Does Waking up at 5am Make You a Better Runner AND Person?

I woke up at 5am every day for a week to see what would happen to my training and my general well-being. We're always told we need to get up earlier to seize the day but is this not just another example of something similar to toxic masculinity? We need to change the view on sleep and whhat happens without it and what you can do when you get it right!!
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[@mvzinn111]

Getting up at 5 (4:30 am for me) isn't the key. I think it's the consistent sleep pattern (bed time) and consistency (hmmm, where have I heard that before?) over time. Great video Ben!

[@readmelancholystrumpetmaster]

I think it's the key. The tranquility of that hour is unimaginable.

[@HappyPotter24]

Listening to this as I get ready for my run…at 5 am. I think the most important thing is to train at a time that is sustainable for you. For our family’s schedule I can get up early, or go at 8 pm. Unfortunately the couch always wins at 8 pm for me. The right time is the time you can actually get your rear in gear! But if my life looked different…I wouldn’t CHOOSE 5 am. But I’m now used to it and like the quiet and seeing the world wake up!

[@rosieg7582]

I run 100 milers regularly, and I love early morning workouts, I'm up at 4:45 am for a 2-3 hour run or elliptical training. Sleep is a priority and I get 8-9 hrs a night. I also run a small farm & find myself pretty energized all day till about 7pm then start nodding off and getting drowsy, let's just say I don't go to many parties 😂

[@EBoone503]

I hate that I have to wake at 5... dang kids and their school schedules. I am a walking zombie by Wednesday every single week. it's so hard to go from bed to treadmill within 8 mins, so I usually get my workouts in after 2pm.

[@michaelnash4200]

Thank you for this video. I take up at 4 am every weekend to get my workout in before family and work. One thing about your experiment that makes it hard is you only did it for a week, I've been doing it for years. Meaning I trained my mind and body to be comfortable with it.

[@williamthompson.585]

I got up at 0430 this morning to fit in my first half marathon this morning so I could take my little girl to school as per usual, but apart from that, I always get up at 0450 on a run day, it’s so quiet and relaxing, sooo stress free 👍first half in 2h20 for a 49 year old, now the target has been set 🏃🏼‍♂️💨

[@runningwithaj]

I find your experience really interesting. I live in a similar climate and am a primary teacher. I get up at 4:30 and all of my running is done by 6am. I struggle to run at the end of my work day as I’m usually too dehydrated to function properly. Like you said at the end, it comes down to finding your individual preferences. It took months for me to adapt to getting up, and more importantly, going to bed early.

[@stevedom1]

depends what time you go to bed!!!

[@AndrewPawley11]

Good experiment. One suggestion if I may. How about waking at 5 am and trying to build an hour's nap into your schedule? That way you deal with the sleep deprivation issue. I appreciate it may not be entirely straightforward to do but with a bit of lateral thinking it may be possible. Worth a try in my view. All the best.

[@jfarmer911]

I feel so validated after watching this video, especially after having this debate with my boyfriend who is naturally a morning person but also from a culture that views people as lazy and whiny if they don’t take the “just do it” approach to working out. It seems this rhetoric is stronger in the lifting community than the cardio communities.

[@brianconley3772]

Very informative video. I have been getting up at 500 for years now, but I think of it as more of me being in a different time zone than my family. When I first started getting up early, I had a similar experience as you. However, I find that if I get up at the same time every day my body works the best. The trick to keeping this working smoothly is to get to bed at 9:00. Sometimes life gets in the way! I really enjoy walking my dog in the stillness of the early morning, and then also having time for a long run. I am happier knowing that my intense exercise is completed by the time I go to work. I do think that if you kept this up for longer, you would have adjusted, but agree that everyone is different and doing what feels best is probably the best course of action.

[@almorrison2040]

Ben, i think you answered this with how most people do, you started with good intentions, but the discipline required to get quality sleep is what makes it hard. Eating dinner at 6pm, no screens or blue lights after 8pm etc. I think its the winding down part in modern life that is hard. Teaching yourself to switch the telly off at 8 pm, no more emails etc becomes tough. Ive just done this 5am start stuff through the past Aussie summer, as it was the only time cool enough to run and it was pretty antisocial. Admittedly, after about a week i was faling asleep at 9pm easily and waking up before my alarm most days.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Yes, it’s that end of day procrastinating. I’m always a fan of sleep so I’m not intentionally putting it off. It’s just bits and bobs isn’t it 😂

[@almorrison2040]

@@ThisMessyHappy its called life i think. The alternative isnt really worth considering.

[@phaiath]

thanks for the video, it just shows that we are the creatures of habit, so your body was just telling you that it does not like the change you were making to it.

[@stever1514]

8 am on a Saturday is still plenty early. I was expecting to see you sleep till 1 pm. Im sure the 5 am people sleep in until mid afternoon on the weekends. Great video. Love your content.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Ha ha thanks Steve! I bloody wish. I can’t seem to sleep in longer than 6:45am nowadays 😫😂

[@Levi_is_Smol]

I stayed awake from Friday 6:30 am until Saturday 7 pm recently and still "only" slept until 6:30 am the next morning. So even after staying awake for almost 36 hours straight, I still only needed 9 and a half hours of sleep to feel energized and awake again. That's one and a half hours more than usual. I don't think "catching up sleep" is an actual thing. You won't sleep for five more hours on Saturday if you missed one hour every day of the week.

[@PhilyBowden]

Thank you for doing this so I don’t have to… I have absolutely no doubt that a week like this would go the same for me… bedtime intentions are wholly different to actual time hitting the hay, so I too would just be sleep deprived!

[@SebastianTrii]

Dude you are seriously the best running channel right now!

[@twocrandon]

As always, really grateful for your video. Some thoughts and an anecdote from my own experience: A few years ago, I spent 15 months getting up at 0515 5 days per week to go to the gym to do 3 exercises that needed machines in order to rehab a patellar tendinopathy. That got me home just as my family was waking so that I could be husband and father before we all left the house. I found that the balance of needing to rehab set against commitments to my family gave me the focus to be determined and make it work. Your experiment needs at least 2 weeks and probably 4 in order to be worthwhile. Sorry, that sounds really harsh and I don't want to be harsh. As countless people have said and written, it takes weeks to form habits and just as long for our bodies to adjust. Resetting the body clock to a 2100 bedtime, learning not to procrastinate in the 'extra' hour (I'm so prone to that!) and all the other details... they take weeks. There are lots of people who get up early to exercise and then make an early start to their day. People in senior leadership jobs tend to have that kind of pattern. There's something about drive and mentality and psychological stuff that I haven't read enough books about that explains that those kind of people are just wired up differently.

[@AnimusPrime87]

It’s not really about getting up an hour earlier. You shifted your entire circadian rhythm and gave yourself only the first week to feel it out. It would take maybe weeks or months for your internal clock to adjust to the change. You set yourself up for pain with this my friend.

[@ianjackson159]

Very informative thanks Ben. I'm writing from New Zealand and have found your videos hugely educational and motivation for me and inspired me at the age of 52 to do my first ever marathon. I've now done two of them with two more lined up this year. One topic I'm very interested in learning more about, maybe a topic for a future video, is how you use Zwift and your bike , which you referred to in this video as your turbo. Im concerned at my age that the training I do for the marathons may end up causing me more injuries and sore knees as I get older, and I think zwift may be just the thing to help me prolong my running days.

[@irawhitlock1084]

So much great insight. Everyone's different. I have wrecked cars due to sleep deprivation. It wasn't just about trying harder. There's a limit unfortunately.

[@SM7SM7SM7]

What helps me wake up at 4am is consistent bed time; the key is the number of hours spent sleeping rather than the time you wake up or sleep (though following the natural sunrise/sunset and circadian rhythm helps). On the weekends, I set my alarm for 6 so that if I happen to have any sleep debt or exhaustion, it’s taken care of before I begin a new week.

[@robindong3802]

Very good point. I have been confused by how much sleep we need to be energetic. To me, getup early would messed up my entire day and I need at least 9 hours of sleep a day. Glad to find this video, so I believe I am normal. BTW I have run 4 marathon so far.

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

My wife looked at me when I read the title out, and said yes! so it's answered. 5am is perfect for me apparently and my cats agree with her ;-) , seriously (after watching the whole video ), I think its a 'you do you' thing, there is so many variables when it comes to this 'fitness, exertion levels throughout the day, environment, age, job, etc' that no one shoe fits all will work. However you sir, defiantly walk the walk and provide solid findings. You are also spot on re the sleep patterns I have been a 7 hours a night person since I was a small child. So besides the party years (17-27) 10:00 - 05:00'ish' has been my natural body clock.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Ha ha crazy man! I had 8:30 last night and woke up feeling like a different man. It’s mad isn’t it?! 😂

[@factmanamerican882]

Good basic information. Well done, dude. You have a good head on your shoulders. Cheers, mate.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Thanks so much, buddy 😊

[@JBIRDRN8]

I get up to workout 5-6 days a week between 5-6 am. This works for me with my schedule. Years ago I got up Monday-Friday at 3:20 am to workout. It was the only time I could do it. It worked for me, but I think that working out needs to be what works best for you. The schedule you had worked for you. Workout times are not the same for everyone. Great that you tried it. Glad you are back to what works for you. You and Mary are awesome athletes so whatever you are doing works great!

[@alisonsezonov1420]

I feel getting up too early for me doesn’t work long term. I get up 5:30-6. I always try to get at least 8 hours rest. I very rarely get anything now. Occasionally if the need arises i might push this back an hour, but i cant do it consistently without getting sick or burnt out. I found being healthy and using my time productively is key, like nearly cutting out tv completely and spending most of my time doing things that get me one step closer to my goals. Minimising your stuff to stuff you love, treasure and are useful and selling everything else makes a difference too

[@pranayama-running-Jendrik]

My maked experience is basicly the same as yours Ben. Waking up early can be helpful if we get oure needed sleep in. When we consistently lose a houre of sleep their is no benefit in waking up early. 7 to 8 hourse is a good number to start with. I followed Jocko Willinks or David Goggins instructions on waking up early as well. And as i wrote. My experience is basicly the same as yours 💪👍 Keep up the Good Work 🔥👍

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Thanks Jendrik. Yes I think if I could make myself go to sleep at 9pm I’d have managed it but I make videos most evenings so I just need that time! So tricky 🤯😂

[@SophiaStacksCash]

I have always felt like this whenever I would try to wake up early for many days in a row. I have always felt lesser for it because of those pesky social media messages, and it’s great to see a high level athlete debunk the 5am club.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Totally! It’s whatever works for you and your situation. 5am sucks for me when working full time 😂

[@Mowsemowse]

I've always been an early riser, but an afternoon/evening runner... Because of my physical 9-5 job I now have to run at 0530. It was hard the first week, I felt like my running was worse, but after being consistent, now it feels fine again. However I'm a write off after 9pm. Everyone just has to do what works for them, with trial and error along the way.

[@nigelhills9287]

Nice to see your Dad presenting this one.

[@bettinapoulos7891]

Hahahaha love your humor in ur vids… thank u for all the giggles and of coarse ur insights !! Very helpful !

[@SeeChadRun]

I'm a 5am runner because it's the ONLY time that I have get a good run in! If I don't get up to run in the mornings, then the run doesn't happen. I mean, I've got work and family responsibilities to take care of during the day and evening. That said, I do find that life's stressors will impact my ability to wake up and go for a run on some mornings. For example, I had a particularly stressful (good things, but stress nonetheless) weekend, and so come Monday morning, I was feeling extra tired and as such I decided to sleep in instead of go for a run. Now that it's mid-Monday day, I feel great and wish I could take the time to go for an hour run... Ah well! Great video as always!!!

[@kevinmurphy4053]

Great video really helpful I can relate if I don't get 8 hours I'm useless I woke up at 3am this morning for a long run with 6 hours sleep. My body just wasn't having it😂😂

[@ZeldaFitz]

If I wanted to get out of bed at 5am everyday I’d have become a farmer.

[@fudbeer1]

Great video totally agree.Unless you can go to bed before 9 every night which is not practical for most then getting up at 5 and reducing your sleep time is a bad idea.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Agreed. I’d have to be so strict if I transferred to 5am. I’d have to be in bed by 9pm for sure 😫😊

[@AnthonyMcqueen1987]

Not anymore back in the days when I was younger to get it out of the way.

[@amosbernardmansell2204]

I agree with what you have been saying. But in England 5am the side roads are virtually empty, and also the bridle paths, just hearing the birds churping in the trees. A short morning workout (1. 5 /2 miles steady jogging) Exercise 3 or 4 times a week at 6 am helps my main training, in the evening training. I use a head torch in the winter time. It may not workout for other runners Running .exercises before the early jog/run are essentioal..

[@trrc9276]

Very good i like your conclusion

[@JamesMartin-gl8gg]

Ben, great content. I have a physical job which I walk about a good 6 miles a day during my job. Sleep is important otherwise my training feels useless.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Thanks James. Yes that’s absolutely what my training felt like by the last end. Useless 😂

[@sandravanvalkenburg5502]

Unfortunately I have to get up early to fit my workout/run in. If I wait til afternoons or after work then meetings pop up or projects that had to be done would force me to pass on my workout. I am tired and it isn't great. I am up at 4:30 am going to exercise and then come home and get some things done around the house and get ready for work. My commute is anywhere from 40 mins to 1 and half hours (each way) depending on traffic. then work and home to do dinner and setup for the next day. I go to yoga a couple of evenings a week. I have been trying to figure out a way to ease my schedule a bit, but until that happens it has to be this way for now.

[@patriciamcvay193]

It helped me a lot, thank you.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Thanks Patricia 😊

[@fullgrownjones]

I’ve been waking at 2:45 and start my run around 3:15 each morning for 10 years due to work schedule. Makes for early nights but it con be done!

[@charlier7711]

Loved the intro it was hilarious! and thanks for great content, information and inspiration.

[@RunSensible]

Another great vid. If the message thread through your vids is to slow down when running and build an aerobic base, my message is to do meaningful activities and sleep to stay pain free. Fantastic message, honest and authentic as usual. 👍💪

[@nickandashleyparadiso8726]

Well 4:00am for me. 25ish minutes to wake up and get ready, 60-90 minute workout, then get ready for the day and take the kids to school and off to work. Some afternoons need a walk or 15 minute power nap but works for me.

[@kathleenbolanos]

It will be so interesting seeing how you feel during the Hua Hin half seeing as your injury made you primarily cross train for quite bit of your training block. Hope you get well soon!

[@ThisMessyHappy]

I agree, Kathleen! I’m actually quite excited to see how it goes. Good idea for a Vlog title actually! I trained for a running race by doing NO running 😂

[@kristenwolfe2100]

My body follows the seasonal changes. In the summer I wake up naturally early. During the winter my body wants more sleep.

[@simonhodgson4941]

Great video Ben, funny watching you as the week went on.

[@bwsinfonia13]

I almost always run between 12 am-2 am. Unless I’m on the treadmill at the gym. Tomorrow’s workout 10 mile threshold run, next day last long run of the training block 3.5+ hours. Then taper for the marathon.

[@Writin2insanity]

I loved this video and I feel so seen! I'm a relatively new runner as I'm only in my second year of running. When I first started I would run in the morning. Not 5 a.m. early but early. That was in the summer time where 1) if you don't run early you don't run at all because of the heat 2) I was only teaching two classes online. Yes, it's way easier to do the earlier runs with a different kind of schedule. However, it wasn't energizing for me. I would need a nap by 2 p.m. and then my rest of my day was derailed. When the semesters began in earnest in the fall and then spring, and I taught a full load (five classes for us), shifting my run to some time between 4-6 p.m was amazing. It was a natural stop to my day. I felt that I could concentrate and focus better on my sessions. I also felt that after that my sleep was better. Some times I do wish I could do my sessions earlier in the day, especially on those crazy busy days that get away from you, but I feel like the practice of running is now settled into my bones. Thank you so much for this video.

[@sebastianestrada4690]

I have to get up at 5am so I can run before I go to work, since after work I get home really late and tired. However the hardest part is actually getting in bed early. I fill better since I do this but the key is to sleep early

[@trueredred859]

I’m a postie,5.00 am is normal Done winter morning head torch runs this winter ❄️

[@samanthawilliamson8359]

I have to get up at 4.30 weekdays and go to bed at 8.30/9. 52yr old going into menopause and the tiredness kicks in with a bang! Because your sleeping goes on a right rant. I just try and do my best for me and listen to my body not my head. Which is split into two parts lol 😆 one half saying you can do it and the other half saying have a word with that half will ya!? Lol 😆

[@i.p2088]

Getting up at 0420. Starting the run at 0520. I sleep 5 hour max at night and rest an hour in the afternoon. In the army we saw that about half of the soldiers had trouble getting up at 04:00 and half had no problem with it. Yes there is a lunch brake in the army especially it tropical weather and no air conditioning.

[@mikekarpaty3871]

I really,really appreciate what you did there Ben,fair play. I get an average of 8hrs 25 minutes sleep each night and i know i need it,especially as like you i work full time. I wonder if the people that get up at 5 that don't work have power naps in the afternoon, i wouldn't be surprised. I also think the older you get the more sleep you need to recover . Looking forward to the next few videos. Oh I've been meaning to ask you what is your VO2 is. All the best from sunny Wales 🌄🌄

[@stolts34]

I agree that those guys take power naps. I remember hearing Kevin Heart say he was a serial napper. He would nod off for 10 minutes anywhere and anytime he could.

[@lesteryip8771]

I wake up at 5 ish for a run for about a month. I can understand why it works for me. First off, it beats the sun. When I leave home it's still dark, the temperature is cool which is brilliant. Secondly, after I've finished the shower the family is still sleeping. I can get the breakfast ready for them or start my job earlier. I find I seem to have more time to use during the day. The only thing I give up is the late night telly. I tried but dozed off on the couch.

[@sherwinmoscow9455]

Hope you got my patreon membership. Am looking forward to working with you!

[@lauraclayton3842]

A good night for me if I am lucky is 6 hours, I am a nurse and it takes me ages to wind down after my work and your right I am not at my best ability. I would love to sleep longer but can’t, I also work shifts and family etc so I work my exercise and beginning running around my shifts sometimes with one day off between my shift patterns so I have no structure to my exercise and at times miss sessions as I am so tired I would love to work 9-5 at least I would have a structure

[@drnkz]

In a summer I wake up at about 5am and enjoy running in the empty morning city. But now in september in Ukraine it's too dark and cold in the morning, so I run in the evening.

[@Pietrotherunningfarmer]

Unfortunately I'm forced to wake up at 5 a.m. every day if I want to fit my training into my routine. I admit that when I'm able to sleep more, and it happens really few times, the training, whatever it is, feels much productive and enjoyable. Despite the lack of sleep keep turning that doorknob.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

But you’re getting it done and that’s what counts. As you say, keep turning that doorknob! Fair play 💪🏻😊

[@steadystudying]

I strongly believe everyone has an inner clock that starts the day at a different time. For me, i prefer waking at up 5 (I go to bed at 21:30) because I feel groggy if I get up later. Even on the weekends where I have the excuse of sleeping in, I try not to because I know it’ll throw my body off. But I’ve also found my sleep schedule isn’t very flexible. My body doesnt handle a shift (like going to bed at 10pm and waking up at 5:30), to each their own. At the end of the day, whatever makes you feel good and energised is all that matters

[@kathleenbolanos]

The intro is hilarious 😂😂

[@jicalzad]

i find that i'm able to only successfully wake up at 05:00 am to train (run or weight lifting) from the early part of the week (**i.e. Sunday through Tues or Wed), but then sometimes life gets in the way (work or family obligations) that throws off my sleep schedule and end up going to bed later than expected. I definitely feel that slight alteration in my sleep schedule by Wed or Thurs which is easily felt on my early morning training sessions and leads to excessive fatigue during the 2nd half of my work day. Ideally, i feel best when i start to train between 06:30 am to 07:30 am, but because of my work schedule, it does not allow me enough time like most people. So now, my training is usually dependent on my sleep schedule. If i'm able to get to wind down to get to bed at an early hour, then i will set my early morning alarm to train in the morning. If i'm winding down to go to bed between 09:30 pm or 10:00 pm, then i just accept that i will try to fit in a workout sometime after work.

[@gm2407]

Never skip sleep. If your body is saying it needs sleep then get as much as you need before doing the tasks you are committed to. Ultimately once you know how much sleep you need it is just when you set yourself to sleep and rise.

[@Shevock]

I'm a teacher too and I have to workout after school. In days that are tough I just don't workout.

[@tonyvu9459]

5am runner, that’s just the time slot where I can fit it in. Do whatever works for y’all though, don’t wake up early just because someone on IG told you too.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

I barely do what I tell myself to do let alone someone on Instagram 😂 I think it can work for me… I just need to be stricter on bedtime 💪🏻😊

[@harryalsman9474]

Just depends on what you're used to. I get up between 4:30 and 5 everyday. Not because I want to but because my old body says it's time to get up. If I don't do my runs/workouts, first thing in the morning, I find myself blowing off any exercise later in the day.

[@ebaldwin-charles9804]

Have you given up trying early rises? I find getting up earlier and going to be earlier and doing training first thing the best pattern for me. Training in the evening is a drag. It’s very much down to personal preferences.

[@Lovetrilife]

It takes months to get use to 5am training.. its much better to get it done.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Yes I’d tend to agree. I think I could do it but I’d have to be so much stricter with bed time. My issue is making these videos and the time it takes with a full time job and training too! 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@spamtwosRevenge]

I naturally wake up early so nearly all of my workouts are started before 5am in the morning with most longer runs starting at 4am. If I didn't work out so early I know I wouldn't have the motivation, interest or time to do it later in the day.

[@TopsMiah]

So funny start 😹

[@conordaly4793]

Who was the sleep expert you chatted to out of interest? Having read “Why We Sleep” it definitely changed my perspective on it

[@jordge92]

Loved the first 90 seconds 😂😂😂

[@carlospagos89]

interesting, as you say we are all different. my routine mon to fri is 2230 bed and 0500 get up and hit the gym or run. then sat is long run day but 0600 get up and then bed by 2300 sunday is rest day and no alarm as i wake up by 0730 naturally. you just have to find what works for you. my paertner is very similar and just cant get on with early mornings either, she trains in the evening around 1900 which for me i know that after a days work i wouldnt have the want to train

[@timeonfeet]

I love an early one every so often especially to catch a sunrise or experience the stillness of the morning or just try it for a challenge but I don't think it should be fetishized as it sometimes is like in those videos you parodied spot on at the start!

[@alanshrimpton6787]

I have a 4th conclusion. Don't become a shift worker. Every 3rd week my day shift I get up 3:45am and start work at 5am. Finish at 1pm I ride my bike home have a coffee and run on 3 of my work days in the afternoon heat. I try to go to bed at 8pm but that's hopeless because the previous week I was in afternoon shift and body use to going to sleep at 11pm and we won't talk about the nightshift week. Sort of why I run my long run on Sat, recovery run on Sun and speed work on Monday before I'm dead tired. I sleep in on weekends to catch up which is about a 7 or 8am get up and therefore don't get out on my run until about 10am and take 2 days off running during the week but do strength work during those 2 days. Shift work is 👍 NOT!

[@somethingsaboutmary3134]

I would literally pay money for someone to come kick me out of the bed at 5 am. I just can’t seem to get myself to do it. Mainly because running I the afternoon isn’t practical for my family with young kids. I don’t necessarily think it would make me a better runner, I just know that it would take a lot of hassle out of getting my runs in.

[@SuperFuzzyDunlop]

The only time I ever gone for a run before work was also the only time I've ever picked up a proper running injury Never, ever again

[@Lulusayang99]

Thank you so much 😏

[@luxsasha]

Largely comes down to being consistent with your bedtime. If you're going to bed at 11pm, yeah 5am is kind of a bad deal. That said, its not for everyone and people ought to wake up whenever works for them. I wake up at 4 and it works for me.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Yes I agree. If I could have been more strict about 9pm I’d have been ok but it was always between 9-10pm so it hurt more!! 😂

[@lauraclayton3842]

When I was pregnant 7 and a bit years ago my then unborn daughter, she would wake me up around 5 sadly it’s stuck so I wake up usually between 5 and 630 I totally blame her lol I don’t mind though I am used to it now

[@andyamarin]

I have been waking up at 5am everyday for quite a while.. so far I am doing okie...

[@Ligerpride]

Work hard, rest hard.

[@madametrafficjam8347]

times of day is just arbitrary anyway. There cannot possibly be any benefit from getting up at a certain time of the morning. Best time to wake up is the right amount of hours past falling asleep, preferably without being shook out of bed by an alarm.

[@OmahaTonyG]

I get up at 3:30am and work out first thing in the morning. I have to be at work at 6am. You aren’t sleeping enough, go to bed earlier.

[@LittleMissEza]

good try. As this is the fasting month, I tried running at 4am (first meal at 5am, stop eating at 6am, break of fast at 7.20pm). I managed only about a week, as I couldn't sleep early enough (too much YT) and no one wanted to run with me! Also, I didn't have a proper routine (self-employed means I sleep anytime, which is bad for discipline), so it's a toss up between having a 9-5 and having too much time. I did enjoy the runs, though, as it was quiet and cool (temperature-wise) but also hyper aware for danger, which is not fun. Now running at about 10pm but sometimes the evening meal sits heavy! urghhhh

[@ThisMessyHappy]

That must be so hard to train at all when fasting. Hats off to you! You’re making it happen which is awesome 😊

[@keepyourpowdertri191]

It's some kind of irony that I'm watching this at 3am mid night shift with 2hrs sleep and maybe another 4hrs in the morning. Oh well, it's an excuse for a rest day tomorrow!

[@sarahholbrow8203]

I get up at 5.30 on morning where I have a run scheduled. I get up at 6.30 on the other weekdays and 7 on the weekends. This allows me the flexibility to maximise workout efficiency without compromising sleep

[@alan_oz]

Awesome video Ben, great editing.

[@kenleyojones]

Great video. I'm up at about 0400. After a while you get use to it. You have to wear a mask at work? Apologies man.

[@russelllipscombe6614]

Ben, really interesting video as ever. I wonder though whether this became an experiment in operating with an hour less sleep rather than a shift of priorities and organisation. The intent was to go to bed an hour earlier but as you mentioned life got in the way. In the end it is about coming up with a schedule that works for you. I do wake up at 5am but I have the flexibility to start and end my day earlier. I can then complete my workout on return from work before the evening activities start (noting that I rarely have to contend with 40degC weather in Derbyshire! This works for me, and you have something that works well for you.

[@heatherbradleyfitness]

I get up at 5am every day, I like training early and I like mornings. I go to bed at 8pm every night because what else realistically do you do after 8pm? Sit and watch rubbish on tv..nah. Mornings are way more productive:)

[@joannemarkov]

As a high school teacher, I have to get up at 4:45 am every day even without exercising. What time do classes start for you?

[@eddyalexiou9951]

what is an aerobic base on the bike? Z1 or Z2 or lowZ3?

[@ThisMessyHappy]

The zones are different on the bike to the run. They vary from person to person but a good general estimate is about 10bpm lower per zone when on the bike. I think my top of zone 2 when running is 164 and on bike it’s about 155 or around there 😊

[@mandaphillips6244]

I workout at 5ish to stay nice and cool . The heat kicks my a$$🥵😮‍💨

[@deanvanlaarhoven1413]

Let's see you do all this again, and get to bed on time everyday. We'd love to see the results of that.

[@jameschaves5723]

My sweetspot is 9:00 am

[@blastedpotato]

I have to wake up at 5am to avoid the heat.

[@mjulienryder]

So all this fatigue was just from losing an hour per night for a few days? Seems excessive?

[@DegenGaming]

I get up at 01:00. I must be pretty awesome!! ;)