Don't Judge the Run by the Wake-up

I'm an early morning runner. That is a good thing during the summer here in the south when mornings are the most pleasant times of the day (and by "most pleasant" I mean the only time you can survive).  So even when the alarm goes off and I don't feel like running, I know if I want decent mileage, I have to get out there and give it a shot.  Especially these days, when two of my mornings are now devoted to bootcamp.

This morning, for whatever reason, I felt so heavy and tired.  I trudged into the bathroom where my running clothes were waiting on me and slowly started to get dressed.  I glanced into the mirror at my sleepy face and droopy eyes and considered going back to bed (if for no other reason than to save my running pals from that sight!). I knew I wanted the miles, though, so I put my hair in a ponytail and went to get a visor.

It could have been the previous afternoon spent outside cycling, and then on the Tennessee River riding in the boat and on the wave runner at some friends' lake house (or would that be a river house?).  It could have been the delicious, huge meal I ate that night.  It could have been due to little sleep, although I was in bed by 9:30.  Sometimes it can be due to nothing at all.  Those first few early morning minutes can be hard simply because it is, after all, early morning.

As I poured myself a tall cup of ice water to enjoy after my run, I wondered just what kind of run it would be.  We were planning to run 8 miles, but I wasn't sure I felt up for that.  I just wanted to close my eyes and crawl back under the covers!  Still, I grabbed my keys and headed out the door.  No matter how I felt, I was going to get out there and do what I could. 

The first mile was challenging, but once I got moving, it felt just fine.  Having the girls to chat with along the way helped, and the miles seemed to go by quickly.  We held a good pace and I enjoyed that despite my earlier tiredness.  There were several small hills along this particular route and we held our pace as we climbed them. We finished strong, with our last mile being one of our fastest.

As we said our good-byes and headed back to our homes, I was pleased and a little surprised that it had gone so well.  I was so glad I had come despite how I felt when I first woke up.  Sure, sometimes I wake up tired and feel that way throughout my run, but many times I do not.  Many times if I can just get myself moving, the hardest part is over and I end up having a great run and starting off my day exactly how I wanted.  The same idea goes for running or working out in the afternoon after a busy day of work or school.  It is hard to believe that it will feel good, but once I get moving I find it is just what I needed!

So the moral of this story is exactly what the title says.  Don't judge the run by the wake-up.  Get out there and get moving anyway, and you just might be surprised!