First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by yesterday and left wonderful comments. Your kind words and thoughts were more helpful than I can tell you!
By yesterday evening it was clear (as many of you pointed out) that I really needed to go for a run. And not just any old run, but an early morning run, a time I love the best. My current work schedule makes early morning runs really, really, REALLY early. Like 3 am early. But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
My old job started at 8 am, so most mornings I would be up before 5 for my morning routine: coffee, internet, “business”, and stretching. Out the door by 5:30 or so, depending on how many miles I was running, then home by 6:45 and on with my day.
Getting up that early, I got to see my neighborhood and my hometown in a different light. Literally. 5:30 am is pre-dawn most of the year. Running in the dark meant that I always knew the current phase of the moon, or in which direction to look for Orion. I could tell you with some precision what time the sun would come up and I’ve seen more than one shooting star during a run. I’ve always felt very connected to the nighttime sky (in fact, my tattoos are the Moon, the Sun and Saturn, and maybe you already noticed all the stars on my blog), so getting up early to run in the dark was a real pleasure for me.
It’s been over six months since I’ve run in the very early morning. There was a long stretch of unemployment – no need to get up early if I didn’t have any place to be – and now a job that starts at 5 am (and btw, driving to work in the pre-dawn hours doesn’t even compare). When life changed, I simply re-adjusted my schedule and ran when it was convenient. Even if the sun was shining.
But stepping outside this morning into the cool, dark air was like coming home. Sure it was significantly earlier than I was used to, but there was my moonlight and my stars in the sky, just waiting for me to connect with them again. I breezed through two miles without even looking at my Garmin (it’s not like I could see it in the dark anyway) and when I got back I knew that run was EXACTLY what I needed.
I’m so grateful for all of the joys running brings me, and that includes the connections with you here in bloggy world. Happy Running to us all!
P.S. I know some of you will have safety concerns about me running at 3 am. Have no fear, I don’t wear an iPod but I do wear my reflective vest!
TK42ONE says
So how did/do you see that early in the morning? I’ve often thought about getting up that early but always have a hard time dragging myself out of bed. But night runs in the evening do intrigue me. Do you have a headlamp? Just use the moon and stars? Just curious.
Emz says
3am – holy crap. I thought I was a die hard runner. But you have me beat HANDS DOWN!
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me) says
I’m so glad that your early morning run went well! I like running/biking in the early morning hours too. It’s always so peaceful and quiet! Yay for getting back out there! 🙂
Rad Runner says
woW! That is freaking hard core! Im glad you got back into the groove!
ajh says
I’m too scared in the dark – way too big an imagination out here in the country!
Teamarcia says
I don’t think I’ve been out that early but I agree it’s like having the world to yourself. Glad you enjoyed it! : )
judy says
sounds wonderful! thanks for sharing
Patrick Mahoney says
That sounds pretty awesome. I’ll bet if you keep that you will have one of those “top 5 runs of all time” runs. It seems like the stars (pun not really intended would align quite easy for a run like that so early in the AM.
Julie says
Wow, 3AM…I am still out cold:) I am so happy that you are back in action and feeling the mojo!
MCM Mama says
That’s crazy early! I can’t even make it to the LRS run runs that start at 5am (and I’ll never run by myself in the dark ’cause it’s too urban here). Glad you had a nice run.
Johann says
I’m glad you could get in a run that meant so much to you. I always run early mornings and it is really special. I like this whole “connected” feel. It helps in many ways. Take care!
Heather says
I love running in the dark. Last winter, I did my tempo runs at night and I really miss this cold, dark, quiet nights sometimes.