Sunrise Ride

on July 16, 2009

Good morning! I was up before the sun and had a lovely bike ride with Megan and a reader named Gina!

We met up at 6 AM, and it was pitch dark out… It was cool and breezy, too! I really do think that watching the sun come up during a bike ride (or run) is the perfect way to start the day!

Megan and Gina! Gina really impressed me with her cycling skills – she’s fast!

Me!

It felt so good to MOVE again! It’s been three days since I’ve run, much longer than normal between workouts. It was hard to wake up my muscles, but they loved it.

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Distance: 20 miles

Before my ride, I had PB toast with coffee.

And afterwards, I had a bowl of granola with fruit:

This granola is so good — it’s a Quaker brand from Costco.

And melon!

Operation Beautiful

"Where in the USA is Monica?" Monica from Run, Eat, Repeat is taking a cross-country tour! She is driving from California to Maryland from July 10 to July 17, and along the way, she will be spreading the Operation Beautiful love! On Monday, she hinted that "this place represents the first 150 of American history, " and "Monica is definitely in a Rush to get to this next stop!"

If you guessed she was going to Mount Rushmore, you are corrected!

Here are the clues for the next destination of "Where in the USA is Monica?":

1. Monica may need extra tape for the post-its so the wind doesn’t blow them away!
2. The Obama girls are going to miss out on reading these Operation Beautiful notes since they’re not in town!

Can you guess where she’s going? Head over to Operation Beautiful to see more notes! I love the positivity today.

{ 37 comments }

Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) July 16, 2009, 5:13 am
Good for you for getting up before the sun! That's the perfect way to start the day, in my opinion. 🙂

Breakfast looks delicious too…love a good bowl of granola!! 🙂
Stacey July 16, 2009, 5:23 am
There is nothing better than getting in 20 miles WHILE the sun comes up 🙂 Don't you feel so accomplished?! Enjoy the rest of your day!
Carolina John July 16, 2009, 5:24 am
Sounds like a great ride!
leslie July 16, 2009, 5:28 am
i always feel that way too when i have to go a couple days in between exercising. feels so good!

20 miles at sunrise sounds like a beautiful way to start the day.
Christina July 16, 2009, 5:30 am
That is an awesome Mount Rushmore pic!
Bec July 16, 2009, 5:34 am
so much fun, what a great way to start the day!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) July 16, 2009, 5:42 am
awesome ride! How nice that you logged in 20 miles today before most people woke up!
D10 July 16, 2009, 5:48 am
Sounds like a perfect way to start the morning. Great job to all three of you ladies.
Anna July 16, 2009, 6:01 am
What a perfect start to the day! I enjoy reading your blog and the good example you set for us all 🙂 I started my day with my first blog post ever and I am really excited about it. I know you are super busy, but if you have a chance check it out- annaseats.com.
lookingforserenity July 16, 2009, 6:18 am
That granola is Quaker? yumm it looks good- I might have to pick some uo!
Tammy (Defining Wellness) July 16, 2009, 6:29 am
Sunrise bikerides are incredible! I go to the Atlantic City boardwalk every year to do a sunrise ride — it's so peaceful and beautiful.
skinnysweetpea July 16, 2009, 6:30 am
Cute braids! I agree- nothing better than starting your day off with a bike or run and watching the sun rise! I need to do that more often. Love your leaf plates!
Kristie Lynn July 16, 2009, 6:33 am
Chi-land, yay!
Katie July 16, 2009, 6:33 am
She's coming to my city-the beautiful Chicago!!
brandi July 16, 2009, 6:36 am
Chicago 🙂

great job getting up and riding this morning! it's awesome that you've found so many exercise buddies there!
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn July 16, 2009, 6:54 am
It's awesome that you guys have a group to workout with. I might start summoning the Brooklyn/NYC ladies to join me in the morning!
JEAN July 16, 2009, 7:02 am
I wanted to tell you that you have inspired me to throw out the scale and just worry about feeling good about myself, not the number that pops up every morning!

I really love your blog!
K from ksgoodeats July 16, 2009, 7:18 am
Way to go with the early morning ride!!
Mrs. LC July 16, 2009, 7:23 am
Awesome bike ride this morning! I won't be around to wish you good luck and read your recap on Sunday, so good luck now and I'll be thinking of you guys during your tri! xoxo
Danielle C. July 16, 2009, 7:30 am
A sunrise bike ride or run IS the perfect way to start the day. It's hard for us in Washington in the Summer though, the sun starts coming up much closer to 5am (and doesn't fully set until closer to 10. I do like the extra day light (though it is horribly dark in the Winter).
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) July 16, 2009, 7:33 am
Looks like a fun ride!

Ahh she's coming to Chicago. Cool!
insideiamdancing July 16, 2009, 7:39 am
what a great way to start the day!
Rose July 16, 2009, 7:45 am
Now that's a perfect way to start a morning! The scene behind you looks beautiful.
Niki July 16, 2009, 8:02 am
Yay for a great bike ride!!
BethAnn Caputo July 16, 2009, 8:05 am
love that quaker granola…p.s. check this out..one of my reader's sent it to me!

http://webecoist.com/2009/05/08/10-weird-and-gross-ingredients-in-processed-food/

so disgusting!!
hopeinpeanutbutterandoats July 16, 2009, 8:22 am
mmm that granola is my FAV! i love the sweetness to it!
glad you had a good ride. have a fab rest of the day
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now July 16, 2009, 8:40 am
Looks like you had a fun ride. Glad it started your day out great!
Laurie July 16, 2009, 9:07 am
What kind of bike do you have? I'm really interested in getting started in cycling but the only bike I have is the one I use to get around my college campus. I believe it's a 4 year old Walmart bike that my neighbor was gonna throw away so I took it. Probably not the best "road bike." Thanks!
Trainer T.s Fitness July 16, 2009, 9:10 am
Glad you had a nice ride and with one of your readers. Your such a role model!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point July 16, 2009, 9:14 am
laurie – i have a giant. all the brands are pretty good at the level that i ride at — i recommend looking for one that you can buy used (from craigslist. expect to spend around $300. mine was $350, originaly $1200. we got the husband's new (a fuji) for $550.
Lora July 16, 2009, 9:40 am
omg thats fast! how did u ride so fast? 20 miles takes me almost 1 hr 45 lol! i need to pick up my pace!
eliza July 16, 2009, 9:44 am
Chicaggggo!:)
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) July 16, 2009, 9:49 am
You are so making me want to go for a bike ride! Thanks for getting back to me with all of your bicycle tips yesterday, much appreciated.:)
Jess July 16, 2009, 1:05 pm
So luck all you girls live in the same place to ride together. So jealous!

I'm betting she's in Chi town!
Angharad July 16, 2009, 2:23 pm
Um, loving the England footie shirt!! Yay!

Morning workouts – I have such mixed feelings the night before/when I wake up but I always feel so good during and afterwards!
roseyrebecca July 16, 2009, 2:59 pm
I love morning bike rides.
CALORIES DON'T HAVE FANGS!!! July 16, 2009, 5:52 pm
The Quaker granola looks awesome, Caitlin. What kind of milk do you add?

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