Practice getting up early for Half or Full?

[postesf]

I'm just wondering how many of you guys "practice" or attempt to train your body to wake up early for your Half or Full Marathon.

Since we have to be on the last bus at 4am (and aim for earlier!!!) for the day of the event, I'm wondering if over the next few weekends, I should try to get up early and then just take a nap in the afternoon.

I belive I've read that leading up to the event, you could/should do this with your food... Eating breakfast early and then going back to bed...

What do y'all do? Anything?

 

[solotraveler]

HECK no!!!


To be honest, with all the excitement you'll be up and rearing to go, I promise. And if you get up at, let's say 2:30, that's 3.5 hours before the race starts so you'll be nice, awake and good to go.

I can't advise on the eating thing. In past races I have eaten before leaving for the buses (a bagel, a banana and water) and just taken a couple GU before the start... but that's something you may want to play around with to see what works best for you..

Less than 30 days now....

Kevin

 

[wtpclc]

Nope, never have. I do my LRs 1 hour after I get up on Saturdays, but that's not earlier than 8 am. lol.

The adrenaline will get you up. You won't really sleep anyway. I tend to get in Fridya and am to excited about being in WDW to sleep. Get up early Sat to cheer fro teh half. DOn't sleep Sat due to race. (Heck, in 07 I was at the hospital with my mom until after 8 pm, didn't have dinner until 9). While I'm exhausted when finished, that's kind of going to happen no matter what. You'll be fine!

 

[DianeL]

in the past we haven't gotten up early or practiced prior.

in 2008 though our schedule went like this...

thursday - flew down. flight departure 7 am meant we were on our way to the airport by 4 am. in room early that night.

friday morning - we did the 5K. up for the 1st bus over. think we were up at 3 am? i'd have to see a bus schedule from that day to be exact LOL in room early again.

saturday - cathy volunteered and mom and I joined the wishers to cheer.. so again ... EARLY morning. we were back at the room by early afternoon, tired after the morning and wanting to avoid crowds. we prepped our clothes and race day food. grabbed dinner fairly early. by 7 i think we were in the hot tub chilling out. showers. and in bed by 9 pm. this was the MOST sleep i had ever before a race.

sunday - up at 2:30 am for the full marathon.

this year will be the same. Mom is running the 5K. we are doing the Half and all volunteering for the full. I think you need to do what is best for you and you will find yourself waking up for the race thanks to nerves. i don't think practice is needed. but if you are around on friday morning with nothing to day LOL come join us cheering at the 5K. it will be a little practice but a whole lot of fun

set the alarm, set the wake up call and thanks to neither working the morning of our 2007 Turkey Trot I now bring my wind up travel clock. Or set the alarm on your phone that would be a nice 3rd back up. But frankly you'll probablly be awake before ANY of those go off LOL The Turkey Trot this year had me eyeing the clock before it ever thought to go off. Races just do that to ya

Happy training!!!!

I have to recheck this but so far it appears the MI crew (sure sure Kevin lives where there is sun now but still counts) have answered how funny is that? LOL And Carrie I don't think long days should start before 8 am either. Must be my hibernating tendency

 

[Aisleleven]

The important night to get your sleep in is actually Thursday night.

I usually try to eat an early dinner on Friday (around 5-ish) and then just take it easy. I generally don't fall asleep before 10-10:30 but I do go back to the room and just relax, get my stuff together, wind down and conserve my energy. And just because it is Disney and we are staying at the Contemporary, I will go out and watch the fireworks since that is generally not too taxing.

My longs are early on Saturday mornings (before the sun comes out and the temperature rises) so I am used to getting up at the un-G-dly hour.

I'm not really a breakfast person so I can't help you with the eating thing. I usually have a banana before we leave the hotel and some Gu at the start...

 

[wtpclc]

Aisleleven is right about 2 night sbefore beign the most important day to get sleep.

However, don't panic if you don't. I don't sleep fo a week before WDW trips.

 

[dsnyfan21]

I get up early anyway to do my LR because I walk and don't want to be out too long in the South Florida sun. Don't think you need to practice as with nerves and excitement you'll be up.
I think the food thing does cause issues for some people. I know I usually don't and/or can't eat alot early in the AM, my stomach can't really handle it. So that part you may want to try out. Get up, eat something and move around for some time, go out and walk for an hour or something. If you just get up and eat something and then go back to bed it's not the same. You don't want an upset tommy or bowels before you even start your race.

Tracy

 

[scoolover]

I'd say to practice going to bed early.

 

[JimB.]

Sleep the night before? What's that?

I NEVER have a problem getting up. It's getting sleep that is the problem. Seriously, whether I am playing bike medic or running, I am up about 2:30 am.

That's enough time to get going without PANICKING (OMG!!!!! I AM GOING TO BE LATE !!!!!!!!! Where's my food!!?? Where's my clothes??!! Where's my Bib??!!. Gotta' go NOW!!!! Oh crap! I forgot to get dressed!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!! ).

I slowly wake up, get dressed, eat, catch a bus & make it to the start with about 1 1/2 hours to spare.

THEN I usually fall asleep on the asphalt in a corral someplace.

 

[Duanerice]

Why in the world would I want to practice getting up at 2:30 - 3:00? I only do that twice a year for the half and full

Seriously I don't practice getting up early but as other said, living in South Florida we get out early. I will be out by 6:30 tomorrow for a 10 miler (have the day off) and out by 6:00 on Saturday for my 20 miler.

Between getting up for the 5K, half and full I won't remember how to sleep in.....
enjoy,
Duane

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Practice going to bed early. That is the best advice.

You won't sleep. Not too many do. It's part of the fun of it all. I've never practiced getting up early though. Haven't even practiced going to bed early. Oh well.