8 Steps to Your Perfect Morning Run ...

When the alarm goes off the last thing we want to do is leave the cosy confines of the duvet. One of the first steps to getting out of bed in the morning when all you want to do is hit the snooze button, is to give yourself a pep talk. This is what top athletes do. Tell yourself that you can do it and convince yourself that you will feel great as a consequence. Also, position your alarm clock or phone away from the bed so you have no choice but to get out of bed in order to turn it off.

Sometimes we'll find any excuse not to get going but if we have done the preparation before hand then there is little to stop us, apart from ourselves of course. Before bed get your running gear ready and put it somewhere visible so that all you have to do is put it on and get yourself out of the door. It's easier said than done I know but once you're outside and the fresh air hits you you'll feel amazing.

One of the ways to wake up is to soak up some sun rays. This sends signals to the brain to stop producing the sleep hormone and wake up. Stand near a window and let your body absorb those gorgeous morning rays of light. This will get you ready and awake for your morning run. You could also do some jumping jacks to start to warm up your body.

Don't forget to log your workouts. You can buy wristbands and download apps which will automatically download your data and help you chart your progress. This can be great motivation as you will be able to see how many calories you have burnt, how many minutes you have run for and how many miles.

Having a work out buddy is great motivation as you're less likely to ditch the run if you know that someone is out there waiting for you. Research has also shown that those who exercise with a friend are more likely to stick to an exercise routine than those who exercise alone.

Music can be incredibly motivating and the beat will help you to keep moving those feet. It also helps to stop you from getting bored and will just make the experience all the more enjoyable. Prepare a play list of tunes which inspire you so that you can have a great morning run.

It's not a good idea to do any exercise on an empty stomach as you will feel weak. It's also not a good idea to have a big breakfast as you will need a few hours to digest before you do any exercise. Have a snack about 30 minutes before your run. A Banana or low fat yoghurt with some dried fruit are great light pre-run options.

It's important to stretch after your run as it will help prevent injury and there are some simple ways to stretch. For example, bend down to touch your toes and stretch your hamstrings. You can also sit down and do a straddle stretch, or put your feet together and reach for your toes to stretch your calves.

These steps should help you on your way to getting the best out of your morning run. Can you think of any more ways to super-charge your morning run?

Sources: running.about.com
m.wikihow.com
qz.com