It seems like when given the choice to define when you like to exercise, those are the three options. Lately, though, I've been thinking that it's far too narrow to classify yourself as simply a morning runner.
Why?
Well, you could be an early morning runner, a mid-morning runner or a late morning runner. It might seem like a bit of semantics but as someone who runs almost exclusively before noon, I've noticed that I perform much differently depending on the hour.
Before 6 a.m.: I do at least two runs a week between 5 and 5:30 a.m., and I try to make them easy. While I can get up and get moving, I find it challenging to hit faster paces early in the morning. Case in point: My goal pace workout last week. I could barely eke out one goal pace mile when I was at the YMCA at 5 a.m. A few hours later, and the pace felt much better
7:30 to 10 a.m.: I would call these hours my sweet spot. I have woken up naturally (usually), had a cup of coffee and at least a little something to eat. My brain can process the onslaught of questions I get from Miles. My legs seem to find the paces they need to much easier, and I simply feel more alive.
10 a.m. to noon: It's getting warmer with the sun higher in the sky. As each minute passes, the run gets more uncomfortable. I sweat a lot and the later hour means that I have a 99% chance of being able to ring out my shirt when I get home. Sexy.
The week, in training:
Monday, Aug. 18
REST
Tuesday, Aug. 19
RUN | 3.59 miles
Time: 33:02 Pace: 9:12
I hit the YMCA early to run my goal pace workout on the treadmill. I slogged my way through the warm up and struggled through one mile before calling it a day.
RUN | 5.1 miles
Time: 43:35 Pace: 8:33
RUN | 5.1 miles
Time: 43:35 Pace: 8:33
I wanted to finish up the miles for the day, at worst, and get in steady state at best. I surprised myself when I fell into my half marathon goal pace. I had to work a bit at the end but it was oh so satisfying.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
RUN | 7 miles
Time: 1:06:28 Pace: 9:29
RUN | 7 miles
Time: 1:06:28 Pace: 9:29
Nice easy run with the BRF.
Thursday, Aug. 21
RUN | 5.03 miles
Time: 46:58 Pace: 9:20
Stroller run
CROSS TRAIN | Boot camp
Saturday, Aug. 23
Go Girl Triathlon
Sunday, Aug. 24
RUN | 12 miles
Time: 1:52:52 Pace: 9:24
Long run with a couple buddies. My friend's plan called for three faster miles so that's what we did.
RUN | 5.03 miles
Time: 46:58 Pace: 9:20
CROSS TRAIN | Boot camp
Friday, Aug. 22
CROSS TRAIN | Cycling
Time: 20:00
CROSS TRAIN | Cycling
Time: 20:00
Saturday, Aug. 23
Go Girl Triathlon
Sunday, Aug. 24
Time: 1:52:52 Pace: 9:24
Long run with a couple buddies. My friend's plan called for three faster miles so that's what we did.
how about a "whenever I can smash it in" runner? I'd like to be a morning runner but sometimes bed gravity is too strong for me.
ReplyDeleteand there's something to be said for running in the evening when there is zero chance of poop problems. I need to find me an evening marathon. I would rock that shit.
also! depends on the season. I HATE early morning dark running in the winter. but I LOVE it in the summer.
DeleteHeh. You said "rock that shit" about poop. YES! This reminds me that I haven't had to poop in the woods in quite some time. (knock on wood!)
DeleteI am definitely all for the "smash it in" - especially in winter. I can pull my ass out of bed in the summer but those covers are far too warm in January. If only I could quit my job and have a full-time nanny to give me more flexibility ...
I linked to you from AMR today--the post on keeping running in perspective! I have to say that I am a morning runner--no exceptions. If I don't get it done in the morning, I'll probably push it off to the next day. I don't know why....
ReplyDeleteWendy at Taking the Long Way Home
Great week!! Love the "exercise" quote!! I am definitely in a 7-9am sweet spot. I hate to wake up early to run but I also don't like it too warm either! :)
ReplyDelete