General Discussion Triathlon Talk » What time is too early to wake-up to work out? Rss Feed  
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2010-08-13 3:41 PM

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Regular
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New York City
Subject: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
Got a job offer that would require me to be there around 8 AM. I'm a lawyer so I'm not sure yet if the hours enable working out at night and we all know it's better just to get it out of the way in the morning, lest it not happen at all. I also know that sleep and stretching are too very important aspects of being a good athlete that are often taken for granted. This is potentially my timeframe:

Wakeup: 4:45
Workout: 5:10 to 6:25 (usually takes about 25 minutes to wake up, eat a lil and loosen up a lil)
Stretch: 6:30 to 7
Shower and Eat
Leave Apt: 7:30
Arrive: 8 AM

I feel pretty lucky that I'm asleep around 10 PM most nights. It's hard to do much earlier than that. 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep a night is not ideal.

Thoughts? Thanks.

Right now I'm just training for the NYC Marathon having finished my last tri of the year last week - but next year I plan to do my first HIM. I've done 6 or 7 Olympics by now (2:30 - 2:40 range).



2010-08-13 3:46 PM
in reply to: #3042858

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Pro
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CyFair
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
I wake up at 4:30 so I would not call ya crazy.
2010-08-13 3:48 PM
in reply to: #3042858

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2010-08-13 3:49 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Extreme Veteran
829
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Tennessee
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
My alarm goes off every day (except Sunday) at 4:25 AM. I could see possibly doing 4 AM but no earlier. I am always in bed by 9:30-10:00.

2010-08-13 3:54 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Extreme Veteran
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
Is there anything that you can do to get in bed earlier?
2010-08-13 3:55 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Master
3888
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Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
That's pretty much what I do.  I often just have a drink of O.J. and not eat breakfast until after I work out.  I often can go on 5-6 hours sleep, just catch up on weekends, even though it's not ideal.

I'm able to squeeze in 22-23 mile bike rides in the A.M. as well as 6-7 mile runs etc.

Luckily I can cruise into the office at 8:30 on occasion so 30 mile bike rides can really start the day off right!

You can knock off two birds with one stone.  If you're thinking about a client/case while you're working out, aren't those billable hours? 




2010-08-13 3:56 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Extreme Veteran
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Issaquah
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
I'm up between 4-4:30 most days depending on what workout schedule is. I'm a morning person anyway, so getting up this early wasn't a big deal for me YMMV though.
2010-08-13 3:59 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
I would argue that I actually really like working out after work.  I sleep better, I perform better at work (I get sleepy after workouts) and it helps me relieve the frustration and stress from the day.  So I disagree with "we all know it's better just to get it out of the way in the morning" statement.  BUT, if you really need to do it in the morning why not eat while you're stretching?  A smoothie or what not would be quite easy. 

2010-08-13 4:01 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Master
2327
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North Alabama
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
my alarm is for 0415. I wouldn't see a problem with yours at all.
2010-08-13 4:04 PM
in reply to: #3042912

Veteran
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San Francisco
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
COSkiGirl - 2010-08-13 1:59 PM I would argue that I actually really like working out after work.  I sleep better, I perform better at work (I get sleepy after workouts) and it helps me relieve the frustration and stress from the day.  So I disagree with "we all know it's better just to get it out of the way in the morning" statement.  BUT, if you really need to do it in the morning why not eat while you're stretching?  A smoothie or what not would be quite easy. 


Thank you.  I was beginning to think I was the only person who preferred to work out later in the day.  Heck, in the summer I'm often finishing a workout about the time most of you are going to bed (9:30pm). 
2010-08-13 4:12 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Master
2426
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
Add me to the "work out after work" crowd.  I get early enough (5-somethin') & can't get to bed before 11.  Looking forward to my afternoon ride/run/swim gets me through the day, and I don't mind doing back-to-back sports.  Last winter I got into a habit of hitting local fitness center after work for 2500 swim & 5k track run.


2010-08-13 4:14 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Master
1993
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
Morning person, here.  Weekdays, I get up at 4:30am, I stretch and hit my inversion table, eat a little something at 5, at the gym by 5:40.   Weekends are my long riding days, so I'm up no later than 5am, on my bike and hittin' the road by 6am...unless it's pouring rain outside, which means no riding for me.  Oh, and I work evenings, too...so most weekdays, I can't get to bed any earlier than 10:15pm.  

Edited by nscrbug 2010-08-13 4:15 PM
2010-08-13 4:15 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Champion
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Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bronze member
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
In the summer, it can take me quite a while to cool down after running.  In the winter, it takes time to layer up and then unlayer. 

Having said this, I'm usually good for an hour workout in the morning unless I have to be in at 7AM.  7:30's a stretch, but 8 usually not a problem. 
2010-08-13 4:15 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Master
2356
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Westlake Village , Ca.
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
I'm with the poster that mentioned getting to bed a little earlier. I hit the sack around 8:30pm and try and be asleep by about 9:15 or so. I awake at 5:30.

Also, if you ditch the stretching, you could get up at an easier 5:15. Not that I want to get into a stretching debate....but, you know ; )
2010-08-13 4:16 PM
in reply to: #3042912

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
COSkiGirl - 2010-08-13 3:59 PM I would argue that I actually really like working out after work.  I sleep better, I perform better at work (I get sleepy after workouts) and it helps me relieve the frustration and stress from the day.  So I disagree with "we all know it's better just to get it out of the way in the morning" statement. 


x2. Working out in the morning leaves me with a terrible attitude all day, usually a poor workout because I'm so upset I'm up that early, and tired for the remainder of the day. I prefer to enjoy my workouts and get the most out of them, which means I do them at night.

Everyone is different.
 
2010-08-13 4:22 PM
in reply to: #3042858

New user
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Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
I have a job that I need to be at by 7am.   I fall asleep around 8:30pm after the kids go down and up at 3:15am and working out starting at 4am.   I have been doing this for years so once you get used to it it is no big deal.  

Even on the weekends I can't stay up past 10 and I am usually up at 4:30 on my own. 


2010-08-13 4:23 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Expert
2189
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Dodge County, MN (out in the corn)
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
During the winter, our alarm goes off at 3:40am.  We have to feed and turn out horses and then drive 30 min to get to the gym by 5:00am.  We're out the gym parking lot by 6:45 to be at work at 7:00am.  We are usually in bed by 8:45pm. 
2010-08-13 4:23 PM
in reply to: #3042924

Expert
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Las Vegas, NV
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
Chatagirl - 2010-08-13 4:04 PM
COSkiGirl - 2010-08-13 1:59 PM I would argue that I actually really like working out after work.  I sleep better, I perform better at work (I get sleepy after workouts) and it helps me relieve the frustration and stress from the day.  So I disagree with "we all know it's better just to get it out of the way in the morning" statement.  BUT, if you really need to do it in the morning why not eat while you're stretching?  A smoothie or what not would be quite easy. 


Thank you.  I was beginning to think I was the only person who preferred to work out later in the day.  Heck, in the summer I'm often finishing a workout about the time most of you are going to bed (9:30pm). 


I do both, depending on the time of year. I teach, so during the summer when I'm off, I do an AM workout. My husband has to leave by 7am so I have to be done by then in order to watch the kids. I usually get up a little before 5am as well and am finished by 6:30am. Bedtime is around 10:30pm also. So that sounds like the OP's schedule.
When I'm working, I have to be out the door for work by 6:30am with my 3 kids. So AM workouts are not an option. I switch to evenings after my kids are alseep and start my workouts around 8:30pm.
I like both times for different reasons. 
2010-08-13 4:26 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Master
2236
200010010025
Denison Texas
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
This seems to be a very individual thing to me. If it is working for you it is right. Personally it sounds sort of hellish and crazy. I am not a morning person, my schedule however gives me very long morning hours if and when I choose to use them. I work till 8pm and do like getting a workout done in the evenings, even some good night time bike rides.
If John Grisham novels are to be believed (that's all I know about lawyers) then lack of sleep is normal for you anyway
2010-08-13 4:31 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
I prefer to work out after work on weekdays.  But on weekends when I'm off...I prefer to get my long ride/run in at the crack of dawn and will set my alarm for 4 am.
2010-08-13 4:51 PM
in reply to: #3042971

Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
jpbis26 - 2010-08-13 3:23 PM
Chatagirl - 2010-08-13 4:04 PM
COSkiGirl - 2010-08-13 1:59 PM I would argue that I actually really like working out after work.  I sleep better, I perform better at work (I get sleepy after workouts) and it helps me relieve the frustration and stress from the day.  So I disagree with "we all know it's better just to get it out of the way in the morning" statement.  BUT, if you really need to do it in the morning why not eat while you're stretching?  A smoothie or what not would be quite easy. 


Thank you.  I was beginning to think I was the only person who preferred to work out later in the day.  Heck, in the summer I'm often finishing a workout about the time most of you are going to bed (9:30pm). 


I do both, depending on the time of year. I teach, so during the summer when I'm off, I do an AM workout. My husband has to leave by 7am so I have to be done by then in order to watch the kids. I usually get up a little before 5am as well and am finished by 6:30am. Bedtime is around 10:30pm also. So that sounds like the OP's schedule.
When I'm working, I have to be out the door for work by 6:30am with my 3 kids. So AM workouts are not an option. I switch to evenings after my kids are alseep and start my workouts around 8:30pm.
I like both times for different reasons. 


I should clarify that my long runs on the weekends are early morning runs (I'll start at 6am tomorrow) but I also don't have to rush off to work, can have a leisurely breakfast with my run group afterward and get in an afternoon nap.  I've also been known when the day's workout is a long hard sustained effort and the heat is expected to be above 95 degrees to go to our morning workout but that makes for a rough day.


2010-08-13 5:08 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Expert
2852
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?

I'm with FastYellow....

I'd probably ditch the stretching and sleep 30 more minutes.

Good luck.

2010-08-13 5:15 PM
in reply to: #3042879

Extreme Veteran
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DC Metro area
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
unfortunately on days I work I leave my house at 4:30AM so that doesn't leave time for me to work out, because I'm definitely not getting up earlier than that. Fortunately I get to work out at work, and then have the next 3 days off.
2010-08-13 5:20 PM
in reply to: #3042957

Veteran
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Lubbock, TX
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
Fastyellow - 2010-08-13 4:15 PM I'm with the poster that mentioned getting to bed a little earlier. I hit the sack around 8:30pm and try and be asleep by about 9:15 or so. I awake at 5:30.

Also, if you ditch the stretching, you could get up at an easier 5:15. Not that I want to get into a stretching debate....but, you know ; )


You didn't just go there!Surprised 

Seriously, 5am is not too bad.  I sometimes get up about that time to workout.  Depends on what time I get to bed the night before and also how much I'm working out that day.  I feel pretty good going into work after a run or bike in the morning, just not a longer run.  Tried that the other day and the legs didn't feel to good at work(I have to make MULTIPLE trips up one floor to get parts for my job).

Edited by BrianAndR 2010-08-13 5:20 PM
2010-08-13 5:21 PM
in reply to: #3042858

Master
3888
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Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: What time is too early to wake-up to work out?
I heard of a study (oh yeah, another one of those research things)..

Anyhow it stated that on average the body temp is higher in the afternoon/late afternoon so performance will be 3-5% better etc. since body temp is lowest just before you wake up.

Another study showed that brain performance was enhanced after some physical excersize etc.

So maybe our lawyer friend will be sharper in the AM just after a good workout.  Or maybe not, falling asleep in court, that would be a hoot, anybody see My Cousin Vinny?

Bottom line is personal preference and/or schedule.
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