early morning runs

You know how I was so against getting up before 6am to get an outdoor run in?  Well, last week I did it twice, and, um, I loved it.  Well ok, I was exhausted and getting out of bed was tough.  Plus Ryann was already awake one of the mornings when my alarm went off at 5:30 which meant Chris had to get up too.  But it was so incredibly peaceful and beautiful outside.  I saw hardly any cars, no people, the sun wasn't beating down on me, but it was plenty light outside.  LOVED it.

The whole Ryann already being up thing is kind of tough.  Like I've mentioned, even though she would happily play in her crib for 45 minutes to an hour, we can't leave her because she picks at her lips until they bleed.  And I hate making Chris get up that early just so I can run (he is not a morning person to begin with, and the rotations that he doesn't have to get up until 6:45, I do my best to let him sleep).  So I think my plan is to go for just one early morning run for now.  And then I can run outside on the weekend, just a little bit later in the morning.  So I know I'll get two good runs outside during the week, and I can probably manage a three miler on the treadmill.  I'm aiming for a second run on the treadmill as well each week, but it will probably be more of a speed work run/walk combo.

Right now I also need to figure out what I want to train for.  I know I want to be doing some hill work, but that is about all I've got.  And that isn't much of a plan.  I'm toying with the idea of training for the Kansas City Marathon in October.  I figure if I don't end up working myself all the way up to the full I can still do the half, but why not go big right?  Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Program is 18 weeks long, which means I'd have to start training next week.  I've got the run lengths all entered into my calendar (totally forgot I can just get an app for that, whoops), so I think I'll just start the program and see where I end up.

I can't decide if running a full is something I really want to do.  I've loved the feeling when I accomplish finishing the half, but 13.1 miles isn't easy.  So, um, 26.2 probably won't be all that fun.  But I would like to say I've done it.  Just once.  I can almost guarantee that after one time I'd be satisfied and never want to do it again.  HA.  Yeah right.  I'm too competitive with myself.  If I've done it once I tend to have to see if I can do it better.  But training for a full takes so much time...

Hmm, stick to the 13.1 distance, or go for the full.  That is the question.  Any input from all you runners out there?  :o)

 

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