Props to the early risers...

I have just in the last month started working out in the mornings before work and sometimes early on weekends, and I love it.  It started as I had a hard time sleeping until my normal time, and instead of laying in bed awake, I started working out. My favorite early morning workouts are rides with no traffic...seriously it is the best time to ride. Plus it is much cooler than later in the day. If I get a workout in a lunch, after work I'm done with workouts and can be with my family more...works great!

Today I ran 5 miles before work. Bike intervals tomorrow morning....can't wait.

You've discovered our dirty little secret.  Welcome to the land of cool temperatures and uncrowded workouts.

I overslept this morning and didn't get up until 4:15.  Gym parking lot was crowded when I got there at 5.  Here's one of my favorite quotes-it's in my log as a reminder to myself.

Train on your time, not your family’s: basically, if you're a busy family person, the sun is up and you're not training then you're either sleeping (which is fine) or you've shifted your training to your family's time. -BT article by Rich Strauss.

Thats just it.  I dont see any other way to do it with 4 kids 4 and under (twins turn 1 in ten day!!).  Some of the longer rides I need to roll in about 9 or 10 on the weekends but some cutting into family time is necessary for longer events.  I am fortunate to have another weirdo (Morey) that will get in the saddle at 4 when everybody is sleeping.  Love to hear the roosters crow or the occassional donkey (no lie there).

...or the confused deer like this morning wondering wtf is coming down the road in the dark? 

It's the best when we're cranking down the road, 20 miles under our belt, and one of us points out it's only 5:30 in the morning.  Haven't seen a car in eons.  I *heart* the early morning action!

Here's something Dan (morey1) and I have talked about before.

Since the vast majority of our riding is done in the dark and early morning light it's actually a thrill on the rare occassions when we are riding in bright sunshine and we can see our shadow on the ground.  It reminds us of videos from Kona.

Within the last month, I've become an early morninger. Between my job, school and training - both my school and training were suffering. So now it's training in the morning. Nights are devoted to me and my school work. Weekends are for my long sessions. I probably will not go back after school is done. I like knowing that the evenings are just for me.

I HATE being a early riser.  Fortunately, I don't have to workout first thing.  I just have to get dressed and get myself to the bus by 5:26, which is hard enough.  But I do that so I can go to the gym once I'm here in the city.  I get to my desk around 6:50, and after I check my email and phone messages, I head over to the gym (usually around 7:30 or so).

If I didn't have this horrid commute, no way would I be getting up at 5 am.  

That said, every day while driving to the bus station, I pass a guy out for his morning run.  He's always there, always at the same time.  Props to the folks who make it happen. 

I have never been an early bird.  I desire the ability to be one, but I just cant fathom waking at 4 am to get a workout in.  As it is, I have to be up at 5 to be at work at 6.  To make matters worse, on my drive out to work, I must pass a dozen or two cyclists heading out to do the Lake Mead Loop.  The weather is perfect, traffic is low, and the sunrise over the lake is beautiful.  When I get off work, it is usually around 108 to 110 degrees, and try talking yourself into a workout at that point.   I guess it all comes down to discipline and the level of commitment.

Crap, I guess I have to start waking at 4 am.  I will be easy to spot, I will be the guy sleeping on his bicycle.