Early Morning Runs
Last week I only ran ONE DAY. Not because I was lazy, or not in the mood, but because all of my nights were occupied with painting our bedroom, being sick, or having a migraine (wonderful week, right? And yeah, I still owe you some photos of the new paint).
On Thursday (the day with the migraine), I decided I HAD to run on Friday. All week I could feel the urge to run in my legs – when I was walking to work in the morning, I would wish I was running. I ran a little bit on the train platform (to get around some slow people) and I didn’t want to stop. But the only way to run on Friday was to do it in the morning, because I was going to be with my family all night.
So on Friday, I got out of my warm bed at 4:00 a.m. to go run in the 20°F weather. Steven made sure to call me a “crazy runner” when I woke him up to tell him not to be startled when I opened the garage door.
I felt like I was crazy, putting on long running tights under my pants, thick cold weather socks, Under Armour under a long-sleeved shirt under a jacket, along with gloves and a hat. But I knew I would warm up.
And I did. I walked a cold 5-minute walk to warm up then started my run, and felt fine after a minute or so. I had my mp3 player on, and the upbeat tunes made me feel energized. It was actually a pretty good run, despite being so gosh darn early and so gosh darn cold. The only bad parts were that my thick socks kept making my shoes untie (duh, I need to double knot them) and that I got cold when I stopped to walk back to the house (I’ll just run home next time).
When I got done with my run and got home, I felt completely energized. I ran up the stairs to take my shower. I thought, “This is a great way to start my day! I feel great!”
Yeah, it’s a great way to start my day… if I could be in bed by 9:00 every night!
So, I’ll try it for a few days this week, and whenever I need to, because of time constraints. But I really can’t do this all the time. I feel too exhausted by the end of the day.
It’s a shame, because I really prefer to exercise in the morning. I have that great, “I exercised this morning!” feeling, and I feel just the right amount of tired when I go to bed at night. And my stomach doesn’t get upset because I am running right after dinner.
But it just doesn’t work with my schedule all the time. And I DO prefer to run with Steven. So I guess I just need to fit it in whenever I can.
Themocracy
My best marathon time was when it was 30 degrees out. I love cold-weather running. Though, waking up at 4AM to do it … most likely wouldn’t happen in my house. Good for you for finding the motivation!
running only one day a week is much better than not running at all!!! whenever you can find time is a good time to do it too!!! i admire you and give you mad props for getting up at the crazy early hour of 4am to go run and it being 20 outside!!! you should get extra stars for that!!!
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Last week I made myself a deal to get up and go walking every morning…I’ve only done 3 out of 6 days. So yeah, I totally feel ya. I’m just so freaking busy that it becomes my excuse…need to knock that off!
My office mate does the 4 am thing every day. I don’t know how she does it, but she loves doing it. Maybe morning runs can be a Friday thing.
I love working out first thing in the morning though the getting out of bed part is brutal. I’d prefer to hit the gym first thing but logistically it doesn’t work for me since I don’t want to shower and get ready at the gym. I’m just not a low maintenance kind of girl so I would have to come home then go back past they gym to get to work. See? So that’s why I go after work but I hate busy gyms.
Gee, I sure have a lot of complaints. WAH! 😉
I love working out in the mornings too. I do it whenever I can. Your run sounds amazing (albeit, early!!). What a great way to start the day!
Um, just one thing. Really bad post title. I was afraid this post was going to be giving us too much information about your digestive circumstances. LOL. 🙂
I love morning workouts, but it’s hard to leave since I make breakfast for my wife and I 6 days a week. So I have to force myself to go later in the day or right after work.
That run sounds like it was very good. Trying to get to bed on time is hard, but it’s worth it if you can get into a good schedule.
This is why I get up at 5 every morning to run. And also the reason I usually am in bed asleep by 10 every night. I know if I didn’t do it in the morning while everyone else is sleeping, I’d never do it.
Ha ha! I’m laughing at Teeni’s comment. 🙂
I’m hoping that once the treadmill arrives I’ll start working out in the morning. I’m like you–if I get up too much earlier I just end up grumpy and tired.
I used to think that when I have a “big girl house” I wanted a library more than anything…now I want a gym in the basement or spare room!!
i came by to read up on other comments and about rolled out of my chair at teeni’s comment!!! oddly enough, i’m surprised that didn’t occur to me… it seems i kinda have a “sick” mind like that too… you (still) rock for getting up in the freezing a$$ cold at the crack of dawn to run!!!
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Nilsa – I also love to run in the cold weather. I get uncomfortable if it is 60 degrees! I wonder if this is common for runners. I could never do the Chicago Marathon, the way it’s been the last two years!
CourtneyInControl – You’re right! At least I got out there once! With the way last week was, that is kind of a miracle 😉
Hilly – It seems like exercise is always the first thing to go when you get busy. I am that way too. It’s hard not to be!
Gina (Mannyed) – I am definitely not going to do it every day! I would be a cranky byotch by the end of every day then! 😛 Fridays are a good idea.
Sizzle – I feel like it KILLS me to get out of bed that early. I HATE IT! And I am the same way – it takes me a long time to get ready after exercising. I SWEAT, A LOT!
Marissa – It was amazing! I did it yesterday too. And maybe I will tomorrow… although not THAT early!
Teeni – Ha ha! That is TMI for here! (Although I did have lots of poop conversations with my grandma this weekend. Too funny)
Martymankins – I never EVER get to bed on time. What is that all about? Does anyone? 🙁
Tori – Do you keep a treadmill in your basement or something? I wish I could use the treadmill that early, but Steven is sleeping.
Diane – That is what we keep talking about too – how it would be nice to have an exercise room. Ha. How our priorities change!
CourtneyInControl – I am also surprised I didn’t think of it! I am usually thinking the wrong thing, all the time 😛
I like morning workouts best. But now that I no longer have a gym at my office, I’m having trouble motivating myself to workout at home before I leave for work. I’m working on it though…
suze – Eventually you’ll get in to the habit of it! That is the hard part – forming the habit. You can do it! 🙂
I love to start my day off with exercise, but as you know it’s been so hard for me to get up early lately, hopefully that will come to an end soon and I’ll be able to start the day with energy passion and stamina
de – It’s hard to get into it in the morning when you have so much going on in the evening. 🙁 Just keep working on it!
Gratz on the Run!!! I love working out in the morning but I already feel like I get up way to early just to come to work. Hopefully you get a few more morning runs in, hey you might get that hubby of yours to get up early with you accidently one morning 🙂
Felicia – There was about 3 inches of snow on the ground today. So… I won’t be running in THAT! 😛