I actually did it.
I ran 4 mornings in a row this week!
It’s a 2011 miracle!
I guess it just goes to show you it can be done if the queen of sleep can do it. After sleeping in most of December, I just made up my mind that I was going to run in the mornings and put it into action. Most mornings this week it hasn’t been that hard to get up, but this morning it was harder. I was tired. I hit snooze. But I still got up and got out the door.
Besides getting everything ready the night before, I was thinking of some of my other tricks and mental games to get me out of bed on my run this morning.
Make plans
Even if they just happen to get cancelled or they are just random plans, having something to do in the evening and knowing having to run will ruin that always helps to get me up. If it’s no run or a morning run, I will definitely go for the morning run!
This week I had plans a couple nights (even though most of them were cancelled) but this helped me to plan out my runs and get me up!
Reward yourself
Promise yourself that if you get up you will get a reward. A cup of good coffee, a bagel for breakfast, something that is incentive to get up.
Latte post morning track workout? Don’t mind if I do!
Know the sleep will come
The first couple days are rough getting your sleep schedule in order, but eventually your body starts to adapt and get tired to make you fall asleep early.
My body hadn’t really adapted to getting to sleep earlier yet, but by Thursday I was tired and was able to fall asleep before 9pm. Waking up just after 5am meant I got over 8 hours of sleep! Although I missed a couple season premiers on TV, it’s better to watch them on the DVR anyways.
If you want to make it a habit it will happen. Just get up and run. It may not be easy, but you will get used to it and it won’t be so hard anymore!
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A couple weeks ago on facebook I asked if anyone had any post topics they wanted me to write on and I got a couple of great responses (what I eat in a day during training, strength training) and definitely plan on doing those posts very soon, but wanted to open it up here too – any questions you have for me or anything you want me to write about? Comment or email me!
so proud of you for starting your routine and sticking to it! way to go aron!
post about your doggies… since i’m a doggie lover & id LOVE to meet yours I want to know everything abbout kylie & emma!
eeek!
Why is your all-time favorite running book and/or resource?
Great job getting your routine started! You are one dedicated runner! Keep up the good work!
I love running in the morning. You’re SO going to enjoy it once your body adapts.
I’d like to read how you get your self motivated when you get in a slump e.g marathon training when you just hate the thought of the next long run….. if it has ever happened to you?
You said that you are planning on becoming a certificed running coach…I was just wondering what you plan on doing with that. I want to be certified also, but mostly just because I love running. I don’t really know how I would put it to use!
for the first time ever i have gone m-f of this week in the morning!!!!!!!!!! and my most awesome reward is a shower
lol. otherwise i don’t shower before work and i look sooooooooooo much nicer if i shower and then i’m more likely to make my hair look cute and wear nice clothes. WINNNNNNNN all around 
i hope it lasts 
i think it will be even easier when i don’t have to layer on warm clothes.
I don’t believe I’ve ever run 4 days in a row believe it or not. Bully for you!
I’m going to have to work on the getting up early habit next week since I’m doing yoga Mon/Wed/Fri mornings and running Tues/Thurs mornings. Meaning a 5:30 AM wake-up (or earlier) every day of the week! I know I can do it, but the first week will be tough!
Nice work! I love that feeling of getting in a routine and sticking to it! Your right about it happening when you truly WANT to make it a habit.
It’s not a miracle, it’s the magic of Boston training!
4 in a row! What a way to start your year!! I use some of the same tricks. I haven’t been doing a lot of morning workouts but I find I am already in my usual 9-9:30 pm bedtime routine. Training (and working) makes me tired!
My morning routine wasn’t as successful this week but tomorrow morning is another chance to get back to my morning habit (which lightens the running load in the evening! Talk about incentive!)
Great ideas for getting up! It’s tough here in the winter because of the snow and it’s more dangerous. But hopefully if we don’t have a blizzard next week I will get out for a morning run.
I run before work, too! It was such a tough transition. At first I was an evening runner only, then it switched to lunch only (I get a 2 hour break). This was great b/c I didn’t lose any sleep … great until I moved to FL where it’s too hot to run at lunch 10 out of the 12 months. I quickly jumped on the FL training bandwagon and had to wake up early – 4:45AM early four of the five days before work! Sometimes I miss and make it up …. but now I LOVE it!! I actually prefer running in the AM …you will, too!!
As far as posts …. Increasing mileage. You run higher mileage than most … I’d be interested in your thoughts on higher mileage or less mileage w/more speed AND how you run long (mentally, and time wise … goal pace vs. easy, etc).
Great post! I like the reward factor, that might actually work for me
In regards to questions: You are running a very high mileage and I was wondering what you are doing to stay injury free. Do you get regular massages or do you visit the chiropractor on a regular basis?
The reason why I ask, I got a hip bursitis right after my first marathon. I didn’t run high mileage, only around 20-30 miles/week. I was wondering what I can do to prevent that for my next marathon. Thanks!
I run three times a week before work at 5am. Your body definitely gets used to getting up at this time. I barely need an alarm clock.
Are you talking about The Bachelor and the Jersey Shore season premiers or are you classier than I am?
As for topics…What runners (elite, friends, bloggers, anyone) do you admire and why? Have you ever felt like your running has plateaued (or that you’re not getting any better) and how did you get through that?
seriously, that’s amazing! i got through “seasons” when for some unknown reason i have the ability to rouse myself from sleep. but just as unexpectedly as it came, it escapes me. currently i’m still trying to adjust to my new work schedule which has me coming in an hour and a half earlier than normal….so maybe in another month i’ll be ready to try getting up even earlier than that
i do love when i get my run done early in the day. i feel so light and free the rest of the day. and when i know i have a run to do after work i feel like it hoovers right over my head all day wherever i go…
Ha, I need to work on getting up early this semester. I like the reward idea, though most likely, I’d just get the reward anyway. Except I’d call it the “consolation prize.”
I was so glad to see this post because morning runs are one of my 2011 goals! (I’m just not able to talk myself into it JUST yet. Sometime in 2011 though.) Thanks for the tips!
Hey! I can probably get up and run but I never feel like I get a quality workout in. Whats your morning routine with food, etc, so that you get a quality workout in?
Great job on the 4 days in a row! Also, LOVE the new blog format!
Dang girl, that is awesome! I definitely plan on doing some morning workouts in 2011. It is always so dang hard to wake up!
LOVE am workouts! like you i experimented for a little bit, and now i can’t imagine doing anything else.
I ran 2 mornings this past week!! I’m working on the morning running as well. It’s tough. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one. I know way to many really great morning runners. This coming week, I’m shooting for 3 mornings!
I totally agree with your body taking time to adjust to morning runs. In my experience it takes at least a week or 2.