Getting up at 4:45 am is not fun. Even for me. Especially when my bike and trainer are set up in the garage and it is 14 degrees out. So what do you do on those mornings, when your only opportunity for a 30-90 minute ride is before the rest of the world wakes up?

Think first about the benefits of early morning training, especially if you are a parent. The kids are sleeping, the phone will likely not ring, the rest of the day can just "happen", it is some time to yourself. Many times things happen during the day that blow evening workouts, leaving us with a sense of disappointment and failure. By getting things done before life has a chance to throw a curve ball, you are ahead of the game.

Have your equipment ready. Set up the bike and trainer somewhere that it is always ready to go. Have a TV and VCR and a fan in front of you. Ready to go. Having it ready eliminates set up time. Excuse eliminated.

Even have your clothes ready. In my bathroom I have a floor heating vent, that I set all of my stuff in front of. I make a pile of everything I need to wear. For a morning garage ride that means bike shorts, tights, turtleneck, jersey, gloves and shoes. In my shoes I use disposable toe warmers, one on top and one on bottom of my tootsies. When the alarm rings I look forward to the warm set of clothing waiting for me. Excuse eliminated.

Have breakfast ready. The coffee pot grind out a fresh cup for me before I hit the kitchen, knowing that freshly ground cup of java is waiting is more incentive to move. And I am known to sip coffee during my ride (sip I said), to keep me warm on the inside. On your kitchen counter lay it out, the bar, the oatmeal, the fruit, whatever it is. Remove the need to prepare. Excuse eliminated.

Think about obstacles: analyze what it is that keeps you from getting things done when you really want to, but don't dwell. For every excuse there is a solution. What it comes down to, is why. Why are you in this game? Whatever the reason, it is worth it. Your health, your sanity, can be found in the early morning hours when no one is around. It can set the stage for a more productive day.

At 7am I have ridden 85 minutes, had a post workout breakfast, and I can squeeze 30 minutes of work in before my son rolls out of bed and the day really begins. So try an early morning workout, plan it out to eliminate excuses. Enjoy the time to yourself, it will do wonderful things for you.