Early morning runs. They sometimes can be a necessary evil. For those of us that have busy careers and hectic work weeks they are often times the only way you can get it in. So, how do you wake up fresh faced and ready to run? It is sometimes easier said than done. Here are a few ways you can get a JOLT of energy into those early miles.
1. Grab a banana or some quick carbs pre run. I am actually terrible at eating before a run especially if it is really early. But if you are running for longer than an hour you really need to put some gas in the tank. So go to bed early (I’m in bed by 9 p.m. most nights) and get up and grab a quick bite. It doesn’t have to be a full fledged breakfast, even a piece of toast with a bit of almond butter will work.
2. Wear a headlamp or some sort of reflective lights if it is dark out. I try to be sure I run with friends and in a lit up neighborhood but having those lights sometimes can make all the difference. It even makes me feel a little bit more awake.
3. Get you some cool jams. Get you a killer early morning run playlist, like ‘crunk in the A.M.’. Yes, Spotify can be very helpful for rocking it out on the run.
4. Find some hills on your route. I get really bored if my early morning run is flat, so a lot of times I will go out of my way to find some hills or slight inclines. It mixes it up and makes things more fun. Mounds of opportunity.
5. Finish your run at or near a local coffee shop. Knowing that cup of java is waiting for you post run can sometimes make all the difference.
What are some ways your like to energize your early morning runs?
thedancingrunner 
My favorite thing about morning runs is catching some gorgeous sunrises – sometimes that’s what gets me out of bed! I always try to plan the run so I can be somewhere good where I can see it in all its glory 🙂
Oh yes!! That is muy importante!
I like the idea of finishing near a coffee shop. Nice way to treat yourself after a run.
It really is a nice perk! Drinking my post run coffee now!
I need to remember to fuel or take something with me on my midweek run, I was on empty when I finished today. I’ve bee wearing my clip on light, it is still really dark out at 5a!! I’ve been doing these solo runs with tunes, but I haven’t been turning them on until it gets light out!! If something is going to charge me, I want to hear it coming!!! I WISH the cawfee shop was at the end of my route!! I could go for that!!
Jodi
LOL yeah having a light makes all the difference!!