The Dark Days Are Upon Us

Yes, the wonders of an autum in the Northeastern United States means cooler temps, colorful leaves, pumpkin stuff that other people love, post-season baseball, the end of humidity, coats. It also means shorter days and less sunlight. As I set out for a easy morning jog today, I realized I have to readjust my morning run mode for "FALL/WINTER". This means:

• It's going to be even HARDER to get out of bed. Set alarm for earlier. It's hard to imagine a time earlier than 4:50 am. But for a snooze-button addict, it's a harsh reality.
• More blankets + warmer bed > need to run. Math sucks.
• Layering: Add a long sleeve t-shirt or lightweight hoodie to 'running clothes for tomorrow morning' (if I actually get up)' pile on the floor. Remove sport tank tops as it's too chilly for shoulder sexiness now. Add longer shorts. Remove skirts. Add beanie hat. Remove marathon cap.
• Fewer (or less? Kylie- grammar me!) people on the trails. Everyone runs in the spring and summer. It's the pressure of bathing suits and ice cream. Moms don't have kids to get ready for school. It's lighter and cooler out. There are many advantages to running in the mornings during the summer. However, it's a lonely time in the chilly months. This means that it's okay to sing along while running but you're also more likely to be bear breakfast.
• Switch cereal with fruit to oatmeal with fruit.
• Leave coffee warmer on because the best thing in the world after a chilly run is a warm cup of coffee. It's also the worst thing in the world after a hot hot hot run.

The biggest change in seasonal running is the lack of light in the morning. It's still dark at 5:45am which is when I'm lacing up my sneaks and syncing the Garmin. Dark means:

• holycrap High Beams! Cars are equally as baffled to see me running in the dark as I am to be running in the dark. Be prepared for a retina burning shot of adrenaline as cars forget that people have eyes too and beam the bejebus out of you. This is when I retire from 'road running' and turn to the towpath.
• No more ninja running gear. Ninja running = wearing all black. I need some kind of light reflective gear to alert cars and deer of my presence.
• Animals, even cute little kitties or mischievous squirrels, are pure evil untill the sun rises. I've had full, though one-sided, conversations with a deer in broad daylight. However, seeing a deer dart ahead of you in the gray dusk of the morning is horrifying!
• Remove "Thriller" from running playlist.
• Dogs really hate morning runners. Be prepared to get barked at.