Morning/Afternoon Workouts...Big Difference, but why?

I am the exact same way but for me I do most of my running at lunch and when I occasionally run in the am it is much slower. 

I think most of it is mental with me.  I just don't like running in the dark, I like seeing what is around me so I think I just run slower.

Believe me, Southern Afghanistan during the summer isn't condusive to working out either! 

"I feel like I am struggling to make my legs move and finish the run."  that could describe me in the mornings.

Unfortunately, most races are in the morning as well

I'm the same.  But I do most of my running in the afternoon.  I feel awake and fresh...

The few times I did anything in the morning, I feel tired and sluggish.  Another reason I don't like to workout early in the a.m. - my workouts feel labored and slow.

Same here ....... I usually run into GI issues when I run in the afternoon.  That was something that plagued me when I started running back in school and the military and was one of the main reasons I never thought I could be a decent distance runner.

There have been instances where I've had good runs in the afternoon compared to the morning but that can probably be attributed to any number of factors.  It is not a consistant thing for me.

Maybe, but it was intended as a discussion topic, not neccessarily questions to a specific question.  Thanks for the help though

I think this is what happens to me in the morning... My night runs are real strong, but I think it's because I've had plenty to eat and drink all day. I seem to run out of gas in the AM.  

I am going to say it is because during the afternoon you are better fueled than your AM session. For that reason IMO you are probably getting better adaptations on your afternoon sessions (you run faster, you are better fueled hence you can recover faster, etc.). I think is Pfizer who suggest doing some runs on the fuel depleted side to train the body to work that way; I am not sure I agree 100% with it but I can see some merit to the thinking doing it just a few runs here and there. 

In the end, for the working AGer who has to fit training into a busy schedule, he/she will have to go with whatever works better. If AM sessions are the most convenient to work with based on work schedule and/or other life priorities that going to be a lot better than attempting doing afternoon sessions which you might end up skipping due to work, weather, etc. But you can take care of the little details. i.e. If you can't fuel properly before your AM run then do so right after your done

I've found running in the morning is also sluggish.   I have little energy and have had poor runs.  But...running after work, i feel ready to go.   That is surprising to most, because as a mailman i walk my route for 6 hours a day, then able to crank out some decent workouts in the evening.  

Now races in the morning for me are far better than the occasional twilight 5k's we have.  I can not race well afterwork, but in the morning i'm fresh and more awake for a race than my training days.  I think that is because i'll shower, have something to eat/drink beofre the race, whereas my AM training runs are roll out of bed, get dressed and go. 

Hey same here man. They switched my work schedule up and now I can't stop dumping when I run in the afternoon. Hopefully I get used to it.

Are the GI issues diet related? Too much food? Not the right kind of food? Eating too close or too far away from your workout etc? 

I know for a fact that is the case for me.  But even waiting 4 or 5 hours after lunch I can still have some issues.  I never have them in the morning.

In the AM hydration, nutrition & stiffness are definitely factors. Individual tolerances and habits do play a big roll. I do think there is a mental component with perception about how you feel in the morning. I would bet the 'morning' people would have a better workout than the late risers in the am even if they were a littel hungry compared the the later crowd.

My pm runs are generally faster if my meals are timed properly, unless its really hot. If you want good energy in the morning you can take steps to improve your performance. Mainly by what and when you eat the night before. Morning hydration is more challenging because you can't really drink too much while sleeping and a full bladder will interfere with your rest. Drinking a too much right before a run sucks too. That's when Sports drink works best for me, quick easy calories 20 minutes before I go out the door.  Staying properly hydrated the previous day will really help with the AM stuff.

Same here--but I'm in Pennsylvania.  I tried running on a Sunday evening and felt utterly demoralized by how poorly I did.  But in the mornings I run fine. 

I just get up and go.  No water, no food.  I've done 20 mile runs and centuries this way as long as I hydrate/eat at my usual times during the workout.  I've never been famished/parched during a morning workout unless I'm an hour or two into it and didn't take in anything during.

However, when I've done my lunch time recovery runs I've been absolutely starving even though I've eaten my usual breakfast.  It's weird .......

I am a member of the 5AM club. If I don't work out early in the morning, the chances of it sliding down the list of priorities later in the day increases significantly. Between work, school, church, and other duties that I have, I try to get it done just like my AM shower.

Recently, I've been working out at the gym that I just joined and I love my 5AM workouts. I'm hooked on them, actually. I get up at 0345, grab a quickie breakfast like some fruit or a luna bar, feed the cats, make the bed, brush the teeth, braid the hair, get dressed, grab my bags (gym and lunch bags were packed in less than 15 minutes the night before) and hit the road. I get to the gym and do my workout, and sometimes I even have a few minutes for a sauna before the final shower.

I get hot coffee in the lounge area, too, and that makes it even better :-).

I show up at work with lots of energy and a good attitude.

IMO it's preference and what works best with the schedule. Whatever may or may not be more scientifically beneficial typically gets trumped by convenience and stick-to-itiveness. At least it's like that for me.

I love my AM workouts.....