August 26, 2011 (Updated March 16, 2023)

A friend is the best early morning run motivation

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

40 comments
Remember that nice, cool, fall-esque weather I was talking about earlier this week? Well, apparently summer is now back. And so are super sweaty runs. 008

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(Pre-run — hence the lack of sweat and squinty tired eyes)

Bright and early yesterday morning I met up with my grad school buddy Elle for a run. I couldn’t believe that when I woke up at 6 a.m., it was still dark outside! Bah. Maybe I’m not ready for this whole fall thing yet after all! At least by the time we met up it was nice and bright outside 🙂 006 Elle and I did one of our standard routes around Chapel Hill that includes a killer mile long hill in the middle of the run. But what goes up… must come down. The run ends with a nice long downhill that almost makes up for the crazy scary hill earlier on. Splits:
  • Mile 1: 9:17
  • Mile 2: 9:52 (hill of death)
  • Mile 3: 9:32 (finishing out hill of death)
  • Mile 4: 8:51
  • Last 0.3 mile pace: 8:41 (downhill rocks)
Total mileage: 4.30. Total time: about 38 minutes? (I forgot to reset my watch from last time so it said we ran for 1 hour, 20 minutes. Um… not so much) Morning run success! 005 Getting up early sucks, but I always remind myself that I’ll be so happy once I’m out there and moving. I love starting my day with some “me time” in the form of exercise to decompress and prepare for the busy day ahead. Plus, getting to say that by 7:30 a.m. my workout for the day is already complete? Totally worth it. Thanks for the great run, Elle! It always makes it SO much easier to run in the morning when I know I have someone to meet 🙂 I’m off to class — happy Friday! Are you a morning or evening exerciser? I prefer morning for pretty much everything except yoga. Yoga is such a nice way to end the day!
- anne

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40 comments
  • Lindsey
    Ideally I would work out at 8am every day but unfortunately I have this thing called "work" ;) I do 1-2 workouts a week in the morning which is usually yoga or weight at home for 45 minutes. The other 3-4 days a week is when I run or go to the gym after work so 5:30-6pm. I don't mind this since it is my routine now but I really love having free evenings when the workouts are done in the mornings!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Heh, ditto re: the 8 a.m. workout. Stupid school ;)
      Reply
  • Clare @ Fitting It All In
    100% morning exerciser! It feels strange to get to work without having sweat in the morning. And I'm so tired after work that going to the gym would NOT happen.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Yeah, the later it gets in the day, the less likely I am to work out, haha.
      Reply
  • Kathryn C.
    I LOVE morning runs, such a great way to start the day :)
    Reply
  • Whitney
    I love morning runs too, but I'm scared I may get ran over right now because its so dark. hahaha! You are so motivating Anne!!!! Love you!!! :) Have a fabulous day!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Yikes, be careful! And thank you! :)
      Reply
  • Marie
    I started switching to morning workouts and am not a morning person. I never thought I would say this, but I now love morning workouts and don't have as much energy as the day goes on. BTW, I wish I looked that pretty right after getting up in the morning! ;)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Good for you re: the morning workouts! And thanks ::blush::
      Reply
  • Michelle @ Crazy*Running*Legs
    I hate getting up - but once I'm running I LOVE my morning runs. It's hard to explain to people why I am so insane about morning running/exercise - but those endorphins keep me on a high for HOURS! I don't appreciate it as much at night.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Totally agree! I feel like a rockstar all day if I get in a morning workout :)
      Reply
  • Dina @ DinaRuns
    I wish I could workout in the mornings to beat the Florida heat but I go in at 7:30 and with a 36 mile commute, I would have to wake up really early to get to work on time. So for now it's after work workouts for me.
    Reply
  • Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio
    I love working out after work, but I am currently an morning girl. It's just better for me to get in before work as my schedule is rather crazy.
    Reply
  • Kellie
    I wake up at 4:15 two mornings a week so I can fit in a run before my husband leaves for work ( I have three kids so I have to be home). I love it. By the time I'm awake my run is almost over and I feel great. The only thing is that I am grumpy if I don't get a nap later that day.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Wow that's EARLY! I'm impressed!
      Reply
  • Erin @ The Grass Skirt
    I definitely prefer to work out in the morning. I find that if I don't work out first thing, I tend to have a harder time getting motivated.
    Reply
  • Katie G
    Definitely morning exerciser! I used to workout on my lunch break but when things started getting super busy at work and I would have to miss my workout, I'd had enough. I get up early now and go to the gym before work. It took some adjusting but now I am cranky when I don't workout before the day begins.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Exactly - I feel like someone else will always come up if you wait until later in the day!
      Reply
  • Anna
    I had the same experience with my friend yesterday...I ran to her house for a run but would not have made it if it wasn't for her motivation! I am definitely a morning exerciser. I think it sets the tone for the day, plus I would rather start the day sweaty, then shower, and be ready for the day :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Yes, I hate showering twice!
      Reply
  • Elle
    I love that we chatted the ENTIRE way. That was the most fun run I've had in a very long time since I've been running solo lately! xoxo
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Me too :) So excited to be doing these weekly from now on! Running is my favorite way to play catch up with friends. xo
      Reply
      • Elle
        p.s. I should really start waking up more than 20 minutes before our runs so my eyes have a little time to de-puff! :)
        Reply
  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
    I did my tempo run in the morning on Wednesday and it was like a completely different world. I actually forgot I had already worked out come 5pm and kept thinking, I gotta go get my run in! I wish I could remind myself how amazing it feels to get it over with early when I'm in bed pressing the snooze button but, somehow sleep always tends to win.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I know. I always have to stop myself and be like, okay. Think about how annoyed you will be to have to do this later today when you have all the time in the world this morning. Get up - it will be worth it!
      Reply
  • Jill K
    I'm definitely a late morning runner because I have to read, research and write in the early morning... However, all morning I look forward to my awesome euphoria from Running......WOO-HOO Wish I could run in the evenings, but my nights are usually reserved for "Date Night" ;-)
    Reply
  • Jessica @ Jess Go Bananas
    I am a morninig exerciser! It sounds bad but, I like to get it "out of the way." Also, the release of endorphins usually leaves me on a runner's high for the rest of the day =]
    Reply
  • Jennie @ What's Jen Eating
    I've seriously been struggling with this. I have a 3-year-old who is too big for the jogging stroller anymore, so the only time that would really work for me to run is in the morning before my husband leaves for work. However, I've only made it once. I need to find a running buddy!! :)
    Reply
  • Ashley
    Definitely a morning exerciser, although I used to be the opposite. I knew that exercising in the morning would help with my workout consistency, so I started dragging myself out of bed every morning (in a daze, mind you), to exercise. Slowly, but surely it became a habit, and now I love it. Just like you said, it's such a great way to start your day.
    Reply
  • Renie
    I am a morning person in all aspects. I am up at 4 AM to get my husband his breakfast and get him off to work. I have most of my house work done before anyone else is up.
    Reply
  • Anna Marie
    How much bigger are your shoes supposed to be when it comes to running? I keep getting a few black toes.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I wear a size 7 in running shoes and usually wear like a 6 or 6.5 in other shoes. So maybe go up a half size? Your best bet is going to a running shoe store and getting fitted, though!
      Reply
  • ML
    I am definitely a morning exerciser! Give me a walk or a spin class and I'm there. Lunchtime is another favorite time for me to workout, and luckily I have a flexible work schedule that lets me take a bit longer to shower and prep for the rest of the day.
    Reply
  • Bobbi
    Having a runny buddy is huge! I think it's the only way I could ever get out of bed at 4:30am to run!!!
    Reply
  • Renie
    Glad to hear you are doing ok during this storm Anne. My name is Irene and if I hear one more joke, pow, zoom, bang.
    Reply