[ncuneo]

...how do you wake up? So generally everything is laid out for me the night before I role out of bed and go at 5am. But that means I spend the first 1/2 mile to mile waking up and the then 2-3 mile run I do suffers because I'm tired. On the weekends I wake up am up for an hour or so and then run and I run SO much better. I walk hard for a 1/2 mile and then run well for 3 miles or more and end with another 1/2 miles to mile of good walking.

Today I set my alarm earlier am up drinking a little water w/ lemon and a splash of apple cider vinegar (heard it can give you enery) popped on here to wake up my brain and then will go. I already feel more awake so I'm hopeful I have a good run this morning, but what else could I do to wake up and have a quality run? I don't want to do coffee (I need that at work and don't want to add more to my day) I've thought about those 5 hour energy's but those scare me...eating does nothing for me and I like to eat my breakfast later in the morning anyway. Hopefully this does the trick, but does anyone else have any tips?

[chnkymonkey]

I have been getting up at 5am to meet friends at 5:30 for a workout (running usually included).

I find that the time it takes me to drive to where we meet is my wakeup time. Its 10 mins. We then spend a few mins stretching and solcializing before we start our workout. Again, its a little bit so that we all wake up. Then we start our run or our workout.

I have found that I have to eat just a little something before my workouts, so I have 1/2 a banana before leaving the house. Otherwise I just don't have the energy to run.

[LotusMama]

I wake up at least 45 minutes to an hour before running and have a little food to give me energy for a run--usually oatmeal or a banana and a few almonds. By the time I start running, I am usually wide awake.

J

[WarMaiden]

I get up at 5:30 every morning to exercise--either strength training at home, or I bike to work. However, I almost never have a really good workout at this time of day, because I am simply not a morning person. I have come to accept that my performance is usually sub-standard first thing in the morning, and there's really nothing I can do about it. Coffee would probably perk me up and give me a better workout, but I don't drink it every day due to my insulin resistance. So, oh well.

I am considering changing my workout strategy a little to shift my Saturday strength training to the afternoon or evening, because I can work out about 50% harder and better at that time. But on the other days of the week, due to my tight schedule, that's just not a possibility.

The way I figure it, by working out at ALL, I am already doing far more than most people do. And I am definitely seeing lots of progress in my strength and muscle definition and fitness and weight loss, despite the crappy quality of my morning workouts. Just doing it is enough.

[trooworld]

I get up at 5:20 a.m. monday - friday to go for a run/walk. I hang around the house and drink coffee and play on the internet until about 6:10, and then walk to the park to run. I think just getting up early enough to sit around and wake up and drink coffee does the trick. Also, getting enough sleep. I go to sleep anywhere from 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. sunday - thursday. Do you like tea? Or even just plain hot water with lemon. Anything hot, I think would help wake you up. Good luck!

[stella1609]

I have to get up at least half an hour to an hour before I go running--if I don't get my breakfast in, I just don't perform as well. That being said, since I got promoted and have to be in at 8 instead of 9, I've had to move my runs to my off and late shift days.

[Rochester]

Everything I did the day before affects how I feel in the morning - not enough water, too many calories, too much sodium, not enough sleep, too much wine . If I've been treating my body right, it's quite happy to leap out of bed and head out for a run.

And I have to eat something before a run. I mean, it's usually been about 12 hours since I've eaten so my body has no fuel. My go-to food is half a banana, but other fruits work well too.

[Onederchic]

I have never been an early riser and most likely never will be . That said, I just wanted to wish ya lots of luck with this

[parkedout]

I wake up around 5am. Have some water... and start laundry, pick up the kitchen or living room or give the bathroom a once over (usually about 20 minutes of light work) THEN I go out and run.

I don't like running half asleep... its hard enough to get my bum out there to start with! Plus I don't feel like I am 'wasting time' by being out exercising instead of picking up the house because I already got started on it, and the laundry takes 45 minutes to run anyways! Sometimes I have to trick myself like that.

[ennay]

I run a little slower in the morning but that doesnt really hurt your workout and I am more energized the rest of the day. It will get better as you get used to it, but I will always be more sluggish at 5:00 than at 9:00. Some of it is sleepiness, some of it is the body is more stiff after sleeping and just doesnt move well.

[thesame7lbs]

I like to be up for 20-30 minutes before I set out. I usually drink 1/2 cup of coffee and have either a banana, some yogurt or a bit of cottage cheese (like 1/4 cup). I feel like I need a little fuel in me to really have any get-up-and-go.

If you're trying to limit your coffee, maybe a cup of tea would hit the spot -- even iced (you could make it the night before).

ParkedOut, I LOVE your idea of starting the laundry. I am always behind on the laundry, so that is the perfect thing for me to do. Plus, the extra trip down the basement stairs will help get me going!