Check this out. Henry woke me up at 5:30 (ugh) BUT he cuddled me in the guest bed and went back to sleep for THREE HOURS. AKA I am now the happiest momma alive. Not only did I get to go back to sleep but (but!) Henry let me cuddle him. Henry is a squirmy squirmer who would rather be moving and looking at the world and rarely likes to be cuddled tightly. It was nice.
Speaking of being a squirmy squirmer, I managed to go on a run last night… but barely. The Hus was originally planning to be off work at 5 PM, but he got sucked into a really long meeting about our new venture (which I’m so excited to blog about soon) and didn’t get home until 7:20. My motivation to do a long run had seriously waned at that point.
BUT (but!) this is when a training plan taped to your fridge comes in handy. I took a quick looksie at my plan and realized that if I didn’t run at all, it would be three days sans exercise. I aim to do four days a week, so that was enough to kick my booty into high gear.
Instead of 6.0 miles, I did 2.5, but something is definitely better than nothing! I was a bit scurred running in the dark though. I had the heebie weebies the entire workout.
Breakfast is served.
French toast
Syrup
Strawberries
Sunflower Seeds
How’s your Thursday so far?
Rock and Read 5K Winner
The winner of the Charlotte Rock and Read 5K is…. Cindi! This will be her first official 5K. 
Twitter
Operation Beautiful
Pinterest
Facebook
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you carry pepper spray with you when you do runs in the dark or do you just go? I’m letting a lot of my planned runs fall by the wayside as the days get shorter because I’m such a chicken about running in the dark. What are your thoughts?
I don’t but am thinking I should. I run in a safe neighborhood and try to stick to main roads but some areas are pretty dark.
I’m afraid of dogs so I always carry pepper spray when I walk/run late at night or early morning (when fewer people are around). My hubs got me one that velcros to your wrist or clips on your shorts. He got it at a sporting goods store.
Great suggestion! I’m going to have to look into that. My husband got me some, but it’s this enormous container that I have no desire to hold during a run.
Nice job getting a run in last night! I had to convince myself to run yesterday too. I’m working late nights this week, so I really had to use all motivational powers to get myself out there yesterday morning to not have 3 no-exercise days in a row too.
Congrats on getting the run in! You rock! I love that you did 2.5 even though your plan was 6. Oftentimes, if I can’t do the whole thing, I don’t do anything-which is just plain silly!
As for the running in the dark thing, my morning runs are now all in the dark and I totally get the heebie jeebies, I try to run around the University that we live by because it is better lit than the roads in my neighborhood. But, I definitely will switch the sides of the road if I see a dark silhouette coming towards me!
Those strawberries look delicious. The pumpkins make the porch look festive. I need to put some on my grocery list for the weekend.
My motivation to work out when I don’t want to is also writing down my planned workouts for the week! I used to not do that and I would think, “I worked out yesterday I think….” when I hadn’t for a few days! You are very inspirational doing all that you do while being a mama
Running early in the morning is out for me now due to how dark it is – definitely keeps your adrenaline going!
Caitlin,
I just came across your blog yesterday via SHAPE’s website and your hummus recipe. I find you and your blog completely infectious! I’ve already visited the site countless time and find something interesting and intriguing each time. Thank you for sharing your life with us! You are such an inspiration and the world could use more positive people like you!
Best,
Jessica
thank you, this is a very sweet comment.
Some kind of movement is always better than NO movement! Props to you for running in the dark – my heebie weebies are too bad for that
Caitlin,
Have you asked your pedi his recommendation on taking Henry out in a running stroller? I know many of the stroller manufacturers say 8 months, but my pedi said that four months was absolutely ok for my son as long as he had good neck control and if I use the car seat attachment. I just make sure I take him on smooth surfaces only. It makes fitting in my runs so much easier now–I don’t like running alone in the dark.
I meant fitting runs in during the day–after work or in the morning on the weekends. No needing someone to watch the baby so I can go on a run.
I have not! I heard that the rule is 6 months and will probably wait, but we also don’t own a jogging stroller yet anyway.
So the pumpkin on the left is one seriously good looking pumpkin!
I hate running in the dark, I really do! I almost never do it, I’m to scared I’ll trip or get kidnapped<—-paranoid much!
So excited for the race! Yay!
YAY for going!! 2.5 is better than nothing, for sure! It all adds up
Victory on getting out there! I have a tendency to say “If I can’t do it all, what’s the point in doing it?” so this is a helpful reminder for me to do what you can, and that’s enough! Thanks.
I run on the trails with my dog, so I don’t get to worried. and If I see a strange man, chances are he is running, biking or walking his dog
I do get the heebies weebies however when I run during bear season (aka spring and now). I ran straight into a bear in May, and my heart never beat so fast! Also, I had to avoid one of the trails due to Coyotes and a mountain lion hanging about…
So yeah, I went from being scared of strange guys to being scared of being maned by a wild animal sigh
PS: James is too cute! My dog has been parking at every Jack o lantern he sees haha I guess they are scary for some
I’m trying to keep the motivation to do my post work run because I often find a reason to blow it off! I wrote about it in my FB status hoping that would keep me committed.
Love James’ modeling shots on the porch! “Now turn the head….” hehehe!
I thought you always run at night hence the running vest and light on your hat?
Yup! But I was so scared last night… Maybe I had ESP about something.
I would like to chime in and say… absolutely follow those instincts whenever they happen!
Agree!!
Your nighttime running does make me a little nervous for you. I have been pushing my morning runs later and later to get enough light!
My son isn’t much of a cuddler either so when he does I take full advantage of it!
I always say “heebie jeebies” – ha
My Thursday has been weird all morning. Mostly because I keep thinking it’s Saturday. I think I was up too late last night or something, because my brain can’t seem to kick it into gear today!
Glad to see I’m not the only one who is afraid of running in the dark! I ‘m naturally paranoid and this whole getting-dark-at-5pm business is really ruining my game…
There was one night I set out on a run (before it got dark) but as the sun was setting and it was just starting to get dark, I was already getting the heebie geebies. It’s just another reason why I prefer AM workouts when I can make that happen. (Though I’ll admit walking to my car at 5am gives me the heebie geebies too!)
i love james’ yoda ears
I felt like I had the same running experience last night! I’m traveling and it was dark out, but I knew if I didn’t run RIGHT THEN I wouldn’t be able to for a few days. Something is always better than nothing! I was also checking behind my back the whole time
Squirmy squirmer, hehe. Glad you had good cuddle time! And props for lacing up the sneakers and getting out! I do hate running in the dark, but sometimes it just has to be done. (And it makes me run faster!)
Yay you for getting out there even though you didn’t want to. I’d like to say that it inspired me to get off the couch today, but sadly I let the period blahs get the better of me =(