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Outrunning
The ‘Rack Monster’

Courtesy of:
Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Monday, December 8, 2003
By: Celia Storey

submitted by Charlotte Hartwig

When runners and walkers fail to show up Saturday morning training with the Little Rock Marathon group, Tom Singleton blames the Rack Monster.

"The Rack Monster is the creature that lies under your bed who has the power to reach through the mattress, encircle you with his or her arms and keep you from getting out of bed," says the training group’s co-captain.

"He is strongest on cold, wet winter days and has no power on days when you are doing something you are really looking forward to."

If you’re training for a late-winter event like the March 7 footrace in Arkansas’ capital city, mid-December is no time to submit to this monstrous embrace. Unless you can trust yourself to exercise later, you need a plan for escaping from bed.

The best strategies involve thwarting common sense.

For instance, I use stupor.

Since the smart part of my brain doesn’t wake up when my body does, if I start rolling out of bed as soon as the alarm sounds, I will keep rolling into my workout clothes and then out the door. Really. Takes about two minutes.

Layout the workout clothes the night before does help. Things that do not help:

Sleeping with the window open so the bedroom is as cold as the outdoors. That makes the bed extra cozy.

Setting the alarm to ring 10 minutes early, for an illusion of sleeping in. Illusion becomes reality.

Not everyone can maneuver through the dark in a zombie state, so I’ve sought ideas for you from other exercisers.

Theresa Motley, fitness instructor: "What gets me going on cold mornings is the exact same thing that gets me going on pretty warm days, my workout buddies. If I don’t show up I have to answer to my dear friends."

Hap Seliga, Bike shop guru: "Here’s my routine…prepare gear the night before; set alarm clock on high on the other side of the room; race the alarm clock, so as to annoy your spouse; do not lie back down in bed or ‘snooze’ the alarm; immediately dress in gear. Have a hot cup of coffee and go!"

Howard Hendrickson, leader of a Jeff Galloway marathon training club: "The first thing I think about (or maybe the second) is ‘As silly as I look in these tights today, I’m bound to make someone’s day with a good laugh.’ When I finally manage to start moving out the door, I say to myself or anyone who can hear me, ‘at least it’s not hot."

Brenda Stallings, first-time marathoner: I reverse the temperature digits. Example: Today it was 47 degrees, so I tell myself it is 74 degrees. I still dress appropriately but that little mind game gets me out of the bed and out the front door. Sometimes the mind game does not work. So I just remember where I am from (Sedentary City) and that alone will get me out the door. I’ve come a long way and I don’t want to turn around now."

Chuck Spohn, runner: "Seven easy steps: Shut off the alarm. Drink a cup of coffee. Get dressed in layers. Open the door. Begin your run by continuously repeating to yourself: ‘Time to make the doughnuts, time to make the doughnuts,’ etc. Then remind yourself that you’d feel worse by not running.

"And finally, realize that you know for certain only the first few minutes are the worst. After that, it’s all downhill."

Hobbit Singleton, captain of Little Rock Marathon walkers: "A training partner. Since I can’t find anyone to walk with in the early morning hours, I’ve rearranged some of my training to afternoon to have someone to walk with. I try to make an appointment with myself, but that doesn’t always work as I can be talked into staying in the warm bed.

Like everyone else, if I can just take that step out the door, I’m great and glad that I can feel superior to those who are still sleeping (sometimes the superior feeling does it for me as I’m basically not a very nice person!)"

Dr. Hilary Ann Petersen, triathlete: "I like to put my bike up on the indoor trainer and stick a movie in the VCR. It keeps me distracted and lets me catch up in the winter on movies that I haven’t seen. It also helps me do some needed speed work and climbing work. I don’t like to put too much stress on my body went it is cold, so the other option is a swim at the club, or the treadmill.

Another thing is to set a date with a buddy and meet them for the workout. I won’t necessarily go for my own enjoyment. I hate to let someone else down. My workout partners and I have been known to go out to breakfast on some really crummy mornings. One morning off will not ruin all the hard work you put in the rest of the time."

All true, of course, but the Rack Monster sometimes says the same thing. So for the last word, here’s Kris Mougeot, adventurer:

Set the timer on the coffee to have it ready at 5:30 a.m. My husband and I both hate coffee that’s been sitting on the burner. Thus we’re inspired to rise and shine (?), slurp a (small) cup, and head out the door.

"And there’s nothing like a winter sunrise…lovely colors."