As you know, I have been struggling to get out for morning runs before work the past two weeks. Getting out on the weekend, no problem, but the cold and darkness of 5:30am has given me hesitation and ultimately I’ve ended up at the gym rather than running, even though that’s what I’d much rather be doing.
So, I came up with an idea that would get me out for a run before work but not have to deal with the cold and dark of the early morning hours. I slept in today until 5:30am, drank some water and had a handful of raisins while I watched the local weather and headed out at 6am. A full half hour later and there were already tiny peaks of sunlight far out over Brooklyn. Fantastic! I started running and felt pretty good right away. There were definitely more people out, rush hour is just beginning then, and I felt quite a bit more secure than I had the last few runs before the time change, when it was still really dark out even by the time I finished my run. There were more people to navigate around while I was still running along the streets, but it wasn’t too bad. I was the recipient of a few curious looks though from commuters as they got off the express bus with their large coffees in their hands.
The promenade was beautiful! I can definitely tell the seasons have changed just by the colors of the water and the sunrise hitting the waves. It was gorgeous and invigorating! Just how I wanted to start my day! Overall, I felt really good and my legs have been feeling better over the past few runs than they have for a while! My pace was a bit quicker and my 4mile run turned into a 4.5 miler because it was going so well and even though I had to get home to get ready for work, I wasn’t quite ready to stop running!
I got home, got ready and headed out the door. The only disadvantage of waking up half an hour later is that I don’t have time to eat breakfast or blog before work. And I’m really not a fan of eating breakfast at my desk. Still though, this experiment was a success (I even got an extra half hour of sleep!!) and I will definitely be doing more of these not-so-early morning runs!
How do your workouts change to accommodate the seasons?
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today's workout -
4.5mile run
stretching
11 comments:
A half-hour really can make all the difference, I am happy for you:) What gorgeous scenery you have to run in. I am a wuss and as soon as it starts getting cold in Utah I move into the gym.
I have such a hard time running in the winter. I need to be to work so early, and by the time I'm done it's already dark out! I was able to sneak out of the office at 2 yesterday and get a nice 5-miler in, but that's a rarity!
Oh and PS, as a running newbie my post today is FULL of running questions. I'd love your tips/advice!
I've been trying to get up before work to run since I want to run on at least one of my twelve hour days, but it's not been proving to be successful...especially since I haven't done it yet! My alarm goes off at 5:20 and it's sooooo dark out and I can't get myself up...probably because I'm not a morning person. Plus the run in the dark freaks me out, although what murderer is out at five in the morning?
Nice job getting out there! I completely understand and relate to this because I've been struggling with the pitch black runs too!
I've pretty much given up running outside for the winter, but I have started running in the morning and it's awesome. I've even run two-a-days a couple times because I felt so great.
Great that you figured out the right formula for you! I'll bet NY is a great place to run at this time of year.
For me the winter is the best time of the year to run outside...summers are the worst (sinus allergy seasons...) I live in Southern California so I dont deal with winter weather just less hot :)
I don't like getting up early, but there is NO chance most evenings to run after work because I spend my life running kids to St. Louis for practice...and while I'll run in the dark in my neighborhood (with my large dog), I won't in St. Louis. When it was warmer, it helped me to sleep in my running clothes, but now that our mornings are in the 30's, I don't want to sleep in that many clothes.
Good job finding a solution and getting out there! :)
Sounds like a beautiful run. I need to get motivated to run first thing in the morning but I am soooooooo not a morning person.
The promenade is my fave spot to meander when I visit - what a great spot to run! :)
I dream of being an early morning runner, but... I suck at getting out of my warm bed :D
it would be amazing to have some daylight in the morning! worth eating breakfast at work to me.
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