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2010-01-07 8:34 AM

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Subject: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
Soooo it's the offseason for most of us.. and the cold-dark-icy-snowy winter for many of us.

What are your tips/ tricks to getting out of a warm comfy bed and out s/b/r-ing early?

mine are
1. lay out clothes/ iPod/ Garmin/ etc. the night before
2. don't think about it! if I give myself even 20 seconds to debate whether or not I should run in the 25* weather, I will have a debate in my mind... and guess which side wins?


2010-01-07 8:41 AM
in reply to: #2599852

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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
I said I would, what more is there?

Yeah, it's been 19 with a windchill bringing it to 7 (F) and today it was about 29 but I said I was going to start in on the training plan for a May HIM and a Nov IM so I'm out there turning into a Ken doll but doing it
2010-01-07 8:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
Keep them coming! Last year my schedule changed and I got up every day at 4:15 or so to work out. This year, same schedule, but over and over again I wake up 2 hours later having pressed snooze about 15 times without actually getting up. It's crazy--I go to bed early but it's like my brain is not capable of rational thought. I love working out early, but I can't seem to remember that when the alarm goes off.
2010-01-07 8:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
I like to make plans with my training partners. We give each other a hard time if we bail, and that seems to be pretty effective.
2010-01-07 8:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

During the week I'm up at 5ish to get ready for work. On the weekends, I would love to sleep in.
But a 4 year old and a 2 year old would never allow.
My tip is knowing that if you don't get up early and get out there, you may not be able to when they awake. I get in and the wife and kids are having breakfast , and I get in a morning run guilt-free.

2010-01-07 8:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
~ Get absolutely everything packed the night before. (It's straight from the pool to work so I need both workout bags and a few meals when I leave in the AM.)

~ Allow myself enough time to push snooze once and then lay in bed considering whether I want to sleep in or get up. If I'm conscious enough to actually consider it (means more than 5 hours of sleep), I always end up getting up. It boils down to: a) I'll only get 1 more hour of sleep, b) I won't have time to make up this workout so it's now or never, c) it'll be a grumpier day if I don't go, d) I want to be STRONGER and FASTER! Plus by the time that's all run through my head, I'm semi-awake.

~ Make it a daily/weekly routine. Some days, I wake up a few minutes before my alarm goes off just because it's a routine schedule.


2010-01-07 8:53 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
yes placing the items out the night before works great
2010-01-07 8:54 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
When I was in an apartment, I had to "take" the dog out, so I ran with him. Now, I'm in a house, and when I'm really feeling sucky, I just put him in the yard (bad mommy, I know).

Trishie, I totally agree with getting the gear all laid out the night before. Bumping around in the dark trying to find everything makes you just want to stay in bed.

I also used to put the alarm clock on the other side of the room, so I had to actually get out of bed to turn it off.
2010-01-07 8:55 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
Like the OP, I lay everything out the night before.
  •  I have in my head what my specific plan for that morning is (Q2 of Week 10 of Jorge's cycling plan, run 6 miles at easy pace, etc)
  • I have in my head what my schedule for the day looks like (so I can understand the ramifications of missing the early am workout - where else I could fit it in).
  • I meet a friend to run three times a week. We have an agreed upon cut off time (if the other person isn't there, the first person can go ahead)...if I'm up and out the door, I'll still run - and I would hate to let the other person down.
  • I remind myself that if I don't get up, I'm still not going to sleep that well because I will be thinking about how I can adjust my schedule to makeup for the workout I missed (I'm a little OCD that way)
Once I got into the habit - it became easier and easier. Good luck!
2010-01-07 8:56 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
I woke up at 0430 today. When my alarm went off, I got out of bed right away. I glanced longingly at it a few times as I was walking out of my room.

Fast forward five hours later and I'm still feeling great about that workout this morning!
2010-01-07 8:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
Having a running buddy is GREAT idea. Accountability to that person would motivate me. Too bad accountability to myself isn't as powerful. It's the weather. I have no problem getting out in the summer.


2010-01-07 9:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

400am most mornings for me.  I have 2 young kids so if I don't workout in the morning it just isn't going to happen...can't tell myself I'll just go run after work.  like others have mentioned, I have everything together the night before, workout clothes as well as what I will wear to work.  Before I had kids morning exercise was really hard for me.  Now it's become routine.

2010-01-07 9:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

chodgkinson1982 - 2010-01-07 9:42 AM I like to make plans with my training partners. We give each other a hard time if we bail, and that seems to be pretty effective.

I would say this is huge.  Coming from a background of team sports through high school and college that helped me get to my workouts.  I would feel bad letting the other person down so I'd make myself to a lot more then by myself.

2010-01-07 10:01 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
Go to bed earlier. If you're used to going to bed at 12 and getting up at 7, and now you want to get up at 5, then like it or not, you'll have to go to bed at 10. That makes all the difference for me as far as how easy it is to swing the legs over the edge of the bed in the morning.
2010-01-07 10:09 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

Great topic . . . I've been strugging with the winter hibernation over the last month.  I like trid00d's reminder about how good it feels later in the day.  Definitely outweighs the pain of getting out of bed.

2010-01-07 10:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
My alarm goes off at 0310 every morning tuesday thru saturday i get dressed and head to the gym workout then go to work.
oh it helps to have the alarm turned up as loud as possible and 3 feet away from the bed so i have to get up to shut it off or reap the wrath of a pissed off wife


2010-01-07 10:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

I always have better resolve to workout the night before than in the morning.  So, as long as I set my alarm for the right time (4:30 in my case), my dogs won't let me go back to sleep.  As soon as the alarm goes off, they know it's time to wake up and bug me to death until I do. 

2010-01-07 11:03 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
DanielG - 2010-01-07 9:41 AM I said I would, what more is there? Yeah, it's been 19 with a windchill bringing it to 7 (F) and today it was about 29 but I said I was going to start in on the training plan for a May HIM and a Nov IM so I'm out there turning into a Ken doll but doing it


Exactly.  Skipping a workout never even crosses my mind; it's simply not an option. 

Daniel - I also have both a May and Nov HIM!  What are you doing in May?  Are you doing Beach to Battleship again?  I'm registered!

Trishie knows I'm an early bird!

To me the bottom line answer is go to bed early and stand by your commitment to train, no excuses. 

My alarm goes off at 3:45 am.  I know my dog is super excited for her walk before I can work out, so I better get moving.  Taking her for a walk helps me wake up, get circulation going, and analyze the weather/temp.  I do harder/longer workouts in the morning when I feel fresh; evening workouts are tougher, but I get them done.

This reminds me a quote that most of us have seen by now, but as a reminder...

"Somewhere in the world someone is training when you are not.  When you race him, he will win."


2010-01-07 11:08 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
maria40nc - 2010-01-07 12:03 PM

Exactly.  Skipping a workout never even crosses my mind; it's simply not an option. 


I was hoping I wasn't the only one with that mindset

maria40nc - 2010-01-07 12:03 PM

Daniel - I also have both a May and Nov HIM!  What are you doing in May?  Are you doing Beach to Battleship again?  I'm registered!


I'm signing up for the Kinetic Half in Lake Anna Va for May and the B2B full distance this year. That should keep me out of trouble.

Fayetteville, eh? Ft Bragg or Pope?

Edited by DanielG 2010-01-07 11:08 AM
2010-01-07 11:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

Great thread.  I'll be facing this in a couple of weeks when I start IM LOU training.  Trying to mentally prepare for early mornings now so that I'll be ready when the day comes.

2010-01-07 11:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
Make it a habit. Don't break the habit.

I was cruising and having no issues, until I started sleeping in on my holiday vacation. I have now had to start working my way back to 4:30. It was much easier getting from 4:30 to 8:30 than it has been getting back.

Also, DVR is your friend. If something good is on, don't stay up late to watch it. Just hit record and come back to it on the weekend, or when you have time that is not cutting into your sleep. College football this week has been another mighty challenge for me. Should have just DVR'd the games and watched them on the trainer the next morning.


2010-01-07 11:18 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
Agreed that being as packed/ready to go the night before is a huge motivator for me. I also just get out of bed immediately, if I think about it too long, or cuddle up with the wife for a few minutes to ponder it...I will be resetting the alarm in no time. Especially this far out from the on-season.
2010-01-07 11:49 AM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

1.  Have everything laid out the night before.
2.  Know what workout I'm going to do, before going to bed.
3.  Periodically change the alarm tone on my phone.  I find that, after I'm used to a certain tone, I'm not as alert when it goes off.  Right now I have "Reveille".  That's fun to wake up to.
4.  The one that has worked the best for me is turning on the bedside light, right after the alarm goes off.  But, I don't get to do that very often, since my husband usually doesn't get up that early.  He hasn't complained about the "Reveille" alarm, but the light would probably be pushing it.

2010-01-07 12:21 PM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early

I feel like such a putz later in the day when I miss a workout due to oversleeping.  So not feeling like a putz is a major motivator to get out of bed and get it done.

Something else I do, although this is more related to starting a workout in general, not just getting up early.  I tell myself that if I really feel tired or unmotivated, I'll just do 10 minutes at low intensity, then go home.  I've never actually done taken myself up on that offer... once I start a workout, I always finish it (except for pain/injury)

Other than that, I do always have my clothes, Garmin, route, etc. ready the night before.

2010-01-07 12:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Tips/ tricks for getting out there early
InsainoDwayno - 2010-01-07 11:01 AM Go to bed earlier. If you're used to going to bed at 12 and getting up at 7, and now you want to get up at 5, then like it or not, you'll have to go to bed at 10. That makes all the difference for me as far as how easy it is to swing the legs over the edge of the bed in the morning.


This is key for me. My gym's pool opens at a relatively last 6:15am. In order to wake up for that time and feel somewhat rested I need to be in bed by 10.  It's now a habit. I miss some 10pm tv shows but i feel so much better for getting it done!
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