how early in the am will you run?

I need to start figuring out how I'm going to fit in my runs before I start my official training program for the LI half marathon. I have to be in the shower by 6:15 to leave the house by 7ish. I get home at 3:30ish but have DD so I can take her out in the jogger after school but sometimes it's too cold, etc. DH doesn't get home from work until after 6pm, so it's dark them too. What would you do in my situation? Run early in the dark like at 5:30 or late in the dark like 6:30 pm??? I hate running by myself in the dark, but I don't really have any other options.

Re: how early in the am will you run?

If you're a morning person and don't mind getting up earlier, then I say do it in the morning. I prefer to run in the morning because I feel that its a great way to start the day, it gives me more energy and I'm able to focus more on work. Sometimes I have to run in the evening and I make it work, but if I have a choice then I choose morning. HTH! I'm training for the half too!

Re: how early in the am will you run?

It really depends on what you prefer.

I would go for a run at 6am, but to wake up at 4:45-5:00 to get in my hour run would leave me dragging the rest of the day.

If I had to choose between 5:00 am and 6:30 pm, I would run in the evening.

ETA: At 5 am there are very few people out and that makes me more nervous in regards to running in the dark.

Message edited 1/24/2010 5:02:31 PM.

Re: how early in the am will you run?

if you are talking about outside...I will not run outside before sunrise. which in the summer I have no problem with 5:30-5:45, but no way in the winter.



I will forever remember the Patchogue woman who was raped/murdered on her 5:30 run.


I run afterwork (3:30) and it's not bad at all

Re: how early in the am will you run?

I workout in the AM and will run as early as 6:15am but stay on busy, well lit roads. I run at 5:30am when I'm in NYC and never realized that most people come out around 6am. At 5:30 I felt a little too alone.

I'd say either way you should be ok, just stay on well lit roads and be a defensive runner. Don't assume the cars see you, I have had a few close calls and realize we must be alert and really careful!

Another factor to consider, will you be able to go to bed early enough to get up at 5-5:15?

Re: how early in the am will you run?

thanks for ur help ladies...i think i'll be running in the evenings :)

Re: how early in the am will you run?

I run early in the morning but with a friend. If I had to run alone, I would do it in the evening--- I just feel like there is more activity around and therefore I wouldn't be so isolated. I would also stick to busier roads as PP stated.

Looking forward to our run on Saturday.

Re: how early in the am will you run?

Before I had 2 little ones, I ran at 5:30, but most of the time with a group or at least one other person. Now it's tough for me to commit to anyone, so we got a treadmill so I can at least do the weekday runs early. However, once it gets lighter earlier, I might go outside and will probably aim to head out by 5:30 again. As another poster said, going alone in the dark and cold is rough and could be dangerous.

Just be careful if you decide to do the earlier runs alone - bring a phone and try to let someone know what route you're doing. I would much rather do the run in the morning, it starts my day off right, I feel great and it's completed and I don't have to stress about fitting it in later. If you end up having to do it after work, you'll be fine, some people actually feel stronger later in the day.

Re: how early in the am will you run?

I dont like running early in the morning either, it is very eery to me. The only time I will run early is Saturdays in the summer but I go and meet up with people (plus there are more cars on the road).

I know this probably isnt an option but do you belond to a gym? I have been doing treadmill in the winter (or other cardio to switch things up).

Or I would go after work with the jogging stroller. Dress warm and get one of those wind guards for the stroller!

Re: how early in the am will you run?

When I run outside in the AM, it's usually at 5:30. On the mill, it's about 6AM because I do shorter runs inside. I try to be done and showered before my DC wake up.

Re: how early in the am will you run?

can you go on the treadmill while it is dark out? for me, i prefer to run in the morning because i am sooo tired by the time i get home from work. I usually hop on my treadmill around 5am in order to give myself enough time to shower and get ready for work.