Loving My Early Runs

Is there anything better than coming in from a run, all sweaty and hot and stripping off your shirt? 

Ah… just feels so good… and I love the glow that my skin has after a good hard run.  No, I don't mean the sweat, I mean the natural pink shine that remains after the sweat is wiped away!

For the past few weeks, I have been getting out for my runs before breakfast.  And I am really enjoying them more.

Before we bought the sailboat, The Captain and often ran together on a weekend morning.  We would have coffee, share a banana and a Power Bar, and then head off for a 5 mile run to, and around ,a large river front park near our house.  Sometimes I would do a 10 miler on Saturday mornings after my Weight Watchers meeting… again, before breakfast.

After we bought the boat, I learned to spend my early mornings outside in the cockpit, sipping coffee and enjoying a book,  or the view… then we would have a leisurely breakfast and if I ran, it was usually late morning.  Then I could clean up before lunch and the afternoon’s activities.

This became my habit even if we were on the boat in the marina, or when we spent the Winter on shore in a waterfront cottage or house-sitting for travelling friends.  Mid to late morning runs meant a big breakfast and a wait…  the focus of the morning became the run itself.  It was always noon before I was ready and cleaned up to carry on with the day.

But since I started my first-thing-in-the-morning strength workouts and enjoy getting it done, I have been doing the same thing with my runs. 

I still have my coffee and a protein powder-fruit-almond milk shake of some kind… then put on the running gear and head out.  Mornings along the nearby Strait are so beautiful.  And every day is different depending on the wind, sunshine, and tides.  There are always happy dogs running in the off leash area, and friendly people along the way.  It is a fun and positive start to the day.

I love to come in and drink some water and stretch and then have a big hearty breakfast before showering and getting on with my day.    Today’s brekkie was scrambled egg/egg whites, with kabocha squash and crumbled bacon.

It is still early enough, even after showering to do something else with my morning hours.  It seems I have more hours in my day when I run first thing, instead of leaving it till mid morning.

The transisition to running at this time of the day had a few challenges though… finding the right food to eat before running, and the right amount took some experimenting.  I learned I cannot run on a completely empty stomach.  And so as not to reveal too much information, I will only say that my morning bathroom routine took a while to come around as well.  You other runners will know what I am talking about.  :)

For now, it works, and I am loving it.

What time of day do you like to run?  Do you have a set routine?

What do you eat before your run?