On becoming a morning runner

When I first started running, it was with a training group in Northwest Indiana (more on that Thursday), so 2 of the 3 group runs were during the weeknights.  The "long" run was always on Saturday mornings.  This run got earlier and earlier as I progressed through the various training programs - oh how I miss the days of the 5k 9am start!  I ALWAYS seemed to do better on the evening runs than that Saturday morning one!

But then I left Northwest Indiana and came to Nebraska.  Things are different out here, and it took me a good month before I actually went for a run.  Not surprisingly (for those who know me), the first run I did in Nebraska was a Pub Run!  It was ridiculously hot, and I was ridiculously slow by my standards.  While it wasn't until months later that I truly became a morning runner...the stage was set that night.

These are the three main reasons I've become a morning runner (plus one extra):

1. Choosing a fall marathon = training during the hot summer months.
2. The climate here in Nebraska - hot, humid summers.  And don't forget about the "breeze"
3. A wonderful job that allows flexibility to my schedule, which means I can come in at 9am (I mean, I haven't become a totally EARLY EARLY morning runner!) 
4. Running in the morning makes me feel great!  Like I am ready to take on the day!  Like, I've already run, what else can I take on? 

So, as marathon training started ramping up, I started getting up at 4am.  The stupid thing is, I set my alarm for 4:05am but don't usually get out and run until 6am!?!  WHY???  Well, I'm a creature of habit, and I have this morning routine - or ritual, or whatever - that I just have to do.  I even try and stick to it on race days (sans kitties, if it's not local).

This is my routine:

Alarm goes off.  Sometimes, like this morning, I wake up way before it buzzes and have to decide - do I just get up?  Do I try and go back to sleep?  (This morning, I just got up, even though I ended up taking a 30-minute nap before actually getting out the door.)  Sometimes, it goes off and I ignore it, but eventually the thought of having to run AFTER work gets me out of bed.

Make smoothie.  If I haven't made it the night before, that is.  My morning smoothie usually contains:

• banana (half or whole one, depending on the size)
• hemp seeds
• flaxseed
• dried mulberries OR goji berries - depends on what i have on hand, if I'm out, then I skip this
•  spinach - if I have it on hand
• cinnamon
• matcha powder
• cacao powder
• ginger powder
• half of an avocado - if I have one
• half of an apple - preferably Granny Smith (organic) but will substitute any type of organic apple  

Now, this isn't set in stone, as it depends on how lazy I've been when it comes to grocery shopping - so if I run out of something I may just skip it, or substitute something else, or throw something else in (like blueberries - LOVE blueberries!) to make it more substantial.

Drink smoothie, play Simpsons Tapped Out, cuddle with kitten!  I know there are people who just jump out of bed and go run.  I am not one of those people.  Even though I try and run early, I enjoy my morning relaxing time, which includes these things.  It is what it is.  Everyone has their thing, right?  I mean, lots of people have coffee and read the paper before work, right?  Well, I guess this is my version of that.

Eventually, get up, get dressed, and go run.  I really try to be out by 6am.  There's been a few times during the week, when I've had work commitments, that I've been out by 5am.  Weekends can vary, but I try to balance the desire to stay in bed with the desire to not be out running in the heat of the day!  Lately, though, I've been getting out a bit later.  

Part of that relates to, I guess, another reason why I started running in the mornings during the summer - it was light out early!  That was pretty great, but now as the days get shorter, it is darker when I start...but, if I'm going to continue running in the mornings through fall/winter, then I need to get used to running in the dark.  I have a light.  I have routes that are well-lit (I see MANY people running without lights at all!) so there's really no excuse.

Of course, I'm not 100% sure I WILL stay running in the mornings as the weather changes.  I may have to adapt once again, switch back to evenings to take advantage of the *warmer* part of the day. 

Here's the thing, though, about always trying to run in "ideal" conditions.  It will come back to bite you!  Seriously, I was reminded of this on Friday.

Friday night was the Harvest Moon Hustle in Elmwood, Nebraska.  It started at 7pm.  It was hot.  And humid.  And not very breezy.  So, it kinda sucked.  I've been purposely running at the coolest time of the day, but taking that easy route definitely made the race tougher.  Maybe I figured since I'd run some races in June where it was also hot, that I'd be okay, and I also figured I'm still fairly acclimated given my long runs have been closing in on mid-day by the end...it also may have thrown me off, running at night.  So, I guess it may be good to keep mixing up my runs a bit, especially as I prepare for more intense races.

Anyways...I'm rambling.  This was supposed to be a quick post about morning running!  I'll end it with this - if you want to become a morning runner, there are some tips and tricks out there, but really, the biggest thing is you have to WANT to become a morning runner.  
 
And, finally - some pics from the race on Friday!

Before the race!

Check out my totally-coordinated Saucony outfit!  ha ha ha ha I even wore shoes I haven't worn since the Las Vegas Half Marathon (a half size too small now) just to be all matchy-matchy

Another race, another finish.  My main purpose doing this race was so that I would earn the BRIN Blackout Medal for doing all three races in the series - Leprechaun Chase in March, Cornfield Cornfield in June, and this one.

This is the BRIN Blackout Medal.  It is kinda cool, but I'll admit, I was a little disappointed when I received it after the race.  I thought, this is ALL I GET for running THREE races??  But, it is nice and has all three races listed on it.

Back of the medal