So we all know sometimes it is hard to get those miles in…especially during a busy week when the work schedule is so demanding. Between work, family duties, social time and just trying to take care of yourself…it can be easy for running to fall by the wayside. So here are a few ways you can fit running in during a hectic week or crazy schedule.
–Find a window of time (even if it’s short) before the busy day. The earlier you can get the running in and out of the way the better. I know a lot of mama runners that simply have no choice but to get up at 4 or 5 in the morning because they have to take the kids to school and etc. Hopefully if you have a spouse they are understanding and know that you need your run time and your little time of peace before the crazy day.
–Prioritize sleep…lights off, tv off, social media off. I know it is easier said than done and for a lot of us our down time is staring into the screens of our phones. But I definitely have a time of day where I simply turn it all off because I know I want to get up early and knock the miles out.
–Shower at the gym if you have to. A lot of times I will do group runs early in the morning and I will bring my gym bag with my work clothes in it so I can head straight to the showers after. I have to tell you it has saved me SO MUCH TIME in the mornings. It’s crazy how much time I was wasting going back home after a run. Now when I run with the group I’m usually at work early since the gym is right next door. Not everyone is that fortunate but definitely having access to a shower when you’re on the go helps.
–Know if you miss a run is it not the end of the world. Just pick up where you left off the next day. Some days are just crazy and you have to know your run is always going to be there waiting for you with open arms. I can’t tell you the incredible amount of stress relief running has been for me in the last few weeks. It has made my hectic days much smoother and my head so much clearer. So thank you, running.
How do you fit your running in on hectic days?
thedancingrunner 
When my daughter is in dance, I run with two other moms. I truly believe that parents should take care of themselves while their children are taking lessons, practicing sports, or taking part in exttacurriculars. While others sit and watch or wait, I run!
Fantastic!! That really helps!!
I agree that showing at the gym saves so much time. I do not know what it is with going home and wasting time post workout.
I like that many training apps have a calendar option, so my training runs already are on my iPhone’s calendar.
Apps really can be great tools for sure!
Prioritize sleep is so important! For my normal 5 mile runs, my dog and I are out the door by 5:30 a.m. at the latest and with cool down, we’re home by 6:30. I don’t have kids, but this gives me 90 minutes to get the dog and cat fed, get showered, do a little bit of picking up in the house and get breakfast made. I’m not rushed and it’s great. I begin preparing for bed by 8:30 at the latest. My goal is to be asleep by 9:30 and clock 7.5 hours of sleep before I wake.
Sounds like a good plan!!
If I don’t run in the morning, the odds of me running that day go down 100 percent.
LOL the struggle is real!!!
I find that if I put together my running gear next to my bed it makes it so much easier to get up for those early runs you only really share with the foxes!
Oh for sure! Having everything planned out way ahead of time makes all the difference!!
Dragging myself out of bed to run early in the morning is next to impossible (unless there’s a race involved) but a lot of days I end up running later at night, like 10:30 pm late. I enjoy the quiet time at the end of the day and the chance to run off all my pent up stress.
However you can get it in at the end of the day is all that matters! Keep it up!!
Can totally relate as I spend 3-4 hours per day just commuting which is such a time suck, especially when I’m sitting there knowing I could be knocking out my training miles…that aside though, I make up for some of it because I am fortunate in that we have a great gym at the office so I can run at lunch or in between meetings when the schedule allows. It means, I can also workout on the bikes or very occasionally the weight machines. Great tips and advice on turning off the screens at night.
3-4 hours a day good gracious!! That is a killer commute!
yep, typically about 1.5 hours each way in the summer and 2 hours in the winter…i’m really glad we have a gym at global coffee hq 🙂
You are so inspiring. As a former track runner I sometimes fall off the wagon, but seeing how you’re able to balance everything & incorporate running is great! Maybe I can join one of your marathons (:
For sure!! We all have our ups and downs with running, it’s all definitely a part of the journey!
I’m not a Mom . . obviously but as a multisport athlete over the last few years with a busy full time job I have to admit that the “I don’t have time to exercise” story gets a bit old. Not everyone has to run a marathon or do an ironman or even run, but if we look there is plenty of time during the day to exercise. As you pointed out, it’s simply a matter of priorities. Your note about prioritizing sleep was the key. The same folks I hear saying they would never find time to exercise are the same ones I hear recounting in great detail last night’s episode of Game of Thrones, or the Bachelor. While they may be entertaining programs, neither one is doing anything to help make the watcher healthier.
Also, the note on the gym is a good one. I usually get one workout in in the morning (very pre-dawn, and another at lunch.) I sure don’t want to pay for all that hot water. The gym and (fortunately) the shower at work has plenty of it. I know a couple folks who have $10.00/month memberships at Planet Fitness just to use the shower! That’s not a bad deal if you think about it.
Lucky you to have a shower at work!! Thankfully for me the gym is a part of my work being a fitness instructor part time so I love the perks!!
My sister in law used to run around the track near the soccer field while her daughter was at soccer practice.
Yep!! That’s one way to do it!! Love that 🙂
I do not to mornings period so while I whole heatedly agree that the BEST way to ensure you get it done is to make it the first thing you do. An alternative is to add it to the end of your work day. Don’t even come home if you have to, just stay at work, change and run there. This can end up being close to time neutral because you can run during rush hour making your commute shorter.
Yep, I do both so I see both sides for sure!! Rock it girl!
Great advice, and when I see your weekly totals…damn!
HAHA why thank you!!
I joined a running group for my long weekend runs. I can’t imagine getting up at 4am on a Saturday if I didn’t have people waiting for me.
It can be done but yes much more fun with friends indeed!!
This year I have started getting up an hour earlier to get my run done in the morning. It has only been two weeks, but I think it will continue indefinitely because I feel so great and my day goes better when I’ve hit the pavement already before work. I have so much more patience for my little people.
Awesomeness!!
I find it much easier to fit in running at the same time each day. When we’re on holiday it can get a bit squeezed out which I then regret because running somewhere new is fun!
Indeed! Loving exploring new places for sure!!