One of the things I enjoy most about being a morning runner is that I start the day in the hole -- 500 calories (give or take a 100) in the hole.

There aren't many other people driving to work in the morning who can say the same. I often find myself smirking on the way to work -- especially when I notice the woman in the car next to me yawning and reaching for her coffee while I'm bright eyed, wide-awake and singing Linkin Park at the top of my lungs.

You'd think I'd be tired, too, since I get up at 5 a.m. and go run several miles with friends who make me run hard.

But, any runner knows that exercise has the opposite effect -- it gives you energy.

A.M. running is like my little secret -- something that makes me feel great all day. Sort of like wearing sexy underwear under a business suit. (So I guess you might say running is like racy underwear).

For more information about just how many calories you are actually burning, check out this article at www.RunnersWorld.com