Training: Back to the morning shift
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I found a great way to stay in shape during the winter months: Running home from work, combining my workout with my commute. At first, it seemed like a bullet-proof plan, like all of my other fitness schemes. I did it for a while and enjoyed it, overlooking the negatives, which seemed minor at first. But then the negatives started to bother me.
This certainly isn't me running in my bare legs in January! I snapped this photo while I waiting for my bus to work.
One problem was that by working out in the evening, I found myself running with my dog less often. Originally, I thought I’d take my dog for a jog in the morning. This never happened, though. I didn’t want to get my running shoes wet and have to pack the soggy kicks in my workout bag. And I didn’t want to spend money on a separate pair. So my dog wasn’t getting the exercise she needs. I also really missed sharing the running experience with her. She just loves to get out on the road.
The other big problem was that I really don’t like to workout in the evening. I like to really chill after work. On the days I don’t run, I ride the rollers, and it really sucks to have to do this in the evening. I hate to have it hanging over my head, and often there’s too big of a temptation to skip it, drink a glass of wine instead.
So I’m back to working out in the morning. One wonderful thing about morning workouts is that my dog and I are usually the first ones out in the snow. The past two mornings, we ran on a fresh, fluffy white carpet of powder, with the air full of falling flurries. It was fantastic.
I hear yah. Working out in the morning, getting it over early, is the best approach.
Another positive is that you only need to shower once a day with morning workouts. In the dry, cold winter months, more than a shower a day kills my skin.