Today was really hard getting out of bed because I’m not used to waking up so damn early anymore! I went to bed @ 11 (dumb ass) and woke up @ 4 to run.
My running partner talked about doing that again because it’s 80 degrees after work and in Houston, it feels like almost 90 with the humidity. It’s not difficult at all! It takes some time getting used to and this is hour I did it. This was my crazy, I have no life other running routine.
About 6 months ago I would wake up almost every day @ 4am or 4:30 to meet up with my running partner and log in 6-7 miles a day. I was training for my very first Marathon is Houston and with the humidity being horrendous, waking up and running before the sun came up wasn’t really an option. Summers out here are hell and I absolutely hate the heat, more so the humidity.
Some “tropical” people like my mom (who was born and raised in Veracruz, MX) Love it. Well, I don’t… San Diego has the most amazing weather this planet can offer and it has clearly stuck with me. Don’t get me wrong, summers here are fun; crawfish boils, ice cold beers, hanging with friends, pool time, instant tan, etc… that’s about it. Who “likes” the frizzy nappy hair and sweating so much your make up literally melts and runs down your face because you’re constantly sweating?? Yikes. You can’t even imagine what it’s like to run during the summer here (unless you’re from Houston). I had no other choice but to suck it up, get over it and learn how to deal with it if I wanted to be a marathoner. The race wasn’t until January and I started training in July. You get the picture. It was HOT.
As much as I complained about it, I enjoyed it. I was becoming a better, stronger, faster runner and I loved it. I love sweating and feeling my clothes drenched in sweat, visual yet? Lol sorry, but I absolutely loved THAT part of the summer because running at 4am made it tolerable. There’s no way I would go outside for an hour while the sun is out and since the city is mainly concrete it would feel like 110 + 100% humidity! This was my routine 5 days out of the week:
Monday-Thursday I’d wake up @ 4am, out the door at 4:10 or 4:15 to meet my friend and start running at 4:30. Sometimes earlier depending on the mileage, mostly 5,6,8 miles. We would finish by 5:30 or 5:45 (again depending on the mileage). I still had time to get ready, have breakfast and drive to work (30 min. commute)! I loved it because I would come home, do some weights on a couple of days, cook dinner, clean up, relax, etc... Bed time was usually 9pm, I would get everything I needed ready the night before for the run in the morning. Shorts, tank, sports bra, socks, headband, garmin, blinking light, sweat band, fuel belt in fridge, body glide, towel for after and a big thing of water to leave in my car. Lots of prepping the night before, but it saved me about 15 mins every morning. I sure as hell didn’t want to wake up @ 3:40!!!
(not my stuff)
It was super hard to get into the habit of waking up at that time and going to bed early while all of your friends were still up. I used to sleep with my running clothes on so all I would have to do was roll out of bed, get my stuff and run out hehe My poor bf thought it sucked so I bought him a PS3 + Call of Duty so he wouldn’t complained when I had to go to bed. He would turn it right on and play until midnight. There were a couple of times when I would up to run and he was asleep on the couch with the controller in his hand and the game was running. Pretty funny, but he never complained about my schedule after that. ;) I sacrificed so much while training, no late dinners with friends unless it was a Thursday night where I didn’t have to wake up until 6 the next day. Friday’s were my days off, but I couldn’t do anything that night because Saturdays were my long runs (which I miss).
Saturday’s were my fav! Not only was I running 15+ miles and feeling freaking awesome after, the runners high was in full effect all day, I was so happy, kept busy and would meet with friends for drinks that night. They were super fun J It’s not too long before I go back into that routine, but for now it’s a nice little break. Sundays I would veg! Hang out by the pool, tan, BBQ and just relax and get ready to do it all over again Monday. I wouldn’t have it any other way because that’s what I had to do to get this picture ;)
Above all of that- food! I changed my mentality, I would eat to run.
I would fuel and hydrate my body properly for tomorrows run, it made a huge difference in my performance and helped me not die of a heat stroke in the middle of the road at 4:30 am eeek!
I'm starting up that routine and can't wait until it gets easier! I love having the evenings to myself and when I'm at work I feel so much better knowing that my run is done and can go straight home and cook a delicious dinner. My running partner is sick so I won't be waking up early, instead I'll be taking a spin class which I really need. Gotta get these legs stronger are toned for the summer.
Have you tried running before the sun comes up?
What was the most difficult part about it? Mine was not spending as much time with my bf :( but I'm so glad he's so supportive and understanding!
