Dragging my butt out of bed before dawn

So I had it all planned out. I would wake around 7 and be out the door for a 6K run by 7:30. It was perfect, the sun would be shining, it would be warmish with minimal frost on the ground.

It was all a dream.

I awoke freezing at 7:20 to the pitch black sky outside my window. It had snowed, not just frost but a light dusting of snow and for some reason, the sun had not risen yet. Grudgingly, I stared at my alarm clock, willing it to yell 'Just kidding!' and show the real time of 4 a.m., but alas it was just wishful thinking.

Rolling out of bed, I shivered into my winter running tights and two shirts. Usually, I try to run in as little as possible, knowing that my body will warm up quickly and I would be too warm with more than one layer on. Today, I could not help but indulge my shivering body with an extra layer and some mittens before heading out.

It was not as cold as I had anticipated and was pleasantly surprised that when my cousin and I started out that my nostrils did not immediately stick together while inhaling. That is my biggest annoyance, being unable to breathe due to cold nose hairs and nostrils that clump together.

I have yet to discover a way to save myself from the ordeal.

We set out for the first half of our run; a short 3.2K through a small country road, as her ankle was bothering her and we didn't want to push it. Looping back around her house, she stopped in to pick up more clothing to warm her cold body and we set out again for another couple of K's.

The sun had breached the trees now and we ran towards it, feeling the warmth make our faces glow in the welcomed heat. We didn't feel tired anymore, as we did when it was cold.

We continued for another 3K, bringing our entire morning run to 6.2K. No matter how grudgingly you step out the door in the morning for your run, that run will make a great start to your day as you know you have done something active and exciting when others are still asleep in their beds.