Lacing up my shoes I looked up and noticed that the sun was not nearly sunny enough to need my half-jacket Oakleys. Okay, no sunnies on my quick run this afternoon. I start strapping on my I-pod, the battery is dead…great I thought.

I, like many runners, use my I-pod not only to listen to music and keep me motivated through the miles, it’s used to block out sound. My sunglasses don’t only block the sun, but they unsuspectingly are being used to protect me. No, not from those evil UVA/UVB rays we’re all so scared of, but protection from other people, noise, distractions, eye contact. And worse of all the sound of my own heavy breathing and shoes hitting the pavement.

But I was dressed and ready to head out the door, this blip in my regular routine was NOT going to ruin my run. A quick 3-mile out and back was all I had time for to satisfy my run-craving before I had to head off to work.

Out the door I passed a family gardening; feeling obligated, I smiled and nodded; I heard their laughs and conversation as I ran by, I’d rather hear The Black Eyed Peas telling me to Get it Started In Here. Turning onto the main road was a relief, no more distractions–before I could finish that thought a car honked and another whistled out the window—note to self longer shorts next time.

As my body began to fatigue my shoes got louder, my breathing labored and I was being forced to hear all of this. How do those I-podless runners do this all the time?!

My brain was racing with thoughts of the day, I could feel my lunch more intensely in my stomach, the noise of the speeding cars annoyed me, I not only felt obligated to make eye contact with any passer-by on the path I could feel their eyes and almost hear the judgments in their heads. I returned home 3-miles later and was no more relaxed then when I had left, but my run was done and I promptly plugged in my I-pod so it would be juiced in the morning.

5:11am rolled around this morning, obviously at this time it is not sunny. But my I-pod was ready for me and my a.m. run. Lacing up my shoes I decided to try something different. I noticed how the house was dead quiet, I enjoyed the calmness. Maybe 5:30am would be different than 5:30pm. I fought with the idea of another I-podless run and got out the door before I could change my mind.

sunrise

This time silence followed me. The only sounds were my feet and breathing, which for some reason sounded strong, determined, and fresh for the day. Birds tweeted as I turned onto the same road I had made a left at just 12 hours earlier. No one whistled or hooted out the windows, not because my shorts were any longer, but because no one was driving by.

Fellow runners and I made eye contact and shared the secret of the morning, this is the best way to start the day, we whispered in the crisp air. Making it to my turn around point the sun was starting to show, the day was opening up and I was already 2 miles deep. Running back over a river there was a lone heron waking on a dead branch—my footsteps didn’t disturb it, she kindly nodded to me in recognition and flew away to carry on with her morning. I finished strong, re-hydrated and started my day inspired.

Lesson learned? Afternoon unprotected running is not my style, but at 5am nothing is more beautiful and clean than beginning the day with your thoughts, your breath and footsteps. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.