7 Ways to Run Through Daylight Savings Time

The clock has turned back an hour, meaning I'm not getting up at what feels like 5 AM instead of my usual 6 AM. That early in the morning, the last thing I want to do is hit the road and get in my run. No doubt many people are sharing the same struggle, but how do you deal with it? Here are a few tips to help you keep running through this darned daylight savings time:

• Get up anyways -- Yes, you're tired and groggy, but should that stop you from getting up? Force yourself out of bed by any means necessary, get dressed, and get out the door. You've trained your body to run first thing in the morning, so why should an hour earlier be any different?
• Start slow -- You're going to be tired and groggy for the first week or two of getting up earlier, so take it easy on your body. Give it a chance to get accustomed to what feels like an hour less of sleep.
• Hit the hay early -- It may suck to go to sleep an hour earlier, but it's the only way you're going to have enough energy for that early morning run. After a few days of this shifted schedule, you'll get used to it.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Source: www.outsideonline.com[/caption]

• Sleep in on the weekend -- You don't have to get up and run on Sunday, so that's the perfect day to sleep in. Having that to look forward to will help to propel you out of bed the rest of the week.
• Put the alarm clock across the room -- That way, you'll never be able to hit the Snooze button. You'll be forced to get up out of bed and find the alarm clock on the other side of the room--much more conducive to waking up!
• Cut the drinks -- Alcohol and caffeine are both going to affect the quality of your sleep, and that's the last thing you want this first week. Say "no" to both booze and coffee until you get acclimated to this new schedule (or at least cut back a bit).
• Jog with the sun -- Once the sun rises, your body stops producing melatonin (the chemical that makes you drowsy). If you want to have more energy, start running with the rising sun.

Featured Image Source: hitchfit.com