afternoon runner

When I was working as a strength + conditioning specialist, I had the ability to get my workouts (runs AND strength training) done in the morning first thing when I woke up since I didn’t usually have to be at work until 9 or 10 at the earliest (most days it was 2 or 3 PM).  I absolutely LOVED running in the morning.  The cool, crisp air on my face, running to the sunrise, birds chirping, very little traffic messing with my thoughts… it was glorious!

However, now that I am a full time teacher, my days start much earlier – 7:30 AM.  A 35 minute commute on top of that just doesn’t help the morning situation.  Don’t get me wrong, I am most definitely a morning person.  A 4:45 AM wake up call doesn’t phase me too much.  But, pitch black darkness with very poorly lit sidewalks makes running in the morning pretty much impossible for me.

Since becoming a teacher, I have started doing 2-a-days.  No, not 2 runs per day.  (I’m actually not THAT crazy… yet…)  I still keep my 4:45 AM wake up call, but instead of going for a run, I head to the gym and get my weight lifting in.  I am still starting out my day with a great workout and it gets me energized for a stressful day with 4 to 13 year olds.

I am now an almost completely devoted afternoon runner.  I used to think this would never work for me.  But, as a morning runner, I found days where I would see people running outside in the warmth and sunshine of the afternoon and get jealous.  Yes, jealous… even though I had already run for the day!

Now, I am one of those coveted afternoon runners.  I get home around 4:15 PM, change clothes, put on my Asics, and head out the door.  Afternoon runs means warmer weather in the cold winter months, and I still have plenty of time to make dinner for the Hubs when I get done with my run.

I used to love the cool, fresh morning air, but now I am loving the warmth of the sun on my face!  I never thought I could be converted to an afternoon runner, but I LOVE it.  It is definitely working with my schedule too.  I still run in the mornings on the weekend (I just have more time that way), but some days I am missing the warmer air of my afternoon runs.

In the summer, I will revert back to morning runs (as I am part of a running club that meets every weekday morning in the summer), but I will be looking forward to school starting back up so I can get those glorious afternoon runs back on my schedule.

What’s your favorite time of day to get a run or workout in?  Does it work better for your schedule to run in the morning or afternoon?