We can’t all be morning people.
Or morning dogs.
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But the benefits of getting your workout in before your real day starts are staggering. Unfortunately, it is easier to say you want to be an early morning runner than to actually get up at the crack of dawn.
You probably know that I am a bit of an expert on “mornings.” For seven years I woke up at 2 AM for my job at WLOS, long before anyone was even thinking about getting up to run. Crazy early really. Even with my new schedule, I still in my heart am a morning person and more importantly a morning runner. These are just a few of the reasons I still wake up early, not crazy early, to get my run on the books.
Early Morning Running Benefits
No Excuses
There is rarely something else you need to be doing at five or six in the morning. In the afternoon and evening there are so many other obligations and distractions: Work keeps you late, your kid gets sick or you want to go out with your friends. There are a million reasons why you will not run in the afternoon.
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Self-Discipline
Now the biggest reason you probably are not running in the morning is actually having to set the alarm and get up early. It’s hard, but my advice is to just do it! Set out your clothes ahead of time, go to bed an hour earlier and make a plan. Even write it down in your calendar so you commit. Early morning running can bring a new level of self-discipline to your life.
Consistent Morning Training
Running at a consistent time everyday can be good for your body and your training. If you do a warm up before you start, your body should have more energy than later in the day. Think about how fresh your legs will be! It will be easier to keep a consistent training schedule because you will always have time to run.
Clean Morning Air
The air is crisp and clean in the morning and sunrises are beautiful! Pollution levels are even lower first thing in the morning.
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Stress Relief
There is nothing better than starting off your day with a stress relieving activity. You will have time to clear your head and think about the day ahead. You can even say you have done more before 6 or 7 AM than many people do by noon. Seriously, you might even feel like a running super hero.
My long years of getting up early to forecast the weather, may give me a leg up on the whole “getting up early” thing but you should give it a try too! It just might give you the running edge you have been looking for.
Today’s post is also being shared at RunHaven today! Make sure to head on over to their site and tell them I sent you.
Your turn!
Do you run or workout in the morning or evening?
Are you a morning person?
kari says
2am?! That's intense. I'd love to be an early morning runner, and for a while I was. However, I found I run faster and feel better when I wait until at least 9 or 10 to run. That way, I have already eaten breakfast and my muscles have loosened and warmed up some. I love that every body is different. The important thing, I think, is finding what works best for you.
JulieWunder says
Very true! Everyone's body works differently!
Nicole says
I always run in the morning. I don't trust myself to go later on in the day. And this way I get to bask in the glow of having run, all day!
JulieWunder says
I agree! I love the runners high all day long!
Kara says
TWO AM!?! How? What time did you go to bed? (Does everyone ask you that? Haha.) I love running in the morning on weekends but never could get the motivation to run before work...although I think I'm in the minority that loves running at night. I usually don't have much of a problem running after work and my runs are better than my groggy early morning runs. I look forward to it for the most part so I don't tend to skip them. I just make sure to schedule it in like an appointment, which works for me 🙂
Jaime says
I used to run before work until I became a mom. Now it's all I can do to get us out of the house on time (and everyone fed) to be at work at 8. On the weekends, though, I prefer to run super early.
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
I so wish I could run in the morning! But 5:00-6:30 is work time for me, before the boys get up. When I can workout in the morning, though, I absolutely love it.
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says
I run at 5 am in the morning outdoors with my running boo's. I love running at that time because it wakes me up, relieves stress, provides me some "ME" time as well as "girlfriend" time. We see some funny stuff in the morning. PLUS we are done by 6 am most times.
JulieWunder says
Awesome! You guys get it done!
Kyle Kranz says
Few things are more exhilarating than a crisp morning run along a waterfront 🙂
Most of the time I do my easy workouts in the afternoon or evening, however harder workouts are generally reserved for the mornings!
JulieWunder says
Very true!
Madeline St Onge says
I have to exercise before I do anything else, not a runner but I use walking videos and do that in the house, there is anything from 1 to 5 miles so I pick what I want and also kick boxing which I love. Good for you Julie. It is too dark for me to go walking at 5 or 6 in the morning 😉
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I used to be able to workout in the mornings no problem. I don't know what had happened to me! Now I like to workout after work as a way to unwind. I need every minute of sleep I can get in the mornings haha.
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Morning running is my favorite. Once it's passed a certain point, I don't want to run anymore unless it's like late late afternoon. Unfortunately, if I try to go before work now outside, it's pitch black already! So it's either treadmill or after work for me.
Dan Steadman says
do it in the morning before work/day begins....when training for my marathon that meant 4 am. I prefer to go in the mornings gets you focused for work...plus afternoon I leave at 5, wife works 4 nights a week, there's soccer practice, family and church commitments, it just makes sense for me to get it while everyone else is asleep.
JulieWunder says
Yeah, too much to do in the afternoon. It's nice to have "you" time too.
Heather @fitncookies says
I used to be such a morning runner and any workouts really. However, I started teaching Monday and Wednesday nights, and my running days are Tuesday and Thursday. My legs are just not fresh in the early hours, less than 12 hours after I teach, to get up and run. It makes me so sad because I truly love having it done and not worrying about it after work!
JulieWunder says
I totally understand running on tired legs can be ten times harder!
Blane Sherer says
I like your morning running advice. As I have said before, I especially like the way you actively do the very things that you advise others to do.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Blane!
Jenny says
YES! I love morning workouts! I learned years ago that if I don't get my exercise in first thing, it's not going to happen. I think the biggest tip you shared is to go to bed earlier--if you get enough sleep, getting up isn't hard at all!
JulieWunder says
I feel so energized during the day if I get up too.