Not only are you more refreshed and relaxed after getting some exercise, but if you achieve your running goals, you start your day accomplishing something important. This gives you a great confidence boost.
The biggest problem with the morning run is you need to figure out how to build up the motivation to go out there and do it. Pushing yourself to go for a run when all you want to do is hit the snooze button is tough. This is particularly true if a glance outside tells you it’s going to be a dreary day.
Here are some tips to improve your chances of a successful morning run.
Start with Enough Sleep
You’re going to have a much easier time getting up in the morning if you’re not exhausted from the night before.
Although maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can be difficult at times, you can improve your chances of a successful night’s sleep by committing to getting up and going to sleep at the same time every day.
Ensure that you’re getting around 7 to 8 hours of rest before you have to pull yourself out of bed in the morning.
When you do get up, drink a full glass of water to help chase away the grogginess of sleep and prepare you for your run.
Be Prepared
Getting enough sleep is only part of being prepared. It’s also a good idea to think about getting your clothes and other necessary items ready the night before. If you already have your running outfit laid out at the bottom of your bed when you wake up, you’ll be more likely to jump into action.
Having a bag filled with your power bank for your phone, a bottle of water, and anything else you need for the morning will be helpful too. This is particularly useful when you’re getting up early before the sun has come up. You don’t want to be fumbling around to find socks in the dark.
Run with a Friend
If you struggle to convince yourself to go for a run each morning, one of the best things you can do is get a friend to help you.
Having a friend to run with, even if it’s only some of the mornings out of the week, will help you to hold yourself accountable. It’s a great way to ensure that you don’t allow yourself to make excuses too often.
At the same time, running with a friend will often be more fun than running on your own. You get to enjoy some company and stop for a chat and a drink of water from time to time. This can be an excellent way to push yourself into action as a beginner.
Take it Slow
Don’t expect to be running marathons from day one. You’ll still need to consider your physical and mental abilities, and how often you can really run, for how long, before you need to rest.
Avoid setting unreasonable goals for yourself, or you’re going to feel let down when you don’t achieve them. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t challenge yourself at all.
Try to get an idea for what you can reasonably accomplish each day with a little practice, and then set timely, attainable goals you can work towards over time.
If you don’t reach your goals as quickly as you’d like, don’t panic. Be kind to yourself and remember it’s a work in progress.
Stay Fueled Up and Cool
Finally, if you’re going to be going for a decent run during the winter months, it’s important to make sure you have some extra fuel on you, like a protein bar when you’re at the end of your run. You should also ensure you have plenty of fresh water available.
Avoid taking a thermos of coffee with you on your run, because that’s not going to be easy to drink.
At the same time, consider your clothing choices carefully. You’ll need to stay warm during the winter without overly heating yourself with sweaty, thick clothing. Layers are often best.
In the summer, make sure you can keep cool without exposing yourself to too much dangerous sunlight.
Now that you know how to improve the quality of your morning runs, you can start putting a strategy together that allows you to enjoy the time you spend on your feet. Get out there and start discovering the benefits of the morning run for yourself!
What are some of the ways you have improved your morning run? Please do share in the comment section below.
