Quick Tips for Getting into an Early Morning Running Routine

1. Adjust Your Sleeping Habits

Having good morning habits starts with getting a good night’s sleep. While some bodies can be highly functional with less than 7-8 hours of sleep, this isn’t the case for most people. If you’re having trouble winding down at a reasonable hour, try to avoid caffeine or alcohol three hours before bedtime, avoid taking naps throughout the day, and try to limit yourself from watching television an hour before bedtime.

2. Lay Out Your Clothes

The more preparation you do ahead of time, the easier it is to get out the door in the morning. Lay your clothes next to the bed so that you’re ready to go in the morning. If you’re worried about waking your partner up while getting ready, try placing your clothes in the bathroom, or outside of the bedroom door.

3. Put Your Alarm in a New Spot.

It’s tempting when your alarm goes off in the morning to hit the snooze button. Just a few more minutes of sleep, right? Before you know it, an hour has passed, and you missed your window to go for a run. Place your alarm across the room so that you must get out of bed to turn it off. You can even place it outside of the bedroom where they have their running clothes, to decrease the likeliness of going back to sleep after turning it off.

4. Planning your Breakfast

After a long night’s rest, your body has little energy to draw upon. Heading out the door without eating can leave you feeling weak and nauseated. Choose foods that are primarily made up of carbohydrates and easily digestible like toast with a nut butter, oatmeal, or an energy bar. Drinking coffee before your run can also increase energy and reduce your discomfort.

5. Find a Running Buddy

Having a friend join you on your runs will hold you accountable during your training and help ensure you make it out of the door each morning. Look for someone around the same fitness level as you, so that you don’t push yourself or them too far. Conversation during a run, especially with a friend, can make time go by much quicker, and help you to have fun!

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