All other things being equal, is there any reason why running in
the morning should be different from running any other time of day? I
think running in the morning has many advantages over running later in
the day. Here are my top 3 reasons you should get up in the morning to
go for a run:
- You're
going to burn calories. When you run before you breakfast, you force
your body to release glycogen from body tissues, which will then be
burned in the cells of your body. It is that glycogen which is your
primary fuel source, consumed ahead of most fuel sources. After
you run, you can enjoy a good breakfast which will refuel your body's
cells with glycogen, helping you get ready for your next run. Research
tells us that calories consumed within 30-60 minutes of working out go
first to rebuild muscle glycogen and not to
feed fat cells. Research also tells us that our metabolism stays
elevated for hours after exercise, which means you'll burn more calories
even while you're sitting at your desk planning your day.
- You're going to build discipline. Look I love running, but even I
find it tough to roll out of bed, pull on some running clothes, lace up
my Asics runners and go for a pre-sunrise workout. Once you've done this
a few times, you'll find it easier to talk yourself into doing those
other tough things you know you should do. Early morning runners achieve
more than their non-running counterparts. That's a club you should
join.
- You've got the whole world to yourself. Look around. If you're
running first thing in the morning, maybe even before breakfast, who do
you have to share the road with? Perhaps you're heading to the gym to do
some time on the treadmill. You'll have your pick of machines first
thing in the morning. Better yet, imagine rolling out of bed, slipping
on your runners before sunrise and doing your favorite beach or trail
run. Then, while you're running, watching the sunrise. If that isn't
inspirational, you must be a tough nut to crack!
I
hope you'll find at least one reason above that gives you enough reason
to get up early, lace up your favorite trusty runners and give yourself
the gift of a morning run.
Jim Oldfield helps non-runners become runners. Like many, he was
conditioned to believe he couldn't run. Today, he runs for fitness and
health and enjoys sharing the gifts of running with others. He writes
about running for fitness, running for weight loss and running just to
feel good. Go to
http://runningiseasy.com for a FREE mini-course and discover the best success tips for beginning runners.