5 tips to make running in the morning easier and injury free

If you are a night owl then the thought of running in the morning may seem a dream. Waking up early may seem like an impossible feat as you may be more inclined to sleep. Most people who do manage to get up in the morning and run may not be able to do it consistently as they get injured at regular intervals.

Injuries can be easily avoided if you follow these simple but effective tips.

Tip 1 – Warm up routines

Warm up routines are recommended for running on any time of the day but this is especially true if you are running in the morning and want to be injury free. A good routine may get the ligaments and tendons loose and raise the heart rate, so that blood flows to the limbs.

Tip 2 – Conservative and careful running

If you want to prevent injuries when running, it is best to be conservative in your goals. If you have just started running, you can choose to run 2 – 3 times a week for about 20 – 30 minutes at a time. You can gradually increase the duration over a period of time. Do not plan on running a marathon within a few days of training. Be careful where you run and be sure of your footing, so that you do not slip and fall.

Tip 3 – Invest in a good pair of shoes

Pick a good pair of running shoes that are comfortable and cushion your feet against impact. Although it is trendy to run barefoot or with minimum footwear, it is best to wear shoes to avoid injury. If the shoes are damaged, replace them immediately.

Tip 4 – Running form

One of the important things that you need to remember is that there is no correct or wrong running form. It is different for each runner as each one of us has our strengths and weaknesses. Do not blindly imitate a professional marathon runner before understanding your limitations. Always listen to your body and do not push it beyond a limit.

Tip 5 – Rest days

It is advisable to have rest days as part of your training schedule. Muscles need time to recover and rebuild so that you may be able to run stronger on the next day. If you do not give adequate rest to your body, it may become more susceptible to injuries.

If you are serious about running in the morning, you may have to make small changes to your sleep schedule and lifestyle. This can enable you to achieve success and stay injury free on your morning run.

Visit http://predawnrunner.com/2012/07/get-moving-on-morning-run/ to learn more about making running in the morning easier and injury free.