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I’m not a morning person by nature, but I’ve gone through phases of being a morning exerciser. My day always goes better when I get my workout in early. That’s why this coming weekend, with the time change, is a special one for folks like me. We are, unfortunately, still doing daylight saving time. And I will take advantage while I can, because the fall time change gifts us with an extra hour in the morning (even if it is cruelly ripped from our evening routines).
I mean, you could use that extra hour to sleep in. But I prefer to become a morning person for the winter months by simply setting my alarm an hour earlier, starting on the first day of standard time (that is, this coming Sunday, Nov. 3). You won’t feel like you’re getting up early, but the clocks have changed, so in effect you kind of are. Perfect timing to lean into your winter arc.
How to plan for morning workouts
On the first day you wake up “early,” things will be much as they always are. But now that you’re becoming a morning exerciser, you’ll have to come to terms with the winter darkness. It will creep in, sunrise getting a few minutes later each day, until your morning jog is, most likely, fully in the dark.
If you are running in the early mornings, definitely get yourself a light to help you see and be seen. The Petzl Tikkina is a good pick that isn’t too expensive, although you may want to shell out $30 for the rechargeable battery that fits in place of its three AAA cells (the rechargeable is designed to work well in cold conditions, which will come in handy.) Also consider wearing bright colors, a reflective vest, or even something like the Noxgear Tracer to give you good visibility on the side of the road.
At the gym, be aware that the rhythm of the place will change. There will be a different group of regulars, and it may be more or less busy than you’re used to. But even if everything is the same, there’s something luxurious about being able to take your time at the gym when normally you have to squeeze your last few exercises together and rush to work.