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This seems to have gotten far more replies than it needs, but...8 hours is an average for people, some people perform fine with less, some people will need more. Everyone will find out how they perform best themselves.

I sleep at least 8 and a half hours a night, i'm really not looking forward to the early mornings at CTC

Yeh i struggle with morning runs. I usually get up about 9.30am and have a sandwich and some lucozade then rest for an hour and a bit, otherwise i feel seriously sick while running. I just find i perform better on a small meal such as a sandwich. I think above all people have trouble with morning runs due to not being in the right frame of mind. I usually run at about 11 pm and get a really good run out of it. But im going to start waking up early and running as of next week.

Just listen to your body. If you cant run after eating then run before, if you can do it. It is true about conditioning your body though. before i started my training program i hated running with a passion and now im used to it and even seem to enjoy it in some places.

Since I started this thread, Ive been cracking on with morning runs and Ive deduced that its simply something you just need to get used to.

When I first started it I was really struggling to get within 3-4 minutes of my best time over 5k. However after a month or so I found it less of a struggle and now I can run just as fast in the mornings as I can at any other time. I actually prefer it as the roads are quieter, and I feel much more awake and energetic throughout the day.

I make sure that the night before I eat a meal with loads of spuds/rice/pasta so that Ive got energy for the morning* and I make sure I do a good 5-10 minute warm-up before I set off (jogging on the spot, upperbody rotations, stretching etc) as well as take on some water.

Im also hoping that Ill be a bit more used to early training for when RT starts as Im assuming there will be a fair bit of PT in the mornings.



*I read Matthew Pinsents biography and in it he said he doesnt eat anything on race day but instead has high carbs the day before, so I thought it cant be that bad an idea

Interesting you should bring this one back up Lostandfound. I just did a morning run today and fealt crap, and I've been trying to work out why it is that I find mornings harder.

Do you eat anything before your run? And how long between getting up and acutally setting off running?

Most mornings I do a 5k run. If thats the case, then Ill get up at 6.20, take on some water, do a quick warm up to get the blood moving, then am literally out the door and off by 6.35. All I do is make sure Ive had some water before I go (about half a pint, so I dont get a stitch by having too much).

Sometimes Ill do a 5-6 miler, and if thats the case then Ill get up earlier and have a banana and some water about 15 minutes before I set off. But I will also eat a bigger meal the night before (or a snack in the evening).

I also make sure that when I get back, I have a fcuk-off breakfast to get some fuel back into me - usually 1 toast with honey, 1 toast with eggs, yoghurt and a banana and a pint of milk. I always feel really energetic throughout the day.

Not saying these are the best ways of doing it, but (touch wood) Ive been injury-free the whole time. Trust me, I found it a real ball-ache when I first started it, but I made sure I kept to the routine and eventually I seem to have adapted really well to it.

Look im not gonna mess with some of u cos uve all passed ur PRMC's etc which i havent yet but i ran a 3 miler this morning at about 9 and did it in 22.40 seconds which is crap for me. My personal best is 21.36 seconds so theres some added time there.

I woke up at 6:45 am and had a sandwich and some lucozade at about 7 then went back to bed and didnt run till 9. This was fine as my food had obviously been digested. Im going to start getting up early next week and running. I didnt hate it and i too actually felt really awake and refeshed afterwards.