Getting up early

I didn't think of myself as a morning person until after college. I really never thought that I would enjoy getting up to run before work, but I do. In June, Kern and I joined the Capitol Hill Running Club. He is training for the Marine Corps Marathon and I am running the 10K--both on October 31st. It is hosted by the Marine Corps Liaison Offices in the House and Senate. We meet at 6:30am at the Grant Statue in front of the Capitol on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our running routes and lengths are varied, but we usually run between 4 and 5 miles on the weekday mornings. The Saturday runs are longer--for those training for the marathon. Kern does those...they meet at 6:30am and run 10+ miles. I am really looking forward to running my first official race (and getting a SHIRT!). My goal is to run the 10K between 50 - 55 minutes.

I've also enjoyed getting into the habit of early morning exercise. First of all, it's pretty much the only time it is bearable to exercise outside in the summer. When I arrive at the Grant Statue at 6:30am, the sun is rising and casts a beautiful pink glow over the Capitol. By the time we finish running, the sun is already hot and I am glad to be finished for the day. Secondly, I feel more awake and motivated to eat well for the rest of the day. Thirdly, morning exercise allows me to be able to meet a friend after work, run errands, or go home and relax without feeling guilty about not working out.

And finally, to close with a quote by the man whose photo is on the $100 bill: "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."