Very proud of us – Matt and I ran with the sunrise!!
I used to get up at 5AM every.single.morning to go to the gym when I worked full time and while I was in school with early classes. Back then I didn’t mind it, but I also didn’t have much of a choice.
Now that I have a more flexible lifestyle, and I DO have a choice, I normally choose breakfast!! Not only am I pretty hungry upon waking, but breakfast after runs don’t have that same sleepy, cozy feel that they do when you stumble down from bed.
Today though the draw was the cooler temps!! We knew we wanted to run and also – we’re attempting the DMV again today 
Up and at ‘em when the alarm went off at 6:26. Often when I mentally prepare for a morning run it’s much easier to get up and go then when I consider it on a whim.
Matt and I shared this Earnest Eats bar from my sample pack before we left. These bars are as dense as they come, but they’re very tasty!
We ran about 5.2 miles – much of it along a road called Sunset 
The run was great because of the lower temps. We ended up power walking up 2 humongous hills, but the rest of it I felt strong and fast. My general rule of thumb toe with hills is that I challenge myself to run up HALF of the hill. (And I’m talking a super steep one). I can either run up half and walk the rest or walk in the beginning and sprint up the rest. This sets you up to challenge yourself – no wimping out before the hill even starts from fear of first glance!
Finally, breakfast.
It does seem I have an empty jar at least once a week. It helps that I have a nut-butter loving husband!! But also, I am now receiving them in the mail – ha! Diana must not like OIAJ because she sent me her near-empty Barney Butter jar along with some of her newest granola bars.
Normally I might think it to be a bit gross to eat out of someone else’s used jar, but I know first hand because she’s my friend that Diana is a very clean and germ-conscious person. I’m sure this jar was very clean! I’d probably say no thank you to a stranger’s jar
The inside was a totally random mix of:
- Oats
- Greek yogurt
- Plain yogurt
- Nectarine
- Pear Fig Jam
- Honey
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Chia Seeds
- Milk
- Frosted Mini Wheat crumbs
COOL coffee!
From my favorite brewery ever – Pisgah outside of Asheville!
The baby collards and kale say hi!
Now about that DMV….
{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }
My store only carries they tiny Barney Butter jars and they cost an arm and a leg! I’m not even sure if I could fit a batch of oats in one.
You can get them (full-size or small-size or individual packet) at a decent price on Amazon and sometimes they even go on extra-sale!
I love those Earnest Foods bars, but I have trouble finding them!!
I remember when you used to get up that early– I was always SO impressed!! Glad to know that, given the chance, you also sleep in a little later
I like the Honest/Earnest Bars, too. Haven’t had one in a while… thanks for the reminder : )
MM the Barney Butter looks good! Wonder if we carry that around here…must check it out!
Thanks.
I don’t know how you do it. Especially if I’m out of the habit, those early morning workouts just don’t happen. Even if I wake up, my legs won’t.
That’s so cute that Diana sent you the jars, ha. What a grrreat fwiend!
P.S. TJ Maxx has those Earnest Bars on the cheap
I actually find that when I DO have a choice and don’t have to workout first thing in the AM out of sheer necessity, I prefer to work out in the morning! It’s much easier to get it out of the way and have your whole day to yourself. It’s cooler here in Chicago, too! I love it. Love that you and Matt are also growing kale! The husband and I hope to be able to do that soon – apartment living makes it a little hard. : )
Ugh, good luck at the DMV! Hopefully things will go better this time. I would say you started the day off on the right foot too with a run and oats! Have a great one Kath!
You know, I have never thought about eating nut butter out of a jar other than my own. I am not one to just dive into the jar for spoonful after spoonful so I never thought about it. But, if someone ate out of the jar and was a double dipper, that would be a different story. Gross.
Good luck at the DMV!
I love OIAJ but I’m the only one eating the nut butters and I have about 5 jars open, so I don’t get OIAJ nearly enough.
Good for you for getting in a great run this morning. I tried and failed in that department, but am currently enjoying OIAJ. SO good!
those lil babies are adorable!! good luck!
I think Bailey had his tongue in that jar….
Oh yes – that’s a very clean jar of BB! I’m so not a double-dipper…lol
Glad you got to use the jar for some yummy OIAJ!
The baby greens are cuuuuute!
Your little plants are so cute!!!
Enjoy your time at the DMV…
I’m glad you got to run in the morning. For some reason I cannot get up in the morning before work, but I can get up super early on Sat mornings to run — it is all a mental game for me!
Hi Kath!
I have never commented before but I read your blog every single day — multiple times a day! I am actually the girl that was dining with Kyle, Matt’s fraternity brother, last night — and when I learned that he went to Davidson, I immediately asked about KERF! Thanks for the text — that made my entire night, haha.
Your breakfast looks delicious, per usual. I have been enjoying OIAJ myself when I can, inspired by you.
Take care,
Jenna
Ha! It made my night too! A hilarious set of texts.
Woo hoo! You go girl
I always feel great when I’ve exercised first thing in the morning..you have the rest of the day to relax 
<–err, after the DMV I mean 
I’ve been running with the rising sun a couple days a week, and it is wonderful! Nothing like the Atlanta skyline at dawn.
Plus, it feels awesome having the run completed before most people (including my husband) are awake.
I love that Diana sent you near-empty OIAJ container–that’s hilarious. Good for you for getting up early to do a nice run, I can definitely understand the avoidance of high temps, living in North VA myself. It’s been disgusting lately! This is September?!
Good luck at the DMV (if that’s possible..)!
I love that other people send you their nut butter jars
Good luck at the DMV!
Where did you buy your Pear Fig Jam? I am a HUGE fan of fig jam. My two favorite brands are Bonne Maman and Braswell’s Seelct, but I am always open to new suggestions!
It’s an OpenSky contender!
Ohhh exciting news!
Sounds like an amazing run.
I love early morning workouts, they make me feel refreshed and the day is better all ready
GOod luck with the dmv!
It is nearly impossible for me to wake up early and work out. I need my morning time to wake up and prepare myself mentally.
Those baby greens are so cute! Barney Butter is so amazing, I made a recipe using it on my blog. Barney Butter Muddy Buddies aka Puppy Chow. I can’t stop eating it. Mmm
Good luck at the DMV. I hate going there. But doesn’t everyone?
I’m at the point where early morning workouts feel great, but I can’t do them every day… I like those more relaxed, sleepy/cozy mornings too!
Good luck at the DMV!
I definitely prefer early AM workouts, although now having been on holiday for a while, I’m getting much more used to a 7am alarm instead of the usual 5am one (not sure this is a good thing either, because I won’t be able to do it for much longer!)
Good luck at the DMV and have a great day!
I was waking up at 5 for awhile and starting my day with exercise…but then I realized, why? Now I just go right after work. I’m much more alive and awake…plus I can sleep in!!
Hi Kath! I finally visited the Great Harvest in Austin thanks to your rave reviews. I wish I’d gone sooner! I sampled a delicious cheddar jalapeno bread and left with a loaf of Cinnamon Chip and Dakota. I brought the cinnamon chip to a dinner party and it was devoured. I really want to try their apple bread. Probably never going back to grocery store bread ever again!
Glad you liked it!!
An almost empty nut butter jar may just be the sweetest gift anyone could ever give =)
and your mix sounds delicious, fig jam? YUM.
baby collards – cute!
laura
Getting up at 5 is some serious commitment. I dread the days I have an adult job…I dont know how Ill fit it all in!
5am? I am impressed.
Aww…love those little plants. How exciting that you’ll have fresh collards and kale for the fall!
5 o’clock is e-a-r-l-y. And here I am complaining about getting up at 5:45.
Man, even the cool air isn’t getting me out of bed for an early run these days. Any tips on how not to hit the snooze?
Good luck at the DMV!
Sounds like an awesome morning! How funny to have a friend who sends you empty nut butter jars
Sounds like a great start to your morning!
The Virginia-wide computer issue was supposed to have been resolved yesterday or Wednesday and the Governor ordered state agencies to stay open late to help.
Of course, if it’s like my office, everyone took off early for the holiday weekend! Enjoy First Fridays tonight!
I still have yet to try Barney Butter! i need to get on that.
Good luck at the DMV!
What you don’t want a bunch of people sending you their empty jars of nut butters.
I can understand why Diana sent it to you. I’m not a big fan of oats in a jar either, but they look good.
My husband always gets up to go work out that early. I know I couldn’t manage! I much prefer going after breakfast. That doesn’t keep me from being up at 5 am though. As a mom, I have to get in kid-free writing in whenever I can!
Sounds like an awesome run
And that’s hilarious about getting almost empty jars in the mail! And I totally agree- it’d be way to gross to eat out of some strangers old jar. Blech!
Good luck with the DMV! When I switched to VA last month the guy recommended going early b/c the out-of-state system tends to crash after noon.
I LOVE the crumbs of frosted mini wheats! If they sold them in that form alone, I would buy them. I’ve often talked the workers at my school’s dining hall into giving me the crumbs when they need to refill the cereal canister
My husband and I are going to Asheville in October for our anniversary – we are planning to visit pisgah when we are there, I’m so excited!!
You should be! I’m jealous
I agree- post-run breakfasts are never as relaxing!! It definitely feels great to have your run done before the day begins though. So much more free time
Happy Friday!
I saw Diana let her dog lick the knife and then stick in that jar. Naughty girl.
PS Karma is having typos in a snarky comment.
can’t believe i’ve yet to try barney butter! what’s wrong with me?!?
That OIAJ sounds AMAZING!
Pear fig jam sounds amaaaaazing! I just made my first batch of homemade jam recently, peach bourbon jam. Next is rum blackberry sauce. Alcohol always makes jams and sauces better, heh.
mmmmmmmmmmmm bourbon!!
beautiful pictures! i always feel so much calmer after reading your blog!
What a lovely morning run! Personally, I love waking up early for breakfast followed by an 8 or 9am run
Do you set your alarm for 6:26 on purpose?
Of course!
That is SO cute that Diana sent you her jar!!
what fun.
I am the exact opposite… I can usually never eat something RIGHT when I wake up, I usually have a half a Barney – ‘naner and I LOVE to run first thing!
They say more women prefer creamy pb and men prefer crunchy pb. I defy the statistics bcs I am a crunchy girl!
I’m 100% crunchy!
I LOVE that you used someone else’s nut butter jar. That is really funny!
It’s comforting to know that my husband and I aren’t the only ones who can polish off a jar of nut butter in a week. It’s just too good!
Have a great day
Haha! I love that Diana sent you an almost empty jar. Too cute!
I used to wake up at 320am to swim, but now the earliest I can force myself out of bed for exercise is around 630am. I would love to be one of those people who could workout before work and survive, but I am NOT at all.
You are one lucky lady to receive empty nut butter jars! I buy the Costco peanut butter, so it takes a really long time to eat all by myself!
ha, I love that someone knows you well enough to send a used pb jar!
caribou coffee now sells those earnest bars, and i tried the same one you had this morning. i took one bite and tossed it. it has an overwhelming flavor of almond extract (fake almond flavor to me)… but glad you liked it!!
Wow, good for you for getting up so early. I was happy to get to the gym by 7 a.m.!
I need to remember to make OIAJ when my next container is nearing empty. I usually just scrape it with a spatula to get out every last bit. I HATE wasting any kind of nut butter! It’s just too good!
I just went to the Pisgah brewery a couple weeks ago! It’s a cool spot.
i love that you got up at 6:26. i, too, set my alarm for “odd” times like 6:07 or 6:18. it sounds so much better than, say, 6:05 or 6:20 but it’s still early.
and i love working out first thing because i need a couple hours (at least) in between eating (anything) & working out, so i’d rather just go first thing then eat as usual throughout the day instead of being all careful about it. that’s just me though!
Hahaha that is too funny that you now receive empty nut butter jars in the mail. Your friends know you too well!
Take my word for it, sleep in and eat a leisurely breakfast while you can! As a teacher who just went back to work after 3mos off, I am not lovin’ being back in my routine of waking up so early. You’re workouts can wait till later in the day!
I love that Diana sends her empty nut butter containers to you! how smart! I need to get my husband on the nut butter wagon so I too can have OIAJ one day!
I can never do pre-breakfast runs because I’m always way too hungry when I wake up!
Ohmygosh, that’s hilarious! What a brilliant friend! If someone did that for me, I”d know it was true friendship, seeing as I live in Australia where BB doesn’t exist…