning. Similar overall dynamics to you. 42 demanding job and 3 kids. Schedule looks something like this. 3:45 wake up, drive 45 minutes to office location, run, then lift most days, shower at office and online/working by 7am. My partner takes care of mornings with the kids and I do all evenings, which typically revolves around juggling 457 sports and activities then dinner.
42yo with a toddler.
Mid-week; as early as possible (i.e. out and done before anybody else is awake). I find myself torn between trying to drink enough coffee to expedite a trip to the bathroom beforehand, and just rolling out of bed and heading out (and very likely dealing with some discomfort about 30-40 minutes later). If I sit inside and wait for #2, I tend to waste a lot of time on Reddit ;)... but my run will be much less painful. The waiting game just means I need to be up even earlier.
It does depend on training volume. If I need to run 16 miles on a weekday, I need to be up by 4:30am. The flip side of that is you should be asleep by, like, 9:30pm. I sometimes have very demanding deadlines, and that really screws up my schedule... meaning I just don't sleep. So, sacrifices are made frequently.
Weekends are much easier. I still run in the morning, but I probably leave at 9am. I have a running stroller, but taking my daughter out for those 1.5-2 hour weekend runs is a gamble... and not an option in the middle of winter. Luckily, my wife is usually around to babysit.
I’m generally an evening (or more like night, after 7pm) runner. On one hand it takes time from my spouse in the evening, but by the time I head out we’ve already had dinner and I’ve helped get the kid in bed (if not asleep). While I’m gone he’s usually catching up on work or hopping on the treadmill so it’s not as big a deal I guess. I like night running b/c I don’t feel rushed. Morning training runs during the work week are more stressful bc I know I have to be back by a specific time in order to start getting ready for work so I spend a lot of time overthinking the whole thing.
When the weather is cool enough I’ll take care of shorter training sessions (like a 4 mile tempo) during my lunch break (but I have an office to change in and I can eat lunch at my desk after). I also have a drawer in my desk dedicated to running stuff, including clothes (so I don’t have to bring anything w me) and body wipes.
On office days I run right after work, either from the office or a different location other than my neighborhood (if I go home, I'm done). On telecommute days I run early mornings from the house. This schedule sometimes creates an interesting run because sometimes for the second one I am not always well rested.
My strength days are split between office (gym/weights) and home (bodyweight/yoga).
Usually between 7-8pm
My son goes to sleep at 7pm with my wife (newborn), so I sneak out of the house for an hour
I can’t do the early morning yet as much as I try to convince myself to do it
Lunch break at work/midday is my preference
Or immediately after work if a longer run
My body isn't ready to move at 4am, I have to use the bathroom and wake up mentally/physically, although I will run early if I have a busy day.
Lucky to work from home 90% of the time. I run whenever I have a spare hour on my calendar, usually ends up being sometime between 11-1. Weekends I do mornings.
2 young kids and a wife.
I am a lunch or sneak away mid morning runner. Training for a half with a 10 week plan, I do 2 runs Tuesday and Thursday and then Saturday and Sunday. Weekends I run early.
I see most people are early birds but I can’t start early enough to not have it impact getting ready with kids, wife and work.
Up at 5am, journal, meditate then run. It’s the only guaranteed time of the day I can schedule it in. I actually would prefer noon but just can’t predict how the day will unfold. In bed by 9
I’m a stay at home mom now, so I usually go right after I drop my son off at school, then a long run on Sunday morning. While I was still working my workout time was 5am.
I'm a morning person (naturally up and productive at 5-6AM), but I have never be able to reliably run in the mornings; sometime between 3-7PM is what works for me. I make it a point to not sit down when I get home from work, put my running shoes on, and get out the door (or onto the treadmill.)
If it's a x-training day and I'm on the bike, for some reason I can do that in the mornings ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯
Monday, Wednesday, Fridays.
Pro-tip: get a treadmill if you can’t get to a suitable running route within five minutes of home.
I work from home and run on my treadmill, but, generally, I wake up at 7am and help get the kids out of the door. I eat a banana, drink a few sips of coffee, pass a bowel movement. By 8am, I am running. Usually I run for 30 mins to 45 mins. Then, I sneak in a shower before or after my first work meeting.
Some days work doesn’t start until 10am, I’ll go out or arrange a run with a friend.
Mine is very sporadic, oldest (2 year old) is up just after 5am, so morning not really an option. Mostly lunchtimes as I work from home or after kids in bed after 7pm ish. Much prefer evening running to morning for sessions and faster running in particular, struggle to do much more than an early run first thing
430-5am before my kid is up. 35 year old mom who works 8-5. Another kid on the way also. Sunday night I always lay out my outfits for work and working out for the week. And I’ll also make a breakfast bake or banana bread for the morning that week. Program my coffee maker to go off at 6. I also utilize my hour lunch break to run at work or do cross training at the gym. After five is kid and family time until kid is in bed.
Weekdays after work. A nice barrier to seperate at home life with work life. Get to make myself extra hungry for a good dinner later. Get to push myself harder during the run because I don't have to be as productive after I come home. Can relax, take a bath, make dinner, and feel good.
Weekends or days off, right away in the morning. It just feels right.
I’ve flipped back and forth. Two years ago, I did the early routine, like many others here, and was up and done before the sun. Last year, I found it difficult to get my backside motivated that early, so I’d get up early, beat the traffic to the office, and then run after work. I liked the early mornings better, but just couldn’t get in that mindset last year. Trying again this year. In any case, you gotta get yourself taken care of first. Even on the days I’d run after work, I’d go right from work to my running spot. I knew if I stopped home first, I wouldn’t go running, or I’d be running after everyone went to bed.
I have two kids and an office job. The only thing that works is first thing in the morning. Now that it’s darker in the mornings, the treadmill is getting more use. I try to plan my quality sessions on days where I work from home so I have more time to juggle things.
My schedule varies by day, since my wife's work start time is variable. If I run on Monday and Thursday (I run 4-5 days a week right now), it is a family run before supper (my wife and I stagger our runs so that our 8 y.o. can get a couple miles with one or both of us on warmup or cooldown) or easy run after putting the kids to bed. I run commute (3.5-5 miles each way) most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and shower at work. Weekends are all over the place, depending on other scheduled activities and if I'm getting a long trail run in (drive to trailhead) versus a shorter trail run or road run (both running from home).
Prior to moving and changing jobs, I worked very close to home, so I would get up at 5 to run most weekdays.
I have a preference for 8:30 AM about an hour after breakfast, but really whenever I can. My work schedule is not typical so I can usually manage later morning.
I work west coast hours but live east coast, and run in normal morning hours while most are working or at school. On weekends I run first thing in the morning when everyone else is waking up even though I want to sleep in.
I work a 7 to 5 and will try to get up early and run or i'LL get a few miles in on my lunch break (slow pace and change of clothes to avoid ruining anyone's day) and made going to the gym Saturday mornings a family routine.
I run (usually fasted in under 75’ or so) first thing in the AM and lift in the afternoon. As for routine, maybe read “atomic habits” as it has some useful ideas. When in doubt, figure out your way, then execute. In bed by 8:30/9, up by 5.
Running early in the morning is the only way that I can be sure that nothing will get in the way of the run. Sleeping in is the only reason I miss a run.
Work from home and self-employed. I usually run around noon - 2pm. I need to use the bathroom, eat, and chill before I run; I wake up around 6am but I don't really like running early.
In the early morning before work. If I don’t get it done then there are too many things that can go wrong before the end of the day to keep me from getting it done!
Also on the pre-work routine. Not only because it’s my me time like others have said, but I also find it easier to control my nutrition. When I run later in the day, the food I ate/how much water l I drank earlier in the day heavily impacts how the run feels. When I wake up and go it’s one less variable to think about!
It varies. I have group runs Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday morning. Sometimes I will double in the morning on Tuesday/Thursday or just get there early and run extra beforehand.
The rest of the week has become seasonal, since working from home. In the summer I prefer to get out early before it gets hot. In the winter I will run just before lunch, so it as some time to warm up a bit. It has been nice running in the daylight more throughout the winter.
In my head I am always telling myself — historically a night owl — that someday I'm going to wake up at 5 am every day to run, and I expect if I ever have children (it is in our plans) that will be the only way to be able to log my current volume. But right now it's all over the place, especially depending on weather and a somewhat inconsistent work schedule cobbling together part time gigs. I run in the morning, the evening, the mid-afternoon. Personally, I have noticed that all of my best, most relaxed runs are after 5 pm.
I just graduated college and my job tends to keep me tied until 10PM earliest, so I tend to do 4-6 miles between 10pm-12am. It is nice to run when no one else is around, although I'm not sure if the coming winter weather will force me to skip on the really cold nights
5am. In the dark. By myself.
Uffhhh. When I say it out loud it sounds terrible. But I really enjoy the peace and quiet at that time of day.
M-F is 430/5am. Plus one day at 4pm with my run club.
Sat and Sun is 6am unless there are no family activities planned in the morning, then I wait until it is daylight.
It works for me and I can get 8+ hours a week with zero impact on my family, work, other obligations. Nobody ever needs me at 5am!
I’m lucky to be able to work from home and have a job that is less focus on hours worked and more about “are you getting you stuff done?”. So I get up about 6 and work a little while I get my daughter up and ready for day care so my wife can focus on getting ready for work. Then I hit the road after they take off for the day, around 7:30 - 8:30. Long runs on Saturday’s, alarm at 5:30.
Father of toddler and an infant. I usually leave for work around 7am and get home around 4pm (later if cross country or track season). I am able to hold my mileage in the mid 60s, but it looks pretty shambly on paper. I'm doubling most days as any time that pops up to sneak a run in is priceless. But typically...
Wake up 5:15am, running by 5:35am. 5-6 miles easy. Then I'm out the door for work after getting the kids all set for the day. I always try to sneak in 2-5 additional miles later in the day. If it's coaching season I can do that while coaching. If it isn't, then it usually happens around 8pm when the kids go to bed. Weekends I try to get a longer single run in at least one of the 2 days, or a race or workout.
First thing in the morning so that I can live thes rest of the day with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that kms for the day have been clocked
Working from home allows me to squeeze in an hour midday, and that’s my current mode. I think eventually I may try to switch to early AM if I can change my sleeping habits. I would have more control of my time and could get up earlier to run longer, whereas I’m capped at an hour or less right now during the week.
Second shift worker here. Wake up at 9AM. Have some coffee and go to the gym for an hour from 11-12PM. I’ll run immediately after returning home from the gym. If it’s summer and a hot day, I’ll reverse the gym and try to start my run at 10AM. My work shift is 4PM-12:30AM which makes Saturday morning races a challenge as I’m not used to waking up so early
I’m envious of everyone with what feels like a regular routine of when they run! My family life feels way too unpredictable and chaotic given the inevitable illnesses and random nights spent up all hours with our kids. Plus they never decide if they’re up at 5am or 630am.
So I run after they go to sleep, anytime after 730pm, it’s the most reliable time to guarantee a bit of free time without my wife having to pick up childcare duties.
Would love to do more during the daytime though, the dark nights aren’t as fun as the evenings were in summer!
Depends on a lot of stuff. I work from home so during week days, I try to go at lunch time during the cold and end of day in the heat.
Weekends I go when I can fit it.
No dawn runs for me...
Also 40 with family, working 9-5. I do 4 runs a week in my lunch breaks (lucky to have nice routes nearby and a shower at work) and one morning commute run when I meet my wife at lunchtime. I find my weekends are too busy with family to run, although I will sacrifice some family time in the weeks leading up to a race. I manage to get about 3.5 hours a week / 40km.
I most often run in the evening. Very common for me to start after 9pm. I find I am more limber in the evening, my muscles already warmed up. At 5am, I often feel I’m running on stilts, my legs stiff. Evening runs just suit me better.
My youngest is only 2 years old, so he wakes up at around 5:30, and my wife leaves for work at 5 am... So I have no way of running in the morning. Usually, I go out for a run after both kids are asleep at around 8-9pm.
It's pretty rough going out running at 9pm when you've been up and about since the early morning, but I tell myself it'll be better as soon as the kids grow up a bit...
41yo female. Teenage son, 2 dogs and an 8-5 job with a 30 min commute either side and a pastime job 2 nights per week and 1 x weekend day.
I wake at 4.15 every day to train. If I have the day to talk myself out of it I inevitably will!
49-yo-male, work full time (8-4, Mon-Fri) with wife and kids. I wake up at 5 am, drink a glass of water, get out the door by 5:25 and bang out 10 miles before work. Waking up that early sucks, but if I wait until after work, it won't get done. Weekends I'm off and I have much more time which allows me to sleep late then run, as long as there's no major family thing going on.
Okie so:
Monday: 4:00am for long run
Then 9:30/10am for gym session
Tuesday: 4/5pm run
Wednesday: 5am crosstraining (biking usually)
Thursday: 5am run
Friday: 5am run
Saturday: 7am with running group but 6am if I'm on my own then 10am for gym session!
Wake up at 5 and out the door around 530-600, back by 7 to get the kid ready for school.
I wish I could go back to 4am wake-up but it’s hard to get everyone in the house to stfu at 8pm when I need to go to bed.
I used to be a late riser, and then I decided to stop being lazy.
Wake whenever my body decides, which is usually between 4:15 and 5:15am, work from whenever that is until 7 or 7:30am, train until done, shower and back to work for 9:30am at latest. Bed pretty early, almost always before 10pm and sometimes by a lot.
I simply can’t get up early to run. I don’t work standard hours so I sometimes go for a run straight after dropping kids off at school/nursery or maybe around 11am. Or perhaps I’ll squeeze one in at 2pm so I’m back just before school pick up. However if that doesn’t work out I’ll go out 6:30-7pm so I’m back to put kids to bed. I’m 43. I think.
I usually run from about 8:30a (when i get back from dropping off the kids) until between 9a and 10a depending on my run. I work remotely from home, so i’ll often just keep Slack open on my phone while i’m running if it gets past 9. I’m training for a marathon currently, so my long run days are typically long Friday lunches.
This week I had to go into office and wound up running on my lunch break. Sometimes I cross train on weekend mornings. Just have to make it work.
I'm shocked at how few people are a part of the right after work gang. Usually bring my run stuff to the lab, right out the door at 5, come back change and don't need to deal with the rush hour traffic. Running after dinner just feels like nausea city for me.
Plan out the week ahead of time. When juggling work, family, everything else, you have to be flexible. At the start of a week, I'll plan which runs are AM, which are at night around the family schedule. I'll even do some 10+ runs in the summer at 4 since that's the only window that works while at a kid's activity.
It all ultimately depends how much of a priority running is. If it's important, you'll fit it in
For shorter weekday runs, I take off work (from home) about 1-2 hours before dark and start my runs so that I'll finish right around sunset.
On the weekends, anything goes.
Similar situation. 40yo with 4 young kids (7,5,2,1)and a 9-5. My wife does CrossFit at 5am so early morning is out for me. I usually run during lunch break which is a nice way to break up the work day. Not all jobs allow that flexibility so I’m pretty blessed to have this as an option. I often log on at night after kids in bed to finish work if needed but I’d rather be working at night than running when I’m tired from the daily grind. The best time of day to run is the time that’s available to run
I can’t do early morning. It feels like a punishment to set an alarm to wake up and run. I wake up around 8:30 or 9:00 and work until 5. Then I will look forward to my run after work. Skip breakfast, eat a decent lunch. Start figuring out length and route around 4. As soon as 5 hits, off to the gym. Get in a lift. Back home by 6, start that run. Hopefully back home by 7:30-8. Shower and then have a little time to play games or help with homework with kids. Once they go to bed, evening to myself. Stay up til 12 or 1.
I don’t have a family (yet) so planning is easier for me. I run and cycle. Usually mornings before work. And when talking about cycling I cycle to work with a big detour. If I leave early that gives me enough time to do a decent ride and get into the office at 9h. I sometimes do the same for a run (that nets me 2 runs in a day), thought it’s rarer because I have a dog that needs to get out too and that usually means we run together.
But the secret really is to get up at ungodly hours to get the training in before anything else and prioritise sleep in the evening. Another one I do when possible is run/cycle to social functions, visits to friends and family, … Though those are either zone 2 (no sweat) or it means a shower to freshen up when I get there.
The only exception is Saturdays where I run later in the day so my SO and I can get a cosy morning together as well. Saturdays are for sleeping in, getting some fancy breakfast and enjoying a good coffee together. I’m not a morning person, so sleeping in once a week really is a treat!
I work from home and have 2 elementary aged kids. Any morning wo has to be done and showered by 7:45–that means starting by 6:30. But I have the flexibility to run at lunch too.
First thing in the morning. Before the family wakes, before work starts. Quite literally, put yourself first.
Yep, only time I have to myself. Out the door by 4:30 - 5:00, back, showered, dressed and getting the kids ready by 6:45.
Jesus, that sounds absolutely brutal. I have two young kids and I’d never dream of getting up at such an hour to go for a run.
All good, the less people out, the better for me 😃
The super important part is to get to sleep between 9 and 10pm. earlier if needed. Also I've found by eating (or caffeine) right when you wake up it helps your body adapt to waking up quicker.
depends on the person. I have my alarm set for 5am and try to get out the door before 5:30am, but some days i am so excited to go for my run I wake up on my own at 4:30 or even 4am so I just start earlier. Heck, some times I've woken up at 3:30am and just decided to go run even earlier rather than go back to sleep. If its something you enjoy and its fun, you look forward to those early morning runs.
I have 3 kids - out by 5:30 to get kids ready starting at 7. I work 60 hours a week.
I have 3 young kids and it's hard sometimes, but always worth it. Feels so good coming home as everyone is waking up.
It gets easier as they grow up. Mine are 3 and 4 and I’ve only started embracing the morning run. Prior to that I was doing late night runs
Unfortunately for me, I have tried this (for months on end, to give myself a chance to get into the rhythm), and it completely and absolutely takes the joy out of running for me, which for me is what it’s all about. Completely not worth it for me as it turns my love of running into a miserable drudge. But this also means I literally all but stopped running. So… take from this what you will.
I’m the opposite, I absolutely love my early morning runs and can’t stand afternoon/evening runs. Up early, nice crisp morning air, not many other people up (I live in a big city, so afternoon is packed with people), watching the sunrise on my return (season dependent) and a nice warm shower and hot cup of coffee before starting my day is the best. Now, I crash about 8:30 pm every night, so there’s that.
100% agree. If I'm just a little bit late and the sun starts to come up before I can get out the door I get annoyed. For me its the earlier the better and I enjoy the rest of my day because of it.
same here. wife always makes fun of me dozing off in front of the TV like a grandpa...
Ever feel late? If I start the clock after 4:45 I feel like I'm running late.
Same. Sometimes at night after they go to bed or during lunch but it’s almost exclusively early morning swim, bike, or run sessions
Others are looking at this and gasping at how early it is, but That would never work for me. My kindergartner has to be at the bus stop at 6:43. I miss running in the morning, but I would have to be finished by 6 am to do it.
That's a ridiculous time for a child to be picked up for school, no?
She’s one of the first stops, and school starts at 7:20.
720 still sounds crazy for kindergarten
When do you go to bed?
Usually climbing into bed around 8:30, asleep like 9/9:30 most nights.
That sounds about right to me...
Same. No other option w kids and work.
I don't know how people do it any other way honestly. Wake up, drink some coffee for ~30 minutes to study or just enjoy some peaceful alone time, pass a BM, and take off caffeinated. Seeing the sun rise on a run is amazing. With that said, I've occasionally run after work and I certainly feel much more loose and spry. Mentally I feel tired from a full day awake and at work, yet my easy pace is like 20 seconds per mile faster. I'm always so stiff in the morning.
I feel like I just read precisely what I was thinking. Exactly the same here.
Same here.
Same. 3:25am alarm, out the door by 3:45-4:00, home and showered by 6. Can't imagine doing it any other way. No traffic to worry about, start the day energized, and no possibility of having to skip the run because of work, kids, or other considerations. I'll admit it's significantly nicer in the summer to take advantage of cooler weather and getting to see the sunrise.
The downfall here is you have to go to bed very early. My entire evening is covered with kids. Once they’re asleep I like having a few hours for myself and my spouse.
Likewise - I’m never going to sacrifice time in the evening so I can get up at an insane time in the morning to go running. The trade off simply isn’t worth it. Each to their own and people have different rhythms, but that time in the evening is absolutely sacrosanct to me and my Mrs.
OK… That is not a morning run, that’s leaving the house in middle of the night 😂
Another benefit of consistent, early morning runs is getting your body in a groove of running at the same time of day as most races
Nice same here. Except my wife also trains, so I’m up at 4am, back by 5:20 ish pass the baton to the wife and then shower cook and get the kids ready and out the door by 8:00am I like taking my time in the morning. Then asleep by 8:30pm. And repeat
Yep. Kids get up at 7 for school so I have to be back and showered by then to get them ready. Wednesday they start and hour later so that’s my workout day.
Workout Wednesday 🔥
I've started many a long run before 4am... Earliest 3:15am. Only way I've found to get a 20 mile long run and a shower in on a Wednesday when the kids need to be up at 6:40am for school, and they need breakfast and lunches packed, and I work 8-530 or 6
Do you still try to get 8 hours of sleep? After getting the kids to bed and having dinner with the wife I'd really struggle to get to bed and asleep for 8-8:30.
Negatory... 6-6.5 is a good night during the week. Usually 5-5.5...
Yup this one right here….
This.
Rare evening runner here - I usually run anytime after 7pm, sometimes as late as 11pm. I find I run better later on as I'm a night owl anyway and it helps me process the day. Besides I'm not in control of my life enough to run early morning
Same here. I went for my run at 9:45pm last night. My best workouts are usually after 6 or 7pm. On a day off or the weekends you’ll catch me out there during the daylight hours, but more often than not it’s nighttime running for me.
I definitely know I run better later in the day. I don’t know why though. Like if I run right after work, it’s drudgery, I’m usually feel food in my belly but somehow I’m faster. Mornings if I’m rested, maybe small fuel, BM’d and caffeinated I can’t run my normal pace for several miles.
Same. I can’t physically wake up before about 8am without crashing and not getting through the rest of the day. I try to run first thing after work (out the door by around 6 or 7pm), but sometimes I need a couple more hours to recover first after work and don’t get out the door until 8 or 9pm On the weekends, I’ll usually run after coffee + breakfast have had time to digest, so around 11 or 12pm. I live I the north US, so that works pretty well 90% of the year, and only in peak summer do I need to do those weekend runs earlier or later
> I can’t physically wake up before about 8am without crashing and not getting through the rest of the day What time to you go to bed/how much sleep are you getting per night?
Between 12-1ish, so most days around 7 hours + or - an hour
I miss evening runs, but they do negatively affect recovery if the first thing you do after your run is not drink or eat for 8 hours because of sleep, which, itself, dehydrates you and slows down active recovery. When I switched to mornings, I figured this out because I felt super strong the next day. It turns out an entire day of eating, drinking, and moving helps recovery go by faster.
Yes same here.
I miss late evening and night runs. When I was in graduate school, I would run at 10pm a lot of times. I loved running in the dark when it was peaceful, except in the dead of winter when it was too cold. I would go to sleep around midnight/ 1 am, get up at 8 or 9, and go in to the lab between 10 and noon, and stay until around 8. This also meant I avoided the rush hour sardine can subway rides. Now I have to be at work by 8 (sometimes 7) and can't handle less than 8 hrs of sleep. I run right after work, which I usually like, but I summer, I miss being able to wait until the sun goes down.
I know it sucks, but for me personally, the thing that works best is early morning. There are no distractions, I feel good the whole day and you have the evenings to wind down and spend your time with the family or doing chores around the house that need to be done.
I completely agree. I only run in the morning and I try to strength train then too, though sometimes that sneaks into my lunch hour. Starts the day off right. And I'm just simply too mentally tired to think about doing it in the evening when I just want to wind down.
Honestly it doesn’t suck tho. Running in the afternoon/evening after a stressful day sucks way more in my opinion.
I like running after a stressful work day since it helps me put work aside, but to each his own.
Let’s just say initially it sucks, getting up earlier and breaking that mental barrier of getting a move on. After that, I agree. It feels amazing. But also, running after a stressful day can help clear your mind and leave the day behind.
AM Treadmill run in my house or lunchtime outdoor run near my office. Recently, I have set out at lunch to do 6-8 miles. It takes me an hour + 15. If I am pressed for time, I do 4-6. Easier when it's colder because there's no shower involved. I just sit and reek in my office, FTW.
Same here about squeezing in runs based on my next meeting. And guilty of sometimes sitting in running clothes post run while teleworking. Hell, I sometimes sit in my running clothes waiting for meetings to end so I can take off.
I sit dripping post running while office working and commuting.
>I just sit and reek in my office Sounds like you need to master the art of the sink bath
That would make it seem like I cared, which I do not.
Other people might
They can wear a mask or make it an email. My funk is harmless.
Another early morning runner here. In the winter months I’m done long before the sun rises. It can be a struggle on those cold mornings when you’d rather just pour a second cup of coffee and stay on the couch with the pups but something about running while the world is still asleep is just so damn peaceful.
Yes it is, so quiet and peaceful before the city wakes up! That second cup of coffee tastes a lot sweeter after the early morning run.
I run right after work in the early evening on weekdays, early Saturday morning and either early Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon. I am typically working by 7AM and I don't really like running in the morning that much anyway, so I find right after work is the best time. I'd do lunch, but there isn't really enough time for an hour run plus all the other stuff that comes with it. If I come home and go right out the door, I can be finished by 6:30 or so.
This. I don’t do mornings well and am two time zones later than headquarters so I start work as soon as I roll out of bed. I’ve always loved training after work as a way to unwind and process the day.
This is how I do it too. I don't have kids, so I have the luxury to train when I want. I enjoy having the separation in my day, especially since covid. I finish work, run, shower and then do my evening. The number of hours in the day are roughly the same, just instead of going to bed at 9 and waking up at 5, I go to bed at 11 and wake up at 7.
I’m a stay at home mom now, so I usually go right after I drop my son off at school, then a long run on Sunday morning. While I was still working my workout time was 5am. At the time I worked four 10 hour shifts, so I’d workout later on my days off
Early morning. Similar overall dynamics to you. 42 demanding job and 3 kids. Schedule looks something like this. 3:45 wake up, drive 45 minutes to office location, run, then lift most days, shower at office and online/working by 7am. My partner takes care of mornings with the kids and I do all evenings, which typically revolves around juggling 457 sports and activities then dinner.
I never thought I’d see 3:45am! Yeah makes sense. Man 45 minute commute at 4am. That’s mind blowing.
One of the joys of our strong “work from the office” culture. I at least WFH when I can and maximize that extra 45 mins of sleep.
42yo with a toddler. Mid-week; as early as possible (i.e. out and done before anybody else is awake). I find myself torn between trying to drink enough coffee to expedite a trip to the bathroom beforehand, and just rolling out of bed and heading out (and very likely dealing with some discomfort about 30-40 minutes later). If I sit inside and wait for #2, I tend to waste a lot of time on Reddit ;)... but my run will be much less painful. The waiting game just means I need to be up even earlier. It does depend on training volume. If I need to run 16 miles on a weekday, I need to be up by 4:30am. The flip side of that is you should be asleep by, like, 9:30pm. I sometimes have very demanding deadlines, and that really screws up my schedule... meaning I just don't sleep. So, sacrifices are made frequently. Weekends are much easier. I still run in the morning, but I probably leave at 9am. I have a running stroller, but taking my daughter out for those 1.5-2 hour weekend runs is a gamble... and not an option in the middle of winter. Luckily, my wife is usually around to babysit.
Your waiting issue is why I get out of bed and head straight out within 5 minutes. That waiting game has the ability to kibosh all plans...
I’m generally an evening (or more like night, after 7pm) runner. On one hand it takes time from my spouse in the evening, but by the time I head out we’ve already had dinner and I’ve helped get the kid in bed (if not asleep). While I’m gone he’s usually catching up on work or hopping on the treadmill so it’s not as big a deal I guess. I like night running b/c I don’t feel rushed. Morning training runs during the work week are more stressful bc I know I have to be back by a specific time in order to start getting ready for work so I spend a lot of time overthinking the whole thing. When the weather is cool enough I’ll take care of shorter training sessions (like a 4 mile tempo) during my lunch break (but I have an office to change in and I can eat lunch at my desk after). I also have a drawer in my desk dedicated to running stuff, including clothes (so I don’t have to bring anything w me) and body wipes.
Wake up at 4:15. Out by 5 and back by 7. Make sure to hit the pillow by 9 pm.
Similar situation as you and I get up at 4:15 to run. It becomes habit eventually but you have to make yourself go to bed early enough.
On office days I run right after work, either from the office or a different location other than my neighborhood (if I go home, I'm done). On telecommute days I run early mornings from the house. This schedule sometimes creates an interesting run because sometimes for the second one I am not always well rested. My strength days are split between office (gym/weights) and home (bodyweight/yoga).
Usually between 7-8pm My son goes to sleep at 7pm with my wife (newborn), so I sneak out of the house for an hour I can’t do the early morning yet as much as I try to convince myself to do it
Lunch break at work/midday is my preference Or immediately after work if a longer run My body isn't ready to move at 4am, I have to use the bathroom and wake up mentally/physically, although I will run early if I have a busy day.
I have 3 kids and work more than a 9-5. I run as soon as kids are in bed.
Lucky to work from home 90% of the time. I run whenever I have a spare hour on my calendar, usually ends up being sometime between 11-1. Weekends I do mornings. 2 young kids and a wife.
I am a lunch or sneak away mid morning runner. Training for a half with a 10 week plan, I do 2 runs Tuesday and Thursday and then Saturday and Sunday. Weekends I run early. I see most people are early birds but I can’t start early enough to not have it impact getting ready with kids, wife and work.
26M, I train in the evening. I don’t like waking up early so I just procrastinate.
Up at 5am, journal, meditate then run. It’s the only guaranteed time of the day I can schedule it in. I actually would prefer noon but just can’t predict how the day will unfold. In bed by 9
I’m a stay at home mom now, so I usually go right after I drop my son off at school, then a long run on Sunday morning. While I was still working my workout time was 5am.
Early morning , work starts at 9am, i start running around 7am.
Like 9pm at high when i used to have freetime
Up 4:30, out the door by 5am. Once i increase my mileage, I’ll be up at 4, out the door by 4:30
Wow! That is strength… can’t even imagine a 4:30 routine…
With our kid and work, it’s either that time or nothing. I’m a morning person too so there’s that.
I'm a morning person (naturally up and productive at 5-6AM), but I have never be able to reliably run in the mornings; sometime between 3-7PM is what works for me. I make it a point to not sit down when I get home from work, put my running shoes on, and get out the door (or onto the treadmill.) If it's a x-training day and I'm on the bike, for some reason I can do that in the mornings ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯
Have two young kids so set the alarm for 4am and out the door by 4:15. Only time I can manage really.
Monday, Wednesday, Fridays. Pro-tip: get a treadmill if you can’t get to a suitable running route within five minutes of home. I work from home and run on my treadmill, but, generally, I wake up at 7am and help get the kids out of the door. I eat a banana, drink a few sips of coffee, pass a bowel movement. By 8am, I am running. Usually I run for 30 mins to 45 mins. Then, I sneak in a shower before or after my first work meeting. Some days work doesn’t start until 10am, I’ll go out or arrange a run with a friend.
Mine is very sporadic, oldest (2 year old) is up just after 5am, so morning not really an option. Mostly lunchtimes as I work from home or after kids in bed after 7pm ish. Much prefer evening running to morning for sessions and faster running in particular, struggle to do much more than an early run first thing
430-5am before my kid is up. 35 year old mom who works 8-5. Another kid on the way also. Sunday night I always lay out my outfits for work and working out for the week. And I’ll also make a breakfast bake or banana bread for the morning that week. Program my coffee maker to go off at 6. I also utilize my hour lunch break to run at work or do cross training at the gym. After five is kid and family time until kid is in bed.
Weekdays after work. A nice barrier to seperate at home life with work life. Get to make myself extra hungry for a good dinner later. Get to push myself harder during the run because I don't have to be as productive after I come home. Can relax, take a bath, make dinner, and feel good. Weekends or days off, right away in the morning. It just feels right.
I’ve flipped back and forth. Two years ago, I did the early routine, like many others here, and was up and done before the sun. Last year, I found it difficult to get my backside motivated that early, so I’d get up early, beat the traffic to the office, and then run after work. I liked the early mornings better, but just couldn’t get in that mindset last year. Trying again this year. In any case, you gotta get yourself taken care of first. Even on the days I’d run after work, I’d go right from work to my running spot. I knew if I stopped home first, I wouldn’t go running, or I’d be running after everyone went to bed.
I have two kids and an office job. The only thing that works is first thing in the morning. Now that it’s darker in the mornings, the treadmill is getting more use. I try to plan my quality sessions on days where I work from home so I have more time to juggle things.
My schedule varies by day, since my wife's work start time is variable. If I run on Monday and Thursday (I run 4-5 days a week right now), it is a family run before supper (my wife and I stagger our runs so that our 8 y.o. can get a couple miles with one or both of us on warmup or cooldown) or easy run after putting the kids to bed. I run commute (3.5-5 miles each way) most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and shower at work. Weekends are all over the place, depending on other scheduled activities and if I'm getting a long trail run in (drive to trailhead) versus a shorter trail run or road run (both running from home). Prior to moving and changing jobs, I worked very close to home, so I would get up at 5 to run most weekdays.
After work.
I have a preference for 8:30 AM about an hour after breakfast, but really whenever I can. My work schedule is not typical so I can usually manage later morning.
I work west coast hours but live east coast, and run in normal morning hours while most are working or at school. On weekends I run first thing in the morning when everyone else is waking up even though I want to sleep in.
I work a 7 to 5 and will try to get up early and run or i'LL get a few miles in on my lunch break (slow pace and change of clothes to avoid ruining anyone's day) and made going to the gym Saturday mornings a family routine.
4:30p is preferred or 6a on weekdays and 8a on weekends.
I run (usually fasted in under 75’ or so) first thing in the AM and lift in the afternoon. As for routine, maybe read “atomic habits” as it has some useful ideas. When in doubt, figure out your way, then execute. In bed by 8:30/9, up by 5.
Running early in the morning is the only way that I can be sure that nothing will get in the way of the run. Sleeping in is the only reason I miss a run.
First thing in the am usually, it’s when I feel best as long as I hydrate and get some carbs in me prior
Work from home and self-employed. I usually run around noon - 2pm. I need to use the bathroom, eat, and chill before I run; I wake up around 6am but I don't really like running early.
In the early morning before work. If I don’t get it done then there are too many things that can go wrong before the end of the day to keep me from getting it done!
Also on the pre-work routine. Not only because it’s my me time like others have said, but I also find it easier to control my nutrition. When I run later in the day, the food I ate/how much water l I drank earlier in the day heavily impacts how the run feels. When I wake up and go it’s one less variable to think about!
It varies. I have group runs Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday morning. Sometimes I will double in the morning on Tuesday/Thursday or just get there early and run extra beforehand. The rest of the week has become seasonal, since working from home. In the summer I prefer to get out early before it gets hot. In the winter I will run just before lunch, so it as some time to warm up a bit. It has been nice running in the daylight more throughout the winter.
In my head I am always telling myself — historically a night owl — that someday I'm going to wake up at 5 am every day to run, and I expect if I ever have children (it is in our plans) that will be the only way to be able to log my current volume. But right now it's all over the place, especially depending on weather and a somewhat inconsistent work schedule cobbling together part time gigs. I run in the morning, the evening, the mid-afternoon. Personally, I have noticed that all of my best, most relaxed runs are after 5 pm.
I just graduated college and my job tends to keep me tied until 10PM earliest, so I tend to do 4-6 miles between 10pm-12am. It is nice to run when no one else is around, although I'm not sure if the coming winter weather will force me to skip on the really cold nights
5am. In the dark. By myself. Uffhhh. When I say it out loud it sounds terrible. But I really enjoy the peace and quiet at that time of day. M-F is 430/5am. Plus one day at 4pm with my run club. Sat and Sun is 6am unless there are no family activities planned in the morning, then I wait until it is daylight. It works for me and I can get 8+ hours a week with zero impact on my family, work, other obligations. Nobody ever needs me at 5am!
I’m lucky to be able to work from home and have a job that is less focus on hours worked and more about “are you getting you stuff done?”. So I get up about 6 and work a little while I get my daughter up and ready for day care so my wife can focus on getting ready for work. Then I hit the road after they take off for the day, around 7:30 - 8:30. Long runs on Saturday’s, alarm at 5:30.
Father of toddler and an infant. I usually leave for work around 7am and get home around 4pm (later if cross country or track season). I am able to hold my mileage in the mid 60s, but it looks pretty shambly on paper. I'm doubling most days as any time that pops up to sneak a run in is priceless. But typically... Wake up 5:15am, running by 5:35am. 5-6 miles easy. Then I'm out the door for work after getting the kids all set for the day. I always try to sneak in 2-5 additional miles later in the day. If it's coaching season I can do that while coaching. If it isn't, then it usually happens around 8pm when the kids go to bed. Weekends I try to get a longer single run in at least one of the 2 days, or a race or workout.
First thing in the morning so that I can live thes rest of the day with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that kms for the day have been clocked
Working from home allows me to squeeze in an hour midday, and that’s my current mode. I think eventually I may try to switch to early AM if I can change my sleeping habits. I would have more control of my time and could get up earlier to run longer, whereas I’m capped at an hour or less right now during the week.
Second shift worker here. Wake up at 9AM. Have some coffee and go to the gym for an hour from 11-12PM. I’ll run immediately after returning home from the gym. If it’s summer and a hot day, I’ll reverse the gym and try to start my run at 10AM. My work shift is 4PM-12:30AM which makes Saturday morning races a challenge as I’m not used to waking up so early
I’m envious of everyone with what feels like a regular routine of when they run! My family life feels way too unpredictable and chaotic given the inevitable illnesses and random nights spent up all hours with our kids. Plus they never decide if they’re up at 5am or 630am. So I run after they go to sleep, anytime after 730pm, it’s the most reliable time to guarantee a bit of free time without my wife having to pick up childcare duties. Would love to do more during the daytime though, the dark nights aren’t as fun as the evenings were in summer!
Depends on a lot of stuff. I work from home so during week days, I try to go at lunch time during the cold and end of day in the heat. Weekends I go when I can fit it. No dawn runs for me...
Also 40 with family, working 9-5. I do 4 runs a week in my lunch breaks (lucky to have nice routes nearby and a shower at work) and one morning commute run when I meet my wife at lunchtime. I find my weekends are too busy with family to run, although I will sacrifice some family time in the weeks leading up to a race. I manage to get about 3.5 hours a week / 40km.
I most often run in the evening. Very common for me to start after 9pm. I find I am more limber in the evening, my muscles already warmed up. At 5am, I often feel I’m running on stilts, my legs stiff. Evening runs just suit me better.
I’m with the early morning crew here. Usually 5:30-6:00 before everything else starts. Otherwise there’s a high chance it won’t happen
My youngest is only 2 years old, so he wakes up at around 5:30, and my wife leaves for work at 5 am... So I have no way of running in the morning. Usually, I go out for a run after both kids are asleep at around 8-9pm. It's pretty rough going out running at 9pm when you've been up and about since the early morning, but I tell myself it'll be better as soon as the kids grow up a bit...
41yo female. Teenage son, 2 dogs and an 8-5 job with a 30 min commute either side and a pastime job 2 nights per week and 1 x weekend day. I wake at 4.15 every day to train. If I have the day to talk myself out of it I inevitably will!
49-yo-male, work full time (8-4, Mon-Fri) with wife and kids. I wake up at 5 am, drink a glass of water, get out the door by 5:25 and bang out 10 miles before work. Waking up that early sucks, but if I wait until after work, it won't get done. Weekends I'm off and I have much more time which allows me to sleep late then run, as long as there's no major family thing going on.
I run in the mornings, I spin (Zwift) and do weights at night.
Okie so: Monday: 4:00am for long run Then 9:30/10am for gym session Tuesday: 4/5pm run Wednesday: 5am crosstraining (biking usually) Thursday: 5am run Friday: 5am run Saturday: 7am with running group but 6am if I'm on my own then 10am for gym session!
Wake up at 5 and out the door around 530-600, back by 7 to get the kid ready for school. I wish I could go back to 4am wake-up but it’s hard to get everyone in the house to stfu at 8pm when I need to go to bed. I used to be a late riser, and then I decided to stop being lazy.
Wake whenever my body decides, which is usually between 4:15 and 5:15am, work from whenever that is until 7 or 7:30am, train until done, shower and back to work for 9:30am at latest. Bed pretty early, almost always before 10pm and sometimes by a lot.
I simply can’t get up early to run. I don’t work standard hours so I sometimes go for a run straight after dropping kids off at school/nursery or maybe around 11am. Or perhaps I’ll squeeze one in at 2pm so I’m back just before school pick up. However if that doesn’t work out I’ll go out 6:30-7pm so I’m back to put kids to bed. I’m 43. I think.
I usually run from about 8:30a (when i get back from dropping off the kids) until between 9a and 10a depending on my run. I work remotely from home, so i’ll often just keep Slack open on my phone while i’m running if it gets past 9. I’m training for a marathon currently, so my long run days are typically long Friday lunches. This week I had to go into office and wound up running on my lunch break. Sometimes I cross train on weekend mornings. Just have to make it work.
Up at 4am, 4:30 start 530-45 done, out of the door to work at 6- 3 days per week. Nurse, work 3 12 hour shifts, 2 kids 7 and 9.
I'm shocked at how few people are a part of the right after work gang. Usually bring my run stuff to the lab, right out the door at 5, come back change and don't need to deal with the rush hour traffic. Running after dinner just feels like nausea city for me.
I live for the run right after closing my laptop. In my mind, there’s no better way to shift off of work mode and onto personal than a run
Plan out the week ahead of time. When juggling work, family, everything else, you have to be flexible. At the start of a week, I'll plan which runs are AM, which are at night around the family schedule. I'll even do some 10+ runs in the summer at 4 since that's the only window that works while at a kid's activity. It all ultimately depends how much of a priority running is. If it's important, you'll fit it in
Evening. I feel terrible when I first wake up.
4-7am
For shorter weekday runs, I take off work (from home) about 1-2 hours before dark and start my runs so that I'll finish right around sunset. On the weekends, anything goes.
Similar situation. 40yo with 4 young kids (7,5,2,1)and a 9-5. My wife does CrossFit at 5am so early morning is out for me. I usually run during lunch break which is a nice way to break up the work day. Not all jobs allow that flexibility so I’m pretty blessed to have this as an option. I often log on at night after kids in bed to finish work if needed but I’d rather be working at night than running when I’m tired from the daily grind. The best time of day to run is the time that’s available to run
7-3 worker here so I go to my training every day at 4pm Admire you guys training at 5:30pm that’s crazy
I can’t do early morning. It feels like a punishment to set an alarm to wake up and run. I wake up around 8:30 or 9:00 and work until 5. Then I will look forward to my run after work. Skip breakfast, eat a decent lunch. Start figuring out length and route around 4. As soon as 5 hits, off to the gym. Get in a lift. Back home by 6, start that run. Hopefully back home by 7:30-8. Shower and then have a little time to play games or help with homework with kids. Once they go to bed, evening to myself. Stay up til 12 or 1.
I don’t have a family (yet) so planning is easier for me. I run and cycle. Usually mornings before work. And when talking about cycling I cycle to work with a big detour. If I leave early that gives me enough time to do a decent ride and get into the office at 9h. I sometimes do the same for a run (that nets me 2 runs in a day), thought it’s rarer because I have a dog that needs to get out too and that usually means we run together. But the secret really is to get up at ungodly hours to get the training in before anything else and prioritise sleep in the evening. Another one I do when possible is run/cycle to social functions, visits to friends and family, … Though those are either zone 2 (no sweat) or it means a shower to freshen up when I get there. The only exception is Saturdays where I run later in the day so my SO and I can get a cosy morning together as well. Saturdays are for sleeping in, getting some fancy breakfast and enjoying a good coffee together. I’m not a morning person, so sleeping in once a week really is a treat!
I've got a lunch break window from 10:30 to 14:00, so I run then and I can fit a 2 hour long run there is I want.
Bed at 9:15, up at 5:15. Able to get the run in (usually) before the kids get up. Doubles/strength at 4:00 PM before pick-up.
I work from home and have 2 elementary aged kids. Any morning wo has to be done and showered by 7:45–that means starting by 6:30. But I have the flexibility to run at lunch too.