When is the best time and day to go for a run?

Most runners have a favourite time of day to run, but have you ever considered the pros and cons of different times?

Whether you are a lark, an owl, or a (faintly terrifying) combination of the two, here are the pros and cons of your favoured time – plus, a lighter guide to which day of the week is best to run on. 

Morning

Pros

• On a primal level it feels enormously satisfying to greet dawn in the open air with a burst of physical activity.
• It’s a good way to wake up.
• Your body burns calories faster on an empty stomach.
• The pavements are quieter. You can be alone with just your thoughts, and the sounds of birds singing.
• A morning run gets it out of the way early – you can face the rest of the day with a significant task already achieved.
• Yanking yourself out of bed and out into a cold, dark morning builds mental strength.

Cons

• Your body temperature is low in the morning, so your muscles are stiff and you’re more likely to pick up injury.
• Statistically, you’re also more likely to suffer a heart attack or a stroke.
• It’s colder.
• You could spend that hour in bed.
• If you’ve got kids, the wife’s unlikely to be chuffed if you’re out there pounding the pavement as she gets them ready for school.
• In winter the pavements are more slippery in the morning.
• The rest of the day can stretch long when you’ve already run several miles before breakfast.
• If you fall over in the park, how long will it be until someone finds you?

Afternoon

Pros

• Body temperature is higher, and studies show this makes athletes perform better.
• If you always run during your lunch hour at work, running will never eat into your family time.
• It’s warmer in the afternoon.
• An early afternoon walk breaks up the day, allowing you some space for thought: how can you make the rest of the day even better?
• It’s easier to motivate yourself to get out there once you’ve been up and about for some hours.

Cons

• You’re either going to end up having two baths/showers in one day, or be a bit smelly for half the day.
• Do you have an early lunch or a late lunch? Making an afternoon run work can be complicated.
• It’s more likely to be raining after lunch.
• An afternoon run on weekends makes any substantial daytime family activity unfeasible.

Evening

Pros

• What a nice way to ease out any stresses of the day.
• While you’re running you can’t be doing any unhealthy evening activities, like drinking, binge eating, or boring your loved one about your workplace.
• There’s something rather nice about getting into bed with your muscles tired, and that post-run glow still bright.
• When it’s dark, you get to wear a head torch, and which male runner doesn’t love a gadget?

Cons

• Motivation can be tricky – you just might not feel like it after a long day at the office.
• It’s dark and there’s something a bit depressing about that.
• Some people find it impossible to sleep after an evening run.
• It’s colder.
• It’s blimmin' anti-social.

Which day of the week is best?

Monday

A good run is a fine way to shake off any Monday blues.

Tuesday

Statistically, this is the wettest day of the week. But then you may like a wet run.

Wednesday

Researchers found that Wednesday is the most miserable day of the week. So run it off, dude.

Thursday

According to experts, cortisol levels are that their peak.

Fridays

Roads are most dangerous on Friday. So it’s better to be running around your park than crawling round the M25.

Saturday

Saturday is parkrun day – therefore it’s definitely a good day to run.

Sunday

You get to miss church and the EastEnders omnibus.