About 4 months ago, I decided to get serious about swimming. I didn't know how to swim well, so I took some classes from a local Masters club, and my swimming technique advanced considerably. The classes are over now, and I would like to continue with learning to swim better, so the next logical step is to join the Masters club.
But I have a dilemma, I'm a night person by nature, and most of the Masters workout times at close-by pools are at 5:30 AM. In order to get a little bit of something to eat, and for travel time, I would have to get up about 5AM. For my whole life I have been a night person and typically go to bed after midnight unless I'm sick. I wake up about 7AM, and think it would be a struggle for me to get up two hours earlier than that.
For those of you in early morning workouts, how do you deal with getting up so early? For the morning people it's probably easy. Are any of you night people who been able to make it to those early workouts? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
Former Member
am workouts are tough to get up for, regardless of age. once you start getting your body used to getting up at 5 am, you'll probably fall asleep earlier than midnight.
trust me, if you start working out at 5:30 in the mornings, you will be wanting to crash around 9pm.
i have never been a morning person, but believe me - once you hit that COLD water, YOU WILL WAKE UP. i think that i have better workouts in the mornings, so it's a love-hate relationship.
have fun!
s.
Originally posted by Sparky
It's something you get used to. I'm a night person, but early mornings have become the only time of the day I can swim. My workday usually lasts 10 hours or more, and I can easily blow off going to the gym after a long day. If it's the first thing I do in the day, that makes it much easier. Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I work long hours also, and it is easy for me to skip an after-work workout (I have on many occasions). It's going to take some personal discipline to force myself to wake up early. And here I am posting late at 12:50AM. It's going to be a tough habit to break.
I tried to do morning practices, but for some reason I just don't swim as well in the morning as I do later in the day, I have no clue why, maybe because at that point I did not really eat anything and my body is not feeling energetic ...
Hi,
It just takes getting used to. However, after several weeks, it gets a lot easier and it won't seem like such a big thing.
As the previous posters said, you'll be sound asleep by 9.30!!
You could also gradually break yourself in- decide when your first practice will be and then start getting up earlier (I did that, end set my alarm 10 minutes earlier each day for a couple of days).
Good luck!
I am also a night owl (or used to be) until I started swimming from 5:15 to 7:30 am. It just forces you to sleep earlier. I work 10 + hour days as well especially at this time of the year.
The workout in the morning helps me make it through the day.
Now I have no choice but to get up since I am the one who opens up the pool!!
It's something you get used to. I'm a night person, but early mornings have become the only time of the day I can swim. My workday usually lasts 10 hours or more, and I can easily blow off going to the gym after a long day. If it's the first thing I do in the day, that makes it much easier.
It also serves as a good motivator. When my alarm clock goes off at 5 and I try to talk myself into two more hours of sleep, I just remind me: This is the only chance you'll get to swim today. Then I hop right out of bed.
Hope this helps!
Adam
