RunPackGuides · 4 min read
How to make morning runs stick with a running group
Early runs are easier with company. How to set up a morning running group: picking the time, getting out of bed, winter mornings, and runs before work.
Morning runs have a lot going for them: done before the day gets busy, quiet roads, and a good start to the day. The hard part is the alarm. A group fixes that, because someone is waiting for you.
Pick a time and stick to it
Choose one or two fixed mornings a week and the same meeting point. The fewer decisions anyone has to make at 6am, the better.
Make getting up easy
- Lay out your kit the night before.
- Meet close to home, or at a point everyone can reach in five minutes.
- Message the group the night before: “See you at 6:30.” It’s harder to skip after that.
Keep the run easy
Most morning group runs work best at a relaxed pace. Many people feel stiff for the first few minutes, so start gently and let the pace come up.
Winter mornings
- Be seen: a headtorch, reflective kit and lit routes.
- Layer up and have something warm for after.
- Watch for ice, and switch to a safer route when it’s icy.
Before work
If people are heading to work after, pick a route that ends near transport and keep it to a set time. See also starting a running club at work.
Check in with yourself first
Some mornings you’ll feel great, some flat. A quick check on how you slept and how you feel helps you decide whether to keep it easy. That’s what RunPack’s 10-second morning check-in does, and the crew gets a card on who’s fresh before you meet. More in how hard should I run today?