running at 5am?

kbc525

OK... so I used to run frequently at 6-630 every morning for 30 minutes but now my new job requires me to wake up earlier and commute - and i have to leave the house at 615am.. any later and the traffic is really awful... for some reason (and i don't live in a bad area at all) i'm a little intimidated about waking up an hour or so earlier to go run...

does anyone else go running OUTSIDE at 5am? advice? suggestions? i miss my running and running after work could happen but i usually have an even longer commute home 90 minutes or so and i have to grade work or something of the sort..(i'm a teacher)

help. i'm slipping.

emacb123

Hi!

I'm up and out at 5am for my run! It is so dark out now, but also so serene. I live in a big city so it is not pitch black or anything, and I'm on sidewalks and crossing streets and such and I love that no one is in my way at that time in the morning. Occasionally, i come across kids who are still partying from the night before (crazy kids!! LOL)

I say go for it! For me it is TOTAL me-time. In fact, when i go running later in the day when people are out and about I get annoyed when I have to bob-and-weave around them (usually I'll drive to the park cause a late running day is a non-work day for me).

Hope this helps to motivate you!

tammihart

I get up and run at 5am, 3 times a week. Go for it!

ixap

I used to, wish I still could. Now my kids are up at around 5:30am and I'm needed at home at that time.
I actually used to wake up at 4am twice a week and run 10 miles with a friend who had to be at work by 7am.
You can get used to it, if you want to; you'll just have to go to bed earlier!
We used to listen to a favorite loud song real quick before starting off to get us in the mood.

runnninginmd

I am out running by 4:45 am every weekday morning. When I lived in the city it wasn't bad at all because the streets were well lit and there were a lot of people out. I'm in the suburbs now so things are a bit darker, but I just try to wear bright clothing. I had a couple of run-ins with dogs lately so I started carrying pepper spray just in case something happens, but I am hoping I never actually need to use it. It just makes me feel a little safer!

It can be tough to get up so early every morning, but I just love the way I feel after and the rest of the day so it really helps! I also sleep in my sports bra and running shirt and have my shorts and shoes laid out and ready to go.

wholenewme03

I run at 5! For safety, please invest in something that lights up or something reflective, and if a car looks like it's stopping for you, don't assume that it is really stopping (I almost got hit by a truck 2 days ago). Other than that, I love my early morning runs. It feels like I'm the only person in town and I get to see the world before everyone else

KrysGettinFit

I used to get up at 4:30 and run and I loved it! We had to move and I don't really like to run in the dark in my new neighborhood, I'm hoping I'll be able to get back to it soon. Good luck!

HRCephei

I run 4x a week always between 5 and 530. It takes a bit to adjust, but eventually you get used to it.

melindadunston

I am a runner and when I run through out the week I get up at 450am and run. It sucks getting up that early but once I am done I am so glad I did it! Good Luck!

amymichelle1226

I used to run at around 6 -6:30 too but now it's dark out at that time....and I could definitely be up and running at that time or even earlier but it freaks me out to run in the dark. Maybe if I wasn't going by myself! I figure if I'm going to exercise before work, it'll be Zumba Wii or the 30 day shred...something at home!

vicmonster

I think safety first and it depends on where. Could you run near your work before you commute home?

darkmouzy

I get up at 4:00am to run at 4:30 because I have school in the mornings

claire_90

out of interest, for those who exercise anytime before 6am... what time do you sleep? I used to go to a bootcamp class 6am - 7am and I needed a nap by 3pm, I was always wrecked! with other commitments I really need to start exercising earlier again so just curious

christinehetz80

If you can (easier said than done) find a running buddy. Or take your dog if its at least a medium sized dog. Wear bright colors or reflectors are even better and buy yourself runners pepper spray. It fastens on to your hand so you don't have to fumble for it if you need it but stays out of your way for the running. Good Luck....I'm the biggest scaredy cat so I know how you feel. (btw helpful ways to find running buddies join a weekend running club, or go to the "clinics" that your local running store has)

marias2gaa

Im up at 5 am as well. Advice? I take a bat with me just in case anyone tries to get frisky with me. lol. :laugh:

Gwen_B

I don't mind running, but I am not a morning person! If you are and you can do it, good for you!!!!

HealthiHannah

I would say make the change before you get out of your routine altogether!

As far as not feeling safe though, I always bring along my cell phone along with me. I know in the long run that might not be of any use, but it does make me feel safer. I also tell someone (usually my husband) to call me if I'm not back by my expected time -- you can even put track my phone (on iphone) anyway, so that they can even follow you as you run --- ok, sounds creepy, but again, makes me feel safe knowing that my hubby can pinpoint my GPS! Otherwise, maybe get up just a bit earlier still and find a less scary place to run?

Either way, good luck, and like I said, I would go for it before you lose a routine, its always harder to start back up!

Stpjudge

I don't like to run in the dark so now that it is a little cooler I'm going to start (today) running during my lunch hour. I get extra sleep, have a break from work, but still get in my exercise. It's a win-win for everyone!

Muscles_Curves

Wow! I'm not operational at all at that time. I salute all of you. :drinker: If you don't feel safe running at that time, would an after work run be possible?

fasttrack27

I mostly go to the gym at 5 but occasionally run outside with a friend first before spin class or boot camp class. Yes it sucks getting up that early and I dislike always being tired in the afternoon but its the only time to fit it in and I'm still always glad I did. For advise I would say to try to find a partner to run with (for safety as well as motivation) and get those blinking lights to clip on yourself. I got mine on sale from a bike shop. They can be mounted on a bike OR clipped on your clothes

Tsoper

I run 3 times a week at 5:15 am. I was surprised by how many other runners I see out at that time too. I live in a pretty good area too, but I do carry my cell phone with me just in case. It's a pain to carry around but it makes me feel better. I also wear bright clothes, I want to make sure that the sleepy drivers out at that time see me! One interesting piece of advice I got from a police officer was to carry some cash with you. He said that most small time criminals will be happy with $5 and will leave you alone if you give them cash. Be safe & happy running!

runnninginmd

out of interest, for those who exercise anytime before 6am... what time do you sleep? I used to go to a bootcamp class 6am - 7am and I needed a nap by 3pm, I was always wrecked! with other commitments I really need to start exercising earlier again so just curious

I try to go to bed by 10 during the week. Unfortunately, I can go to bed at 2 am and I still wake up at 4. And I'm up almost every hour during the night... I have never been a good sleeper, which is part of the reason why I do all my working out first thing in the morning. I'm so exhausted by the time I get off work that I don't have much energy left.

I think the most important thing is to find the time that works best for you.

fasttrack27

out of interest, for those who exercise anytime before 6am... what time do you sleep? I used to go to a bootcamp class 6am - 7am and I needed a nap by 3pm, I was always wrecked! with other commitments I really need to start exercising earlier again so just curious

I fall asleep between 10 and 11pm, up at 4:30. I sit alone at a PC in my home office for my job. Staying awake in the afternoon is a big battle. Frequent quick trips for a glass of water or whatever to break the mundane quietness to wake me back up. Gotta do what ya gotta do. Just flat out no other time of the day for me to fit it in. Helps to have a bunch of friends at the gym to keep me motivated to show up. Without that I know I'd slack off. Also need a goal - like training for Warrior Dash, a mud run, something.

ChristyRunStarr

I do, well did when it's not dark out at 5am. I'd get up and be out the door around 4:45. I love it! I don't really have any advice cause I do it in my neighborhood so I don't have to worry about cars or people. I do run without head phones though (I turn the music up louder) so I can hear if a car is coming and don't get surprised.

I'm a morning person though so for me, it's easy. Once the alarm is off(sometimes I wake up before it) I'm up and ready to go. To make it faster, I lay out my clothes for the run (as well as for work) before I go to bed. I get up at 4:30am and don't go to bed til 9:30/10pm on most nights and don't need a nap.

TexasTroy

intimiated by waking up early to run ? or about what might be out there when your running? Im guessing the latter of the two. one poster already said something about reflective clothing or a light or something... a glow stick ( the things kids use during halloween for safety ) works great. I used to run in an area that had lots of dogs running lose- it was a huge city but for whatever reason the neighborhood just didnt have responsible dog owners- so I would carry a lil something extra, just in case I was attacked and yes, I was "approached " on more than one occasion by dogs-especially when I was running with my Husky. A big walking stick could be of use, depending on where you live and how safe you feel. Either way, you always have to keep your head on a swivel and your headphones turned down a lil , so you can hear things other than your music.

RunXstrong

Definitely run with a head lamp - it will help you avoid an ankle injury or a major accident. I find it is hard once it is both dark AND cold so eventually I go inside and run on a treadmill (always 1 incline or higher to better replicate running outdoors).

ixap

out of interest, for those who exercise anytime before 6am... what time do you sleep?

I'd go to bed by 9pm if I was up at 4:30 to run.
Now I go to bed by 9:30pm b/c my kids are up at 5:30, lol.

RGv2

I'm out by 4:30 or 4:40 each morning.

I'm usually sleeping in the 9:30-10 range.

Im_NotPerfect

5 AM during the week is the only time I get to run. My kids aren't up yet and my husband is still home with them. I usually try to wait until 6-ish on the weekend if I go then.

cyndispot

I run early and safety was a huge concern for me, especially because of the dark....here are the things I do. (and not in a particular order)

1. Use a headlamp type light to the front of my waist and a red light on the back. (I wear a running pack to carry my phone so I just attach stuff to that.)
2. Carry my cell phone.
3. Stay on lit sidewalks where there is likely to be traffic or homes.
4. Take something noisy - a whistle or something in case I need to try to get attention. If I'm hurt I may not be able to walk to a home, but hopefully I can blow the whistle.
5. Just got a reflective vest and am going to wear it from now on.
6. Dress in light colored clothing.
7. Turn the music down so I can hear or only wear one earbud.
8. I take one of my dogs. He has a light for his collar too.
9. I stick to particular routes and I use map my run - so that way if I am taken in route, people might be able to see where I am or where the phone stopped from my home computer. I have also driven the routes with my hubs so he knows where I'm at. and to be honest, I know two or three people along the routes that I run.
10. I let people know when I leave and when I'll be back.
11. I wouldn't hesitate to knock on a door or head into a back yard if I felt like a car was following me or I was in danger.
12. I have identifying information in my running pack. I don't want to be some random lady who fell and knocked herself out and noone knows who I am and I have amnesia and I don't know and I go 10 years before I remember. But it just seems like a good thing to carry with me.

That's all I can think of. I'm sure there are repeats here, but these things make me feel a bit better.

darrensurrey

Another option is to go for a run after school then commute home. Or run round the school playing field if that suits you then commute home. You'll have missed a lot of the traffic in the evening. (Sorry if this was already suggested but I'm late to the party.)