Today I'm linking up with
Fairytales and Fitness and
Running on Happy to share five things that make morning running awesome.
Elizabeth and I had to do two weekday runs in the morning this week due to volleyball and other evening plans, so we were up at 4:30 and running by 5am on Tuesday and Friday this week. It made me remember why morning runs (besides our long runs) are sometimes just what I need!
1. Paces. We are pressed for time in the morning so we're less likely to dawdle. Plus, studies show that most runners run faster in the dark.
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| I did not know we had this in us...bridge included! |
2. Open evenings. When you run in the morning, the rest of the day is totally open. I like knowing I can come home and nap or take my time making dinner, etc, because I don't have to get dressed and go back out to run at 6pm.
3. Weather. It's been in the low 60s in the mornings, which has been really nice for running of course!
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| I could get used to this. |
4. Sustained energy. When I run in the morning, that energy and adrenaline seems to last throughout the rest of the day. I just feel better and more alert over all after a morning run.
5. Bragging rights. There's nothing quite like watching someone's face when they hear you woke up at 4:30 to get your run in.
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| I don't mean to brag, but... |
I'm not going to be a morning runner all the time because I do value my extra hour of sleep on some mornings, but mixing it up this week reminded me of the benefits. I think I'll try to work morning runs into our schedule once in awhile as we continue training for A1A.
Do you like morning or evening runs better? Or do you prefer to mix it up?
ABK
I suspect you run faster in the dark because zombies.
ReplyDeleteVery good point!
DeleteKudos for you waking up at 4:30 to get your run in. I could never(unless it is a Disney race..haha). I much prefer running later in the day.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny what we'll do for races!
DeleteAnd see as I read through this list I thought for sure you liked it so much that you would switch to a morning runner! You know me, I love running in the morning. At this point, it is such a staple part of my routine that I can't imagine changing it. I love the "me" time first thing. I love the energy I have for the rest of the day. I love how it regulates how I eat throughout the day. I am too tired after work to even feel like running. And when I do run after work my legs feel soooooooo heavy. I don't have to get up at 4:30 though. If I run 6 miles, I get up at 5:45. If I run 8 miles, 5:30.
ReplyDeleteI get up at 5:55 on a normal day. I think it helps that 1) you run faster than I do, and 2) your school starts later!
DeleteSo I have to say I need my coffee first and I am more of a middle of the day runner. Love your passion and kudos to you for getting up so early to get it done!!
ReplyDeleteThose are all excellent points for running in the morning! It feels so great to be done with the run and only have to worry about resting at night! I need to make a bigger effort for sure!
ReplyDeleteThat's probably my favorite payoff. Sometimes when the alarm goes off, though, it's hard to remember why it's worth it!
DeleteEvery time I wait to run in the evening I feel less motivated and get bogged down with responsibilities. I prefer running in the morning, but it's a struggle sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky in that my after work responsibilities are fairly slim these days. I don't know how working parents do it!
DeleteI love morning runs, even in the dark. I have no motivation after work to get it done, so if I don't do it before work, it never gets done.
ReplyDeleteI definitely know that feeling. After work, if I didn't have a buddy to meet, I'd skip runs way more often!
DeleteI am definitely a morning runner. When I put it off to the evening it never gets done and I find my form suffers and I have no energy. However 4:30 is way too early. 7 a.m. would be considered "early" here in France.
ReplyDeleteI wish work started late enough for me to run at 7am; I have to be at work at 7:30.
DeleteLucky me, I get to squeeze it in where I can since I don't work. Right now, though, as it's getting colder, I tend to run more in the afternoons. We're lucky if it gets UP to 60 by then, and they said those horrible words on the tv today: snowstorm!
ReplyDeleteAnd there's always my trusty treadmill, just in case.
I think about you morning runners when I'm snug & warm in the mornings -- I may be up at 4 am (damn time change), but I'm not out then!
I feel like even if I didn't work, because of weather here, I'd either have to run super early or in the evening. There's no mid-day runs for me!
DeleteLove morning runs! It's the only time I can run usually and I like how it frees the rest of the day up.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely does!
DeleteI have to agree with ALL of them!!! In a lot of ways, I'm forced to be an early runner because of my husband's job and my kids, but I've grown to like it and now I don't "feel" forced. It definitely makes me appreciate the days I can sleep in, lol!! --hellyontherun
ReplyDeleteIt must feel really good once it starts feeling like a habit and a choice. That's why a morning run once in awhile doesn't bother me and makes me feel pretty good!
DeleteWe run faster in the dark because everyone's scared of the dark! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I've run in the dark, I think I would freak out...
I definitely don't like it alone!
DeleteI had no idea that we were faster in the dark. I always feel like I'm slower because I'm concerned I'm going to fall or run into something! I have to get my runs done in the morning during the week because otherwise they don't get done. Love that pink Garmin!
ReplyDeleteLuckily my dark routes are lit by street lamps; I've definitely run in pitch black before and that is terrifying!
Delete4:30am .... nope :). I remember getting up that early a couple of years ago to run but I just can't do it anymore. That's why I've cut back on racing this year too. I just can't seem to drag myself out of bed to run these days. I think part of it has to due with stressors outside of running that make it hard for me to get a good night's sleep so once I finally fall asleep I just want to stay that way for as long as possible!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by your ability to feel energized throughout the day when running that early. I would just be thinking about a nap all day long!
I am not naturally a morning person so I don't know how this used to be the norm for me. I really prefer my extra 1.5 hours of sleep when I run in the evening!
DeleteIf I were dealing with literally freezing temperatures, I'd probably run in the sunshine too!
ReplyDelete