Struggle- and the buddy system

Getting out of bed is always a struggle.

  It doesn't matter if i go to bed at 8pm or 2am.  

When my alarm clock goes off at 5 or 6 am, I cringe.

The same held true for today.  

I think I mentioned to you all in some form of a motivational post about getting together with a running group.  If you have someone to meet in the morning you are more likely to get out of bed and get your work out in.  It works really well when your workout buddy is also your neighbor.

If you don't have anyone close- that is OKAY.  We have another system.  I started a facebook group called the "Morning Marathoners"  where she share our times, pictures, struggles, and post about our runs.  It is a virtual running group, if you will, and keeps everyone accountable for their runs (or lack there of).  With our crazy schedules, this group is a nice way to check in, keep on track, and motivate our friends to run a little farther or a little faster. 

If I was alone this morning, I never would have gotten out of bed.  That extra hour of sleep is so much more valuable to me than those three miles.  With that said, it feels really great to have my workout done in the morning.   The run also didn't feel terrible.  Cold air on the lungs and some cold hands, but sure beats the humid summer we just had. 

Why is waking up so hard for me?  

Why is getting out the door so hard?  

I want to continue running through the winter, and mornings really are the easiest times.  

But it has been such a struggle lately.  

I lay out my clothes, I meet up with buddies, I think I am doing everything right.    But it has not been enough lately.  I am going to try to go once a week to a 5:30 spin class.  Getting up at 5 to spin will make getting up at 6 to run a little easier... maybe?

I think  another trick is going to be an old school cheapo coffee maker that I can set on a timer in the morning.  The smell of hot coffee wafting through my tiny apartment just might do the trick.  

If you need to jump back on the morning bandwagon, 

here is some more motivation for you (and me). 

FUN FACTOID: 

• Not exercising: Research shows you continue burning calories up to 24 hours after working out, and studies also show that morning exercises burn more calories than those who sweat it out during other times of the day. If you’re planning on exercising anyway, for maximum calorie burn, your best bet is to get it done in the a.m. Include high intensity cardio intervals since challenging yourself is proven to activate fat-burning genes, which translates to an increased post-workout calorie burn — 100 to 200 more.  Read the full article here

MORNING RUNNER GIRL

 I just found this girl on the blog world today and I am hoping that reading about her 6am runs guilts me into mine.  Check out her blog HERE

REWARDS

I know people like to say:

But call me what you like, I use food as a reward.  And today it was a delicious home made frittatta waiting for me .  The faster I get out there and run, the faster I can get to my well earned breakfast. 

 

RESIST SNOOZE

Resist the snooze button.  Period.  

I will hit this button until the VERY last possible second.  

Those 5 minute intervals of extra sleep just aren't worth it.  

Any tips you are willing to share?