What time of the day do you run?

[JellyBellies]

Hi. I want to start the couch to 5k and everyday I tell myself I will run but it doesn't happen

I have a one year old and 3 year old and work 4 days a week.

Is it ok to run in the afternoons? How soon after eating can I run?

Thanks

[holmessweetholmes]

Hi - it might help to have a regular running routine if you can, so that you just go when your planned time is, rather than keep putting it off. You can run any time of day. I have to leave it at least 2 hours, preferably 3, after having a proper meal, but if that makes timings tricky for you, try having a snack a short while before your run (cereal bar or banana etc) and eating your meal afterwards. Running in the morning is good, because then it's done and you can feel proud of yourself for the rest of the day! Good luck

[holmessweetholmes]

Sorry - just realised I didn't really answer about running in the afternoon. It's fine, but I should definitely leave it until late afternoon unless you eat a very light lunch!

[Witchety]

I go at night. Just cos single mum and 5 dc.... Eldest is 18 so babysits

I take my 16 year old with me. She loves it but chats away all the way round. Bit isolated here so good to have company

We start week 3 tonight.... Be warned, it's addictive!

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I tend to run at different times depending on what's going on but I prefer to run in the mornings. My body has got better at tolerating food and I can now run an hour after eating but everyone is different.

Do be careful what you eat and drink before running, I can't tolerate too much caffeine, it gives me the runs digestive problems. It's pretty much trial and error though.

I agree with Holmes about planning a time and sticking to it. Once you are into a routine it's fine but when you get started it needs to be a clear part of your plans for the day so you don't get to the end of the day and realise you forgot! Persistence is keep with running, you need to keep doing it.

[feetheart]

I try to go first thing in the morning before anyone else is up but I am an earlybird. It gives me time to myself before all the school/work/house madness starts and, as holmessweetholmes says, it makes me feel smug proud for the rest of the day :o

Try and find a time that works for you - it may be trial and error - and stick with it as much as you can but don't beat yourself up if it goes pear-shaped, this running lark is supposed to be enjoyable. Are there 3 time-slots in your week that you can earmark? It really doesn't take very long to start with - less than 20mins IIRC

Witchety - I found going from Week 3 to Week 4 the hardest so be prepared.

[slug]

In the evening while DH is cooking dinner.

[Turnip09]

You definitely need to plan it and then make that time sacred!! Otherwise it will be the first thing to go from your do to list. I started last year and put aside 3 mornings per week for this. To make it work I had to be quiet "selfish" at times but I'm so glad I did as I'm now running 4 miles three times a week plus a bootcamp and loving it!!
Be strong, pick your time (whatever time of the day is best for you) and stick to it no matter what!!!! Good luck ;)

[LoonyLyndsay]

I try to run in the evenings, after dusk as my reflectors are more visible then.
I've been jogging for a few years now and I love it!

It's just falling into a routine really :)

I'm sure you can do it!

[golemmings]

Are you me?
I also have 1yo, 3yo and work 4 days a week!

We live in the sticks and running along lanes with a head torch in the dark on my own makes me feel very vulnerable. I also suffer from severe can't be arsedness on a week day evening when I've left home at 8am, worked, come home at 6, played with dd, fed ds, put him bed and its half 7 and I have a stack of things to do including eat my tea... running just ain't going to happen.

I started c25k last November and I used to run around the village - there's a mile stretch with street lights and when I was only running a mile or two it was fine. Now I run further than that and I hate running past the same houses watching the same people watching the same telly programmes...

I now run Thursdays before work. I work in town and the street lights mean it doesn't bother me if its not daylight. I ought to run Tuesdays too but I struggle to get my act together on a Tuesday. I run on Sat am with a bunch of other women from the village. They're all fitter than me and have been running forever but they seem to like taking me out and getting me lost in the hills which is fine and I try to run on Sunday mornings too. It means I get to run 3-5miles of intervals (weekdays), 4-7 miles of hills (Saturday) and whatever distance I fancy/have time for (Sunday) which seems to cover all my training needs. It's hard though.

[gordonpym]

At 6.15 a.m. Hardly any traffic, no worries about babysitting as DC and DH still sleeping. The first 5 min are hard as it's freezing, but then I warm up and love to see the first lights in the houses I pass by

[JemimaMuddledUp]

I'm doing C25k and I run at 6am, before the DC are up and before DH leaves for work (he leaves at 7am).

As others have said it does make you feel smug all day!