January 19, 2010

Mid Week Winter Run Routine


Not sure what is normalout there, but I have gotten use to winter early morning runs in a way.  For Christmas I got a headlamp from Santa, so my routine has taken a couple of turns as barriers were removed! To be honest, I have allowed myself to sleep longer occasionally because in the past two winteres, I had moved my running to after work, but this was inconvenient and took away from my family time. 

*Night Before: Lay out running gear so as not to disturb my lovely sleeping beauty bride when I am looking in the dark for those STUPID TIGHTS.*

Wearing: Thermal running tights, compression Tshirt, pull over wicking sweatshirt, marathon illuminating jacket, gloves, shoes  and skull cap, headlamp.

5:30 (or 6 am depending on my schedule) - alarm goes off, turn it off, will myself to get up. "GET UP GET UP IDIOT, GO RUNNING!"

5:35 - make a quick pot of coffee, visit the bathroom
5:36 - get dressed whilst playing a couple turns of Facebook Scrabble, checking email
5:38 - pour elixer of life into my groggy brain.  Wait for effect which is immediate and amazing, play another scrabble turn.  Think about the run, make adjustments to length if weather or time is an issue.
5:40 - Step out of door and on my run for ususally 10 k - 14 k.

7 am-ish arrive home and jump into morning pre-work routine

Now, this is all good if it all goes as planned, but often somethings been washed, moved or tampered with in some way to make me run around looking for items.  You may notice I did not mention my beloved IPOD.  Well, i have given up for the most part bringing this item with me, it was just too finicky for the trouble of all I am wearing and the cold often makes the battery die quickly.  So no music, which is okay considering I am blind with darkness the whole run, so who needs to be deaf too! I run my shorter runs on an empty stomach, only coffee keeps me energized then.
So how abnormal am I?  Anyone have a similar routine??