run in mornings or evenings during summer?

[Anonymous]

What do you do to get your runs in, when it's hot, sunny, and humid, and you hate the treadmill? Pros/cons of either?

Morning:
- cooler temperatures
- higher humidity, however
- where I usually run, it's much sunnier in the morning (sunrise side)
- I'm generally a morning exerciser, and feel more mentally/physically ready to exercise early in the day

Evening:
- warmer temperatures
- lower humidity
- more shady in evening

[Anonymous]

Early mornings are the only option for me. And even then, it's a tough slog. Last night at 10 PM, it was still 80 degrees out. But this morning it was 75. That's enough to make a big difference.

When I trained for marathons many years ago, if my long runs fell on a super hot day, I would get up at 5 AM and knock them out. There is just no other option. The minute that sun comes out, forget it.

Either way, I struggle running during the summers here. I am warm-blooded and can't deal with it. And I just can't last for any amount of time on the treadmill.

[Anonymous]

Whichever you choose, make sure there are other people out or have a running buddy.

[Anonymous]

Early mornings. As much as the sun really affects me, I find the heat of the day draining and doing a run in the afternoon impossible. I have trained for marathons here and if I'm not out running by 6 or 7, it just won't happen.

To help with the humidity (and resulting rashes on the bra-line, feet and inner thighs) I use Body Glide.

[Anonymous]

Early mornings. If I absolutely can't get out before work (and I'll run with my 5-year-old in a jogging stroller to make that happen), I'll run at 11:00 (before lunch) while the temperature is still going up.

The times I have to run at 2:00 (after lunch), it takes a lot out of me. And I can't run after work - the heat builds up during the day, though at least you don't sunburn then.

running at 85 and humid sucks, but running on a treadmill isn't much better.

[Anonymous]

Isn't the higher humidity just higher relative humidity? The amount of moisture in the air doesn't change over the course of the day; it's just that as temperatures rise, the air could hold more water, so the relative humidity goes down.

I am a morning exerciser anyway, but I would think the prospect of a steamy run after work would convert me.

[Anonymous]

Early mornings only (6ish), year-round.

[Anonymous]

Mornings or treadmill, for sure. But I don't like exercising at night so that's an easy one for me.

[Anonymous]

I've heard that air quality (smog) is worse in the afternoons and evenings.

And I would much rather get hot and gross and have all day in my super-cooled office to cool my core (after showering of course!), than try to cool off enough at night to actually fall asleep.

[Anonymous]

Early mornings, like before 7. Added bonus: be more relaxed and less anxious all day. Or maybe that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Evening. After or at sunset. I regard running before breakfast as akin to waterboarding