As a natural night owl (see my previous post here), trying to get up at 6am really frightened me! I was worried about fueling before my run (could get by without it?) and whether I'd actually be able to get out of bed! And as luck would have it, last week also happened to be the start of a major cold spell. Would I really be able to go to bed early, climb out of my warm bed, and then step out into subzero temps at 6am?
Turns out I am!
Wednesday was my first attempt. After being uncharacteristically organized and getting all my running kit ready the night before, AND getting myself to bed around 10:30....it wasn't as miserable as I thought it would be. In fact I was so determined to do it that I slept restlessly, anticipating that I needed to get up. On Wednesday morning I woke up, got dressed, and went out the door. I did it quickly, so I wouldn't have too much time to think about it.
The cold definitely affected my runs last week, but I was happy to find that I could get through a run without having something to eat first. I stuck with the early starts until Saturday, when I got up to eat breakfast before my long run.
I felt good about my mile repeats on Wednesday (nearly at target pace!) and long run on Saturday (my longest run ever by a wee bit).
Just two weeks until the Brighton Half Marathon. My 6th half! One more week to keep pushing before a mild taper. The plan is to continue with @6amclub to make sure I'm ready for it when my new job starts in 4 weeks.
So now I know....I CAN be an early bird!
But a questions still remains. Will the night owl return....?
PS
16 weeks until my first marathon in Edinburgh! Hopefully training for Brighton means I'm well on my way!
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Well done! That's great news. It's definitely not easy to go straight from bed to a run and in the winter it's even harder.
ReplyDeleteRunning and fueling seems to be a very personal issue. Even amongst my running club friends there are so many different patterns people have. Some have to have eaten, some can't eat anything before a race and there are even some that swear by having a full cooked Scottish breakfast before a 53 mile ultra! If you find it ok to run unfueled first thing then that's a big advantage. Some people just can't stomach it. Excuse the pun!
Good luck with the rest of your training.
Al
Thanks, Al! Yes, was really pleased I could run without fueling in the morning. In the past I've really struggled and felt I HAD to have a meal first. Relieve I can just get out there instead of getting up even earlier to eat!
DeleteI've been keeping a gel in my pocket just in case! :)
Ah yes. Gels are fairly easy to stomach first thing and won't make you feel ill while you run. Although, as I discovered on my run yesterday, make sure you don't pack a punctured one. It makes a hell of a mess!
ReplyDeleteWow! you seem to like morning runs! Maybe it's like creativity - running peaks at the time of day you're most sleepy! You must be really on track for some great runs! Enjoy! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! I have to admit while it's not easy getting up, I do like running in the morning! There's something about being out there when it's quiet and there's not so many people around. I'm gonna try hard to keep it up!
DeleteI am so impressed. I wish I could have that kind of discipline. I think your approach to this is really going to ensure you are able to balance the new job and running. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you! But TBH I struggle with it every night. I have to be very stern with myself because it's definitely not second nature yet. I don't know if it will ever feel that way, but at least I feel like I'm doing all I can.
DeleteIf I can do it, anyone can!
Stopped by to wish you luck for Sunday!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by your determination to get out running at the crack of dawn when its freezing and am sure that will get you round sub 2!
Thank you for your kind wishes!
DeleteYou're right, after these cold, early morning starts it shouldn't feel so bad on race day! :)