Get over it: 5 ways to overcome common obstacles to running

As much as you may love to run, there are still days when simply tying your shoes requires a marathon effort. Morning runners groan when the alarm buzzes; midday runners battle full inboxes and growling stomachs; evening runners are tired after a long day. And when you hit the road, you sometimes face the urge to walk a hill or turn back early.

“Hormonal and neurological shifts occur in our bodies, which can impact how we feel about exercise and how we feel while exercising,” says exercise physiologist Julia Moffitt. Luckily, you can outsmart these internal power struggles and reduce the temptation of hitting snooze, working through lunch or cutting a workout short. Here’s how to clear the roadblocks in your running day. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING “The pre-dawn hours are challenging because body temperature and heart rate dip to their lowest points at this time,” says Moffitt. “In the presence of light, body temperature and heart rate increase, so it’s easier to be active.” The carbohydrates in your last meal play a role, too. If you ate fast-digesting carbs like rice, bread or sugary desserts, your glycogen levels will be depleted, making it even harder to muster the energy to get up.

HURDLE IT Prepare for a morning run the night before. Eat slow-digesting carbs like broccoli, beans and lentils. Have a cup of coffee or tea after getting up. “Caffeine stimulates your arousal system and gets you ready to run,” says Moffitt. Shut-eye is important, too. Turn off the TV at least 30 minutes before you hit the sack and get blackout shades for your windows.