So what tactics do other successful runners utilize every night? Read on and you'll be a better runner by morning.
1. They make a to-do list for tomorrow.
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Sometimes that means hitting the grocery story for healthy dinner ingredients, other times it means scheduling a massage.
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Calf feeling sore? Foam roll during the commercial break. More exhausted than usual? Get to bed early. Try to catch little issues before they become big problems.
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Is it a much needed rest day? Or an endurance-building tempo run? Every mile should serve a purpose, and knowing that reason in advance can help guide training.
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Nope, those happy hour nachos do not count. To feel your best on tomorrow's run, aim for a mix of protein, carbs and healthy fats.
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Foam rolling, hydration, core work; the evening hours are a great time to pay attention to the things that often fall by the wayside.
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Did you hit your expected mileage and paces? If not, what went wrong? If you're feeling achy or very tired, it might be worth adjusting tomorrow's run.
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Watch a professional race on TV, catch up on your favorite running blog, fine tune your race day playlist or read a few chapters from a training book. Motivation comes in many forms!
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If work or family demands derail your workout for the next day—what's the back-up plan? If you sleep poorly, can you shift your sunrise run till lunchtime? If the weather is bad, can you cross-train or run on a treadmill? Being prepared for possible roadblocks is the key to consistent training.
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Need a running pal for the a.m. (or Sunday's long run)? Send a text to your buddy or post on the local running store's Facebook page. Training with others increases accountability and makes the miles fly by.
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Do you have clean socks for tomorrow? A charged GPS watch? Plan out what you'll need for your next training session and set it by your bed or pack it in your gym bag.
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Maybe it's dinner with friends or a walk with your kids; aim to get some quality time with loved ones. It will remind you that life isn't all about running.
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Thunderstorms forecasted for tomorrow evening? Better run that track workout in the morning. Record high (or low) temperatures? Identify a treadmill option, stat!
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A favorite TV show, a good book, baking—take your pick!
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Set your alarm and program the coffee maker, because 6:00 a.m. comes early.
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If you're running early the next morning, eat a small carbohydrate-rich snack before bed. Try a small bowl of cereal or some graham crackers and nut butter.
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It doesn't have to be a formal process, but climb into bed early and spend a few minutes mentally winding down. It will make falling asleep a whole lot easier.
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If you're in the middle of heavy training, you likely need seven to nine hours of sleep, so make sure you're heading to bed early enough.
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