On my morning run past all the dark houses I wondered how early do some people have to get up to get there run in. I guess It was really an observation on myself that since the TRI bug has crept into my soul I plan my day around my workouts so I make sure I can get them in. By the way my alarm went off at 3:45am so I could get my 8 miles in before I headed of to work my 12 hour day. I LOVE IT!!!
Whoa - when do you go to bed? I’m up at 5:00-5:15 for early swims but that’s it.
one night last week, i had gone out, actually thursday night, and when i came home at 4:45 am, I just wasn’t tired, so i got on my bike and time trialed a street for over an hour. Believe me, after that i was tired.
Running in the dark is awesome. I have been doing all my runs in the morning. Tuesday I got up at 2am and was at the track at 3:15. Wednesday I did my long run mid morning because I start work later, but today I got up at 2 am again to get my run in before work. I feel more fresh in the morning versus coming home from work and being a bit tired. I don’t think it’s a big deal as long as you get enough sleep.
I must add that I really have no other commitments besides work so going to bed at 6 or 7 pm is not a problem. Once IM Florida is over though I will not be getting up this early at all. I wouldn’t be able to do this year round, but during the build up for a race I like to be well rested going into a session. It just so happens that 3 am is that time for me.
I hear ya, I wake up at 3:00 am every day, get to my workout at 4:30 and get to work by 7:00.
It’s nice cause it’s the first thing I do so I rarey miss a workout due to hassles in the day.
Several years ago I regularly got up between 4:00 and 4:30 to fit in a run, but I’ve sort of convinced myself that I shouldn’t be doing them “cold” at my age (56). I don’t know if there is any sense to this rationale at all. I’m an early riser anyhow (5:15 +/-), so getting up an hour earlier wasn’t all that much more difficult. But I’m also a very poor sleeper, so that extra hour helps. If I get five good hours of sleep a night, I’m lucky. Really and truly. I literally NEVER sleep longer than eight hours a night, and maybe once a month I’ll make it to seven hours.
Early morning running is very special, and I can relate to what you say. Maybe I’ll get back into that groove again, sleep be damned!
steve, we’ll see you at zofingen this weekend?
Interesting thread - have always risen and run early. Still do - up at 0345 or 0400 every morning and run once I get to the city. Nothing like watching the sun rise five or six miles into a ten miler!
Am curious about how triathletes deal with logistics of jobs that involve long daily commutes (mine is 90 minutes each way by train) and frequent, unpredictable and hectic travel (am on the road 2-3 weeks / month, usually on the west coast or in Europe - I live in NY metro area). It’s really made it tough to get in swimming, not to mention figuring where and when to bike - and still spend enuf time with my (already patient enuf to qualify for sainthood) wife so that she doesn’t tear up my USAT card. Road trips are great for running, 'cuz I can get up at incredibly early hours and pound out the miles, and some hotels have decent pools - but biking suffers the most. How do others manage this?
Whoa - what do you do for the 1.5 hours in-between? When I run in the morning, I get up, put my running clothes on, and am out the door within 15 minutes. I walk for ten minutes before I start running just to warm up. If it’s going to be a long run, I’ll pound back a Boost and grab a pre-made camelback with gatorade on my way out the door.
I love being an early riser (5am for me). I feel like I get so much more done when I get up early. I actually find that I don’t like running to much in the morning, because I run much slower, like :30-1:00 slower. That’s mostly because it takes me forever to warm up. So, most of the time I get up, eat, and spend some times with the dogs…that way I can workout at lunch and right after work and not feel guilty that my “girls” are home all alone.
-bcreager
"my alarm went off at 3:45am "
What time do you go to bed?
I like to get 7-8 hrs sleep. Getting 8 hrs would mean going to bed at 7:45. PM. Haven’t been hitting the sack that early since around grade 1.
Whoa - what do you do for the 1.5 hours in-between
Wake up
Start coffee, eat small breakfast, iron work clothes, make lunch, walk dog for about 45 minutes. My dog can’t run because she had double hip surgery, make wife’s coffee…all that in about 1 hour. Leave house at 4:00, arrive at gym to start workout at 4:30. I bike and run indoors during the week usually. I’ll workout until about 6:30 and then get to work at about 7:00.
one night last week, i had gone out, actually thursday night, and when i came home at 4:45 am, I just wasn’t tired, so i got on my bike and time trialed a street for over an hour. Believe me, after that i was tired. <<
That’s awesome man!
You guys make me feel like a slacker - here I was thinking I was truly dedicated getting up by 5:00 am while all you sickos are getting up 1-2 hours before me. My wife already thinks I am certifiable because I go to bed nlt 9:00 pm to be able to get up at 5. What in the world would she think if I started going to bed at 7:00 pm so I can get up by 3:00 AM?
Last couple of weekends have been rough for me… I normally wake at 4:15am… However, longer rides and family commitments had me on the trainer last weekend at 3:45am. I paid the price, because I haven’t been able to get out of bed this week and have missed more workouts then I done… But with 22 day’s away from my first IM and burnout right at the edge, I’ll regroup and have a great taper.
<<You guys make me feel like a slacker - here I was thinking I was truly dedicated getting up by 5:00 am while all you sickos are getting up 1-2 hours before me. My wife already thinks I am certifiable because I go to bed nlt 9:00 pm to be able to get up at 5. What in the world would she think if I started going to bed at 7:00 pm so I can get up by 3:00 AM? >>
You’re not a slacker man. You probably enjoy spending time with your wife in the evening and then go to bed at 9pm. I’m single so going to bed at 6 or 7 doesn’t interfere with anyone else, whereas, if you would do it I’m sure your wife would have no problem with you going to bed at 6 as long as it is on the SOFA!
However, longer rides and family commitments had me on the trainer last weekend at 3:45am.
That is crazy. I would never start at 3:45 am on the weekend and you’re doing it on the trainer. I would be so miserable. Weekends are devoted to 10 hours of sleep a night and not out the door at the earliest 9am.
How do you people do this consistently/repeatedly? Please enlighten me. I can do it periodically usually at the beginning of a mesocycle (17-20 hours a week). I simply can’t get myself out of bed-- and feel like I need more sleep. I’m a big time afternoon eve training person—but want to convert…Any thoughts?
Sorry if it seems like I’m hijacking this thread…
Spinney
3:00am!? that’s like the middle of the night!! I’m up at 4:30, out the door at 4:45 if I’m running before work. I have to be at work at 6a.
The amazing thing is that when I arrive at the gym there is always at least 15 people already there.