{"id":2474,"date":"2019-10-07T20:10:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T20:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/carolineg1.sg-host.com\/?p=2474"},"modified":"2022-04-30T18:30:31","modified_gmt":"2022-04-30T17:30:31","slug":"how-to-fit-a-run-into-a-busy-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/how-to-fit-a-run-into-a-busy-schedule\/","title":{"rendered":"Make time to run: How to fit a run into a busy schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>One of the biggest challenges for a lot of runners is how to fit a run into a busy schedule.&nbsp;Between working a full time job, looking after a young family and other commitments, finding time to run almost seems impossible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not having enough time to run is one of the most common complaints I hear from the runners I work with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&rsquo;s the thing. We always have time for something that&rsquo;s important to us, something we love to do. Don&rsquo;t we? But I get it. Life happens and gets in the way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The minute you plan a run, the kids get sick or your boss hands you a project with an impossible deadline. There&rsquo;s always something, but you don&rsquo;t have to let life knock you off track.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some tips on how to fit a run into a busy schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b2bf989a2772c6bbebd472b\/1569775462849-JC2T94G0KSQX1XKZ2F2T\/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kOyxdgnfQL4oGhuBWN470zcUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8GRo6ASst2s6pLvNAu_PZdKswNitowkwJDAXFNI4g_susiyf5moRCiIn3D4-MdFnymmvIUa6z5FneJ7iYqd3iJA\/How+to+fit+a+run+into+a+busy+schedule?format=1000w\" alt=\"How to fit a run into a busy schedule\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b2bf989a2772c6bbebd472b\/1569775462849-JC2T94G0KSQX1XKZ2F2T\/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kOyxdgnfQL4oGhuBWN470zcUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8GRo6ASst2s6pLvNAu_PZdKswNitowkwJDAXFNI4g_susiyf5moRCiIn3D4-MdFnymmvIUa6z5FneJ7iYqd3iJA\/How+to+fit+a+run+into+a+busy+schedule?format=1000w\" alt=\"How to fit a run into a busy schedule\" title=\"\" data-mvt-skip=\"src\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"eager-load\" data-no-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to fit a run into a busy schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get creative with your runs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You may be one of those runners that doesn&rsquo;t think a run is worth it unless it&rsquo;s long or far enough.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sure, there are times when a long run is necessary if you&rsquo;re training for a half marathon or marathon, but you don&rsquo;t have to go for a long run every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get creative with your training and include short speed workouts into your schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This could take the form of interval training, hill running, tempo running or Fartlek training in a session that lasts no longer than 30 minutes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find a stretch of flat land or a hill and try one of the following workouts. Be sure to do a proper warm up before each workout:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Interval training &ndash; 4 x 400m at a challenging pace with 1 or 2 minute recovery runs in between.<\/li><li>Hill running &ndash; 4 x 100m hill repeats with 1 or 2 minute recovery walks in between.<\/li><li>Fartlek training &ndash; 2 minute jog, 5 minute run at a challenging pace, 2 minute jog, 6 minute run at a challenging pace, 2 minute jog, 7 minute run at a challenging pace.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You&rsquo;ll benefit from these types of training sessions as they improve your speed and stamina and push you out of your comfort zone if you&rsquo;re not used to doing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Run first thing in the morning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you struggle to find time during your day or after work, then running in the morning may be a game changer for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schedule an hour in your morning for your run. You may need to wake up one or two hours earlier than normal, but it&rsquo;s so worth it if it means you can get your run done and out of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Running in the morning takes a lot of motivation. If you struggle to get up in the morning normally, it may take a few practice runs for you to make it a long-lasting habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&rsquo;s no better feeling than going to work or getting on with the rest of your day knowing that you&rsquo;ve already completed your run for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s such a satisfying feeling! Surely, this is enough to get you out of bed in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b2bf989a2772c6bbebd472b\/1569775505200-GK67Z56DM2JEW8DRBRKH\/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kOyxdgnfQL4oGhuBWN470zcUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8GRo6ASst2s6pLvNAu_PZdKswNitowkwJDAXFNI4g_susiyf5moRCiIn3D4-MdFnymmvIUa6z5FneJ7iYqd3iJA\/How+to+make+running+part+of+your+busy+schedule?format=1000w\" alt=\"How to make running part of your busy schedule\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/5b2bf989a2772c6bbebd472b\/1569775505200-GK67Z56DM2JEW8DRBRKH\/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kOyxdgnfQL4oGhuBWN470zcUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8GRo6ASst2s6pLvNAu_PZdKswNitowkwJDAXFNI4g_susiyf5moRCiIn3D4-MdFnymmvIUa6z5FneJ7iYqd3iJA\/How+to+make+running+part+of+your+busy+schedule?format=1000w\" alt=\"How to make running part of your busy schedule\" title=\"\" data-mvt-skip=\"src\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" lazyload\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Run during your lunch break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you struggle to find time outside of working hours to go for a run, then your lunch hour could become your new best running friend.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eat light then head out for your run 15-20 minutes later. If you have a flexible employer, you could even extend your lunch hour and leave work 30 minutes later just so that you&rsquo;re not rushing around after your run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to make lunch time running a serious habit, start a running group and find colleagues that can run with you.&nbsp;This is a great way to motivate you and make you accountable for your runs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can&rsquo;t think of a better way to get away from your desk and get some fresh air during your lunch break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you prefer to run to or from work, then run commuting may be for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a running schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re someone who procrastinates and puts running off because you find something more important to do, then a running schedule could be for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies have shown that people perform better when they have written down what they need to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A running schedule, much like a to-do list, is an effective productivity tool. They bring some clarity to all the chaos going on in your life, and they give you structure, a plan that you can stick to. They are also proof of what you have achieved that day, week or month.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/users.wfu.edu\/masicaej\/MasicampoBaumeister2011JPSP.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A study by Wake Forest University<\/a> even showed that a plan to get stuff done can help to free you from anxiety.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you&rsquo;re allowed to make and note down concrete plans, your performance substantially improves.&nbsp;Simply writing the task down will make you more effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you struggle to commit to your runs, write them down and see if this helps you stay on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Run with your family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a young family or struggle with childcare commitments, consider taking your kids with you on the run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Running with your kids is a great way to spend time with your family. Plus, it&rsquo;ll keep your kids healthy and will get them away from their phones and out in the great outdoors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parkrun has introduced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parkrun.org.uk\/events\/juniorevents\/#4.09\/55.05\/-2.95\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Junior Parkrun<\/a> &ndash; a free 2k run, jog or walk for 4 to 14 year olds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Junior Parkrun is an amazing opportunity to run with your family in the great outdoors, surrounded by high-vis wearing volunteers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your kids are a little too young for Junior Parkrun, then why not invest in a running buggy. There are some great three-wheeled running buggies on the market that you will allow you to enjoy your run with your little ones.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not convinced? American mum <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/us-news\/woman-runs-marathon-three-hours-20072580\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cynthia Arnold<\/a> recently broke a Guinness World Record by completing the Missoula Marathon in three hours pushing her three children in a pram.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is such an amazing achievement and really shows what you are capable of when you put your mind to it.&nbsp;You may also like:\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the biggest challenges for a lot of runners is how to fit a run into a busy schedule.&nbsp;Between working a full time job, looking after a young family and other commitments, finding time to run almost seems impossible.&nbsp; Not having enough time to run is one of the most common complaints I hear &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2498,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false},"categories":[53,39],"tags":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":2498,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/23-300x300.png"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2474"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7336,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474\/revisions\/7336"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2498"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}