Yesterday my plan was to run for 60 minutes to see how far/fast I could run and how I felt during and after. Depending on how this run went, I would make up my mind about registering for a half marathon. I woke up feeling pretty good but by the time I got off work, I was drained, mentally and physically. I was also hungry. In an ideal world I would have had a snack, digested, then hit the pavement. But I hate running in the dark and wanted my night running to be as minimal as possible so it was out the door with a grumbling belly and tired feet.
I have been very treadmill dependent lately and my few outdoor runs have been relatively flat so I was expecting a lot of huffing and puffing on this semi-hilly route (please don’t make fun of our wimpy FL elevation). I was shocked at how good I felt during this run. I didn’t glance at my watch at all until about half way through the run. The numbers weren’t fantastic but they weren’t awful either. I popped a gummy shark in my mouth and kept going. When we got back to the car 53 minutes and 5.4 miles later, I felt great.
I could have kept going but it was dark (my least favorite running condition) and I already did what I set out to do: prove that I could run for an hour(ish), outside, and feel great during and after the run. Half Mary, here we come!
I also remembered to use my Garmin heart monitor and it was super easy and I even forgot it was there until I was getting into the shower. Another +1 for Garmy.
After my shower, I loaded up with a leftover concoction of black eyed peas, kidney beans, rice, broccoli and cheese and settled in for the night.
I was hoping last night would be the night I break the tossing and turning spell I have been under lately. Wish not granted. I was up at 12am and 4am and then again at 6a when I forced myself to get out of bed and get ready for work. I am staying away from caffeine today (even though it would be a great day to have it!) and hoping tonight will be a blissful 8 hours of zzz’s 
Do you run at night?
I absolutely try to avoid it.
What do you do to help you sleep?
Michelle @ Run Eat Travel
/ January 10, 2013I am NOT a night runner. No way. After having food in my tummy all day… no no no. I’m a morning runner
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 10, 2013I much prefer morning running but unfortunately that only happens on the weekend
Nicole (@KidlessKronicle)
/ January 10, 2013I don’t run at night but I will run in the morning when it is still dark.
If I can’t sleep, this is going to sound strange, I walk to school. From when I was a kid. I go through the walk to my grammar school.
The Kidless Kronicles
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 10, 2013I would have a 500 mile walk to my school so I might have to try a different option lol
Jade
/ January 10, 2013Nice run girl! Yay for Garmin again! I will run outside at night if Frank is with me, definitely not by myself. I’m a scaredy cat!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 10, 2013Yea Matt has to be with me for me to even consider a night run. No matter where I am I just don’t feel completely safe running at night.
uglyrunnerfeet
/ January 10, 2013I can’t run at night. Actually, I can’t do much working out at night because I get lazy after work. LOL Plus I feel so much more accomplished for the day if I work out in the morning.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 10, 2013I much prefer morning workouts but I have to be at work too early so morning workouts are limited to weekends for now :/
Chelsea @ LittleOneRuns
/ January 10, 2013there’s no way i could run at night, if it’s 6 and starting to get dark i won’t run lol so i get it over with in the morning. i take melatonin, it’s a natural sleep aid. for me, it just helps so when i wake up in the middle of the night, i can go back to sleep, so it basically keeps my mind shut off.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 10, 2013I’ve heard a lot of people really like melatonin. I might have to try it out!
Amanda
/ January 10, 2013I am absolutely not a night runner or early morning runner, at least this time of year. I don’t live in a well-lit area and there’s no sidewalks, so the darkness freaks me the eff out. I have no problem running outside when it’s light out before or after work, but it’s not quite that time of year yet. Thankfully, it’s getting lighter out every day, so the treadmill will soon be gone
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 10, 2013Yea I do not live in a running friendly neighborhood so night running is usually not an option.
TorontoRunner
/ January 10, 2013yessss, good for you!!
I would like to run at night to see the lights (night meaning NO later than 7pm), but I’ve decided against it completely since I’d be running on my own!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 10, 2013I only consider night running if Matt is with me. I’m too much of a scaredy cat!
Megan@ Run Like a Grl
/ January 11, 2013Awesome job!! You can totally rock a half marathon! I’m also super scared of running at night, its just weird.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 12, 2013Thanks! I think I found a half marathon that’s perfect too:)