Alright runner friends, I’ve got a question for you. Actually you don’t even have to be a runner, just have some logical thinking skills and help me out here.
So the dilemma is this: I have no idea when I can go running anymore. I’ve been super spoiled for the past 5 months with basically no schedule and because of that I’ve been able to run whenever I want. Any time of day, any day of the week. Well now I’ve got myself a 9-5 (which is really more like an 8:15-6:15 including commute time) and I’m in a pickle.
Basically, it’s dark when I wake up (giving myself time to run before I get ready for work) and its dark when I get home. I’m not a member of a gym yet because hello I need to save up some dollars before I can go doing stuff like paying to exercise.
The way I see it, I have a few options:
1. Arm myself and run in the dark. (Mom just skip to the next point because you aren’t going to approve of this one.) I feel like it would be safer to run at 6:30 pm as opposed to 5:30 am, so maybe grab my pepper spray and run in a well-lit, heavy populated area?
2. Just be a weekend runner. I know I could get my exercise in using P90X or something similar, but I don’t really want to forgo running all week long. Also, one of my New Years Resolutions is to run 156 of days in 2013 (that’s 3 times a week for those of you calculating in your head). Sooo basically this option is out.
3. Make Jonathan run with me. This is actually kind of laughable because he ran our last half marathon an hour faster than me. Yep, you read that right, a whole hour. I’m reeeeeally slow. So either I need to seriously pick up the pace or Jonathan can just walk while I run beside him. Both seem like they would be miserable experiences for him.
So, uh… thoughts? Obviously none of this will matter in a few months when it stays light out for longer, but I am in need of a solution for the next few months. Charlotte peeps – if any of you run slow (I’m talking 10:00 pace here okay) and want a running buddy send me an email. Not even joking. Okay thanks in advance for all of your help!
37 Responses to A Question For My Runner Friends.
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My husband and I run together and he’s much faster than me (he’s about a foot taller if that gives you an idea!). We do run in our neighborhood (subdivision), but he just loops back for me and wears a garmin to track his distance. It is a good system, because we can watch out for each other, but he can still run at least a mile more than me each time.
Looping back around is a good idea!
Just run in the dark. Carry your cell phone and pepper spray, stick to known routes, let someone know before you go, and wear reflective clothing.
I think that’s what I’ll end up doing!
Not sure how your lunch break works, but a lot of the women at my office workout during that time… I don’t know if that’s enough time to get your run in though! Also, I have stayed at my office after work to workout and avoid traffic- maybe that’s an option for you?
That’s a good idea. I need to find some good running routes around my office.
I have been having the same dilemma! I would also say at night, because really it’s just a normal running time, and lots of people are still out. I feel like a lot of people are out doing the same thing, and there will be lots of other runners (i guess depending on where you live). Just make sure to get some night time running gear, because ones without it are hard to see. if you live somewhere where you don’t see a lot of people out, you could drive somewhere where you know there will be, even if it’s a random neighborhood.
Good point – it’s still a normal running time. I think it should be fine as long as people are still out and about. Thanks Morgan!
What area of Charlotte do you live in? I am a part of two running groups (HART and UCRR). Once I joined these groups, i was able to find other ladies or men to run with in the mornings or at night. I dont’ like to run alone in the dark either, so finding a running group was a great alternative for me!
I’ll have to look into those groups, thanks!!
You could also take running clothes to work and just run as soon as you get off in the evening (close to work), instead of driving all the way back – It might be getting dark when you start running, but at least it won’t be the pitch black dark that it is by 6:30 or 7… especially if you find a nice well-lit neighborhood in the area.
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Or mayyyyybe I could convince you to go running with me? :)
Well I’m a slow runner too, so we could probably give that a shot :)
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Try finding a running group in the area. Check with local stores too, many do week night runs. When I ran with my boyfriend, we would start at the beginning of the trail doing an out-and-back. He was much faster but on his way back we’d meet again and at least be around if anything happened, looking out for each other. I wear a RoadID for identification and always have my phone just in case. I try to be extra aware/alert during the twilight hours and always only wear one headphone.
Only one head phone – good idea!
Drive to Ellen’s after work. Change clothes. Run. Go home. Hey now!
Hey now!
I say find a running group! You can run once a week with a group, maybe once a week with your boyfriend, and then a few weekend runs?
I liked the part about your boyfriend running so much faster than you… my husband is the same. He does sometimes run with me, which I LOVE, but I can always tell that he’s working realllllly hard to go slow enough for me. :) Good luck!
Thanks Amy! I think a running group might just be my answer.
You could look into running groups in the area. Also a great way to meet new people. Or start your own running group if you know of at least 1 other person who wants to the same as you. I think there’s some websites where you can find groups of people in your city looking to do a certain activity.
What if you brought your running gear and ran right after work, leaving from your office, then drive home. You might be able to avoid the rush hour traffic that way too and it will still be light out.
There are some great at home workouts you can do to get you through til the sun comes back into our lives in a few months. I like 30 day shred, ripped in 20, etc. Good luck! :)
I hadn’t even thought of joining a running group but that’s a great idea. Thanks Tara!
I totally understand your new dilemma because I’m in the same situation! I don’t know what your scared level is but when I was training for my last half I did a few super early morning runs and I spent more time looking behind my shoulder to see if there was a murder than focusing on my running. I say find a friend and force then to run with you in the morning :]
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Good thinking. I need to make friends with some slow runners. :)
This is probably not the smartest (or safest) thing ever…but I just try to run in well-lit areas/take my phone/not have my music so loud that I can’t hear what’s going on. And wear bright colors! I was almost run over by a pizza delivery guy in a pretty big hurry once :/ Or, if you have a running buddy, that’s ideal. Occasionally resort to a treadmill, but I never get very far because it’s so boring…
Yikes watch out for those pizza guys!!
I might be repeating what some other people said, but do you have time to run at lunch time? I’m kind of spoiled with having a gym where I work, but I LOVE running at lunch! It’s a great way to break up the day and a good time to squeeze in a run. :) Even if you can only run outside, you could still do that… and if you don’t have time to shower and aren’t TOO gross, you can use these things called shower pills – they’re basically glorified baby wipes – but they work pretty well to get the sweat off you and leave you feeling at least semi clean without time for a shower. If that doesn’t work, I say just run in the dark after work (if you will still have the motivation) … lots of people do it, so I’m sure you wouldn’t be alone! Yay for running!
Ooh thanks for the tip about the shower pills. Wish we lived in the same place so we could be running buddies!
Get a big dog! I ran in the mornings before work with my lab/pit mix and always felt safe. A running group is probably a less involved option, though! :)
I want to! The only thing is that I can’t have a pet at my apartment, bummer!
Sigh, I wish you lived around the corner from me – even our paces would match! I’m facing the exact same problem now that I have university classes until late afternoon/evening every day. Also, there sadly is no boyfriend option for me.
Running at lunch time is what I did during my internship and it was a great way to refresh my brain :).
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I don’t live in Charlotte anymore, but my sisters are huge in the running community there. I recommend, depending on where you live, running in the Dilworth/East BLVD/Dowd Y area, because there are SO many runners running before work, and chances are you’ll be able to pick up a running buddy or two just by running outside. I’m jealous. I love Charlotte, and I love the running community. I also have a couple of long time high school friends in your pace range in Charlotte, shoot me an email if you’re interested! Good luck! Morning running is the only way to go in my book…I’m way too tired and it’s way too likely I’ll bail if I wait until after work. :)
I just found your blog through another one. I am in the Charlotte area and the Charlotte Running Club is a great group to join. There are lots of group runs from different locations around Charlotte. I run around the same pace as you so I understand how sometimes it is hard to want to join a group because you always feel the slow one. If you live up in the north area there is a group that runs on Saturday mornings called the Runagades. We run from Birkdale with water stops if you are training for longer runs. During the week I run alone at Jetton Park using a headlamp and carry my cell phone.
Awesome, thanks for the tip Emily!!
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Ahh yes… The running in the winter months delimma. I’m a solo runner and enjoy that time alone so running groups aren’t for me. Right now I do most of my running on the weekend because I’m not training for anything. But once i start I will usually run after work. Sometimes I take clothes to work and go to a nearby trail and try to get in a quick run before it gets dark. If I’m doing speed work that night I go to the Wallace ease stadium and use te track. Otherwise I just wear reflective gear, tell Adam where I’m going and sometimes take my phone. Pepper spray wouldn’t hurt but that’s alot to carry. Good job on your goal! Maybe we should train for the same race. I was thinking about the tarheel ten miler http://tarheel10miler.com/ in April if you’re interested
Good idea! Jonathan and I were actually just talking about doing that race the other day! We have also been talking about doing the RnR half in Nashville in April but I don’t know that I will be able to fit that in the budget with registration, travel, hotel, etc… I’ll email you soon about the 10 miler! :)
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