Just like many other people I have debated on the best time to run, whether it is at the crack of dawn or evening. Since my workday schedule always comes packed but have to run, I usually end up running and working out when I can, which can be early every morning or late in the evening. Running in the morning to cover about six miles takes me about 45 minutes while running the same number of miles in the evening takes me five or so minutes less.
It seems like an improvement of five or so minutes over the same number of miles in almost the same conditions. The only difference discernible is the time of day when I left the house for my usual runs. After noticing the five-minute improvement I was left wondering whether my fitness level had improved in the last few weeks or my workouts were highly effective at about five in the evening. I doubted the fact that I had improved my fitness since I had not been as hard working as I hoped to be.
Through research, the debate on whether I should run in the morning or evening can now be put to rest. A New York Times published study back in 2009 had various scientists showing that those athletes who worked out between four in the evening and eight at night performed better. Usually the time the temperature of the body is high and hormones relevant to performance are at their peak in the support of exertion.
Clearly, the time of day has a significant effect on performance and power. Every time I warm up my body and loosen up the better I run. Running out in the morning has been contrasted to starting up a car early in the morning and the engine sometimes fails to start yet the same car ignites rather fast later on in the day when its hot. Apparently, my body works in the same way and working out in the evening has its benefits.
However, a 1989 study surrounding exercise training and circadian specificity also found out that those who train early in the morning end up with an increased post-training threshold; those who enjoy training in the evening or afternoon show high values of threshold at that time. It means whether I work out early in the morning or late in the afternoon my runs will only be effective at my usual workout time. Sticking to the time I work out is critical to allow the body maintain a consistent rhythm.
Running after work in the late afternoon comes with its share of challenges. In fact, the drawbacks related to working out during the afternoon are hugely psychological, considering lots of runners have been eking a living throughout the day. Finding the motivation to engage in helpful strenuous exercise becomes a bit hard, something I have observed.
Mentally, I’m best after waking up yet forcing my tired frame during the afternoon to put my trainers on and get on the road is not always easy. I usually get surprised since I find myself pushing a great pace, weariness forgotten.
It seems like an improvement of five or so minutes over the same number of miles in almost the same conditions. The only difference discernible is the time of day when I left the house for my usual runs. After noticing the five-minute improvement I was left wondering whether my fitness level had improved in the last few weeks or my workouts were highly effective at about five in the evening. I doubted the fact that I had improved my fitness since I had not been as hard working as I hoped to be.
Through research, the debate on whether I should run in the morning or evening can now be put to rest. A New York Times published study back in 2009 had various scientists showing that those athletes who worked out between four in the evening and eight at night performed better. Usually the time the temperature of the body is high and hormones relevant to performance are at their peak in the support of exertion.
Clearly, the time of day has a significant effect on performance and power. Every time I warm up my body and loosen up the better I run. Running out in the morning has been contrasted to starting up a car early in the morning and the engine sometimes fails to start yet the same car ignites rather fast later on in the day when its hot. Apparently, my body works in the same way and working out in the evening has its benefits.
However, a 1989 study surrounding exercise training and circadian specificity also found out that those who train early in the morning end up with an increased post-training threshold; those who enjoy training in the evening or afternoon show high values of threshold at that time. It means whether I work out early in the morning or late in the afternoon my runs will only be effective at my usual workout time. Sticking to the time I work out is critical to allow the body maintain a consistent rhythm.
Running after work in the late afternoon comes with its share of challenges. In fact, the drawbacks related to working out during the afternoon are hugely psychological, considering lots of runners have been eking a living throughout the day. Finding the motivation to engage in helpful strenuous exercise becomes a bit hard, something I have observed.
Mentally, I’m best after waking up yet forcing my tired frame during the afternoon to put my trainers on and get on the road is not always easy. I usually get surprised since I find myself pushing a great pace, weariness forgotten.