413 days ago, I started waking up early in the morning. There was just one problem…
I wasn’t a morning person.
Every few months, I try it.
I set my alarm for super-early-o’clock. I lay out my running clothes right near the bed. I think about how awesome it will feel to have my workout done before my kids even roll out of bed for school.
I go to bed with every intention of doing my run early the following day.
And then, the next morning, I hit snooze a couple times on my alarm. I feel my husband stirring beside me, so I know I better not snooze again. I reset the alarm for my normal time and go blissfully back to sleep. 💤⏰
But when I wake up again an hour later, I’m racked with disappointment. Yet again, I’ve failed in my quest to become a morning runner.
Believe it or not, I’ve been doing this same thing for 8 years.
I read the article: “Reasons to Become a Morning Runner?”
You finish early. When you do your runs first thing in the morning, there’s nothing that gets in your way.
You get a great start to the day. There’s no denying the joy of those morning endorphins. They can help you through a long, stressful workday.
You free up time later in the day. It’s a lot less stressful to know your run is done, especially when you’re logging kays training for a race,
You rev up your metabolism. According to studies, fasting before a short morning run can burn more calories.
You sleep better. Studies have also shown that morning exercise can improve your sleeping patterns over the long term.
So yes, based on all the evidence, you should aim to become a morning runner and instantly improve your life.
But even with all that motivation, I can’t seem to do it.
Sometimes, in life and running, we pursue an idea because we think it sounds good, not because it’s the best fit for us.
I have always loved the concept of being a morning runner for the reasons outlined above and also because of the discipline it suggests.
But the truth is, I’m not a morning person.
Never have been. I have difficulty tearing myself out of bed even under the most ideal conditions, even when I’ve gotten eight hours of sleep and it’s a weekend.
So why, I have to ask, am I trying to make myself into something I’m not? ⏰
Sometimes, running is about meeting challenges. But sometimes, it’s about realizing that the challenge isn’t that important.
There’s no one judging me if I don’t have the motivation to do a morning run except myself. It doesn’t make me less of a runner to go at night 🌜 (or at mid-day, my preferred running time — you don’t hear many people describe themselves as a “mid-day person,” but that’s really when I hit my physical and mental stride).
Setting goals is an important part of running. But it’s also essential to set the right ones.
When you show yourself over and over again that you can’t do something, it’s kind of stupid to keep pursuing that goal when the goal itself is arbitrary.
I have achieved other running goals in these 8 years of trying to become a morning runner. I’ve lowered my PR 🥇 in the half marathon, 10K and 5K. I’ve strengthened my core and consistently done hill, tempo and speed days.
I’m proud of all those things defining me as a runner - not what time I get out the door.
So the next time I see one of those articles about how you can be a better runner by running in the morning, I’ll probably just skip it.
Because sometimes you have to let go of a goal that’s not going to happen — and realize it’s OK to do that. ❤️
