Thursday, November 18, 2010

My Not-So-Early Morning Run

Sorry for the late, and what will be short, post today.

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:

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

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.

hbobier said...

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!

Susan said...

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?

abbi said...

Nice job getting out there! I completely understand and relate to this because I've been struggling with the pitch black runs too!

Running Ricig said...

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.

misszippy said...

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.

Caroline said...

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 :)

Kate Geisen said...

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! :)

Fifty K said...

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.

giraffy said...

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

Lindsay said...

it would be amazing to have some daylight in the morning! worth eating breakfast at work to me.