Early Morning Wake-Up Strategies? (Rowing Issues)

Hello all!

I have been a crew member and rower for both my high school team and the Leander Boat Club for the past two years and most definitely enjoy the sport, team-work and leadership aspects associated with rowing itself. However, waking up at hours such as 4:40am for practice six times a week can prove a bit of a chore, even after I have created a sleeping regime which effectively sends me off to sleep after some meditation at 9pm on the nights before practice. When waking up, are there any effective ways at quickly engaging the mind without having to resort to coffee or other caffeinated beverages, else any other gimmicks? I often set multiple alarms, yet this simply serves to annoy every member of the household while also rendering me rather heated towards my various clocks as well. Does anyone wish to share any early morning wake up tricks with me, and if there are other rowers out there, do you have any rowing-specifics methods that you employ?

Thanks for the help!

For those who would like a brief, random fact-based introduction to the sport: http://www.usrowing.org/About/Rowing101/QuickFacts.aspx


Cheers!

~Lorian~

I've found orange juice to be helpful. Besides that a good stretch is pretty nice. Though, personally, I wake pretty easy even at odd hours. Have you tried some upbeat music? Maybe if you kept your ipod next to you when you slept you could catch a good song without bothering your family members.

Good luck!

I have yet to try the orange juice as a means of waking up. Perhaps I'll switch up my usual glass of milk with that tomorrow morning? Thank you for the suggestions! The iPod idea definitely sounds, quite literally, like a good way to go about things

Thanks again, Wendaline!

I know this may sound odd, but have you ever considered trying breathing exercises for energy? In yoga it is referred to as pranayama. They have some wild names, but I've found that pranayama can help with all types of things!
There will be videos on YouTube or articles online about pranayama for energy. I'm also available if you' like to discuss it further.
Good luck!

I have heard of yoga-specific breathing exercises, yet have never really tried any nor gone into great lengths as to actually see what it is all about. Do you mind sending me a link to a youtube video, else a page where I could read up on it? And do you use these exercises yourself, Reliah?

Thank you for your help!

(Rowing sure is an odd sport ;P)

No problem. You'll have to tell me how it goes tomorrow.

Will do!

If you get a relatively incomprehensible message tomorrow at around 4:50, consider the orange juice to be a success

Here is a video that is fairly basic. Keep in mind, this is only one of very many different styles.

http://youtu.be/Cdk5En3xwIA

I do pranayama often, yes. Kundalini Yoga is centered around it, chakras, and energy movement. It's much different than other types of yoga, but I love it.

A healthy high energy breakfast, orange juice, and something I do is before falling asleep I focus on what time I want to wake up, it seems to work since I always beat my alarm by 10 mins and feel more alert and energetic than when I don't focus on the desired wake up time....

This may sound a little whacky, but bear with me. I frequently use a program called I-Doser to help me fall asleep and wake up. I'll spare you the tech babble (believe me, I could go on for hours), but basically the program uses sound waves to manipulate brain activity. In short it can take you from an awake state to one of deep sleep (and vice versa) in a matter of minutes. As an audio engineer, I've done extensive digging into the science behind this, and I was blown away by the extensive subject matter. If you're interested, you can check out a free version of the program here .

Lorian wrote: I often set multiple alarms, yet this simply serves to annoy every member of the household while also rendering me rather heated towards my various clocks as well.

Awesome. LOL.

My method is simple. The alarm goes off...my wife rolls over to avoid said sound...I zombie my way to the bathroom sink...splash cold water on my face and voila!

The morning is great again!

Good luck to you on your morning routine.

And FYI, option B is the 10 month old, or 2 year old deciding to cry about 8-11 minutes before my alarm goes off. That's another good way to wake up, but it's not for the faint of heart, lol.

Could also use what we called (in navy boot camp)rickie wake up juice...coffee, orange juice, and chocolate milk mixed together...it'll definitely wake you up....amongst other things....

I have found that waking up is, from time to time, related to how you go to sleep. When I take just a few minutes to put your clothes out, drink a glass of water (not a sugar drink), and meditate just a few moments before I nod off, I sleep better and wake up prepared, even after six hours of sleep.

Understand, the body is not designed to work on six hours of sleep indefinitely, and will start fighting back if you do not take care of it. Think of it as a Force imbalance, if you will. Eight hours of uninterrupted, peaceful sleep is preferred if you have the time.

Your dedication to your sport and team is admirable. Continue to be a positive influence.

MTFBWY,

Robert

I have a solution that works every time: don't go rowing at 4:40 AM. We used to wake up early in the military and it was sheer stupidity but very good for brainwashing. I usually shaved when I woke up which is really effective if you cut yourself the first few times.

RyuJin wrote: Could also use what we called (in navy boot camp)rickie wake up juice...coffee, orange juice, and chocolate milk mixed together...it'll definitely wake you up....amongst other things....

Sick, dude! That would cause me to start my morning by barfing, I think.

The orange juice, focusing, music and mutliple alarms seems to work quite well this morning! Thanks again for the suggestions, everyone! Reliah, I have yet to watch the video on breathing exercises, and that brain-wave programme sounds very cool indeed! Coffee, orange juice...and chocolate milk? Tempting Haha, a good sleep certainly is an essential piece in the battle for waking up, and I am greatful to you all for the support during my trials with this obscure yet terribly enjoyable sport

Any good post-workout snacks? I'M STARVING!!!

~Lorian~

I am glad to hear that your morning is going well.

Banana's are amazing post-workout snacks. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals, natural sugars, and are somewhat filling.

MTFBWY,

Robert

Yogurt, I found, was a nice way to recover this morning. I normally pack oranges, an apple, some mixed vegetables and usually some wheat products as well. As for the bananas, I should probably invest in some Thank you for the recommendation!

Did you enjoy your morning, Robert?

May the Force be with you as well

Cheers!

~Lorian~

ive always heard chugging a glass of water was a good way to rehydrate yourself and jump start your metabolism in the mornings. tho i dont always do it, myself.

I get why the coffee and the chocolate milk with orange juice does it, because if you mix them all up it turns very bitter. Very good. That's a very good idea.