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7 Ways to Become a Morning Runner

morning running

There are two types of people in this world: those who lead a healthy lifestyle and those who prefer to stay away from it. If you’re reading this blog post, you’re definitely the first type. 

There are many things people take up as hobbies, and running is one of them. It not only makes you feel and look good but also keeps your mind sharp and concentrated. 

Running before most people open their eyes can set you up for the day mentally and physically. It gives you more energy, improves productivity, and burns fat. Whether you want to lose weight or just improve your lifestyle, there is nothing better than running.

For most people, being a morning runner takes dedication, especially if they are naturally owls or the weather is unforgiving. Even when you’ve established a morning run habit, you need the self-discipline to maintain this positive lifestyle choice. 

In this blog post, you will learn seven best ways to become a morning runner. So let’s dive right in!

1. Join Running Groups

Some people like the peace and quiet of running alone. That may be why they choose to run in the morning. 

If you find morning runs lonely, or you need some extra motivation to get your running habit up to speed, so to speak, running with one or more other people can be a great motivation.

When you are part of a duo or group, you’ll have some healthy social pressure to stick to your routine. No partner will want to let anyone else down. And the conviviality of running with others can be fun; you can share the energy and tips to stay motivated. 

There are various groups where you can find like-minded people, such as a local community center or on Facebook Groups, Meetups, or platforms like JoinRunSocial to find local running clubs. If there’s no running group for your area, make one. 

Before meeting people for the first time, however, it’s always wise to apply some safety practices. 

  • Check out their social media profiles to learn more about them and see if there’s anything that rings a warning bell.
  • If you decide to meet new people, tell friends or family when and where.
  • Meet them with another person and/or in a public place, at least for the first time.

2. Go to Bed Earlier

To make sure you have the energy to run in the morning and the willingness to get out of bed, it’s essential to get enough sleep. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night. If you’re in your teens or you’re an active athlete, you will benefit from eight to ten hours.

3. Prepare the Night Before

To improve your performance, eat well the night before a morning run. A bowl of pasta or another carbohydrate-rich meal would be a good idea. 

Prepare a delicious power breakfast in advance. A banana is excellent fuel for a morning run, but knowing that you’ve got some mouth-watering energy balls ready and waiting is a true act of self-love that can make the difference between you that sleeps in and you that wants to improve your daily routine and get better.

Lay your running gear out the night before so that it’s waiting for you in the morning. Don’t waste any time thinking about what to wear and don’t give yourself any opportunity for excuses. 

4. Visualize Your Challenges and Successes

Positive visualization can dramatically improve your motivation, self-esteem, and performance. Before you go to bed, see yourself getting up in the morning, performing your morning routine with energy and excitement, and then see yourself running your chosen route. 

Make the mental images as real as possible. That means seeing potential challenges, but imagine yourself overcoming them. 

Visualization can help prepare your mind for what is to come and improve your performance. However, it’s critical to turn your visualization into physical activity.

5. Reward Yourself

If you need to buy yourself a fancy pair of trainers or a new sports watch to get motivated, that might be the answer. Obviously, you need to be able to go for a run without breaking the bank, but a coveted reward every now and then can be a powerful motivation.

You can arrange a more significant reward for yourself after your run. A small reward every day and a larger reward after a week, for example, might help you stay motivated while the practice becomes a habit. 

6. Set the Bar Low

A familiar saying attributed to numerous people goes: “Aim for the moon; if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

That’s nice. But sometimes lowering your goals can give you a motivation boost where you need it most. 

For example, rather than telling yourself that you will run around the park at 6 am, you could tell yourself that you’ll get into your running gear at 5:30 am. That’s it. Once you’re in your running gear, you can go back to bed or watch your favorite tv-series. The chances are good, however, that once you’re standing there in your running gear, you’ll go for a run. 

You may decide to run for a few minutes and that is perfectly valid. But the chances are good that once you’re running for a few minutes, you’ll run for ten. Removing the obligation releases the pressure, which can help you achieve more. 

7. Remind Yourself Why You’re a Morning Runner

Here is why people benefit from running:

  • Increased energy.
  • Higher self-esteem.
  • Improved heart health.
  • Better stamina.
  • Weight regulation through burning calories.
  • Mental stimulation.
  • Eased anxiety and depression.
  • Increased mental clarity.
  • Improved cognitive function.

While the effects of running are cumulative, wouldn’t it be nice to get that helpful endorphin boost at the beginning of the day? As long as you’re getting enough calories and you listen to your body, you can always go for a run at the end of the day, too. 

Conclusion

Have you seen those beautiful photos of people running through a silvery mist or illuminated by the golden morning sun? That can be you. You’re only seven steps away from a life-changing morning run routine. You can change your life, improve your health and mental state. Put on your favorite sneakers and run for it.

Tyler Tafelsky Gravel Cyclist
Head of Content at Better Triathlete | Website

Endurance athlete, professional off-road cyclist, and avid blogger, Tyler Tafelsky participates in long-course multisport and cycling events. Today, Tyler competes in ultra-distance cycling races at the professional level. Since starting Better Triathlete in 2014, he has been the head of content for the site's editorial team. Learn more about Tyler