Today, let's talk about workouts. Specifically, early morning workouts.
So, once upon a time, I would have NEVER gotten up at 5:30am to run or go to the gym. Never. But 2 or 3 years ago, I started meeting my two closest friends for early morning runs. They already had a routine established, and at that point, I was training for a half marathon, but had never actually run with anyone. I was kind of nervous to do so, thinking I couldn't keep up, but it was fine. And more fun. Lots more fun. The early morning part? Well, that wasn't easy, but knowing there were 2 people who were expecting me to meet them helped keep me accountable.
Anyway, fast forward to now. Our workouts have evolved and changed. With Davis in preschool 3 days a week and child care at my gym, you might think I would have moved beyond the early morning workout. And there are days that I don't get it done early. Days that I just want to sleep in til the grand old hour of 7. But even on preschool days, I prefer to get the workout done and have the option of my 4 preschool hours being all mine to get other stuff done. Or, to get a second workout in, but that's just my own little obsession. I like to eat. I don't want to gain weight. So, sometimes, there are two-a-days. Don't judge.
I often have people ask me, "How do you exercise so early? I could never do that!" Well, folks, if I didn't have my friends to keep me accountable, I would turn off my alarm every single morning. But as it is, I (usually) get up when we have an early workout on the calendar. So, if you can find friends to exercise with, do it! Nothing feels better than being done with a workout by 7am, and having the rest of the day ahead of you. Plus, if you exercise with friends, then you have a little social time to kick your day off right.
These days, we don't run quite as much. It used to be two 4 mile runs, and one 6-miler every week. Now we cross-train a lot more. We change it up with running, spinning, and strength. I want to run another half marathon in the next year or so (Rock and Roll Half is coming to Raleigh in 2014 - yay!), and I'm doing the Tar Heel 10 Miler again in April. I love the changes. I used to loathe spin classes. Now, I go 2-3/week and actually look forward to them just a little bit.
The point is this: if you think you can't exercise at the crack of dawn, you can. You really can. Oh, and I've forgotten to tell you the very best part of our early mornings: there is always coffee. Always. We all have the Bruegger's Bottomless Mug cards, so we hit Bruegger's after every early workout and get coffee.
And that's the real reason I get out of bed at 5:30am.
You rock... I wish I had your motivation. I've tried the early run and just can't do it. Of course, right now, I'm having trouble motivating to do any exercise at all! But you are right... friends and coffee make it 1000 times more fun!
ReplyDeleteYou have just confirmed something that tons of health coaches say: schedule workouts with someone else because they'll hold you accountable so you can't bail!
ReplyDeleteYou're tougher than I am, though. I'm a 9:30 Zumba or yoga class-at-the-Y girl most of the time, with the occasional run at some other random time. I have this vague dream that I will plan my runs more regularly so that I could actually train for a half-marathon some day but it hasn't happened yet...
You are an inspiration. Truthfully, it almost has to be done in the morning or it won't get done. That's my problem now. I say I'm going to do it then I don't.
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled across your blog, and well the whole work out hard and then hydrate with margaritas really made me laugh! That's my style. :)
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