Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Reminders

Today on my early morning run (which should have been ultra early but ended up just being regular early, but we'll get to that), I found myself making some mental notes. You'd think by now I'd know better, but I guess everyone can benefit from a friendly reminder now and then, even seasoned runners.

Actually go to bed when you say you will. This whole I'm going to bed at 9pm but then I play on my iPad for two hours and don't actually fall asleep until after 11 thing is really cramping my style, especially now that school has started.

Don't watch The Walking Dead or Fear TWD the night before a pre-sunrise run. I definitely didn't think this one through.
Oh yeah, I totally want to get up and run in the dark alone after watching this. (PS: Seeing the virus in the early stages and how people react is really interesting. I'm already enjoying FTWD.)
Give your stomach time to wake up. I found out the hard way last summer that the park's bathrooms don't open until sunrise. Today I was ready to run at 4:30, but had to drive out of my way to a 24-hour 7-11 to use the facilities when, surprise!, my stomach suddenly got the memo that I was awake and moving around. I then drove back to my starting point. I didn't actually start running until 5, cutting my 4-miler down to 2.5. Oops.

Pick a route the night before, but be flexible. Last week, I wasted about fifteen minutes in the morning deciding where I wanted to run. Today, I should have just run from 7-11 after my pit stop, but I was set on my predetermined route. Both are rookie mistakes.
Run by time to finish in time. This is actually helpful to remember! I need to be done running by 5:40am at the latest on weekdays, so setting my GPS as a timed run instead of distance is key.

Rely on friends to get you out the door. It's ridiculously hard to motivate myself out of bed at 4:15am, but I've been slowly getting back into the habit by running early a couple times a week. When I can't meet someone face-to-face for a morning run, I rely on the friends in my phone. The constant dinging of my phone as my early-riser friends send me encouragement is incredibly irritating, which is just what I need at that time of day!
I was awake when Kim texted, but I may have gone back to sleep if Montana and Chris hadn't followed up. Thanks ladies!
All in all, this morning's run wasn't perfect by any means, but just getting out there so early - and before a full day of work - is a victory. Habits build slowly, and I just need to keep plugging away until 4:15 doesn't feel so difficult.
All smiles post-run!
And I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that I'm clearly an idiot for beginning marathon training the same week school started. Not only am I exhausted, but my feet are killing me! Oh well...there's nothing to do about it but move forward, and that's what I plan to do.

Do you avoid scary shows/movies before a dark run?
What's the earliest you've ever begun a training run?
Do you have trouble going to bed at a decent hour, even when you have to be up early?

ABK

24 comments:

  1. I find 5am difficult....I have NO idea how you do 4:15am...GREAT JOB!!!!

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    1. Thank you! Once you get up it's really not so bad, but getting out of bed is soooo hard!

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  2. Its so funny that you mentioned running after watching FTWD made you a little nervous. I've recently been running with the "Zombies, Run!!" app running and there are DEFINITELY times that I find myself a little jumpy. I'll be listening to the story and sometimes will feel the hair on the back of my neck rise when I am passing by a particularly dark area. And don't get me started on how I feel when the Zombie hordes are actually "chasing" me! HA!

    I hate getting up to go for a run. I have such a hard time motivating myself... that's why I always end up running after work or before bed. Thankfully my schedule allows for that.

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    1. I cannot run with the app!!! Too nerve wracking!!

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  3. It was my pleasure to text you! Let me know if you need another cot morrow! I should be up on my bike!!!

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    1. I met a friend Wednesday so I had real life accountability. Next time I'm running alone, I'll let you know!! You were a big help. Knowing Awesome Girl is counting on me gets me moving!

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  4. I am amazed by the fact that you can get up in the 4 o'clock hour to run!!!! I mean, I guess I would do it too if I HAD to, but any time with a "4" in the beginning of it just seems like it is still in the middle of the night!

    I need to be DONE running by 7am. That give me 20 min to stretch, 15 min to get ready, and 15 min to drive to work. I get up anywhere between 5:30-5:45. My stomach has made me late MANY times! Luckily, right now there are TWO port o johns in my neighborhood! It is like a won the lottery!

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    1. I do wish school started later so I could run later, but at least it's "cooler" out when I run!

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  5. I guess I'm lucky that I have a trooper of a stomach. But, actually, I prefer not to eat before my morning runs. I literally just roll out of bed, put on my clothes/watch, pull my hair back and GO. Not only do I run better on an empty stomach, but the more time I give myself to putz around before I run, the more likely I will just talk myself out of it. I need to get my butt out the door before my mind has a chance to resist what I'm about to to. I guess I'm just lucky this strategy works for my stomach.

    Speaking of lucky, how lucky are you to have friends that are actually up that early - and more than one of them! I wish I had a support system like that that I could rely on so early in the AM.

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    1. I don't eat before short morning runs unless I wake up famished, which happens sometimes. But I have very regular digestion...about 15 minutes after I wake up, I need to go. If I don't get up early enough and give myself time, I get into a pickle lol!

      I'll text you in the AM if you want a wake-up buddy!

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  6. I just started running in the mornings in the middle of June. It was just getting too hard to get out there after a 10 hour day at work. The first few days were awful, but I've learned to enjoy my morning runs. Because it's so dark now at 5:00 a.m. I drive into town and run under the street lights. (I live in rural MN) I've also learned not to sit down and have a cup of coffee before my run...cuz then I get too comfortable and never get out there. So I'm like Hanna - get out of bed, get dressed and leave. I wish I had friends that would text me too!! So awesome!
    Good Luck with your marathon training! I'm looking forward to hearing your reports and supporting you along the way!
    Keep up the great work!

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    1. Yes, having to drive somewhere with lights is a pain, but I do it too! When I'm running in that dark I really feel better with streetlights. And I need to get up and GO or I'll go back to sleep!

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  7. Now that school's back in session, I need to be more diligent about the early morning runs. I love those wake up call texts, that's great!!

    Still on the fence about FTWD. :)

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    1. In TWD we only got to see the world post-plague. I'm liking the change in timeline. It's interesting, but much more about the family than the walkers. I want more walkers!

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  8. HO-LY COW. That is exactly what I think of getting up at 4:15am to go running!

    The last time I got up early to run I learned that most of the bathrooms at the beach don't open until 10AM. Luckily the Starbucks at the beach opens much sooner! I'm sure they love all the runners coming in and queueing up for the bathroom with no intention to buy a coffee and donut!

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    1. I'm so embarrassed...I feel like he 7-11 guy knows me now. It's so awkward. Like yep, I'm here to be the first to use the bathroom today.

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  9. Whooooaaaaa.... after 11 and awake at 4:15??? That's..... let's just say the math on that makes me sad. So sad.

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    1. Yeah, I'm definitely getting to bed earlier now that I've got the routine down! haha

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  10. I avoid scary shows or movies altogether! I would not be able to run in the dark alone after watching something like that. But I've never liked scary movies, so I don't mind not watching them.

    I have no issues being a pain in the ass, so if you need wake up motivation and texts feel free to ask! I'm always up M-F at 4:15 for work. How I wish it were for running!

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    1. I seriously am so grateful to your wake-up messages! I've been REALLY on track this week thanks to you!

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  11. Great reminders! My boyfriend and I are going to start running during the week around 5:30 am. I definitely would need help trying to run at 4:30!!

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    1. It will be really nice to have a buddy to run WITH that early! It's very motivating.

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  12. Way to go! Those are some great tips. I definitely need to wake up earlier to get my stomach ready. I've had some issues the past couple of times.

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    1. Yeah, that is still my #1 issue! My stomach seems to be getting used to it, but not fully yet.

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