Just a Simple Morning Run

I love running and I love cycling but wow, running is sure a whole lot less complicated!  All I need for my run are my running shoes and off I go.  Of course I do manage to complicate the running up a bit with a Garmin (I recently acquired the new Forerunner 410) and my music - I am really enjoying the iPod I won in Fit Mum Vicki's give-away, but other than the Garmin, the music and the shoes, running is simple.

I can be up and out of the front door in 15 minutes and back within an hour having had a good workout and loads of endorphins released for the rest of the day.  If your time is limited consider running as opposed to cycling.  (Although cycling is SO much fun, so a tough choice!)

I love running on the local trails

Cycling requires the right bike, this is a story in itself.  Whether to have a road bike or a mountain bike - or both!  Ideally both...

I have definitely been cheating on my running with my cycling this week. My run this morning (11.5km) was my first run since Saturday.  It started off hard, definitely the first 3km made me ask myself why am I doing this and why on earth am I planning in running more than 6km.  Somehow, I found my running rhythm and got a personal record as well as a "Crown" on a strava segment for the hill climb on the 4th kilometre.  Maybe the cycling has improved my running strength but that hill climb definitely felt a lot easier than before.

I pushed myself to run to the National Park gate (8km) and then headed home through the beautiful valley.  I must admit that after I had been running for more than an hour, the last kilometre or so seemed really hard and remembered that I had failed to take my own advice and put in enough fuel for a long run.  I had literally run out of the door  this morning having had half an electrolyte tablet dissolved in water and nothing else to eat since dinner (salmon and vegetables and some Lindt at 6pm) the night before.

Note to self:  Remember if I want to run further I need to have something to eat before I set off, even if it is just half a banana or a handful of raisons.

I'm off to walk Holly now, she is wondering why she got left behind this morning...

Do you use a Garmin for your running?

What is your lead time from the time you wake up til you are out of the door and exercising?

Do you lay out your exercise equipment the night before if you are waking up early to exercise?