Monday, June 10, 2019

Early Morning Running is Where It's At!


I'm all about the early morning hours.

Lacing up and heading out in the pre-dawn hours can be an opportune time to knock out some miles, especially in the summer months. Even if the humidity is already heavy, with the sun low in the morning sky, the summer heat will usually be at its lowest for the day.

What's to love about the early morning runs?  Let me elaborate...



If there's any traffic, it's usually at a minimum. You still need to be respectful of city streets, but there probably won't be as many vehicles as you'd see in the usual daylight hours.

You can hear the music of nature. If you're up and out the door early enough, you may still hear the crickets chirping and some of the birds will be singing.

The silence can be golden. You also may hear nothing but your own footsteps and the rhythmic sounds of your breathing. With the absence of traffic (as well as the hustle and bustle of people in general), the early morning air takes on a peace and tranquility all its own.

Pure beauty is all around you. Have you ever seen a sunrise, from start to finish? The sky turns all kinds of radiant colors as the sun slowly emerges above the horizon.

The option for fasted cardio. If you're in the market for weight loss (or just need a little cellulite-trimming), knocking out a few miles before breakfast can burn some of that stored fat as well as jump start your metabolism for the day.

Ease of mind. By getting your run (or any workout) done early in the day, you will not have to worry about getting it done later.

Satisfaction for a job well done. There's a definite feeling of accomplishment in knowing you've finished a workout before most of the world has even woken up.

So, give the early mornings a go! You just may discover a new love for early rising, shining and running!
Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, shoes, outdoor and closeup

.When do you prefer to run (or workout)? Or can you make any time of day (or night) work?

I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Marc  for the Running Coaches' Corner

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28 comments:

  1. I agree that traffic is lighter, but I try to remember that I'm still hard to see at daybreak and drivers may not be fully awake yet!

    LOL on the feeling of accomplishment! On weekends I may finish my run and get the coffee made before my husband gets up -- I'm pretty sure he's waiting for me to make the coffee ....

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    1. Before I leave, I let Max out to do his quick business, but he sprints right back up the stairs to snooze more. Then, I usually get back to the house to find the hubby (and Max) still in a comatose state in bed LOL

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  2. I used to love early morning running for all the reasons you listed, especially in the summer.Now that I don't work anymore, I find it difficult to get up and get out the door! Hubs and I are going to have to get an earlier start once the summer heat and humididty really hist, though. I have been warning him! :)

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    1. I really got hooked on the early morning routine when I was recovering from my surgery. I'd get outside, almost every morning, for a walk (since I couldn't run) and that habit stuck. Like I've said, the early morning outside stuff (running, walking, HIIT, etc.) is my coffee ;-)

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  3. I used to really enjoy early morning runs (in the summer, NOT winter!), but somehow as the years go by I just get more & more tired, so I enjoy my quiet mornings. And since I have the freedom (sort of), I run when it's convenient for me.

    It's definitely good to get out there and get that morning sun, though, I was just reading about that!

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    1. I'm glad I discovered the early mornings! I was always good about getting out for runs with Barb, but now I get outside almost every morning for walking, too. I'm thankful I have a safe place to do so ;-)

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  4. Our head of research always says she has to cross the Hudson to do focus groups because "new york is not america". i think your comment about a lack of traffic is further proof of that -- when I run in the morning as I did today it's peak rush hour on the riverside path along the highway

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    1. I love the lack of traffic in the early hours! Since I'm mainly on city streets for most of my runs, it's nice not having to deal with vehicles ;-)

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  5. You sure do make it sound appealing! While I am not ready to join you at 5 am yet, I am getting out there slightly earlier for me. If makes a huge difference in the summer humidity

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    1. I don't know exactly when I started with the early morning runs/workouts, but it's been going on for a few years now. It works for me, but I respect not everyone enjoys the early wake-ups like I do ;-) Avoiding the bulk of the summer humidity is just a bonus!

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  6. I do much prefer my morning runs to my afternoon runs. I'm going to try to do at least 2 morning workouts a week. I figured I will start off slow and then maybe eventually I'll be able to do more morning workouts.

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    1. I don't mind afternoon (or even evening) runs, but I definitely prefer the early morning ones the most.

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  7. My favorite time to run is 4AM. I can usually get 3 to 5 miles in before it's time to get ready for work. I just make sure to light myself up good.

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    1. In the winter, I have to light myself up, too...but it's all worth it ;-)

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  8. I used to get up and run early in the morning before the sun and before fasted cardio was a thing. It was the only way to get my runs in when the boys were little and before my hubs left for work. Now I have no desire to get up that early. I like to have my coffee and wake up slowly. I'm sure I'll have to get moving a little earlier if it ever warms up!

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    1. I'd been doing the fasted cardio thing for a couple years before I ever knew it was a thing either. I'm just glad the early mornings work well for my schedule, and that I've found a niche that suits me.

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  9. Ha great minds - I shared a post on becoming an early morning runner ;) For me, it is a must in the summer to try to beat the summer heat!

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    1. I love my early mornings! Even in the winter, it's nice to be up and outside before anyone else ;-)

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  10. Morning runner here too! :-) I wished we were neighbors so we could run together.

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    1. That would be fun! It's always great to have someone to chat with ;-)

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  11. I wish I could do early morning runs during the week but since my alarm is already set for 5:30 to get ready for work, I just can't justify getting up even earlier to hit a few miles! But the benefits of early morning running are so clear!

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    1. I have to be at work on (or around) 8:00, so the 5:00 wake-ups and runs are what work for me, but any earlier would definitely be a challenge.

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  12. I wish I could get out early to run! I have my kids in the mornings so can never escape. . . someday! I can dream right?!

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    1. Yes, someday ;-) My kids are all grown (and one is now living in Pennsylvania), so I have ZERO excuses LOL I have to get to work at 8:00, so the early morning runs/workouts work best for me.

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  13. You're preaching to the choir here. I run early year round, but especially now that it's hot. Though being 90 degrees at 5:30 am is still challenging.

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    1. 90 at 5:30 is pretty extreme, even for my heat-loving persona ;-)

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  14. I'm definitely a morning runner. It might take me a few minutes to get loose, but I much prefer it to the afternoon or night.

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    1. Agreed. I can run any time of day (if my schedule allows), but I prefer to get up and get it done!

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