Up since 2 a.m.

Like most people, I get insomnia from time to time.  Sometimes I'm so looking forward to running the next day, I can't wait to get up.  But usually that's a feeling that I get out of the way as I'm laying down for bed the night before.

But on other days, I'm just awake in bed.  It's 2 a.m.  I stay in bed for an hour trying to put whatever troubling thoughts out of my head, and now it's 3 a.m.  Still just as awake.

I get up and make some chamomile tea.  That effort is a double-edged sword, because it definitely makes me sleepy, but it guarantees that I won't hibernate more than 60 minutes before the bathroom calls.

Time passes, and by now I'm bummed that I won't be able to go on that run I had planned.  There's no way I can be physically exhausted and then try to power through a day at work and have any semblance of mental alertness.

Back to bed.  Still awake.  Now it's 4.  Getting close to my normal natural waking time of about 4:15, but I'll sleep in if I can to make up the lost hours.

But I'm too aware that it's near my normal waking time.  I'm just sort of wired that way and generally get up by 5.  Never need to set my clock.  I'm a morning person, I guess.

Well, at this point, it's time to make coffee and at least be productive at home before going off to work.

But the coffee kicks in.  I eat half a Clif bar.  It's so early in the morning.  Lots of time to fill.  Hate to waste this.

Maybe just a short run, slow pace, not far.

I get the shoes on and head out.  I start running.  I don't feel tired.

Where did this energy come from?  Gentle breeze.  Legs feel strong.  No one else out.  What a nice morning!

Miles pass.

Inevitably, I set a PR for speed or for distance.  The rest of the day goes fine.  What was I worried about?  By the end of the day I don't even remember the lack of sleep so long ago.

This has happened now at least 4 times.

I no longer worry about insomnia.

#Running