Monday, March 31, 2008

Something about an old dog and new tricks

I have never been a morning runner. I know from reading "Runner's World" that most runners like to run in the morning but I have never been one of those people. I am, however, the quintessential morning person. I have always been at my best for work early in the morning. I get up at 5 A.M. and am at work by 6. I love the early morning quiet and peacefulness. I just can't RUN in the morning! I don't know why, I just can't. 

With my current schedule, morning runs would work out best. I have so much going on during the day and evening that it is getting harder and harder to get the miles in. Add the fact that in my training plan I am currently running no less than 11 miles for every run and it gets really hard to find the time to do it.

So yesterday I decided that I would turn over a new leaf. I was going to start running in the mornings and get my miles in first thing before the rest of my work/family day stole my running time. I was going to sacrifice a few hours of my morning work-time (very hard for the workaholic) and give that time to my running. I was pumped, this was going to be great.

I made it .35 miles

I just can't do it! I got up and dressed at 5 A.M even wore my favorite hat but my body just couldn't run. I felt stiff and tight and never got a good stride going. It was very dark and very quiet which is different than when I run in the evening where there is plenty of background noise to get lost in. This morning I was left with only the voices in my head and all they could say was "What the heck is this crap? Shouldn't we be at work?". 

So I gave in and walked home in the dark. I don't know, morning running is just not for me. I haven't totally abandoned the idea though. Tomorrow I will try again. I have no choice, my son has his first track meet tomorrow at 4 P.M. and it will last most of the evening so if I want to run I have to go in the morning. Wish me luck, better yet, if you're up at 5 A.M. Central time, send some good vibes my way. I'll need them.

P.S. My son is running the 400, 800, 1 mile, and 4X800 tomorrow. I can't wait to see him 1) run GREAT and WIN! and 2) be in horrible pain and soreness the next day! Ahh, who am I kidding, he's 13 and feels no pain. Oh youth, where have you gone???

Thanks for listening 

4 comments:

Southbaygirl said...

MORNING RUNS ROCK!!! Cool, dark, alone! Oh my god my favorite!!! Just thinking about it makes me want to go to bed early so i can get up and run in the morning!

Good night!

Iw ant to hear how your son did in his track meet!!!

Southbaygirl said...

The UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE ROCKS!

Calyx Meredith said...

Morning runs - what can I say? I'm a SERIOUS morning person. I am hard pressed to stay up until 9 pm - but I have no issue being up for the day at 4:30 or 5. (Also? I "learned" to run in the Navy - and PT runs were always at o'dark thirty. Maybe it left it's imprint on me b/c it feels weird to run at other times of the day.) That said, though - I think everyone has their own rhythm. It's important to listen to that! Sounds like you're caught between a rock and a hard place trying to get work and running into the same optimum spot! Good luck with your second attempt tomorrow. Maybe morning runs could be something of an acquired taste for you?

RBR said...

Hey! What happened? I was up, sending good vibes your way and you never told us! So, did you do your morning run?