How do we keep running when we spring ahead? The time change is generally a pretty rough time as far as adjustment, and I know I struggle when it gets darker earlier in the morning. Losing an hour of sleep isn’t too fun either. How do we make it work? Let’s talk about it!
Adjust Your Bedtime
As an “early to bed” kind of girl, this becomes a little challenging. I like to be horizontal by 9PM, but when we have a time change, I try to start winding down even before that. Sometimes, we have to trick our bodies into believing we are getting the same amount of sleep, even if it’s just a game we play.
Plan Ahead
It’s always easier to get up and out in the morning if you have a plan in place. I like to lay out my clothes, shoes, and morning fuel. That way, I can get up, go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, change, and go. There’s no wasted time, and it’s easier when all the extra labor is already handled.
Create Accountability
I find it easier to get out the door in the dark when I have a friend waiting for me. Now is a great time to reach out to anyone who might be on a similar schedule who might want to join you for some miles. It’s hard to hit that snooze button or bail when another person carved time out of their schedule to support you.
Get Your Safety Gear
Darker mornings mean taking extra safety precautions to help with visibility. Head lamps and knuckle lights are a perfect solution and we all love a glowing, light up vest. Consider bright colors and reflective gear to help drivers and other people see you in the dark.
Take It Inside
Can’t make the time change work? Move your run inside on the treadmill. Whether it’s too dark to feel comfortable, or you’re just dragging from the changed schedule, bringing your run to the gym is a valid solution.
Make A Switch
If all else fails, feel free to move your run from morning until night time. Remember, it’s your run, so you get to experience it at the time that works best for you.
How do you manage time changes when it comes to your running routines?
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These are fantastic tips—not just for dealing with time changes but also for those sluggish mornings when getting out of bed feels impossible!
I’ll definitely put them to use when I travel to Boston for the marathon, as I’ll be dealing with a 7-hour time difference (Cape Town is ahead of Boston). Thankfully, I’ve planned four days to adjust, so I should have enough time to get my body clock in sync!
That’s going to be quite the time swing! I know you’ve got this!
Great tips, Jenn! In recent years we’ve been on spring break during the transitions from standard time to daylight saving time so it’s been a little easier. Growing up on a farm, though, there was no mercy because the animals needed to be fed, milked, etc. on their schedule not ours.
Farm life is really so challenging. We don’t start spring break until the Friday after the time change. It would be nice if it all went together.
Great tips for all year.
DST is great for me because I have more daylight to run after work.
I don’t ever run in the dark so mornings during the week are out.
I’m glad you get that extra running time!