This upcoming Sunday marks the end of daylight saving time, when we turn our clocks back one hour. Gaining an hour of sleep is easier than losing an hour of sleep like we do in the spring. However, the end of daylight saving time can still cause problems for runners.
1. Start shifting your clocks Friday.
Obviously this tactic does not work for important meetings and deadlines, but you may have trouble adjusting your internal clock in the course of one night. More importantly, you may have kids who have trouble with time adjustments. How many kids wake up an hour early on parents the entire week after the time change? Having a family that is off-schedule can make it hard to find time to run.
Start adjusting your own personal or family sleep routines starting Friday and leading up the official Sunday switch. This will leave you and your family feeling less groggy and better adjusted to the new time.
2. Consider changing your routine.
With the hour time change and the days turning dramatically shorter at the same time, you may find your normal running time to be in the dark. If at all possible, shift your running time to when it will be light outside. Even consider running on your lunch break. It can be hard to change the time of day that you run, but it is so much safer to run when it is light outside.
3. Devise a plan to run safely in the dark.
If you can’t run when it is light outside, make a plan to stay safe while running in the dark ahead of the clocks changing.
· Leave the headphones at home.
· Take your phone with you.
· Tell people where you are running and how long you plan to be gone.
· Find a well-lit route.
· Buy a headlight and clothes with reflectors.
· Run in a loop instead of all over town.
It can be hard for runners to adjust to any time switch, but hopefully these tips will make the transition easier for you.
I'm linking this post to Jill Conyers Fitness Friday later this week! Thanks so much for hosting Jill!
This article is also featured on RunHaven today! Check it out and tell them I sent you.
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Great tips! I already feel like my running route is dark without DLST ending! I think I will stick to the treadmill this winter to be safe for pregnancy reasons. Not fun, but I don't need to trip!
JulieWunder says
Yeah, I don't blame you! I don't really mind the treadmill if I NEED to use it either.
jill conyers says
I totally forgot it's that time again! The time change always throws me for a loop. Great tips.
JulieWunder says
Me too! I really dislike when it gets dark so early too!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jill! I am pretty glad for that extra hour this morning!
Annmarie says
I know I always have trouble adjusting- I am such a creature of routine. These time changes always mess with my body!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Brilliant. So necessary. My body has no clue what is going on right now, and it really isn't in a few days. And then the days will be like 4 hours long. BAH.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
It's funny how 1 hour can really effect us so much isn't it? It's going to be so dark in the morning and hard to get up
Dan Steadman says
this time change isn't as hard as the spring forward....of course this makes it easier on long runs to achieve the goal of finish before the sun comes up...
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Last year I had a race the morning of Daylight savings. It was so rough making sure it was the right time! haha I hate the days becoming darker so much earlier. My productivity decreases exponentially after it gets dark! I feel like I should just be in bed.
JulieWunder says
Me too. I am such a morning person that I just shut down. It is so strange.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I normally look forward to the time change, but I have a work meeting on Sunday morning, so I'm just praying my alarm clock gets me up at the right time! lol
JulieWunder says
I feel ya! I know how it works, yet somehow I feel I will mess it up and get up and the wrong time. I did once in college and I don't think I've ever gotten over that feeling.
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
The running tips are great! I always run better with music, but it can be very dangerous when you can't hear anything around you.
JulieWunder says
Yeah, especially after dark!
Blane Sherer says
Thanks for the reminder and for the helpful tips.
Jessie says
Fun fact - Kuwait doesn't turn clocks back or forward.
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Arizona doesn't do daylight savings either. I never knew that until my friend moved there!
JulieWunder says
Interesting! Thanks girls.