No that’s not my mile time (as if), it’s the time I actually hit the road RUNNING this morning.
My luxurious window of time, compliments of preschool, has been slammed shut now that summer is here so I have to step up and be more creative in planning my runs before The Caveman leaves for work.
I know many of you are right with me, squeezing workouts into already jampacked schedules. Plus it’s been hot. And humid. Exciting if you enjoy sweat dripping off the tip of your nose. Totally a challenge for me. Physically and mentally. But you know what? Persevering when conditions are less than ideal, when you’re short on time, etc. cultivates mental toughness. Mental toughness enhances confidence on race day and beyond.
Sure it would be way easier to skip a workout until the weather’s better or wait until you have more time (do we ever?). But committing to a goal and holding ourselves accountable to make the best effort possible = the journey. When I toe the starting line at a race I think of the journey that brought me there. The early mornings, the cold, the rain, and yes the heat. The gut-busting speedwork. The aches and pains, all of it. Because I overcame obstacles in training, I’m confident I’ll be able to manage the challenges the day presents.
So be proud of your bad selves for making time for a workout, for passing on a cupcake, for chipping away toward a new jean’s size. Whatever the goal, the efforts we make each day may seem small and inconsequential but over time they’ll amount to something amazing.
My neighbors and the trash-eating raccoons who witnessed me charging around the block this morning may think I’m crazy, but my 4:56am ‘running appointment’ is all part of my journey.
Love this post! So true.
Have a great weekend!
Isn't it the truth? I'm up at dark o'thirty all the time to get it in–well worth it!
as much as I hate getting up that early, it is BY FAR my favorite time to run…love this post!
I just can't manage that! If I'm lucky, I can manage 6 am on the treadmill…
Go you!
I too hate heat, but the bright side of this time of year is that I'm running at 5:15 am with no need for a headlamp!! Yay!! And it takes less time to get dressed!! And … nah, that's pretty much all I've got for summer running! Wait – one more: no screw shoes!!
I couldn't have said it better myself – great post (even though I was really hoping it was your mile split)!!
So true! It definitely isn't easy but the sacrifices get you to your goal.
I used to be able to roll out of bed at 4:30 and hit the road in about five minutes. Over the last couple of years I have found that it takes me longer and longer to get ready. So my 4:30 is probably closer to 5:00 these days.
this time of year I'm out the door by 5 AM a couple of mornings a week. I love that it's light enough to see where I'm going, and that there's no worries about slipping on ice. My weekend running group puts up with a lot, but I'm sure they'd never stand for a 5 AM run on a Sat. or Sunday — we hit the road around 7:30 AM.
Great post! Good for you for getting out there early. I get up at 4:30 to go up to the pool and get swims in before work & before Sophie wakes up.
You made me feel guilty for not running today. But now I'm inspired to kick but in my virtual 5k tomorrow!
You've got guts, girl! Great post!
Great post! I haven't quite hit the 4:56 mark yet…for me it's 6:00, but with the humidity on the rise I'm definitely going to have to get moving even earlier!
Good job! I love the quote "Mental toughness enhances confidence." You did a great job!
great post! i just got really inspired and motivated 🙂
Lol… I totally thought that 4:56 was going to be a mile time!
True dat on the journey… the distance from Peoria to Chicago may only be 200 miles but the distance from Peoria to the Chicago Marathon is much further for me!
love this post! Summer mommy running! I had a 5:50 morning today and even though I wasn't running (boo hoo). It was still great! I love starting the day with a work out!
Don't you feel great the rest of the day after an early morning run? That is if you can stay awake!
Great post! I thought that was your mile time, too. I was thinking 'dang! she's fast!' 🙂
My 4:56 is more like 5:30/6. If I'm not on the street by 6, it's not happening that day.
congrats on fitting it in – whatever the time is. Rock on!!! I tend to do 9:00 PM after the kids are in bed. I already get up for work at 5am and can't get up much earlier!! 🙂 You are a rockstar!!
Ugh, girl! Why couldn't you post something like, "Instead of getting up at 4:56, I ate 15 dozen cupcakes"…..cuz then I'd high-five ya for being in my same boat!! I have had zero motivation this week. Last week, I was all over the gym, going 5 times. This week, a big fat ZERO! What's wrong with me!!! I have 7 weeks til San Fran, though I have no desire to run it fast, I also do not want to die quite yet. So really, I do need to be thanking you cuz your post really made me stop whining about the 92 degrees it was today and suck it up and just do it, Jillie!!! Who the heck cares that it's still 88 degrees at 7:41p.m., at least you don't run in humidity!!! Thanks, girlfriend. You're the bestest!!! xo
"Mental toughness enhances confidence" I'm taking that with me to my race tomorrow.
What a great post! Anytime I run in the morning I feel so good after…I know I'll have to incorporate more of that into my training because humidity is par for the course here on summer days. So morning runs will be much easier…relatively speaking 🙂 I still have to get used to getting out there at that time! Thanks!!!
I'm proud of you hitting the road that early. I'm having a terrible time dragging myself out these mornings. I keep telling myself that I'll be too tired at work (and I'm already tired from work so it really wouldn't make much difference). Once holidays are here, I'll be able to get out more easily.
i was thinking this was you're latest marathon time…and i got a lil worried! isn't that funny?
but 4:56 for an early morning run? dang! and i'm so in your boat w/kids sans school at the moment, but for me, i'm pattin' myself on the back if I do 6:30am! (which i still haven't done..)
and oh yeah, the 'tri pkge' commment was on your aerobars on your bike;-)
Funny – that is exactly the same time That I wake up too. I set my alarm for 5, but it is 4 min fast. 4:56….every day….one foot in front of the other
I'm right there with you, up at 5:00am and out the door at 5:55am for my morning run. If I don't get it done before work, it does not get done. But, that's OK cuz I love running in the morning! Great post, motivating!!
Good Lord Marcia…that is pretty flipping early! I will most likely be joining you with the early morning runs with marathon training just around the corner:) I might need a pep talk:)
great post!
and super impressed!
I have to get my workouts in immediately after work or I lose all motivation. That means I'm usually out in the afternoon heat at around 3pm. But I figure that I get conditioned for the most extreme weather conditions.
And way to go for you!
my 4:56 is about the same 🙂 but i (usually) enjoy running that early! knock the workout off the list and have the whole day ahead of you. i love that feeling.
Way to go on the early morning run! I'm usually running by 5:05 these days, so I'm not far off your start time.
Oh, I'm right there with you! I've already been getting up at 4:30 for my swims, but now I'll have to get up early on other days to get my runs and bike rides in too! Good bye sleep! 🙂
I'm in week five of my journey, and now that the miles are ramping up, I'm looking at early morning runs. Already planning a 12 mile run at six a.m. friday morning!
Rock on!
"So be proud of your bad selves for making time for a workout…" — absolutely!
This is a fantastic post! Great job making it happen.
I'm so excited about G.R. and it being your first BQ gives me hope! I'll have to pick your brain on the course as it gets closer and we'll definitely have to meet up for a run in Chi-town the next time I'm there!
My 04.56 a.m. is .. 07.20 a.m. not early. I am so lazy. Great post
LOOVE this post!! Really, these words somehow make me oddly emotional. Probably, because I'm coming to the end of my first marathon training cycle and it is a mere 16 days away…and really I've been thinking about the journey that has brought me to this point a lot lately. Thank you. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Look forward to reading yours and learning from your experience!!