A Morning Run

I admit it. I'm not a morning person. I usually don't run in the mornings. And my kids get up, dressed and on there way to school without my help. And many times, I'm still in bed. Amy, however does help them some, but they are pretty self sufficient.

That being said, the temps in Arizona are heading towards 100 and I have to decide whether I'm going to be a morning runner or an evening runner.

Today, I got to run in the morning. I started around 7:45 am. Not real early, so I didn't feel like I was waking with the roosters. I put in 5 miles in 59 minutes and some change (59:17). It was a good 11:49 pace. I hate the ideal of waking and getting on the street half asleep. But, today I was able to wake, get a bite to eat and then run. It was a good run.

I like running in the evening too. I see more neighbors out walking their dogs or doing yard work. It's nice to say hi, even when I don't know them. The sun has either set or is going down and the neighborhood seems peaceful. Of course, it seems peaceful at 7 in the morning too.

So the pros to a morning run are:

1. Great way to start the day
2. Get to see the sunrise
3. Can run in the neighborhood, canals, or parks more easily

Pros to an evening run:

1. I don't have to get up earlier
2. Sunsets
3. More neighbors out to say hi t0.

But, I don't do canals or parks after night fall. Except Kiwanis when softball games are going on.

Let me know if I missed any pros or cons and what you prefer. I, surely don't want to run in the afternoon when it's 100 + degrees.

San Tan Regional Park

Two new trail loops just opened in this new park. The San Tan Mountains are to the south of greater Phoenix. They used to be out in the middle fo the desert. But, now that the metro area is growing like crazy, they are right in our backyard. The Arizona Republic did a great article about them and I plan on running booth loops. One, tomorrow at 7 am and the other in April. If anyone wants to join me, just let me know.