Monday, December 1, 2008

"Wanna Join Me?"

It's awesome when three little words can transform your workout.

The short question, "Wanna join me?" has the ability to change your workout from a boring aerobic just get the miles in day into a solid threshold effort that leaves you feeling like you actually accomplished something.

This morning I dragged my butt out of bed early to get my swim in before Scott went to work. Now that I'm on my own all day, every day, watching my 5 week old daughter, any workout not involving the baby jogger or the bike trainer has to be pre-arranged with Scott and completed when the sun is not out. Getting up early poses a special challenge when you're up most of the night feeding or otherwise entertaining your baby who decided that being a night owl is cool.

Didn't you know that sleeping is the new interval training? It comes in sets of 2... 2 hours on, 2 hours off...

Anyway, after just 2 cycles of 2 hours of sleep, I managed to find my espresso machine and get myself out the door and to the pool when it opened this morning. I used to really like morning workouts, and I have hopes that one day I'll like them again... maybe in a few months if Moana figures out that nighttime = sleep. Hey, one of these months she's going to be old enough to learn to 'scream it out'* and you know what? I might just let her.

Back to my story.

So I get to the pool this morning and after a lackluster 1000 meter warm-up, I start in on a set of descending 400's. I wasn't feeling especially motivated until I saw a woman 2 lanes down who appeared to be a decent swimmer. Since we were both stopped at the wall after my first 400, I looked over in her direction and said, "Hey, I've got 3 more 400's. Wanna join me?" To my delight, she put down the kickboard she was grabbing for and said "Sure!"

Awesome.

It was great to have someone to work out with this morning. We both had a better workout because of the other. And after it was over, I got her name. I told her I'd be there again on Friday, hopefully with a few other friends in tow...

*I think the politically correct term here is 'self-soothe'. Makes us all feel not so cruel after all.

6 comments:

N.D. said...

Wow. You are impressive and inspiring! I was already thinking about having little sleep and then having to get up to try to workout. Great motivation that you have!!! And it always makes it easier with someone else!! Nice work Mama!!!

X-Country2 said...

What a great turn of events! Way to make it all work.

Kate Parker said...

You have motivated me to set that darn alarm (sometime) this week for an early AM workout. Feels SO good to get it done early....but SO hard to do.

Angela and David said...

The morning workouts on no sleep are so tough, plus factoring in time to pump before you leave. The amount of pre-planning required for a workout is astonishing but it's motivation to make them count. Sounds like you made it count this morning.

RunningMama said...

I can't even contemplate getting up early to exercise at this point! You are a rock star! The hours of 4-8 are my hubby's shift and my prime sleeping time!

Jennifer Harrison said...

Oh yes! Your posts remind me of the early years with my twins. I remember telling myself..."You can do ANYTHING on 4 hours of sleep." It is so funny how it is magical if you get 4 hours of continuous sleep. Of course, it took FOREVER...but it does happen. the twins are 6 1/2 now, so sleep is not an issue...but, KEEP up the good work!!!! It will pay off. :) Jen H.