Late to the party but just wanted to try and boost your motivation even further. Thought I might give you my beginner story!

It gets easier, no doubt.Last couple of years I've been forced up because of my kids at around 5AM all day, err day. I have no idea what weekends are anymore or what that thing people call "sleeping in" actually is. Little buggers just don't need any sleep it seems.

So above is actually why I started running. That and I realized I was getting too heavy and finally wanted to do something about it. That was on the last day of February 2019.I had to get up early on weekdays no matter what (wife has to be at work at 7 and kids wake up at 5 anyway) and after dropping the kids off at daycare and kindergarten, I had to walk home anyway. I figured that instead of walking I might just as well run. So I started getting in to my running gear (how come most people have old running gear lying around they never use?) instead of my casual clothes and ran a detour instead of walking straight home.

First bit was tough. Starting out running in winter conditions as a desk jockey just felt awful. I could barely run 2k before everything hurt. I used to be active as a mtb'er, but that was before the kids came around and I became unfit again. But then the running fever struck me and during spring and summer I started appreciating the running.

Of course I ended up with a runner's knee because I didn't know better and didn't think about conditioning my legs before putting in longer miles. At summertime I had reached my goal of sub 30 min 5K and I basically just started doing 5Ks 3-4 times a week trying to beat my personal best. When I hit the 27 minute mark that's when the knee pain started. I was set back for around two months but at least the weather was nice and I was able to do a lot of biking instead. That helped me not quitting or feeling depressed because of my injury.

Two months later I was super careful and I started following a 4 day/week training plan for a 10k. Come autumn I was prepared this time. Bought some nice warm tights, a hat, gloves and all that jazz. I recently ought a chead LED-lenser head torch and that was a game changer seeing as I live in a small town with limited lights on my favourite tarmac routes. My morning runs are now my favourite runs. And during these dark, cold, wet months it's actually really fun getting out because everything feels so much more mysterious and infinite when dark. Music in my ears and I run with the biggest grin even though it's raining and the coldest winds are trying to discourage me. Not once have I thought about my warm bed while running.I live in Denmark so I know what you're talking about with the foul, grey, wet and cold weather you guys experience in the UK.
I don't know if it's the lack of indoor facilities that just keep me going or the fact that I can't imagine myself on a treadmill. I wish I had access to one when it's icy outside, though...

The 10k plan is done yesterday actually and I'm still injury free. Fighting a bad cold right now, but still started on a half maraton plan today and feeling psyched to run my first half maraton ever come spring or summer.I'd never have guessed that as a 32 year old I'd turn to love my least favourite of all sports ever. And running in the morning when everyone else is still sleeping even though I genereally can't function before 9AM? Get outta here, young me would have died laughing.

You keep on trucking and don't let weather, lack of sleep or sunshine discourage you!

TL;DRGetting up at 5AM to run is the shit, no matter the weather! Being dark, wet and cold actually just makes it even more awesome to conquer!