MOTIVATION
10 REASONS to run in the morning
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45
Percentage o f iRun survey respondents w prefer to run ho in the morning.
Enjoy the dark
TRICKS TO STAY MOTIVATED, EVEN WHEN THE SUN IS TAKING SOME EXTRA ZZZS. By Karen Karnis
Y
ou may not wear your running gear to bed (like some people we know) but to make sure you get your run in, we’ve come up with some practical advice to get you out the door as the season changes – morning or night.
Early bird?
Getting up in the morning starts the night before. Lay your running clothes and accessories out in a room that is not your bedroom – the bathroom will do fine. Go to bed at the same time every night. Before you go to sleep, tell yourself, “I am going for a run in the morning,” and leave it at that. Don’t add any “ifs” or “buts” to the thought or
you already have an excuse prepared. Put a lamp on a timer in another room, and set it to turn on several minutes before your alarm will go off. The light shining through your doorway when you first open your eyes will make the world seem a little more cheery. Set your alarm clock to something loud and obnoxious and place it far enough from the bed that you must get up to shut it off. When it goes off, don’t think. Just put your feet on the floor and get out of bed. Go to the room where you laid out your stuff – do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Turn on the light and get dressed. There! The hard part is over.
Night owl?
Getting out the door in the evening is almost the same, but without the alarm clock part. Just like in the morning, prepare in advance. Get your running stuff ready before you leave for work, and tell yourself you are going for a run this evening. Don’t make excuses. Put on your running gear as soon as you get home from work. Don’t get comfortable. Once you’ve settled in somewhere it is easy to believe you’re done for the night. But if you keep busy until it’s time to leave for your run, you won’t have the lure of a comfy couch and cozy blanket to sabotage your run.
It’s harder to get derailed: no meetings to run late, no pop-up dinner plans with friends, no worries about saying no to one more bedtime story with the kids.
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Your run will be well underway before your brain realizes what is happening – no time for negative thoughts to creep in.
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Great excuse to buy a bunch of reflective, glow-in-thedark, and/or light-up clothing and accessories – see The Buzz on Gear at iRun.ca for the latest!
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New perspective on the same old streets – everything looks different when lit by the moon and the streetlights.
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Wildlife sightings – especially on garbage day.
Speaking of wildlife, you’d be amazed what people wear to take out the garbage when it’s dark out.
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You’d be amazed what people wear to walk the dog when it’s dark out.
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You’ll be awake and alert when you get home – just in time to greet the other members of your household as they grump out of bed.
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You’ve earned a Danish even before you even get into the shower.
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Even if you get nothing else accomplished during the day, your run is checked off your list.
For tips on running safe, visit Up to Speed at iRun.ca 22
2014 ISSUE 01
iRun because I have legs and some don’t. – Cate L., Ontario