Home > The Running Report > Archives > 2008 > March > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHow do you fit in Training?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yesterday a colleague asked me if I run after work.
I had to laugh because no matter how strongly I intend to run in the evening, at the end of the work day I’m drained, and running is not a reality.
On work days, I run in the mornings. And believe me I’m not a morning person.
This morning I got out just after 6 a.m. and ran five and a half miles in one hour and 20 minutes. The run felt pretty good although I was slowed by those pesky hills and fog as daylight appeared.
Speaking of hills, yesterday I asked about “heartbreak hills” in the Atlanta area. Here are two formidable climbs that came to us by email and the blog. Send more to me here.
Rolling out of bed wasn’t too hard today, but there have been days when it seemed like everything stood in the way of me getting out of the house, be it rainy weather or a poor night’s sleep.
Even a couple of years ago when I was a caregiver for my late mother, it was a struggle to slip out for a run before she rose in the morning after tending to her during the night.
How do you fit training into a crammed work day, getting the kids ready for school and extracurricular activities or other commitments?
MORE: State of the Art Marathon Training. USA Fit/Team Spirit Active Trainer. Peachtree Road Race.
Comments
By Arthur Lydiard
March 6, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Time is the hardest thing when it comes to training for marathons or any long distance event. I suggest the hard/easy approach…Find the days where you have the most time or the inclination to make the time and do your hard (i.e., long runs) on those days. Usually your longest run is on the weekend for this reason. You really only need two or three “distance” runs a week to train for a marathon. The other days are really active rest days…run a few miles, bike, or do something in the gym…this is a great time to get the kids involved…if they are old enough they can run with your or ride a bike, or you can push them in a stroller…
Make the most of those hard days and Use the easy days as a physical and mental breather..
I’ve never been a consistent morning runner, although they say the most dedicated runners work out in the morning. I usually work out after work. If you are like me, the evening workout is in the back of your mind most of the day..which contributes to your sense of being drained…so don’t fight it. I’m tired also after work but here’s what you need to tell yourself…it’s never as hard as you anticipate it will be. After you’ve run a few steps you are usually ready to get into your workout…
If you would rather run in the morning here’s a suggestion I read from an elite marathon runner. Get all of your gear ready before hand, have your coffee ready to brew (if you drink coffee), and have a light snack. And always go to bed with a positive thought. I know it sounds flakey but it really works…remember, running is 90% mental.
By Beth
March 6, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
I agree- finding time to train is difficult when you work full-time. I find it’s easy to talk myself out of getting up early, especially when it’s cold out and my bed is comfortable. The evenings are just as hard, if not worse. If I don’t head straight to the gym, I’ll talk my self out of going once I’m home. It takes a lot of motivation, but I’m usually proud of myself when I can overcome these obstacles and get workouts in.
By Paige
March 6, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
I personally like to train after work. During my high school and college years of playing sports, we trained after school. I’m just used to training during that part of the day.
By Andrew
March 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
I work out at lunch but my work is near some great spots to run. Marathon training takes a lot of dedication. I block off my calendar so no one can schedule meetings. I take a healthy lunch to work as well which saves me $$ and helps with training program. It breaks up my day and makes me more productive. I also run in the morning once or twice a week. But I’m more alert at lunch and find myself looking forward to getting outside and away from the office for an hour or hour + half. And coworkers will respect your time if you show your dedication.
By John Tackett
March 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Since most of my races are in the morning, i run in the morning. During the week, I get up at about 4am for a 5 mile run through the deserted streets of East Point. I normally take it nice and easy completing the runs in about 45 minutes. I have to be at work at Lindbergh Center by 7am so the mornings are best for me.
Now on the weekends, I get up on Saturday at about 5:30 for a 5 -6 mile run (unless I have a race, then I usually get to the event about an hour before the run to warm up.) Then wehn I get home and shower, I cook breakfast for my wife and I. On Sunday’s, I do my long training runs. This Sunday, it will be a 16 mile run from my home in East Point, up Lee Street to Peachtree and then to my office at Lindbergh Center (Where I have a shower and change of clothes.)
I actually like the morning runs as it allows me to see the city before the rest of the world gets up and out. Traffic on the streets is lighter, and I have discovered a number of great places because of my runs.
By ADRIANNE
March 6, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
This is great guidance. I agree it’s mostly mental. Rolling out of a cozy bed in the morning to run seems easier these days and later in the summer, when its lighter at an earlier hour. With the coming time change, I guess it won’t be light out until around 7 or so?
By John
March 6, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
I don’t often run in the morning but I love it when I do. One morning right before dawn I spied a huge owl ten feet over my head, returning from the night’s hunt. I’ve almost ran over a trio of raccoons that scurried across the sidewalk in front of me at 5:00 am. They ran up a tree staring down at the silly man running, and then took off again as I continued. Running in the snow in Atlanta’s snow jam of 93, when there wasn’t a soul out. Running by the bay in Vancouver watching a reflection of Mt. Ranier in the rising Sun. I’ve run all kinds of odd times, but my most memorable run was doing a 20 miler at midnight on Christmas Eve in Chapel Hill, NC…when everyone had left town and it was 4 degrees above zero. At 17 miles I had the elusive runner’s high. One of three times that has happened in the 35 years I’ve been running.
Find the time whenever you can…if you can, you never know what you will experience.
By Adrianne
March 6, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
John: I can almost picture that quiet Christmas Eve run.
I’m glad you mentioned the runner’s high. I’ve learned that it truly is elusive. I experienced it during a training run last year and figured they’d start to occur frequently. not so. but they are beautiful when they come around.
By Susan
March 6, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
I’m trainig for my first marathon in April. Running after work is best for me. However, some days I wish I could just rest and relax with my family. My long runs are on the weekend. Training for a marathon is hard work!
By Susan
March 6, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
I’m trainig for my first marathon in April. Running after work is best for me. However, some days I wish I could just rest and relax with my family. My long runs are on the weekend. Training for a marathon is hard work!
By John Tackett
March 11, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Susan,
You are correct in the statement, Training for a marathon is hard work!” when I started running 4 years ago, it was just 5k’s, then I moved up to 10k’s and then my first half marathon. I remember my forst long, slow run of 10 miles taking me about 2 hours to complete. Now that 10 mile run takes me about 90 minutes. My body has become used to running long periods of time, and handling the punding it takes.
Just remember, your long, slow runs should be at a pace of about 2 minutes slower than your racing pace. If you run a 10 minute mile during a 5 or 10k, then do a 12 minute mile in the long runs. Good luck in your first marathon. You will have a great time..
“There are days I doubt I can run a marathon, but a lifetime of gratitude and confidence because I have.”