5 reasons to go for a morning run

Not a natural lark? Our 5 reasons to go for a morning run will make you set tomorrow’s alarm early!

Getting out of bed in the morning can be tough enough without even thinking about a workout. Then there are the decisions over whether to run at home, run to work, what to eat, how to pack, and the list goes on…But if you’re able to nail these details and drag yourself away from the duvet, then you’ll discover the many benefits of that early wake-up call to your body and mind.

1. It’ll wake you up

Simply the action of getting into your gear, pulling on your trainers and then bracing yourself for the cool morning air is enough to wake your body up. The simple motion of propelling yourself forwards and building up a sweat gets the blood circulating and the heart pumping, so much so, that it’ll only takes a few minutes for your mind to catch up. Running is the perfect cure for grogginess in the morning. Head outside for a double-hit of head-clearing stimulation. But if you really can’t face running outdoors, push yourself on the treadmill to really get those endorphins pumping so you can start a brand new day raring to go.

2. You can focus on the day ahead

It goes without saying that the simple act of running in the morning allows you a little bit of me-time. You can, of course, choose to run with someone else but sometimes it’s good to have a moment in the day where you can be alone and away from everything. You can then reflect on the day ahead, create task lists, think clearly about how to solve situations or simply enjoy running. It’s up to you how you use the morning run. You may find however that the boost in energy and feeling of alertness created by exercising in the morning will have a ricochet effect throughout your day. This means you’ll be more productive and able to focus on the tasks at hand.

3. You’re more likely to stick with it

Pub or run? I’ll just stay for another before I head home for a run…It’s the only time friend A is in town so I can’t mug her off with a run…Yep, it’s way easier to make excuses (and some of them are genuine) after work than before. And that’s why habitual morning runners are more likely to stick with it. In other words, if you do your workout in the morning, then you free up your evening for whatever may come your way.

4. It’s good for weight loss

While the jury’s still out on whether to fuel pre-morning run or go out on an empty stomach, the fact that you’re switching on your metabolism earlier can help in terms of weight loss and generally keeping in shape. What’s more, this sets a precedent for the day. You’ve done your exercise, you feel physically better and have more energy so are less likely to reach for a sugary snack later on in the day.

5. Rehearse your race day

If beating your PB or racing your first 5K is your goal, then morning training is paramount. The majority of races on the sporting calendar begin in the first half of the day because many organisers factor in things like temperature and the range of competitors’ finishing times. Running in the morning will give you that edge as you get to know how you react at that time of day so you can nail your big race.