I went for a run at 6.45am

There's no 'maybe' about it. Good for you, did it feel good? It makes me feel guilty, I need to start running off some of my hideous cellulite.

I'm rubbish, properly back to square one. I hate it. It was raining and I didn't have a cap and the dustmen were out. Still, I'm over the fact that I'm not as good as I was and I'm at least getting out the door. I'll be back to full fitness one day.

Damn - now I feel bad. I was supposed to go for a run last night but I had two glasses of wine and half a pack of cookies instead. Excellent.

How far did you run? Was it dark?

I ran for 30 minutes - did just under 3 miles (walked a bit too). It was dark but I quite like that.

I feel very virtuous and, hopefully, it'll help me not stuff my face with crisps and biscuits.

30 mins running is very good IMHO, obv. it's not what you've been used to running but after being able to run 10k and then losing my fitness completely i'm lucky if I can run 5 minutes without feeling like i'm going to keel over so yes, i'm still envious.

It is totally frustrating to know how fit you were though and how much work it is to get back to that point again but I'm sure you can do it.

Well done, isn't running in the morning supposed to be harder as you don't have the carbs to burn you do later, so you're doing more fat burning. Really you did twice that distance ?

I did about 2k last night, just to stretch my legs out from Sunday, but my ankle started playing up again ☹️. I also biked to and from the train station this morning, however 6.45 doesn't compute.

Where do you live Chicken? I quite often run early in the summer when the mornings are light, but I don't like to run when it's dark if there are no people around.

I was at my breakfast meeting by 6.45am [:'(]

L
xx

Outskirts of London Town. I don't mind running alone or in the dark though. It's never bothered me. In fact, I prefer it when there's not many people to point and laugh.

I did struggle this morning - I hadn't eaten for 12 hours - and, as I said, I had to walk a bit. I've flirted a bit with starting again since my injury got better but always gave up because I couldn't run as far as I could. I think I'm over that now though and ready to start again.

You're braver than me - I'm a wuss!

Well done you! the hardest part is getting out the door for me. Just out of interest do you run in a built up area? and do you listen to music?

I find I walk/run quicker to music but I am a bit worried with the dark mornings wearing my Ipod. I do run in a built up are though.

Yeah, s'London innit? I do have my ipod on.

I run in a built up area, and I have my MP3 player on during the day, but not if I run in the dark.

The winter really buggers up my schedule because I feel too nervous to run late or early in the dark but I don't finish work and get the children home before 6.00pm, so it's usually just a quick 40 minutes or so for me during the week and I always run near the station etc. so it's busy. If I'm training for something and can't avoid evenings for long runs then we have to get a babysitter in and husband has to come with me, which is a real test of his committment because I'm a 10 minute-miler at best, and he's an 8, so a ten mile run with me is a bit of a struggle for him!

I tend to use the treadmill more during the winter, but to me it's nowhere near as much of a buzz or stress reliever.

Does it just not bother you Chicken?

No, it really doesn't. I always let someone know my route and how long I think I'll be (I'm thinking more the dinner being put on before I get back). I also vary my routes (this is out of boredom though). I just don't think the bogey man is out there waiting for me.

Ok thats it I am using my Ipod from now on then. I always let someone know where I am going and how long too so they know when to expect me back, it's so much earier with music too. saying that though I don't think I will be beating you with the 6.45am start!

I think you are probably quite right - however, I am 'worst case scenario girl' in most aspects of my life and this one is no different ?. I've had problems in the past with groups of teenage boys running alongside me, and nasty comments etc. (as I'm sure almost everyone who exercises in public has at one time or another) so I'd rather run when there's more people around.

Good for you though - going for any run takes will power at the best of times - getting out of bed to go for a run is the hardest one of all!

Now I'm worried that you're all going to be 'well Chicken does it' then get savaged.

I'm worse case scenario too on a lot of things. Although I think that if I think of the worse case thing then chances are it won't happen. Would be too big a coincidence. I'm not bothered about people shouting things at me. I just tell them to fuck off.

? at Chicken being held personally responsible for a flurry of pitch-black runner-assailing ?

I'm not allowed out on my own (H is VERY paranoid about attacks) so I'm waiting for Lib to move so she's in Kilburn then we're going to start running together because we can meet in the middle. I can loose weight by running can't I??

There wont be any early morning runs though, I'm not quite that insane yet. I think you're very brave/mad for doing that!

Let's hope we don't end up in the pub!! ?

Hmmm running to the pub may defeat the object yes ?

Don't worry chicken, I won't tell anyone I am listening to my Ipod on your advice

I am using the Bupa running plan to get into a routine, has anyone else tried it?

Check you out running so early, way to go, dudio!

I was humming the brand new cheesy song at that time.

I would know, Nina. I would know.

Clare - we can run in Amsterdam?

Holio, I heard the strains as I was heading out the door. It annoys me though and is now in my head.

Well done Chicken for getting out there so early!

I've been up since 6 am waiting to go for my run, but it's raining outside. Not just your average rain, but bloody great cats and dogs rain! You know, the sort that bends trees and makes the roads into rivers!! It's raining almost as hard as when the hurricane hit - just without the wind that went with it.

So I'll not be going until it clears up. Which could be in 10 minutes knowing Texan weather!

Mate, that'd be a great idea but as we're only taking hand luggage I don't think I'd have enough room for a running kit as well. Such a shame, honestly.

We could wear it on the plane?

I found my passport - yay!

Running kit? What is in your running kit?!

Mine consists of top, bottoms, watch, HR strap and trainers. Would wear the trainers to travel in and the rest takes up no room. Am I missing some important items?

No, but when I'm taking two nights and two days worth of "normal" clothes plus spares and my make up and jewellery there's unlikely to much room for another set of trainers, bottoms, sports bra and t-shirt. ?

Great news about the passport - it's only 10 more sleeps - nearly into single figures!!! Woo hoo

Bigger bag? ?

? at the very idea of running in Amsterdam, let alone being able to fit kit into hand luggage. Was joking.

Am googling weather now. I have no idea what to take.

Apparently it's not that different to here at the moment (only know cause I speak to people there every day not cause I am a weather geek!)

I agree though that running will not be on your mind once there! think of me out in the dark with my Ipod on...

Don't! You're going to have to text me your route and ETA before you go out and another when you get home!

Don't worry about me - I will go in the morning when I look my scariest, just imagine a woman with hair like crusty the clown, who doesn't like mornings running towards you and you will realise no one will even come near me!!LOL