Wednesday, April 7, 2010

this is going to require a lot of coffee.

Oh my. This day started at 4:15a, when my alarm started screaming at me. You know when you get jolted awake far to early, almost like you are getting scared awake? You sit up fast, breathing hard, and shaking wondering what the heck just happened? Yeah, that was me. And I sat in my bed thinking of all the very valid reasons I should lay back down instead of getting up to go for an eight mile run (like my warm bed, or my warm bed, and my warm bed, or my warm bed. warm. bed). Pouring gasoline in my eyes and eating nuts sounded more favorable (you have to understand, nuts and i? not friends. oh, but gasoline and i? BESTIES). I fought the temptation to lay back down with every fiber of my being, but remembered why I was getting up.

To go run with this girl and what I'm deeming her 'gang.' Not her "hey gang." No, a rolling hard, not messing around, we will screw you up kinda of gang. Anyone who can breeze by a woman pointing a gun at them at 5:30 in the morning are not a force to be reckoned with my friends. Mmm-hmmm. That's right. They don't mess around. Clearly, because if they were, they wouldn't get up AND RUN EIGHT MILES AT FIVE IN THE MORNING!

Honestly though, I have been worried about finding some new morning running buddies for the summer and fall since my summer running buddies from last year are out of commission now. I can't complain one bit that an early morning running buddy fell in my lap in the way of Hannah and her training buddies. It's just those initial first days of early morning running that really kick my butt. I mean REALLY. Getting up was absolutely worth it, the weather was perfect for running and Hannah and her buddies didn't disappoint one bit. It was such a good run. In my opinion, there is almost nothing as satisfying as knowing you ran eight miles before the sun came up.... wait, did that sound redneck? Bad country song? I apologize. But it's true!

I warned Hannah in advance I'm not a friendly morning person so I might not chat much, that thrown on top of a semi-challenging week basically equals a quiet FWR. Which was true, I didn't talk much (i bet the lawyer is jealous), but I loved listening to them talk about their fund raising efforts and life and....trees..... It was a quite perfect eight miler really. Hannah is going to get a big surprise when she finally hangs out with me in the middle of the day after I've been heavily caffeinated and realizes I won't shut up, but I'll let her figure that one out on her own.

So today. Coffee. And lots of it. My morning, like I said, started at 4:15a and won't end until I get home from work around 10:30p. And yes I'm pointing this out for the eighteenth time so you will tell me how fantastic I am and help me not feel like that was a bad choice..... chirp...... oozing sarcasm complete. I sure did reward myself (and all my calories burned) with a big fat cup of delicious from Starbucks, and I have a feeling there will be another one of those in my near future, because I'm already struggling and it's still early. But it's all part of the deal. The deal of trying to be a dedicated runner while still being a responsible employee and human being in the cycle of starting up morning running again. And I wouldn't change a thing, meeting some new running buddies wins over sleep. And maybe next week I'll get more sleep the night before..... stupid Breaking Dawn (and nerves about running with new girls). Yeah interweb, I'm one of THOSE.

14 comments:

Coachhrd said...

I run quite often at 5 and 6 a.m. and I've made some of the best friendships with people who run at that time. It may be better than you think!

Mark said...

I'm sorry, but nothing good happens at 5am. Except maybe the making of fresh donuts. I'm proud of you, but as far as the whole 'being worth it' opinion goes, I'll just take your word for it. Enjoy your coffee(s).

teacherwoman said...

Nice job on getting that 8 mile run in at the butt crack of dawn... before a very long day! You go girl!

Michele said...

It was good meeting you and running with you this morning!

5am run: Definitely worth it, but I'm with ya... definitely requires coffee or a nice afternoon nap!

Indi said...

I was just getting up at that time!! Nice work and man...I realllyyy hope you are caffeinated now:)
Love ya

Marlene said...

That's so early it's more like late! :/ IMPRESSED OVER HERE! What a great way to start your day... hope you make it til bed time. Something tells me you won't be turning too many pages of Breaking Dawn tonight.

J said...

415am is early! At least you have some people to run with though to help you stay motivated!

Hannah said...

You rock. Happy you came out and braved the early morning. Yay for us!

Miss you already.

Anonymous said...

Coffee is good! I am the same...if I run in the morning, I am super quite, but afternoon and evening...its on!!!

IzzyBubbles said...

Wow, now I feel like a total bum for sleeping in this morning instead of getting up to do my 8 miles...then again, that extra hour of sleep was REALLY nice. And yet I still have to run tonight and I don't wanna. Survey says -- I am a bum. Sigh.

Questionably Texan said...

If you make getting up that early a regular occurrence, you'll adjust. I used to be at work at 4:30am, and eventually your body gets used to it. Caffeine does make a difference though.

If you get on this running schedule, at least you'll beat the miserable summer heat.

Lindsay said...

i love running in the morning.... i just haven't in FOREVER. i miss it! it's soo nice to not have your run hanging over you all day and to chill out after work. hope it went well!

TiredMamaRunning said...

I have a standing 4:50 a.m. running date with a couple of other ladies twice a week. The worst moment is that alarm at 4:15, but after that it's all good! It becomes such a routine that it's almost worse to have a week off due to holidays/vacation/whatever and have to re-establish the routine versus just getting up for it every week.

And, yes...my half-cup of coffee at 4:20 does help a ton. ;)

Irene said...

Hooray for coffee and being one of "those" girls. Heh.

It will be worth the effort.