I think that lots of you have already known about the huge benefits of running – the easiest form of exercise to improve one’s health. And, morning is the golden time for running because the air is clean and the sunlight isn’t too harsh.
But to become a real morning runner, it’s more difficult to do than say. Sleepiness is the biggest factor that triggers your laziness.
This article will help you. Here is how to prepare for a run in the morning:
Prepare Your Running Clothes
Trick 1: A great trick that I have learned from many experienced morning runners is to lay out all of your running clothes and running gear next to the bed.
Throwback a bit and think about the reasons that made you blow off a run in the morning. Was it because you were too lazy to think about what to wear for that morning run?
If that is your biggest problem, then this way will help you get ready with less thinking.
Trick 2: For those who are living with a partner, place your running clothes and gear in the bathroom so that you just need to turn on the light, wash your face, and change your clothes.
For women, another effective trick to help you get ready simpler and faster is putting on a cap (so that you will save extra time on taming your morning hair).
Trick 3: More seriously, try going to bed in your running clothes (of course, put on freshly laundered running clothes!), so you can get a jump start as soon as you open your eyes. I personally find this trick is particularly effective for morning runner starters.
Trick 4: Wearing appropriate running clothes can add a lot to your motivation every morning. Choose those sets that you feel confident and comfortable the most to put on.
Pay attention to the material, style, and safety.
Choose those fabrics that are good at moisture-wicking, not absorbing. About safety, make sure your running clothes (including shoes, hats, vests, and jackets) are reflective so that you are fully seen in traffic. Bold neon colors are a great choice!
Prepare Your Breakfast
Many morning runners choose to head straight for the door having eaten nothing at all, but that isn’t recommended.
When you wake up in the morning, your body is in a fasted state and if you eat nothing before a run, it is prone to nausea or feeling weak.
Back to those morning runners who don’t like to eat before a run, the two most popular reasons for that are:
- Preparing breakfast is time-consuming
- Eating breakfast usually slows them down, feels ill, and lowers their motivation
Actually, you won’t get in those troubles if choosing any of these foods for your breakfast:
- Slice of toast with peanut butter
- Breakfast bar
- Banana, oranges, or berries
- Almonds
- Low-fat yogurts
- Lean proteins (salmon or eggs)
Things to avoid for breakfast are legumes, lactose-rich foods, high-fiber veggies (such as broccoli), spicy food, and sugar-filled drinks.
Plan out what you’ll have for breakfast the night before and give those foods a separate place in your fridge or kitchen countertop so that you can enjoy the meal more easily.
Plan Your Route
Running the same course day after day isn’t highly recommended especially for people who are not fully into the morning spirit yet.
To boost your motivation, plan the route the night before.
Determine two things: how long you’ll run and how far (based on your endurance, fitness levels, and time).
For beginners, find new landmarks near your house to visit while for more experienced runners, choose new hills to challenge yourself. Google Maps will be your best assistant in mapping the route in advance.
Keep refreshing things and you’ll get more enjoyment from your morning run habit.
Set A Goal
Before you get the sense of feeling something wrong if you don’t run, setting a goal is recommended to achieve consistency.
Signing in a race or following a training schedule is very effective.
But if you don’t like to do that, establish your goals and schedules, along with an attractive reward. For example, gift yourself with a spa treatment, a-day excursion, a ticket to your favorite cinema, or a massage treatment.
Another good method to help you keep up with your fitness goal is to run with a friend. But that person should be an active one and at the same fitness level as yours.
Conclusion
Consistency plays a hugely important role in building morning run habits. In addition to planning detailed schedules and goals, then sticking to them, you should also try to wake up every morning. Don’t blow off every second day.
If hitting the alarm clock's snooze button is one of your bad habits, try placing it across the room where you have to get out of the bed to turn it off.
That’s all for my guides on how to prepare for a run in the morning. Thanks a lot for reading!
