At some point over the past few months, I accidentally became a morning runner.
I’d been trying for a while, with no success. I mean, I do <3 sleep.
But this spring, when I started skipping workouts because I was working later, I realized that had to change. I went to the gym a few times when I got out of work at 8, but it was usually miserable, and I couldn’t sleep well that night since I was so wide-awake.
I finally realized that if I was going to get my workouts in, I’d have to get them in in the morning. I’d read so many damn articles and blog posts about ways that I, too, could become a morning exerciser.
But just like I’d read 14 million articles about how to lose weight when I was overweight, and not internalized a damn thing until I was ready, I had to really want to become a morning runner.
It took a few days of workouts with friends visiting to finally give me the momentum I needed to make this a habit. I’ve since struggled on and off (getting sick, going away), but it finally just clicked for me: if I work out in the morning, I have more time to do stuff after work, and I don’t have to worry about working out at 9pm if I get stuck late at work.
I usually feel like this when I get up and get out, but it usually gets better. (Not always, not gonna sugarcoat this.)
I had 4 “easy” miles on my schedule today, and I ran on my buddy, the West Side Highway path, up to 42nd Street and turned around. I’m already starting to get a little bored with my usual waterside routes, which is great, because it’s not like I have another 15 weeks of training or anything. I usually run sans headphones, but I’ve had to for some of my shorter runs lately to combat boredom. I recently bought a pair of Philips sports headphones (aff link) that I like–they stay in place and I can use the control to change the song/volume on my iPhone without waking it back up.
The interesting thing about morning runs is that you are definitely not quite awake for that first mile, and then you wake up gradually. When I hit mile 3, heading back to my apartment from the West Side Highway, I was a little surprised I’d already run 3 miles.
This view doesn’t hurt though.
Each mile ended up getting faster as I woke up more, for a grand total of 4 miles in 37:27.
Are you a morning exerciser? Are you a morning person or a reluctant morning exerciser like me?
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I've been a morning runner almost since I started running and have to be now with this weather. I just like knowing that I'm done for the day (usually), and it also allows me the chance to brag to my co-workers. "Hey, I ran 7 miles this morning. What did you do?"
I tried to run this morning but at 5.15am I just could not get my backside out of bed :(
Well done!!! I shall certainly keep trying!
Hey there! When I was running regularly, the morning was the only time I could run and still have something resembling a life in NYC. I have to seriously applaud you for being able to make post-work workouts happen - goodness knows I can't.
Do you find the Phillips headphones comfy? They stay in my ears but after a while they just plain hurt. My roommate borrowed mine and he ended coming straight upstairs to get a new pair because they bothered him so much.
Good for you!! I need to start running in the morning because by the time I get to the gym at night, it's just too late. There's something nice about finishing a workout in the morning too. I am determined to become a morning runner, they will just have to get used to my wet bun hair at work ;-)
I'm trying to be a morning runner, but I have problems getting myself out of bed and running in the morning. Part of the problem is that for three days (but starting next week two days) a week I work out with my trainer in the morning, so then I get my miles in at night. That means I don't sleep until later those days and then it's hard to get up and out early the next morning. I'm thinking I need to just wake up extra early on those days that I have training and run BEFORE I work out with my trainer. I may fall asleep in my lunch, though. :)
@Linda: Yeah, I'd have a really hard time getting in both running and something else in the morning, although I do hope to start adding a little weights action after my runs soon.
good for you! I am a morning exerciser but not "early" morning. I do like to get it out of the way though. I wish i had beautiful views like that on my run!
i do like working out in the morning. It's just that damn getting out of bed part that gets me down. I've started setting my alarm for the latest possible moment that I can wake up while still fitting in a good 45-60 minute workout in knowing that it takes me about ten minutes just to get out the door.
that being said, i've been not doing so well with the morning running thing lately. I really need to jump back on that bandwagon.
@Heidi: Ah, same. I lay in bed for far too long, and also push the time I have to leave until the last possible moment. That I have to work on so that I have a little time to stretch/actually dry my hair.
I became a morning runner this Spring and I love it - when I run in the evenings now I find I really struggle! The hardest bit, without a doubt, is getting out of bed. Once you're out the door, it's actually not that bad and I LOVE the buzz of getting home and having breakfast! I'm kind of dreading morning running in the winter though, and I live in the Bay Area so I have no excuse at all!!!
And OH I am sick of my usual routes as well!!
I just started getting up at 4:30 to go to the gym about two months ago when it became clear I wouldn't get a workout any other way! Crazy, but awesome.
@Heather@YSP: Whoa! Good for you.
I am a morning exerciser, although I do think I feel more comfortable/faster later in the day sometimes. I definitely feel more nauseous and stiff in the mornings, but being done with my workout for the day is usually worth it! I try to mix it up though. Thanks for the info on the headphones. Andy is going to try them out (love that you can control the songs from the headset) and I like when I try his on, I'll get them too!