Lactate and 5 a.m. Don't Mix

Ok, as you probably know, I've been fighting with the snooze button lately. I haven't gotten up for an early morning workout in quite some time because I wake up, feel fine, think about my workout, and then pull the covers back over my head battle with the snooze button every 8 minutes for the following 2 hours. I then wake up tired and not excited about starting the day, or squeezing in my workout during lunch or after ball practice. I have managed to get the workouts in somehow, but I miss the early morning. I miss the sunrise. I miss the energy that lasts me all day long after I do my workout early.

I think I finally know why I've been so eager to crawl back under the covers each morning lately. Lactate. My training plan has been filled with the abbreviation "LT" lately. As in yesterday's 70 minute LT bike where I did a10 minute warm up, then 6x5min @LT w/3 min zone 2, then a 10 minute cool down. Or like Tuesday's 55 minute LT run, where I was instructed to do a 10 minute warm up, then 6x5min @LT w/1min rest, followed by a 10 minute cool down. You get the picture. Everywhere I turn, I see "LT". Makes me sorta wanna turn and run away screaming. Kinda like Joe Theisman would probably do if he ran into another kind of LT back on a football field. So give me until noon, and I can work up the courage. But 5:00 a.m.? It reminds me of early morning 800 meter intervals at the track while doing the FIRST marathon program. Is it just me, or can anyone else get a little whiff of the track when you are around it, and almost get a queezy feeling from the distinct mental picture of gutting out intervals as the sun comes up? That's kind of how I've been feeling about these LT workouts. The first 2 or 3 weren't too bad, but lately they've just been more than 5 a.m. can handle.

I know this because as I was getting ready for bed last night I checked my schedule, and saw that my workout consisted of an easy 20 minute run and an 1850 yd swim. The swim was speed work, but the yardage being under 2000, was encouraging to me. I went on to bed as normal, and when the alarm went off this morning I hopped right up. No problem. I went and did the workout without a second thought. I guess the absence of "LT" was so inviting I didn't want to miss out.

I also have a challenge with Papa Louie, as to who will see the sun rise first. But I don't think I can claim victory today, because 1)It was raining and I was swimming indoors before the sun came out, and 2)Even if I had been outside it was so cloudy you couldn't see the sun.

The bottom line is, though, LT or No LT, I need to quit "snoozing". It's addictive. And I'm just being lazy. I'm being lazy not only when the alarm sounds, but also about getting in the bed on time at night. Enforcing discipline of that nature onto myself is how I got where I am. I won't stay here if I don't continue to practice it.

For more on the snooze button, you've gotta read this. Awesome, awesome write up about the little devil.