3 tips for morning running

Tonight's sunset...4:30pm. It's getting darker, earlier, and there's nothing we can do about it, or is there? I've been less motivated to run, or even work out as of late do to the decreasing daylight and warmth. Seeking the solace of my living room sofa and television have been all too enticing.

I am an evening runner. I love the post work run but now that it's barely light enough to see the path, I have to resort to changing my routine. As it's been darker earlier, that means it's also been lighter earlier, in the morning that is. Sunrise is at 6:30 am. I usually need about 30 minutes to feel comfortable enough to get moving. Here are my three tips to morning running:

Tip 1: Automatic coffee maker
I don't know about you, but I need coffee in the morning to really get going. I set my drip machine's timer the night before to start making coffee at the same time as my alarm clock. By the time I get out of bed, there's a hot pot waiting in the kitchen.

Tip 2: Have your running gear ready
Lay out, ball up in a pile, or sleep in your running clothes. I hate stumbling around in the morning looking for the right clothes to wear. Once I have my shorts or running pants on, I am more likely to actually go running then just sit on the couch drinking my pre made coffee.

Tip 3: The battle with the bathroom
Contraversial topic here, but it needs to be addressed. We all know what it's like running before evacuating the troops. Cramps, sluggishness, uncertainty that we'll even make it the whole way without the need to stop and find relief. Coffee is a natural diaretic and can help move things along, hence why tip 1 is tip 1.

Why it's okay to have pizza and beer

Some people run to get in shape. Some people run so that they can eat food like pizza and beer. Other people run just to run. Me, I love slurpees.

Tuesday nights at the Harvard track has become a staple for most runners and tmirce'ers come out for all different reasons. You wanna get fast, you wanna get strong or you're training for a race. We run for all sorts of different reasons but the outcome is the same. See post track workout photo below.

From Left: Fast Bob, Ray, Dan, The Kid, Energizer Bunny, Danzu Ryu

So why do you run? I bet it's because a llama's chasing you; a valid reason. If that's not the case, tell us. If you're looking for a good reason to get out on a Monday night when it's dark and want to run with some fun people with free food afterwards, check out Lululemon's new run from their store at the Pru.

Want to run with Informal Running? Then get off your booty and join:
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The Most Informal Running Club Ever
we're even on Facebook too.