Running at Night vs. Earlier in the day

[kjhead13]

Hey, I've always enjoyed running ever since I picked it up a few years back. I tend to go through phases with it and I'm working lately on making a stronger effort to be more regular and steadfast in workouts (and not getting discouraged when they don't work fast enough), but the thing is, the time that works best for me to run is at the end of the day, sometimes after the sun has even gone down and roommate is headed to bed. I know I need to work on sleep schedule as well, so I'm trying to move workouts a little earlier for that reason, but I've heard people say that a workout is more effective if done earlier in the day. Is there any truth to that? I've heard that it gets your metabolism moving for the rest of the day and all. Plus, a lot of people have a protein shake or a snack after their workout and I sometimes do too, but I know it's bad to eat after 8 at night, so I usually try to avoid it.

I suppose if I had to, I can work on finding a time earlier in the day to workout, but I also usually take shower before bed, so it just becomes an easy progression: finish everything for the day, workout, shower, bed. I'm really not a morning person, so getting up and stretching and running and showering and then still having time to get ready for work sounds crazy to me, haha. Do I just need to suck it up and deal or does it make any difference? Any input would be appreciated!

Also, kind of a side track here, I'm most definitely an amateur when it comes to running. I've only ever just done it because I wanted to and never even asked if I'm running correctly. Now that I'm doing more of it, I'd be interested if anyone has some basic laws of running form that they can put into layman's terms for me. I tend to get some soreness in some of joints occasionally and I think it might have to do with form...

[kjhead13]

Thanks! Actually I've been thinking for awhile that I need to get new shoes. I am DEFINITELY breaking the 6 month rule at the moment, lol. Any recommendations? Right now I have New Balances.

Thanks for the feedback on form too. I am an elementary teacher, so I have plenty of time to see how kids run!

I know some other teachers who work out right after school. Maybe I'll try joining up with them and see if I can get that to work for me. If not, I may just stick with evening runs. I'm in a safe area, so it just becomes a nice way to unwind at the end of the day.

[kjhead13]

Oh, one more thought. I usually end up going to bed very shortly after run (within an hour). Does that mean I shouldn't grab a snack at all?

[ultimatehlth]

When I ran track in school many of us ran at night particularly in the summer. A recent study found greater fat loss with evening workouts than morning ones among test subjects, mind you the difference is minimal. Your post workout meal should always include carbohydrates, even at night. Remember during the first hour post exercise your body is craving sugar to replenish the expended muscle glycogen. This is an important step in recovery, also carbs increase serotonin which aids sleep and protein increases dopamine which causes alertness. I recommend a protein blend of whey with casein (casein digests slowly which is what you want at night) and around 2-3 grams of carbs per gram of protein. Low fat chocolate milk is actually ideal.

Personal Trainer Los Angeles - Hollywood