A.M vs P.M Training
Well hello there!
I hope you had a fabulous weekend and are ready to get back at it this week! I spent the weekend in Toronto at a work conference, visiting some friends and having lunch with these fabulous ladies.
Only with these ladies will the lunch time conversation revolve around race schedules, training plans and nutrition. It was a fabulous time. If you are looking for new blogs to follow, check them out:
Krysten of The Misadventures of a Darwinian Fail
Danielle of Work It, Wear It, Eat It
As I am headed back into my regular training schedule now that I more or less have a handle on my injury, I am working to figure out the best TIME to train. There is science supporting the fact that when you train at the same time as your race time, you will be more luckily to be successful in the race. Unfortunately, not every week goes seamlessly and I can find myself sneaking in a run later at night or earlier in the morning than usual.
So the question is, when is the best time to run during the day?
University of Texas researchers tested the difference between running in the morning vs the evening. Here’s the breakdown.
- Runners are 6% LESS energy efficient in the evenings, meaning they needed extra oxygen to run at the same pace.
- HOWEVER, they could supply 4% more oxygen and 7% more anaerobic energy to their muscles so they were actually faster overall in the evening.
So what does this mean?
Running in the morning:
This is not the peak time for running. Body functions are at their absolute worst given you have been unmoving basically all night and you have not had intake for more than 10 hours, meaning your energy stores will be depleted. It will be the hardest time of the day to run but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it. Running in the morning will help to build mental strength and help you push through discomfort in races. Plus, if you have a busy schedule, it is often the only time to fit it in.
Running in the evening:
Running is best performed mid to late afternoon as body temperatures peak. Things will feel easier, faster and will miles will fly by more quickly. Unfortunately, most races are in the morning, so it is important to train when you race for at least some of your training percentage. Drawbacks of running at this time are psychological, meaning it is harder to find the motivation to get out of the door after a long day at the office.
What time of day is your prime running time?
Ps. You have two more days to enter my contest for a free box of ActivFuel from Genuine Health. Enter now!
Fab to see you this weekend as always! As you know, I’m totally an AM runner and it’s hard to get me to want to run in the afternoon! Having said that, when I DO manage to persuade myself to do so, I always feel great after. Wait, is there ever a time that you don’t feel great after a run?! 🙂 Happy Monday, friend!
There is never a time that you do not feel great after a run! 😀 You are the first person I met who was an even bigger morning runner than I am – LOVE IT!
SO GOOD to finally meet you this weekend! You were a total inspiration to listen to (hi, 100 miles, and you’re gonna win?), and I look forward to more dates.
I’m still new at this running thing, and some days I have really awesome morning runs, while others are best in the evening. A lot of factors come into play to determine how successful I’m going to be.
xo AV
It was so amazing to meet you as well. Don’t count on me winning, I just like to get out there with that attitude. 😛
Best of luck with your training, lady! 😀
Sounds like to me no matter when you train, mental training is always the hardest part!
I know. But if you are doing endurance events, I find that it is the most important part!