Monday, May 16, 2011

Morning run

Between March and May, my morning runner status seemed to disappear.  I often ran after work or during lunch, but the morning runs were non existent.  After running in the cold and dark for over 4 months I really needed to get some sunshine and I needed a break from waking up at 5am!

But it is finally May, one of my favorite months of the year for morning running!  Now there is no more need to get bundled up for a quick morning run - all I need are shorts, shirt and possible long sleeve. And there is no need for a headlamp or gloves because the sun rises before 6am.

My morning runs have been starting out like this with just a little bit of light -


And ending up like this with a full blown sunrise!


Getting back into the routine of waking up at 5am has been tough but well worth it for the peace and quiet on the roads and the beautiful mornings. 

All through the winter I kept my morning runs easy because it was hard to get my body to warm up enough to hit tempo or interval paces.  Now that summer is almost here, I am excited to do some early morning track  and tempo workouts!

I never pass any other runners when I am out - I think I am the only one in my area that runs in the early morning.  I do see lots of lights on in the houses that I pass and it amazes me how many other people are actually awake at that early hour.

Most of my thoughts during my morning runs are just random and forgotten instantly but there is one that continues to repeat.  I wonder about the cars that past me in the morning.  I wonder if they think I am crazy for being out so early or if they have passed me enough times in the morning to know that I am the morning runner girl.  I wonder about their story and where they are going.

Morning running keeps me sane and also helps me to become less grumpy!  I may be able to get up at 5am but that doesn't mean I really want to talk to anyone.  Waking up while running really can be the best way to start the day!


 Happy Morning Running!


** Congrats to MARLENE on her awesome BQ!! I am so proud of you!

16 comments:

Molly said...

I'm not an early runner but I'm a late night dog walker. I totally know what you mean about wondering about what other people are thinking, or up to. When the lights are on in houses, it's so easy to see how they decorate the inside of their house! : )

Anonymous said...

i love seeing the sunrise when i run. i havent ran outside in the morning in so long.

im really pumped to get out there at 5 am soon. thnx for this!!

Sarah K said...

I wish I was an early morning runner. I forced myself last summer because it was the coolest time of day and I didn't have to run with the jogging stroller. I saw a surprising number of people out at that hour...even the high school track was crowded with walkers!

Jen @ Run for Anna said...

I totally agree with everything you said. I LOVE early morning runs, especially this time of year. It really is a great way to wake up and start your day.

Amy said...

I've just been thinking that I need to get more disciplined about getting up early to run rather than try to fit my run into the middle of my day. You make it sound so great. Thanks for the inpsiration!!

d.a.r. said...

I hate hate hate getting up, but mid-way through my workout, it is so worth it!!! I am always in a much better mood.

choose to be happy blog said...

can you please lend me some of your running motivation?

Amber said...

I DEFINITELY love running in the morning more as well! I have two planned for this week - tomorrow morning and Wednesday morning. Even though it means getting up at 5:10 AM I'm very excited for both of them :)

Kim said...

Yay! I am happy you are back to your morning running. I love quiet morning runs. I wish I could run more before work! Maybe if I ever move closer (now I get up at 4:30 just to make it to work by 7:00!).

Jim ... 50after40 said...

Great pics. Looks like what I see every morning. It's so much better now that it's getting light earlier. I love watching the sun come up during a run!

Nicole said...

i hope to become a morning runner this summer!

Sweat Is My Sanity said...

Love morning runs...it's so hot here right now that morning is perfect! In a month more, it'll be 95+ even at 5 a.m. :/ but I'm not complaining, I'd rather have warm than cold. Way to get up at 5, even when it's cold and dark. You're a champ!

runningtobeskinny.com

Monika @ Monika's Miles said...

The one thing that would get me going in the morning is that view, which I tend to see the opposite of when the sun is setting (also gorgeous). I'm nervous to run in my neighborhood in the mornings because I live off of a busy main road... or that's my excuse when I can't/dont want to wake myself up from a warm bed.

Anonymous said...

hooray for morning running! This is my favorite time of year for morning runs too - the weather is decent and the sunrise gorgeous. Best way to start the day!!

Lisa's Yarns said...

I have to say, I do not enjoy morning running... but I do like getting the workout out of the way right away so I can accept social plans in the evenings. I don't run outside in the winter in the mornings, but now that it's spring, I will start doing the occasional morning run. Except that means getting up at 4:30 which I am not excited about, but oh well. Once a week is doable!

Marlene said...

AWW thank you for the shout out. :) Just getting caught up! I appreciate all of your support sooo much. We've been blog bugs forever so I know you've been following along on this journey since pretty much the beginning. I still can't really believe it!

YAY morning runs! I am ready to get back to those more regularly once training starts again. But not yet. ;)