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I can't really think of a good reason to get out of bed before my alarm goes off at 7 a.m.

I might pull myself out of bed for bacon and eggs, or at the thought of packing the car for a road trip to Las Vegas, or the knowledge that I have to catch a flight for a vacation in Florida.

But outside of those things, I can't understand why anybody would want to get up that early in the morning.

But the folks who are organizing this week's 2005 National Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships at Howelsen Hill will offer another good reason to get out of bed a little earlier Thursday and Friday -- the chance to watch a host of Olympic hopefuls shoot for titles at Howelsen.

The nationals might be one of our last chances to watch World Cup athletes such as Todd Lodwick, Bill Demong and Clint Jones prove why they deserve to be in Italy next February.

But with the trial round beginning at 7 a.m., watching the U.S. Nationals in Steamboat Springs will not be easy for someone like me.

It will require setting the alarm to go off a little earlier in the morning, brewing an extra pot of coffee to chase away eyelids that feel like dumbbells and giving up a few minutes of beauty sleep.

But for those who make the effort to get out of bed, these events will reward you with much more than a box of doughnuts.

Sports fans will be treated to some of the best ski jumpers in the world stretching their efforts down the hill for little more than bragging rights and the chance to pick up some extra cash.

The combination of top athletes, coveted titles and added cash is a better mix than peanut butter and chocolate, especially in a town with a Nordic tradition as rich as Steamboat's.

The only problem is that scheduling an event such as this, at this time of year, means getting an early start.

Waiting too long means suffering the wrath of the sun and warm temperatures.

At 7 a.m., the snow is still cold, and the track is still fast.

The first competitive round will be at 8 a.m, and the final round of the day will start at 9 a.m., before things get too warm.

But it also means that if you are one of those people, like me, who enjoys sleeping a little longer in the mornings, you probably will miss all the action.

I would be a lot happier if the nationals got started at 10 a.m., but Mother Nature is not going to let that happen.

So although the idea of pulling myself out of bed a little earlier this week doesn't thrill me, I guess I can't think of a much better reason.

-- To reach John F. Russell call 871-4209 or e-mail jrussell@steamboatpilot.com