I am talking about running.

Do you prefer to run in the morning or the evening?

What factors influence the time of your run?

• Schedule – I work, I play tennis, I play mah jongg, I go boating in the summer. I also have friend and family obligations. So I have to fit running in whenever I can.  So sometimes it means I HAVE to run before work because that’s the only time I have.  My after work times tend to be busier.

before work morning run

• Distance – I work.  I have to be at work at a particular time.  So when I run in the morning, I don’t have time to run more than 3 miles (if I were faster or got up earlier, I could.) So if I want or need to run more than that, I choose after work.

after work run in the park

• Daylight – I don’t particularly like to run in the dark.  Before we turn the clocks back, it is dark in the morning.  After we turn the clocks back, it is dark after work. So if it is dark, I don’t run in my neighborhood (there are no street lights.) If it is dark, I run after work on lit streets.

trying to run after work on the bike trail

• Weather – I’m not a fan of the cold but I will run in it.  I prefer the heat but extreme heat or humidity is a no-no.  In the summer, I may run before work to avoid the heat and in the winter after work, when it is warmer.  I WILL NOT RUN IN RAIN OR SNOW OR SLEET.  So before I set my alarm, I check the weather so I can decide when to run.

after work run

• Location – My neighborhood is boring.  So if I am to do a longer run, I drive to a more interesting location (like a bike path, park, rail trail, etc.) after work.

after work on the rail trail

• Running Surface – I don’t own a treadmill but there is one where I work.  So I run after work if I want to use a treadmill.  The same goes for a track.  There is one where I work.  For a trail, I would have to drive so that’s after work, as well. Running on the road I do either before (in my neighborhood) or after.

after work run on the track

• Running Partners – I usually run solo.  That way, I can choose where and when.  But if you do run with others, you will have to agree on the time.

evening group run

Now on weekends and days off, it is perfect.  I can run whenever I want. Running will be awesome where (if I ever) retire.

Yesterday I ran 8 miles and didn’t do it until noon. Today I have the day off and I may run or I may not…

8 cold windy mikes on the bike path

But on weekdays, truthfully, running before work is the BEST WAY to start the day.  It gives you so much more energy.  You feel like you’ve done something good for yourself. Now that it is lighter in the am, I hope to do more of those before work runs!!

Happy Running! When do you run?  How do you decide?