Running Early in the Morning

Running before going to work can be indeed a great challenge! Here are some tips:

0. - WAKING UP. This is the hardest but essential part. You will probably need to set your alarm clock earlier and find the motivation to get up with the idea that your will get from the warmth of your blankets to the freezing outside world. Having a running partner which you can’t leave hanging waiting for you is a good strategy. Thinking that that is your only time in the day you have to dedicate to your run is sure another. Anyways also think of how you will be relaxed and joyful (I hope!) for all the rest of the day, of the benefits that running will give you through your work / study day.

1. - TEMPERATURE. It will be chiller then what you expect. I have an outdoor thermometer I check before going out. I find that untill 10°C it’s ok to run with just a t-shirt on, below this it’s better to get something on top.

2. - DOGS. If you are running in a city, you may find lots of dog owners, some still in their pijamas, bringing out their friends. Just watch out if you are running with a dog yourself, you might encounter some unleashed ones!

3. - CAR DRIVERS. Waking up and getting locked in a claustrophobic vehicle with the perspective of seeing your boss and/or bothering co-workers is not the ideal situation for most of the people. So watch out for histeric, nervous or just sleepy drivers, especially if it’s still dark.

4. - SPEEPINESS. Don’t fall back a sleep! Get some music, listen to the radio or to a podcast!

5. - BREAKFAST. Have it before running or not? It really depends on what are your habits and on how your body reacts in the morning. I would suggest, if you have breakfast, to have a small one at least one hour before running and having a regular one after you come back. Two cookies and a coffee is what works for me.