For those of us with packed family, work, and social lives, sometimes the only time we can afford to run is early in the morning…even on the weekends. All you single kids out there reading this…just you wait!!!! 
Morning isn’t the optimal time for a quality run, however, other than the fact that we have time in our schedules. What steps can you take to improve the quality and overall effect of these early runs?
Running in the early morning places a unique set of demands on our bodies. We need to get some fuel, we need to have our head in the game, we need to be prepared to get some work done. We are talking full physical and mental engagement…often a tall order at 5:30am!
With the proper preparation, however, it’s possible to turn these early morning sessions into high-quality running experiences. Here are some easy to follow tips to make the most of your morning efforts:
1. Be Prepared: Following the guidance in Tip #2 Pre-Running Routine [http://www.patrickjohnmccrann.com/wordpress/?p=172], just being ready is half the battle. Eliminating stumbling blocks like finding gear, locating equipment, planning a route, deciding on a workout, can really make a difference in how you respond to that early morning alarm.
2. Be Fueled: Regardless of your early morning workout plan, remember you have been fasting for a couple of hours through the night. It’s a great idea to take in some light calories that will help keep you going on the run instead of having your body start to cannibalize critical tissue / energy stores. It doesn’t have to be a feast, just a little something…even a (gasp) gel.
3. Be Smart: Pick safe areas to run in, both from a personal perspective, but also from a physical one. IOW, don’t do a “tour of the deserted alleyways”, but don’t also run down the worst pot-hole filled street in your neighborhood either. I would also include knowing the weather in this smart category. I use an outdoor thermometer cross-referenced with the online weather and doppler radar images to make sure I have everything I need for my run.
4. Be Slow…to Start: Give yourself some extra time to get warmed up on the run. It takes me another 5 to 10 minutes to really be “into” my run, especially the ones with hard intervals in them. In fact I purposefully avoid a lot of the hills early on until I am ready.
5. Get Company: Just being accountable to meeting another person really makes a difference. We see this all the time online inside Endurance Nation, as people stick to their training plans because of their online training buddies…the real world is no different. Besides, if you are flexible, you could even take turns suggesting routes, trading workouts, or challenging one another to a time trial!
What’s your early morning secret?
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