Oct 17 2008
Running in the dark
Do you ever have days where the only time you can possibly fit in exercise is what we fondly called in the Army “o-dark-thirty”?
In the summer, this isn’t a problem because the sun rises about 5am and I rarely see the need to get up any earlier. Yet in mid-October, it’s really not light until almost 7am, and that’s often the time I need to be in the shower.
There’s only one thing to do: get out my reflective gear and go for a run in the dark! Twice this week I started running a bit after 6am. I rarely see any cars, and never anyone else walking or running. I love the peace and quiet, the way the moonlight and stars filter dim light through the trees, and being able to watch the world wake up.
Another bonus to running or walking in the dark: you can’t see the hills, and just glide up them!
If you haven’t been out in the early morning hours before the sun comes up, give it a try. Make sure to wear reflective gear so cars can see you. The first step out of bed is tough. The step out the door isn’t always a lot of fun. But all of the next steps are pure adrenaline, even better than coffee to wake you up and zoom out into the day.