How do some people wake up before the sunrises and get in their long run? They are up and out the door while the rest of the world is asleep.

You have tried and failed many times to set your alarm to wake up and run but just haven’t found the secret. The night before you set your alarm convince yourself you will wake up but find yourself snoozing your alarm for an hour. This happens to everyone. Those morning runners were once not morning runners. How do you become a morning runner? Running in the morning is a great way to start your day; it gives you more time throughout the day and more energy. In order to become a morning runner you simply need to make it a ritual.

Making the change to become a morning runner

The Pros and Cons

List all of the good things that running in the morning will bring

• Getting your workout done
• Watching the sunrise
• Extra time

List the perceived negatives

• Going to bed earlier

Get family involved

Let your family know of your goal to wake up early and have them help you to be accountable

Get Help

Meet up with people in the morning, you are more likely to not skip out on a run when people are counting on you

Find your route

Know what kind of lighting is along your route

• You may need to invest in a headlamp

Traffic will be different

Be safe

Wear the right gear

Bright and reflective clothing

Clip-on lights

Have a mantra

What can you tell yourself every morning to get yourself out of bed?

The night Before

Eat a healthy dinner

What you eat shows in how you run

Lay out your gear

Have everything laid out and ready to go

Sleep in the dark

Obvious right?

Limit screen time an hour prior to bed and make sure your room is really dark

Have a sleep ritual

Rituals lead to consistency

Set an alarm

Call your alarm something entertaining to motivate you

Place you alarm on the other side of the room so you have to get up to turn it off

In the morning

Turn on your lights

Right away it will wake you up

Perfect your routine

Look at some early morning motivation

• Instagram

Drink water right away, wakes up your body

Gear up

Coffee!

If you aren't awake yet, you will be

Don’t expect instant results

It will take time to get used to your new routine

It’ll get easier to wake up early

Get Ready to Run

Get moving

Do some jumping jacks or walking lunges before heading out the door to warm up your body

Start slow

Give your body time to wake up

Use these tools and you’ll be a morning runner in no-time!

Read more at MapMyFitness