Morning running will never by my jam. I am a night owl, through and through and will never be a morning runner by choice. But some of you might have noticed recent early morning running posts on instagram and Facebook. I know. I’m shocked too. But heat, no school, and a challenging training plan have forced me out of bed and out the door.
Why be a morning runner?
- It’s done. A day where plans go awry will not disrupt your training schedule if you do it before the day has a chance to go crazy.
- It’s usually the coolest time of the day, which is super important in the south in the summer. Also, shade!
- It’s often peaceful and provides some endorphins before your boss or children drive you crazy.
- Depending on the time you get out there, you might be able to avoid sunblock and sunglasses. (Sunblock + sweat in the eyes is nearly as painful as childbirth. Just sayin’)
- You get to meet all of the neighborhood dog walkers.
- You get first dibs on all the cool items your neighbors put out for trash pick up.
How to become a morning runner.
- Decide when you want to run and how much before it you need to get up. (I need about an hour pre-run.)
- Set an alarm.
- Set another alarm across the room.
- Enlist the aid of a morning person to remind you to get out of bed.
- Prep as much as you can the night before: clothes out, coffee set up, accessories organized. (If you are out before dawn, make sure you are appropriately lit up.)
- Just go. (It’s really easy as a non-morning person to dilly dally around the house. Sometimes you need to just get out the door.)
- Meet a group if that will incentivize you to go.
- Bribe yourself with a special coffee after if that’s your thing.
Don’t get me wrong. I will never be happy about being a morning runner. Each and every day that I run early is a battle with my inner body clock to get out there. But right now, the benefits of forcing myself to get up and get out there outweigh my hatred of rising early.
[Tweet “Are you a night owl trying to be a morning runner? Check out these tips and share yours! #runchat”]
Got any more tips for me for making getting out there early easier?
OMG. I think I just wrote almost the exact post. Great minds!
I loved your comment on FB. As a morning run leader, I found it can take months for people to actually start coming even though they say they will, then it can still be a struggle from there. 🙂 Your pros are spot on.
It’s a never-ending struggle for me. I will never wake up early without a ton of effort.
It makes me crazy that I used to be able to get out of bed at 4 to run- no problem. Lately, I just can’t seem to get my rear end going, no matter how much I try. I know all the pros to getting it done, but lately when that alarm goes off I just can’t will myself to crawl out from under the covers, even if the husband is home and pushing me, I still hit snooze and snuggle my face into his back .
I need a run-fairy to drag me out of bed!
If you find one, sent them my way! I just am not a morning person and never have been…
This is a great post! I am not a morning person, and no matter how many times I’ve tried to get up and go for a run/workout I tell myself I’ll do it later. But when I do get up and go, I love the feeling that it is DONE for the day. I love your tip about the coffee bribe – I may just have to try that 🙂
I fail as often as I succeed, but at least I make it out there a few times a week.
I am right there with you!!! But it is so nice to just go on with your day knowing the run is done. I love that you get first dibs on all the things your neighbors don’t want haha! I need better neighbors with cooler stuff…
I’m pretty sure my training would have already fallen apart if I had not started running in the morning. I don’t love getting up, but I love having it done.
So do you eat breakfast before your early runs? that is one of the reasons why I don’t do it that and I don’t like to get up that early either!
I eat a piece of bread with peanut butter or a granola bar if I’m going farther than 4 miles or so. Unless I’m running a tempo run or speedwork, I can eat pretty close to when I start running.
I loathe getting up early, but, these days if I don’t suck it up and get out by 6am, I don’t get to exercise.
Great tips – thank you!
I hear you – If I don’t manage it early, I have trouble getting the workout in.
Start with knowing and committing to your why and you’re on your way to a successful new habit! Keep us updated on the morning running. Thanks for inspiring the #fitfam to move! #Fitfam love from a morning person 🙂
I am a morning runner and it makes for a good routine. I’m out the door by 6:45 on weekdays, home by 7:45, and showered and working by 8 (I work from home). I just run 6-7 miles on weekdays, though. It really makes my whole day more productive, and it’s nice to know that if something comes up after work, I already have my run in. I make myself a protein shake/smoothie and leave it in the freezer to be really, really cold when I get in, like a frostie! I think once you get in the habit and your body is used to it, it is not so bad.
When I was running regularly, I would wake up and run too. It is amazing how it makes you feel FOR THE REST OF THE DAY! I have been taking a break from running for the time being, but know I will get back into it at some point.
my best tip is MOVE IN WITH ME 🙂
but Im the woman who was invite to do the LV R&R and said NO because I CAINT DO THE NIGHT 🙂
I can get up early on Saturday to run with my group but can’t manage to make it happen during the week. First step is to get to bed earlier.
I need to remember this when I implement my 3 early morning workouts a week after I’m cleared to workout again! It’s so hard for me to have the motivation to workout in the morning, but my favorite thing about it is that IT IS DONE 😉
I have converted to morning runs. I’m no stranger to working out but I usually did my running after work, after sitting on my butt all day in an office. The heat, which I think is worse this year; has forced me to get in my runs early. While it’s only been a few weeks, it is a great weight off my shoulders to know I’ve gotten in my run before work and life get in the way and plus it jolts my system into high gear fast!