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Evening Running

9/29/2014

11 Comments

 
I take my hat off to those of you who can go to work all day and then get out there for a run after work. I did this yesterday, but I'm pretty sure it will be a one-off. My body clearly prefers the early early morning time, and later in the day, well, my legs sort of feel a bit, meh... Or perhaps it was being the first run back after a cold (thank you for your lovely messages! I am heaps better now). Anyway, I tried, and a slow, less than perfect run, is still better than no run at all methinks. What I did was, so that I wouldn't talk myself out of it, or convince myself that there are so many other things I'd rather be doing after work (i.e. eating, chilling, eating) I got into my running gear before my double lesson of the arvo (I teach a large group of nursing students from 4:40-6:30pm twice a week). Crazy, yes? Going to 'work' in running gear. (Crazier still would be having work on a weekend to make up and compensate for a holiday that's coming up this week, but let's not go into that again.) Ahh, but there was a method to my madness, namely being that for half of their lesson I wanted to discuss sports, fitness, and exercise equipment. Sooo, I could point talk and then to my trainers, running tights, camelback etc. Yeah, the main reason might have been that I wanted to get out the door and into the balmy evening as quickly as possible, and that I did: 6:30 on the dot and I was out and setting off on my run.

The evening was not too cold, not windy, and felt kind of balmy, as I ran through the dark on one of my usual routes. It is a totally different experience running under streetlights than running as the beautiful, orange orb of sun is just making its presence known, and although the park was lit up beautifully and felt quite romantic (had I not been there all alone!) I just couldn't shake the thought of wishing it was done and over already so I could be eating dinner and relaxing with Husband. I think, perhaps, for me, running in the evening or afternoon time, or any time when I may usually be hanging out with Husband or friends, seems a bit anti-social, or even feels that I could be missing out?? Yesterday I was craving some sort of tasty pancake wrap thing that they make here, and my thoughts were pretty much on: buying dinner, having a shower, eating dinner, and planning lessons for tomorrow. Which makes for a less than thrilling run!

Oh well. The great thing about running, and anything else in life, is there is always tomorrow. A bad run today can lead to an amazeballs one the next time. Hopefully, anyway.


Picture
Anyway, now that I'm feeling heaps better and all but completely recovered from this cold (still have just a tiny bit of a manly voice happening) I can get back into training, and hopefully, will remember that I am very much a morning exerciser! (Despite what I tell myself some mornings, when I'm 'too tired' to get up, so then postpone it til later on. Hmmm, note to self: this means you probably won't work out on that day.)

Do you ever run in the dark?? (It seems to be dark already when I come out of lessons at 6:30pm now! Another reason to stick to my early morning runs methinks.)

11 Comments
David @ Captain Speedypants link
9/29/2014 05:48:04 am

I prefer and schedule my runs for early morning. No better way to get ready for the day by getting your heart rate up. I do run in the evenings once and a while but I really don't feel the same energy level on them.

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Lou link
9/30/2014 06:42:03 pm

Same here David! Yep, no better way to start the day hey. :)

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Kim link
9/29/2014 06:33:44 am

I'm very much a morning runner/exerciser!!! Too easy to talk myself out of it otherwise.

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Lou link
9/30/2014 06:42:36 pm

True story Kim! :)

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amy link
9/29/2014 10:03:36 am

Oh I do love afternoon/early evening running. I usually have a lot to think about/process and running helps me so much. In the morning, I still feel half asleep. Don't you love how Chinese schools give you a long holiday, but make you work on weekends? So bizarre!

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Lou link
9/30/2014 06:43:25 pm

Yeah, it is truly bizarre hey! Someone needs to tell them the definition of 'holiday', and not 'we'll-just-switch-your-workday-around'!

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Kristina link
9/29/2014 01:53:26 pm

What?! So weird that you have to make up the holiday by working the weekend! No bueno! But it is awesome that you get to go to work in your running clothes! I dream about doing that! haha

I love evening running because my brain is fully awake. On my morning runs I just feel so sluggish and tired!

So glad to hear you're feeling better!!! Drink lots of tea to get rid of the manly voice :D

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Lou link
9/30/2014 06:44:46 pm

Thanks Kristina! I need no excuse for copious cups of tea - it fixes all, I reckon.
Yep, no bueno at all. Oh well. Yes, it was great wearing workout clothes, but I'm sure they giggled more than usual at me, oh well... :)

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Kristen link
9/30/2014 05:14:34 am

I’m with you on those after work runs… I just can’t do it. My mind and body are programmed to run in the morning, so when that doesn’t happen the run typically does not get done. I have probably run after the 4pm hour twice in the past year. Not my cup of tea. I will sometimes run in the early morning when the sun is just peaking over the horizon, but never at night in the dark.

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Lou link
9/30/2014 06:45:51 pm

I agree - I definitely feel programmed to work better/run in the early morning, and sometimes, occasionally a little later in the morning, but I definitely feel the difference the later that I run in the day. :)

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Karen link
9/30/2014 11:46:46 pm

I kind of like running at sunset, I don't like the super dark, but that initial half hour after the sun goes down and you can kind f see is okay with me. I do prefer to knock out long runs on weekend mornings for sure. I am use to going the gym and doing a short run and my weight training after work though, no way I could get up early enough to do it! Trying to go against the grain of what we are used to is hard! If hubby is home that would be hard to leave and feel like you are missing out on dinner, hanging out time, etc...My hub works at night so I feel good filling that time that way. I do have a much harder time when I know he's home. Glad you are on the mend even if you do sound a little manly lol

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