First Morning Outdoor Run

As a health professional, I often hear people and their excuses for not working out: no time is the biggest one by far. AS a society we are indeed busy, but exercise is one thing that can help us manage the stress that goes with the hectic schedules. And I say when American Idol and Dancing With the Stars are the top shows on television we can’t be that busy a society…

I am no exception in that I am busy but I have chosen to make exercise one of my top priorities and rarely will allow it to be pushed out of my schedule. I do watch television – but no more than one show a night, and never American Idol or DWTS.

Today I had such a busy day that there was going to be no way to get my 50 minute run in during the day like usual. I had a full day of back-to-back webinars from 10 am – 5:30 pm with some 30-minute breaks here, but nowhere near the 60-75 minutes I would need for my run.

I generally reserve my mornings for my strength video workouts, but today I needed to sacrifice: I needed to brave the elements outside at 5:45 am to do my 50 minute run first thing today or it wasn’t going to happen.

Got the running pants, base layer, wind jacket, wool cap, gloves, and at the last minute, one more top layer between the base and wind jacket. No sunglasses needed since it is still dark when I go.

It was about 30 degrees when I went and I bit windy, so with the wind chill, who knows. I stuck it out, since once you are dressed and out there, why not go all the way? It is strange to sweat and still be chilly at the same time, which tends to happen after about 30-40 minutes.

It was done – and it was fine. Sorta. But I’m not ready to do it regularly just yet.

Today’s Accomplishments: Outdoor morning (32 degrees and wind) Run: 5.42 miles; 50:03 minutes; 9:14 min/mi (Garmin); Firm Upper Body Sculpt where heavy/medium weights = 8 pounds, light weights = 5 pounds, 12 pound body bar.