Wednesday, August 18, 2010

MWMLR and Logistics of Early Morning Runs

It's Wednesday and that means one thing these days: MWMLR (mid-week medium-long run) time! I increased slightly this week (from 18 to 19K) and in some twisted way, I was looking forward to it. Even with the 3:45 wake-up call!*

This week we are enjoying a glorious reprieve from the heat/humidity with a morning temp of 15C (59F). Heaven!

I decided to drive to our local park to take advantage of the quiet, empty paths. It felt a little eerie at first, but I knew hubs was there as well (believe it or not, he had started running an hour before me!) and we ended up seeing each other a couple times. I saw one other runner, but for the most part I had the world to myself! (At least, that's how it felt.)

There's some lingering soreness in my legs, but energy-wise I felt fantastic. The kilometres ticked by easily and before I knew it, the sky had started to lighten up as I neared the end of my run.

19.0KM (11.8mi) - 1:44:29 - 5:30/KM (8:51/mi




*I've had a lot of comments about the obscene early hours that I'm running these days.

Looking back, I started running in the morning simply to beat the heat. (The last two years when I was training for September marathons, I did not have to contend with the weather we are having this summer.) I have never been a morning runner previously and always envied Aron and J, among others, claiming that 'I just can't get out of bed.' The truth is, it became routine quite easily and now I don't want to look back. It's not about the weather anymore; I love jump-starting my day with a run and not having it hang over my head all day long. I relish my free time in the evenings and although I'm running more than ever, it has not been a struggle whatsoever to fit it all in.

It helps a lot that hubs is running in the mornings as well, so we are both going to bed early. I tucked in at 9:00 last night, earlier than most of the kids on our street. I prefer to get 7-8 hours a night, but I can usually catch up with 8-9 hours on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday night. (Those of you running in early the morning with little ones of your own to look after... I don't know how you do it!)

Other than adjusting the sleep schedule, I just make sure that everything is laid out the night before so I don't have to think too much in the morning - no different than I do every weekend for long runs.

I try to run early enough that I have time after the run to refuel, put up my legs and/or take an ice bath as needed (which I did this morning!) rather than rushing around to get ready for work. I hate being in a hurry, so I'm willing to give up 30 minutes of sleep for this.

And that's about all there is to it! How do you start your days?

36 comments:

dawn @ running the dawn said...

wow 3:45 is impressive! i can get up and run, but only when its 2 or 3 miles...anything else takes to long to prepare for and recover from. i can see how having an early-running husband would help a LOT. my hubs is in school and doesn't have to be anywhere til 9:30. of course that means that he's up late studying...and laying in bed if i go running. it's just too tempting!

Unknown said...

Running in 59deg temps sounds wonderful

Getting up early to run, not so much. lol!

Anonymous said...

wow marlene. impressive! good job.

last week when i woke up to run in the mornings, i felt better than ever. i will have to do it again.

again. awesome run! u rock!

Andrew Opala said...

cool - I need to start this ... in Mississauga near the lake it get's humid and hot early (like 7:30-ish).

Great run ... it takes me a week to do that total distance!

Denise said...

i'm all about the morning runs! i'm glad you're enjoying them now. but hubs!! an hour before you? geesh! why did he even bother to go to bed??

Unknown said...

I'm getting back on the morning runs in September. That is the goal!

Teamarcia said...

I love that you now look forward to the super early runs! I too am an early bird and LOVE having my run done!

J said...

Getting to bed early really is key for those early morning runs! You are totally making me look bad since you are getting up so early...you are the ultra morning runner, I am like a late morning runner compared to you!! So does this mean you are going to be a winter morning runner too?

Julie D. said...

i could probably do 4am wake up...but something about the 3 o'clock hour screams middle of the night to me!!! what time do you go to bed? You are kicking some serious butt on your training.. what are you shooting for time wise in your october marathon? I can't wait to see what you finish in...you have been training SOOO hard.

Jamie said...

As I woke up to catch my flight yesterday around 4:15 am I thought of you and all the super early morning runners. If I'm not pressured by anything I find it very difficult to wake up uber early to run. Good for you getting on a schedule and enjoying the early morning so much!

Nej said...

I've been running before work since sometimes last year. I never in a million years would have thought I'd enjoy it as much as I do!!! I can go home and sit, without guilt. I'm not falling asleep at my desk in the afternoon any longer either. It's wonderful!! I'm not running the distance you are, yet, so I'm only getting up at 5:00 am right now. But the 4 o'clock hour is coming soon! :-)

Katie A. said...

I am envious of you people. I could, technically, get up early to run. And even though I go to bed early, I just am NOT a morning running. My legs hate me at that hour. Although, like you said, if you stick with it long enough it will become routine. Maybe, just maybe, you have planted a see in me ;)
Happy Wendsday! Great job on the run!

Zorbs said...

I've just trained myself to need less sleep. On a really good night I get to bed by 10:30 (get home from work at 9:30) and get up at 3:45.

Aron said...

AWESOME job!!!

i completely agree, there is just *something* about running in the morning, i can't explain it. i always seem to forget too when i get out of habit but once i get back in the habits its the best thing ever and i actually look forward to it. its not easy though :) thanks for returning the favor and inspiring me to get out of bed lately, its working!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I can't get LBM to bed much before 11 so that early of a morning would be really tough right now! I am struggling with moving my wake up time a half hour earlier to allow for the upcoming school routine. I wish I could more it an hour so I could put in my heavier miles before the work day and then free up my evenings more. Maybe that should be my next mini-goal. With thoughts of races pressing hard in my head, I need to keep my miles up after school starts.

I start my day with my semi-early morning run and struggle through the day when I don't get it in!

Nicole said...

It has finally cooled off here somewhat and its GORGEOUS!!!! :) so cool you can run early! :)

Gotta Run..... said...

I do not know where to begin....
Your alarm time is crack-ass early BUT your hubby...that that is total crack-ass INSANE :)

I thought my 4:45am was something :(

Heidi said...

I'm in bed by 10 and begrudgingly get up around 6:45. This morning I accidentally had the alarm set for 5:30 and when it went off I thought of people like you. Maybe I need to keep setting it back by 15 minutes. Though my house is absolutely not conducive to going to bed any earlier than I do so I honestly don't know how I would do it.

teacherwoman said...

I think the perfect way to start my day is with a good workout and then coffee! :)

Emz said...

I love that top!!

Nikki @ Balance and Moderation said...

Holy cow! 3:45am is so early! The earliest I have gotten up is 5:00am, anything earlier is considered the midle of the night in my house. Great job!!

Laura said...

WOWOWOWOWOW..
I do like early morning running but I have it so ingrained in me to be out the door on my way to the office by 6:15am that I fear I would just be rushing through any run.
Plus I am so slow I would have to get up a midnight to do a long run. :)

Bethany + Ryan said...

running in the am is def the way to go! i LOVE it!! i'm lucky, i don't have to be to work til 9 and i leave my apt at 8:30 so i can get up at my usual time and still get in a long run. good for you!!

Anonymous said...

"I love jump-starting my day with a run and not having it hang over my head all day long. " - Couldn't agree more!! :) The morning-exercise routine becomes comfortable, as long as you enjoy what you're doing! I set out my clothes the night before, too. 3:45 is definitely a new "early" - Love that you're able to get up and do this with ease :)

Nicole @ Haute Runner said...

You are crazy Marlene! Luckily I don't have your heat/humidity to deal with so the evening runs aren't too bad.
I do agree that it is nice to have the run over and done with early in the day. I like my weekend runs because of this.

You are so speedy! I can barely hit 5:30min/km nevermind maintain it for 19k!!

What do you eat in the AM before your long runs? I am struggling with fueling before my runs.

ajh said...

Now I get up and run/bike but next week not so much when I go back to work. It will be after work. I cannot get up that early and be a pleasant person!

Unknown said...

good for you for getting up so early!!
I could do it if I stayed up late and went to bed when I got back from my run!!

There are some serious internal knock down drag out fights in my head when I try and convince myself to get out of bed that early!!

joyRuN said...

My fave running spot - the boardwalk - is amazing at 5am. Serene & peaceful, then you get to watch the sunrise over the ocean.

Totally worth the early wake up call, though I dunno about this 3:45am business ;)

Jess said...

59F is winter running here! That would be glorious weather!

3:45 is pretty dang early, especially for a weekday. At least ont eh weekend, you sometimes have the promise of a nap later int he day!

Lindsay said...

you are nutssss. 3:45am. i don't even think i'm rolling over at that hour. sawing logs, very likely.

everytime i see MWMLR i pronounce it in my head. mwemlurrrrr

Q said...

Inspired by you, I've ran my last two runs in the morning. I was much slower, but maybe it was psychological.

My routine is now putting my id in my fuel belt, getting my water ready, my gel ready the night before, so I can just grab breakfast, let it settle a bit and then GO!

MCM Mama said...

I just can't. I'm impressed by you, but my kids don't give me down time until nearly 9, so I never get to bed at a reasonable time. Plus, I need at least an hour before I run, once I've dragged myself out of bed.

Keep it up! I'm just waiting out the heat and looking forward to fall running. ;o)

EndorphinBuzz said...

Wow. 3:45. That is awesome. You take the crown for being hardcore :) I'll try to think of myself as sleeping in compared to you when I wake up at 4:15 once a week for my running commute.

Anonymous said...

I have to say I envy you for you having the discipline to put yourself to bed at a decent hour. I think that is part of my problem. I struggle getting up to, but I know it can become routine if I can get the night routine down. Anyways, keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

You look great. Nice run...Looking forward for more run of you.

zbsports

RoadBunner said...

Okay, so the days I run pre-work I do what you do -- lay EVERYTHING out the night before (even untie my shoe laces) so that I can literally wake up and go. However, I can't pry myself out of bed a minute earlier than absolutely necessary. So I get home from the run and some days have literally 15 minutes to shower and get ready for work. I eat a Cliff bar in the car as I'm driving to work.