A few months ago, a friend wanted to get together to go running in the morning. No matter how many times I explain to people that I don’t run outside of marathons, everyone thinks I’m just kidding and that I’m really out there every single day doing 15 or 20 miles. As if! However, this was a friend whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, and I did want to start working out more, so I figured that a morning running buddy would keep me accountable and maybe it was a good thing. We arranged to meet at 6:30 AM at a spot in Central Park that was about 2 miles from me, meaning a 5:45 AM wakeup (brutal!). Surprisingly, I was excited about it, and raring to go… until I stayed up till 3 AM helping Boyfriend prepare a deck for a presentation. I sent my friend a quick text apologizing and saying that I wouldn’t be able to make it, but I don’t think she was too thrilled.
Finally, this week I contacted her again and we arranged to meet this morning. I ended up getting to bed late again, but this time I forced myself to get up and go. I jogged up to 90th and Central Park… and didn’t see my friend there. I waited for about 10 minutes while attempting to call her, and finally just left a message that I was going to do a lap around the reservoir until she got there. I did my lap, and still no word from her. While I had planned to run longer, I decided that was enough for the day, especially since I have a marathon coming up on Sunday. I jogged the two miles back home, even managing to bump into Boyfriend on his way to the subway for work.
It felt great to get an easy workout in so early in the morning. I later discovered that my friend had shown up, albeit a bit late, but didn’t have her phone with her so I had no idea. Hopefully we can reschedule and make it a weekly thing though. For now, it’s time to rest up for Sunday’s pacing job in St. Louis…
I commend you for being able to get up that early! I always tell myself I’m going to get up and work out before work to get it over with, but when that alarm goes off I just can’t do it. Good luck on your next marathon!!!
See, and that’s why I don’t do morning workouts. No good ever comes from them. :o)
How do you get in to pacing for races? I think it would be really fun to do for some HMs, and a great way to do some races that I normally wouldn’t cough up the $$ for.
Jeri, I usually just e-mail someone from the race committee, cite my experience running/pacing, and ask if they need pacers. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s worth a shot!