Morning runners I salute you

[Hellcat80]

How do you morning runners do it? Got up this morning at 5am keen to get in the run I missed last night (newbies beware - they’re not lying when they say this running lark is addictive) before work.

It’s dark (ok I expected that), it’s cold (a little too cold at 3c but ok) but most of all it’s so, so very quiet. To the point of being unnerving. First no music run too for me so probably didn’t help but couldn’t help feeling less than safe. Lasted 5 mins and back home.

So it’s back to early evening runs for me. Still cold, still dark but lots of cars to keep me company, headlights to light my way and back to the music for me.

Would have loved to have been a morning runner but guess its just not for me. I maintain my early morning runner envy though. You lucky, lucky people.

Keep on running!

[Lizzj]

It was zero degrees here. Love the solitude of a morning run. Nobody to dodge, few cars and good music. Can't run later, my knees seize up after sitting all day. Doesn't matter when you do it, as long as you run

[Hellcat80 in reply to Lizzj]

Wish I could do it, I dream of days I can benefit from the post run high all day. Love my early evening run too though - great way to forget the day. You are right - I don’t matter when as long as it’s done!

[Dotthedyer]

I like the peace and quiet and the lack of traffic and it sets me up for a day. Also it makes me do it as getting out after I’ve come home I find hard.

[Hellcat80 in reply to Dotthedyer]

Know what you mean about getting out after coming home. I can’t let myself sit down, it’s Home, changed and straight out for me

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Hello! I am very much a lark, so early morning runs suit me beautifully. I understand where you are coming from though, about it being a little scary! Is your neighbourhood safe? I think the only reason I cope is that I consider the area I live in to be pretty safe.

I actually feel safer in the dark mornings than dark evenings, weirdly. I think that I run too early for the loons and criminals to be out! But I do get spooked by the odd fox 🦊 darting across my path! I see lots of other runners out at 6:00am and that reassures me.

Sometimes I even up the anti by doing a Zombies, Run! mission in the dark morning! Gets the old heart rate up, that's for sure...

You have lovely morning runs to look forward to come spring time! I am looking forward to that too, so I can get back to running in my beloved local park.

Sadie-runs 😘

[Hellcat80 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I’m a lark too (just not for running). Absolutely love getting up early and getting stuff done. My area is safe just maybe I’m not used to it being so very very quiet.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hellcat80]

Yeah, the quietness takes a bit of getting used to, but I quite like it now! (Still longing for summer mornings though - quiet and light!)

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Hiya u gotta stay safe first and foremost . These dark morning don’t last forever so if u can switch to evenings for now do it . Better to run at night than not all all x

[Hellcat80 in reply to Shelby1973]

Absolutely but you’re right - dark mornings won’t last forever. Maybe I’ll try morning runs again in summer

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Well its just perception surely. If I run in the morning or the evening at this time of year it is still dark.

But, am I more likely to get mugged by some loon hiding quietly in the bushes on a dark, cold morning on the off chance someone might come past, or the group of adolescents bored and stalking the streets at night?

Join a running group if you are unsure about running in the dark alone.

For the record I do run in the mornings, however I have a different route for winter running which keeps me on a 1/2 mile loop around my house. Its not as interesting as my summer route, but hey its dark anyway, so I spend most of the time watching my footfall.

[Hellcat80 in reply to Whatsapp]

It’s not really that I’m unsure of running in the dark (it’s dark when I do my early evening runs). I was just surprised by how quiet it was and it made me feel a little nervous. But you’re right, is purely perception

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

I only did one really early run as I have a dog to walk in the morning. I did run at 7ish on holiday in new forest which was brilliant and great start to the day.

I'm with you about being in awe of those who run so early but on the other hand we are running when lots of others are sitting on the couch 😉

[Hellcat80 in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Too true! Anything is better than the couch. I’m jealous of you running in the new forest - sounds fab!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate in reply to Hellcat80]

I did my week 5 runs there with ponies and donkeys for company 😁

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

It’s got to be mornings - or I don’t run! I never know when I get home from work so can’t really plan there. And once I’m home I’m too tired to go out again. So early morning, dark runs it’s got to be!

[Hellcat80 in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

I salute you! Even though I’m one of life’s larks they just do t seem to work for me (but I’d still love to run in the morning and reap the feel good benefits all day long).

[TJMazz Graduate]

I love running in the early morning. The air is fresh and the roads are still. I see a few runners and also some foxes. Daytime running is not an option as work all day so early morning or early evening work for me 🙋🏻

[ejvcruns Graduate]

I just can't winkle myself out of bed at 5am -- I get up at 6am dead tired. So I run after work. But when it's the weekend I prefer to run in the morning -- which I'll do tomorrow. But like, at 7am, not at 5am.

[Langley-Loper Graduate]

Don't worry, I'm not a morning runner either. We all have our own ways of doing it. I need breakfast and time for it to go down so I'll never be running at 6am unless I get up at 4am!