LilySlim Exercise days tickers

Apr 12, 2013

Q and A: Tips for Starting An Early Morning Running Habit


the SeaWheeze lululemon half marathon
SeaWheaze Lululemon Half Marathon

Just a little "Question and Answer" post...  Tet of Tet's Little Finds and Cute and Dainty blogs had a question in my previous post. Here's +theresa montino 's comment:
"May I ask, how much do you spend to run every morning if you have free time? I want to run as early as 5am too but I was so lazy pulling myself in bed at this time.. Give tips please!"

To answer her first question, here's a breakdown of my weekend running cost.
  • Transportation fare to and from Quirino Grandstand - PhP 28
  • Water - PhP 20
  • Taho - PhP 20
  • Meal - PhP 125
I can actually save up on water if I bring my own water container.  I could also skip taho and breakfast meal if I go home immediately after my run, but a big breakfast is my reward for the workout hehehe.  So, if I would go skimping on the meal, that brings down the cost to just the fare going to the running venue.  If you would just jog along your own neighborhood, you wouldn't be spending a single centavo.  I wish I could do that but in my neighborhood, it's a bit crowded, with PUV's belching out those ominous carbon dioxide and monoxide.  I couldn't run while holding my breath.  Also, there are dogs and I just don't want to make a repeat of my stint with dogs a year ago.

I don't run on weekdays, unless it's a holiday like last Tuesday.  My work starts at 6am so there's no way I could run before that, unless I am crazy enough to run at 3am.  After work, I am usually already too tired to have a run.  So it's just weekends for me.  On weekdays, I just exercise and make sure I walk my minimum of 6,000 steps.  

The 2nd part of Tet's query, I'll try to tackle it step by step, according to my own experiences.  It is evident in many of my posts that I love running.  With that said, I have also mentioned that waking up early is not something I am eager about.  You see, Sunday is the only day I could opt to NOT wake up early to go to work.  But it is also the only day I could have my morning run.  I choose morning because for me it's the best time, the temperature being cooler than the rest of the day and I am at my most energetic state for the run.  I'm also not inclined to night running, but if you have that option open, then it solves your problem of having to wake up early, like before 5 am.

Here are my personal (not expert) tips for you if you are really into morning runs:
  • First, make sure you are really fit to run.  If you have health conditions, better consult your physician.  With that out of the way, also try to come up with a goal that you could always go back to for inspiration and motivation whenever you feel too lazy to run.  
  • Next, scout for possible running areas.  Choose a convenient running venue, the nearer it is to your home, the better.  Consider also the safety aspects, particularly if you plan to run before daylight.
  • Prepare all your running essentials the night before so you don't have to fumble with those in the morning.  Picture a less stressful morning scene where you just wake up, do the morning routine, including having a light breakfast, dress up, grab your running essentials and go.  I usually don't eat before my run, as my stomach is not accustomed to eating so early.  But if I do feel hunger pangs before my run, that's where the taho at Luneta Park comes in handy.  Oh and don't forget to do your warm-up routine before the actual run, according to Ms. Sarah. (Thanks for the reminder sis...got carried away lol!)
  • Have a good night's sleep.  I don't have prescribed hours because some people are good with just 5 hours or so, but some need a full 8 hours of sleep.  So hit the sack according to your sleeping needs.
  • Don't tire yourself by doing a lot of activities the day before the run.  That would make it harder for you to wake up so early.
  • Have running buddies so you'll be more accountable to run instead of coming up with a good excuse for yourself.  It's so easy to just postpone running if you are just by yourself, unless you happen to have the strong urge to run or you have that kind of discipline that you don't need people egging you on to run or do a certain fitness activity.  As for me, I need my running buddies to keep me on my toes.
  • Have an alarm clock.  Don't laugh but for someone who loves to sleep, I use two alarm systems, one on my cellphone, one on my tablet.  Sometimes, when I am even doubting those two gadgets, I use a third one, a real alarm clock lol!  You see, sometimes, I already get used to the beeping sound that I sleep through that.  And it would be worthwhile that you place these beyond arm's reach.  That way, you really have to get up to turn them off.  Once you get up and you are fully awake, you're done with half the battle.
Lastly, having a regular running habit is a personal decision you have to make and put into action.  There is no specific formula to follow here.  In the end, it always boils down to you.  I can give tips, but I cannot teach determination and discipline, or the love of running...well maybe rub it on a bit, but that's just about it.  It's an inner battle you have to win, not just once, but every time you find yourself giving excuses for skipping on your fitness routines.  

We also have a saying: 
"Pag gusto may paraan...pag ayaw, maraming dahilan."  
Loosely translated, for those who do not understand, "If we want something that bad, we do everything we can to do that. But if we don't like to do it, we can make up a lot of excuses." (Weird but English seems longer than Tagalog in this case lol!)

Happy running!



30 comments:

  1. great post, its so nice sharing your experience
    my daily exercise is just walking briskly around the neighborhood from 30-45 minutes everyday, i ado it around 6AM after i prepared our breakfast; pagbalik ko i would wake up my kids and hubby para sabay-sabay magbreakfast

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  2. I agree dito "Pag gusto may paraan...pag ayaw, maraming dahilan." . Kaya ako maraming reasons not to run, #1 lazy. =) but I'm not giving up, sisipagin din ako. hehe!

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  3. Brisk walking for 30-45 minutes is great! Keep it up sis!

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  4. If not running, there are other things you can do for fitness...like with Max, it's brisk walking. Ah soon I will have another form of exercise...but I will have to learn it first hehehe. Secret muna.

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  5. I totally agree on that saying! :) I haven't jog for a couple of months already. I always have the reason "busy kasi". Hehehe.

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  6. Of course! The taho has to be there, right?!hahaha! In our case, it's the eating after the run that keeps my hubby and I motivated to go!hahaha!

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  7. Those are great tips A ! You may also add having a 15 minute warm up before running or engaging in any exercise which helps a lot. For me the hardest hurdle is to push myself to wake up in the morning and head out for the door with my running gear and all. I have a colleague who was into fitness but also a history of hypertension. She takes a lot of maintenance and sadly does not attend the taebo /aerobics at BGC that often anymore.


    Discipline and determination should really come from within.I admire people who get their inspiration from bad medical history in their family and the choice to live a healthier life. I also respect those individuals who jog or join the fun run on their own because there is something deeper behind it all.

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  8. Thanks Ms. Sarah...I modified part of the post to include that. It's true sis, when we lack goals, it's so easy to drop off any endeavor. I go back to my goals once in a while. Doing that motivates me, particularly when I am backsliding.

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  9. Eating is also my reward for a good run hehehe...some people would chide me and say I just wasted the run because I would eat a full meal after. I just smile, sometimes, I try to explain....but people who say that don't usually have any fitness routine so whatever they know is just theoretical or heresay. They only have to look at me and admit I'm not getting fat with that appetite lol!

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  10. Hahaha! Di bale you're always on the go naman. Am sure lots of walking around is also a good exercise Anne.

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  11. Nice tips sis. Kailan kaya ako magkatime to run. Maybe I must have the strong will kaya? Super busy naman kasi e.


    Mommy Maye

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  12. Great advice. I love the buddy system. I totally agree with the saying. We make the effort we do really want to do something.

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  13. I read Tet's comment din on your last post, so I waited for this. Great tips! By the way, is it necessary to eat something first before running?

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  14. Determination is the key, I guess.

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  15. great tips, I usually jog/ walk for 30 minutes.. but it's been almost 3 months since the last time i jog/walk, thanks for sharing this post, i might try those..

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  16. Great tips Aileen! I really miss running outside. I do the treadmill but it is getting really boring na.

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  17. Wow, great tips! thanks for sharing your personal experiences on running and how you manage everything!

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  18. May treadmill dito sa office but it's really humid/hot where they placed it and I can't last for 5 minutes there. Sis, ang dami mong pwedeng takbuhan dyan...sandamakmak na parks, you just don't know how blessed you are. :-)

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  19. Sis, if you're planning to run long distance, you need to eat to fuel you up for that. I could afford not to eat but only for short runs, like 5K.

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  20. Nice! Hopefully I can apply what you said on ur blogpost. Wanna stay fit after giving birth.

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  21. Agree with the quote. hanggang ngayon I haven't started my run. hehehe

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  22. Great tips. Tet will surely find this one interesting.,

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  23. Yup you're right! Kung talagang gusto gawin magagawa kahit ano pa ang paraan.

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  24. Right, if you really want to, you will find a way. :) Thanks for sharing this... I hope one day, I can make that first step. :)

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  25. Our friends will definitely benefit from this. Regarding your query, I have not emailed her. I'm quite hesitant. You do it na lang kaya minus the mention of my name?



    Yes, Icebergs halo-halo is not that expensive. And my parents like it better than Razon's. I like both :)

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  26. My last run was two weeks ago, I want to go at it again. Sundays may work for me. I love running in Nuvali and UP. It's just so polluted everywhere else.

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  27. that saying is totally apt in whatever fitness regimen one plans to get into. kudos to you for being committedto your running habit :)

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  28. I have vowed a lot of times that I will make singit a 20 minute run in the morning, kahit treadmill lang, but puro promises lang. I have a hard time getting up. Nakakatamad din magrun after office hours kasi cuz I am tired na.

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  29. i wanted to run to shed off the weight. hopefully i will make it a habit to run for my own health din naman, thanks for the tips. its really helpful. :)

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  30. Always korek talaga ang saying na yan! hehe

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