For the most part, I have always been a morning runner. I like getting up and getting my run out of the way first thing in the morning. At 4:30 a.m. there are no distractions or other commitments (except maybe sleep) to keep me from getting out the door.

Plus I love the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing a run before doing anything else.

At least, that's how I tend to feeling when I'm training for a race.

When I'm not training for anything, I tend to become an evening runner. Evening runs to me have always been more laid back and care free. Sometimes I go for a run, sometimes I don't go for a run, but there's no real pressure. There's no alarm blaring to wake me up at some ungodly hour.

If I feel like I have some extra energy to blow off when I get home from work then I'll throw on my running clothes and go.

If I'm too tired or have other things I need to take care of, then I don't mind skipping the run.

To me, morning runs are very regimented and serious. They're either speed work or tempo runs or long runs. Evening runs just tend to be fun runs. Sure sometimes I'll go fast, sometimes I'll go slow, but I never really have a driving need to push too hard in the evenings.

In the evenings it's more about getting out and appreciating the fact that I'm moving.

It's probably no surprise then that I'm slowly transferring back to evening runs for the time being. With no real serious training in the plan for a while, I'm going to enjoy the extra bit of sleep and the more laid back attitude I have about evening runs.