So I’m a day behind in capturing the essence of my new daily routine. It’s true, this is my third time this summer trying to make this change. To me there isn’t a more drastic schedule change. I’ve been working out between 6pm and 8pm four times a week for the past two years. Now going into my third year I’m decided that it’s time. It’s time to get my ass out of bed and get to the gym by 6 a.m. This 12 hour difference is a radical change for me. I hate waking up before the sun. Why should I have to get up before the daily phenomenon of sunrise? The sun goes to bed earlier then I do, so it would make sense that I wake up later then it does. The previous two tries lasted two non-consecutive days. And at the end of each week, I said this isn’t for me. Now I’m faced with a new situation and changing my schedule is no longer an option. My husband and I are getting a puppy. She comes home in three weeks, and I’m responsible for her evening care. That means that if I want to stay fit, I’m going to have to work out in the morning. Since it’s go time, I have a bit more motivation. I have three weeks to get into my own routine before this puppy comes into our lives. We already have one dog, and he’s happy to get walked regardless of what time it is. So I started with getting up 20 minutes early to give him a walk. Then this Sunday the planets aligned and I was able to get into bed at 10p.m. Seven hours later I had no excuses. It was off to the gym for me. At 5:15 a.m. I walked to my car in the darkness. Every step was filled with doubt. “I’m never gonna pull this off.” “It’ll last a day, maybe a week.” I struggled with every stride on the cross trainer. When it was time to lift, my muscles were jelly. I pushed through it. After 30 minutes on the cross trainer, and 40 minutes on my abs and arms, it was time to go home. When I got there Dakota was waiting at the door. His eyes told me that he was longing for a walk. He wanted to get out there and enjoy the sun, and the cool morning breeze. How could I say no to a face like that? Off we went on our 15 minute stroll through the neighborhood. It was nice to see other neighbors doing the same. If others could do it, why should it be so hard for me. After all, I am 10 to 20 years younger then most of the homeowners in my neighborhood. Once we completed our walk it was time to get ready for work. This time is usually filled with anxiety about my day, frustration that I can’t find a cute enough outfit, yawns of exhaustion and utter dread that after work my day is still not over because I have to hit the gym. Not this morning. I wasn’t panicked about the day. I had this sense of confidence that I could handle anything. I laid out clothing the night before, just in case I didn’t get from the gym in time. I looked adorable in it. I felt as if I had chugged a red bull because I was filled with energy. I knew I would get home by 6 p.m. and still have the entire evening to enjoy.
This euphoria lasted the entire day. It was as if there were no hurdles to leap over, the road ahead was flat and calling for me to run all over it.
Now I am into day 2. Instead of hitting up the gym, I decided to hit the pavement. I refuse to run in the dark for three reasons. 1) It scares me that someone could be right near me and I wouldn’t know it. 2) Drivers can’t see you, and that’s just asking for trouble. And 3) I have no desire to run in to a wandering coyote, or mama dear and her fawns. So I waited till the sun woke up. There was just enough daylight when I started my warm up. Shadows followed me for the first 10 minutes, and then the rays sprawled out across the tree tops and just fell on me. I am not very poetic, but I wish I could convey how beautiful this morning was. I may not have been running at my normal pace, but I felt like it was the best work out I had in a long time.
Songs to get your day started:
House of Jealous Lovers by The Rapture
Wake the Sun: The Matches
Nighttiming: Cold War Kids
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