Morning run help

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6/1/12 7:47 A

Thanks for all the suggestions once again. I went for a run this morning again and it went well. I was in bed at 10, which I'm sure my roommate laughed at, and then up at 5. I had a bowl of frosted mini-wheats which had a bunch of whole grains in it and then just added a little milk. That felt much better on the run. Also drank about 24 oz of water before I left at 5:30. Had the greek yogurt again after which was great because it was nice and cool out of the fridge. :) We'll see how this goes. I'll probably try running with only water in the morning next to see how I like that. Didn't have any problem in the afternoon last time and I'm hoping it stays that way. Extra calories eaten in the morning may be helping that.

current weight: 7.4  over

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5/31/12 4:54 P

I think people are hitting the right things here. It's important to get to bed early enough the night before so you are not losing sleep. And I also think it is good to get some good carbs and water before starting. Whole wheat toast with honey or peanut butter, for example.

current weight: 197.5

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180

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5/31/12 10:52 A

I just got back into running in the mornings about a month ago. I know they say you shouldn't, but I generally run on an empty stomach. My alarm is set for 4:45 a.m., I just throw my stuff on and go. Out the door between 4:50 and 4:55, usually home again about 5:30. Then I make myself a smoothy with fruit, protein powder, vege-green powder, and a little fish oil, and get ready for work. The two most important things for me to make this successful are being prepared (lunch packed for work the night before, etc.) and making sure I get to bed at a reasonable time. If anything happens that keeps me up later than usual, it's just far too easy to just turn off the alarm clock and go back to sleep.

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5/30/12 11:39 A

Sounds pretty good.

I would reverse the cereal and greek yogurt too- maybe it's my imagination, but I think my bowl of cheerios and blueberries is a bit of carbs for energy to run, while the greek yogurt or eggs go to recovery!

The other thing I forgot to suggest, and I say this from my own experience- when I was a 20-something in college and in law school, I stayed up way too late, and did not get a good nght's sleep. Working out for me was mainly running then, and I did so at night, or at the gym at night on the indoor track or a treadmill. I'd rather go out and drink a beer or 3, try to meet some girls, or just stay up and play video games!

Now, I get to sleep by no later than 11 pm, and usually by 10:30 pm or so. You need to get rest to be able to routinely get up by 5:30 or so.

Easier for me to do now, as a 40-something with a wife, kids, and job, than it was for me to do as a college student with nothing tying me down and a lack of self-discipline!

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5/30/12 10:38 A

Thanks for the suggestions. It went good this morning. Just hoping I don't get tired in the afternoon here. I woke up at 5:30, had some fat-free greek yogurt, checked email and stuff so that I wasn't running right after eating, then ran just 3 miles at 6 and was in the shower by 6:30. It went good, so much nicer with the bit of cool air. I had a small bowl of cereal after. I might switch the order next time, the yogurt seemed to sit a little funny in my stomach when I was running. Now I just need to find a gym in this area that is affordable. And get used to these so that I can wake up earlier to run further next time.

current weight: 7.4  over

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5/30/12 10:10 A

I try to run at about 6:30 am, and definitely am out the door by 7 am for a run. I usually drink a cup of coffee and a glass of water and have a light bowl of cereal about 30-45 minutes before I run. So, I get up at about 5:30-5:45.

I'll have a second cup of coffee and a couple of hard boiled eggs about 1 hour or so after I get to work, which is about 10 am for "breakfast #2".

I eat normal lunch and dinner, and before hitting the sack I will eat a bowl of fruit and/or greek yogurt.....

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5/29/12 5:47 P

I live near Little Rock and it gets hot here, I had still been running in the heat but just this morning I did a morning run again and it felt like I was starting all over from day one...lol My body was not use to being up this early so I was struggling, I usually do 9 miles but I cut it to 6 this morning...lol.

When I was in the military here I had to get up at 5am to go to the gym and workout then be at work by 7am. It was rough for about a month there as I recall but once you get into the habit it is easier. It also helps if you have a partner to workout with. Good Luck

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5/29/12 2:56 P

Hey guys, so I was gone from spark for a couple weeks because I relocated across the country for a summer/fall internship. I gained a few pounds in that time but now I'm trying to get back into the sucessful habits I was in. I used to run 3 days a week after I got off work, but I moved south and its 90-100 by the time 4:30 rolls around... I'd love to be able to get up and run 3-5 miles before work (have to leave by 7:00am). I was wondering if anyone who has done this before has suggestions for someone who is going to try that. What to eat and when, how to stay awake at work after, etc. Thanks!

current weight: 7.4  over

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