The Running Thread - 2016

[FFigawi]

QOTD: If you normally run in the afternoon, but would like to start running in the morning, what are some tips you can share to help with the early wake up and run?

Get a good night's sleep. If you're up late, you're not going to want to get out of bed because your body will want the rest. I've seen lots of columns written in Runner's World and other publications about how you should sleep in your running clothes or do other similar things, but I don't think it's really that complicated. When the alarm goes off, get up. I know it's so tempting to roll over and go back to sleep, but be an adult and get out of bed. If you need some prodding, have a friend text you to make sure you're up (I do this for a friend of mine in Houston), set the coffee pot to have the first pot ready before you wake up so you'll have a nice aroma to greet you (if you like coffee, anyway), or set a second alarm farther out of reach. It does take 2-3 weeks to get used to waking up early and going out for a run. Once that period of transition is over, your new routine becomes second nature.

 

[Slogger]

QOTD: If you normally run in the afternoon, but would like to start running in the morning, what are some tips you can share to help with the early wake up and run?

ATTQOTD: I have failed many times to make this transition and currently working on making it happen.

Set two alarms, preferably across the room in hard-to-find places. Once you are awake it's easy.
I really enjoy the peace and serenity of early morning and watching the world wake up.

It's not that hard of an adjustment once you "buy in" to the idea that the morning is your best option for a productive run.
I typically switch to morning runs this time of year due to heat and humidity that I would get later in the day.
If I time it right I can run and get home in time to wake up the teenagers and help them get ready for school. I don't need to worry about sunscreen!
Bonus for me is that I only have to take one shower instead of two if I wait and run later in the day!

 

[opusone]

QOTD: If you normally run in the afternoon, but would like to start running in the morning, what are some tips you can share to help with the early wake up and run?

As with others above, I can answer the question, but from the flip-side: I have always been a morning runner, and I have sometimes tried to switch to afternoon/evening runs, and it never works. Life always seems to get in the way in the afternoon or evening, and I can never count on consistency. The morning, however, is my time... sort of... I mean... if I wake up early enough. So, each night I just back into what time I need to get up in order to complete my run for the next morning. Yes, this sometimes means I am waking up as early as 4:30am on the longer runs, but running is important enough for me to make it happen.

That being said, after 28 years (on and off) of running in the mornings, here are some tips:
1. Get enough sleep. This means you may need to go to bed earlier than you are used to, but if you don't get enough sleep, it will be very difficult to motivate yourself out of bed.
2. Wake up early enough. Don't wake up "just-in-time" such that you are then rushed to start your run, immediately get in shower, go to work, etc. You need to still perform your entire pre-run routine (bathroom, dynamic stretching, etc) as well as your preferred cool down routine (including proper fueling afterwards). Don't create shortcuts just to sleep an additional 10-20 minutes.
3. Get all your gear ready before going to sleep.
4. Wear appropriate safety gear if it's still dark. You will feel safer and less worried about someone not seeing you, and this does matter because how you feel on a run affects if you are motivated to do it again.

 

[LSUlakes]

My main problem is I haven't been going to bed until 10 or later. Multiple alarms are set, but I somehow turn them off and then I wake up and only have time to get dressed for work. I don't recall hearing the alarm or turning it off. Like others have said I need to set the alarm out of reach of my bed and get to bed earlier. I am getting tired of running on the TM. This past weekend I went to bed after midnight, had crawfish the night before the run, and well that didn't work out. Had a lot going on with mothers day weekend so my only option to get in a few miles was Saturday night. I started my 6 miles at 10:00 PM and I was tired before I even started. I think going to bed at a decent hour will make this much easier to get done moving forward.

 

[opusone]

Oh, and I forgot another tip that can help with morning motivation: if possible, find a group or another person that will be waiting for you.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: If you normally run in the afternoon, but would like to start running in the morning, what are some tips you can share to help with the early wake up and run?

I normally run in the afternoon because that's when I have the most time. I normally don't have a big problem waking up early though. I think if you want to wake up early don't just decide oh I'm going to wake up an hour earlier tomorrow. Make it a progression, wake up 10-15 minutes earlier the next day and then add another 10-15 minutes so your mind and body gets used to the wake up. As always eat breakfast even if it's light eat something to give yourself some type of energy.

 

[ZellyB]

I agree that an early bed time is essential. I'm usually in bed by 9 PM. The good thing is once you start getting up earlier, you are definitely tired and ready to sleep earlier too.

 

[PrincessV]

QOTD: If you normally run in the afternoon, but would like to start running in the morning, what are some tips you can share to help with the early wake up and run?

ATTQOTD: I guess my only tip is to go to bed early the night before. I run after work M-F, but do my weekend long runs in the mornings, so I do a mix of both AM and PM; I'm not a morning person by any means, but if I go to bed early, I can get up early to run - mentally, I'm just half-asleep through half my morning run, but I don't mind that at all At some point each summer I decide I should move my weekday runs to the very early mornings to deal with the heat... and then I do it a few times and decide I'd rather flirt with heat stroke than run before work, lol! So maybe my other tip is to limit morning runs to the bare minimum necessary.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

QOTD: If you normally run in the afternoon, but would like to start running in the morning, what are some tips you can share to help with the early wake up and run?

Honestly, my transition to a morning person wasn't easy, and I don't think there is any piece of advice that can help. (I made the change before I started running.)

The single biggest motivator is obligation. I learned I could do it in college (of all times) working at a summer camp. You're responsible for getting those kids to breakfast, so when the bell goes off, you get up. But when you get up alone, without an immediate need, it gets very difficult. For me, just having someone there when you wake up is enough.

But it takes practice. Expect it to be difficult. Move ASAP. If waking up and getting up are two separate things, you have to combine them.

Here's an insight, though: You know it's possible. Every one of us has overslept or slept through the alarm when there is somewhere we have had to be, or something we are required to do. No choice. Isn't it amazing how fast we move under those circumstances?

But then you have to do it again. And again. And again. And like everything else you do over and over, it gets easier. But getting up early is either something you are going to do, or you're not. All the tips, mantras, and reasons mean nothing until you decide to do it, like love someone, every. single. day.

 

[Mickey's sweetheart]

QOTD: I am not a morning person at all but I hate running when it's too warm so that's a big motivation for me in the summer to get out early. Signing up for a race is also big motivation to get out of bed. There's money and pain on the line if I don't get out bed.

 

[Miranda]

ATTQOTD: Tips on how to wake up earlier? (semi-serious) Get a puppy.

I am lucky that I work at home and have a flexible schedule, so during colder months, it is no big deal for me to wait until 1-2pm when it is the warmest part of the day and go out for my weekday runs, but any later than that and I struggle with the whole bailing out because it's late and I'm tired and I just want dinner and tv. I do about 30-35 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the warmer months, though, I like to get it done before it starts getting warm, and on weekends all year, my long run needs to get started early or the whole day is ruined because I am very slow. Luckily, I do not really have a problem shifting my schedule to a morning wakeup time. I just... set the alarm and do it.

My SO on the other hand, who is not a runner, but struggles with morning wakeups, has been a night owl the entire last 18+ years we've been together. He always stays up late, and sleeps in late. Luckily he also works at home so this isn't an issue work-wise. But over the past 2.5 months he is now regularly waking up early in the morning because the puppy used to wake him up to go out to the bathroom around 6 or so when we first got her. Now she will wait until 7:30 or so, but she did it enough weeks in a row that he still is waking up at normal people morning times.

 

[GreatLakes]

QOTD: If you normally run in the afternoon, but would like to start running in the morning, what are some tips you can share to help with the early wake up and run?

I am an evening runner so I can't really help you there. I get up for races but really have no desire to get up early for training runs. If it is really hot and I want to run in cooler weather I just wait until dark and do the run then. More than once I started my long marathon training run late at night. I started a 20 miler after midnight once.

 

[LSUlakes]

Not running related but Disney related... We have a trip planned for Nov. 14-20!!! Looks like the crowds wont be to bad except towards then end of the trip. I'm very excited!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Another point, and this ties back to your question from last week. If you have to set multiple alarm clocks and one of them has to be out of reach, you are not getting enough sleep. This is more critical to your health than any other fitness routine.

Go to bed!

 

[Miranda]

I am an evening runner so I can't really help you there. I get up for races but really have no desire to get up early for training runs. If it is really hot and I want to run in cooler weather I just wait until dark and do the run then. More than once I started my long marathon training run late at night. I started a 20 miler after midnight once.

Wow, I would be scared to run that late! I just would not feel safe even carrying mace or something, plus even though we live in a moderate sized city (for NH) of 30,000, there's still a lot of wildlife out there I wouldn't want to run into in the dark. I have seen bear cubs a few hundred yards from where we live, and I'm sure the mama was not far away, and a friend's neighborhood nearby had problems with coyotes attacking some dogs, and we also have had moose and bobcat sightings in town.

 

[croach]

Oh, and I forgot another tip that can help with morning motivation: if possible, find a group or another person that will be waiting for you.

I think this is a big one. If you're obligated to meet someone it's going to make it much harder to go back to sleep and bail on that person.

 

[michigandergirl]

ATTQOTD: Lay all of your clothes and gear out the night before. Make sure to charge all devices the night before too. Go to bed early! If you can find someone to run with - awesome! No one wants to run with me at 4:30. If I'm really struggling to get out of bed I make myself think of two good reasons why I'm doing this, or I'll make a deal with myself and say I'll just run 3 miles instead of 5 and chances are once I'm moving I'll end up doing 5 anyway.

Keep in mind it could take up to 8 weeks for your body to acclimate to a new routine, especially a rolling out of bed and running routine.

 

[DVCFan1994]

Not running related but Disney related... We have a trip planned for Nov. 14-20!!! Looks like the crowds wont be to bad except towards then end of the trip. I'm very excited!

Before my kids were in school we used to go this week each year. Loved it! Its post veterans day crowds, pre-Thanksgiving crowd and you'll start right at the end of the F&W festival. I'd go that week every year if I didn't have to worry about pulling my kids from school.

 

[Slogger]

Another point, and this ties back to your question from last week. If you have to set multiple alarm clocks and one of them has to be out of reach, you are not getting enough sleep. This is more critical to your health than any other fitness routine.

Go to bed!

You picked up on the fault in my plan pretty quickly......
I don't get to bed until 11:30 and typically get 4.5 to 6 hours of sleep if I'm lucky.
Some mornings I am up by 4am and just go run because I can't get back to sleep.
Tired all the time is an understatement!

 

[Slogger]

Another motivator to get up early is that all RunDisney races are early in the morning.
Think of it as practice.
Hardest part of Dopey Challenge was the 3:20 AM wake up calls.