How to find time to run
Getting creative with training solutions
“How do you find time to train for ultra marathons?” This is the ubiquitous question I get asked whenever anyone discovers I run very long distances.
It is also the first thing my female athletes worry about when they sign up for a half marathon or win a place in the London Marathon ballot (amazingly 15% of my runners won a place this year).
I run five times a week and go to the gym to do strength training twice weekly. Depending on where I am in my training schedule it ranges from about five to 12 hours a week of training.
Most days I can be found wearing running gear, always ready to run to a doctor’s appointment, take the dog for a run after school drop-off, pop to the gym at lunchtime or do some hill sprints while the kids are at an evening activity.
On a Sunday morning is not unusual for me to be seen running with the dog while my boys cycle beside me. And sometimes the boys indulge in some muddy cross country running with me and Zippy.
If we are away on holiday I will go for a running recce when we arrive finding out where the local shops and best beaches are. If we are visiting family I find a way of fitting it in. In the summer I went climbing with my niece, her girlfriend, my two sons and my husband in a wood in Bristol on a blazing hot day. While they drove back to my sister's house afterwards, I found my way on foot using the OS Map. Turns out my 10k route was much more direct.
A family affair
None of this would be possible without my hugely supportive husband. It makes a massive difference. And it’s something that I urge my runners to consider when signing up for longer races.
After receiving her London Marathon training plan from me, one of my runners sat down with her husband and kids to make sure they were on board. As a family they worked out her to support her. Her sons took on the responsibility of cooking some evening meals and her husband helped her create a spreadsheet to visualise her work and running sessions. And this is the way it should be.
In our household we have found a happy medium – although admittedly it has taken a few years to reach it. My husband goes indoor rock climbing two to three evenings a week and I sort out the kids most mornings and after school. In return if I need to go for a three hour run at the weekend that is fine with everyone – as long as I take the dog 😆
This year I have a lot of trips away for races, from the odd day to an entire week. Before signing up for anything I spoke to my husband about what was a manageable amount and what support he needed when I was away. We agreed on three longer/overseas trips.
But it’s a reciprocal agreement and in return my husband has pretty much carte blanche to go away for a climbing trip whenever he wants. And our family holiday this year is to destination where he can climb while the kids and me enjoy the pool and go to the beach.
It does help that my line of work can benefit the whole family. Last year my husband and I had an incredible all expenses paid trip to Bermuda because of my work as a running and adventure travel journalist. And my sons have been equipped with free running shoes and jackets plus trips to festivals and other work related gigs.
So how else do I find time? Well I am incredibly lucky to be self employed which means I do run a lot during normal working day. But there are ways to fit it in if you work full time in an office. Early mornings and evenings, lunch times, run commutes, and making the most of weekends are all things to consider.
Creative cross-training
When the weather is dangerously icy or stormy I hop on the exercise bike or go in the garage to row – a luxury I know not everyone can afford.
I’m also not adverse to swapping a run or gym session for cross-training. Digging on the allotment for four hours is as good as a 30-minute gym session (and is ranked as my coach’s favourite inventive alternative to strength and conditioning).
And cross-training can be a good way to get the kids involved. Last weekend I went ice-skating with the kids instead of a 10k run. On Monday my eldest son has an inset day so I’ve decided to take it off. I know he won’t want to go for a long run but he’s more than happy to go to Cannock Chase to go mountain biking for four hours. That’s my endurance session ticked off.
But if I am 100% honest I don’t always find time. This week I will have run three times and been to the gym once. That will sound like a lot to some people but in my world I will have missed a long run, gym session and a shorter run.
I have had an extremely busy week at work with a project that gave me little wiggle room. I will be at the Running Show all day tomorrow with back to back meetings so that means I also lose a Saturday.
But that’s OK. I may feel like a caged whale but I know this week if not the norm. I’m not going to beat myself up about it. I warned my coach at the beginning of the week and he adjusted my plan accordingly. It’s not the end of the world and actually trying to fit it all in to an already busy, stressful week would probably do more damage than good.
So while there are ways to fit it all in, it’s important to also let it go. No training plan will ever have every single session ticked off.
That doesn’t mean not doing that interval session when you CBA but it does mean not stressing yourself out if you have a week or two of disrupted running.
Finding time isn’t always possible. And that’s OK.
Looking for a female running coach?
Just a reminder that I offer 1-2-1 coaching for women. If you want to get back to running, are taking on your first marathon, or are looking to step up to ultra marathon distance then I can help!
I offer simple training plans tailored to your specific goals and lifestyle, plus advice on strength training, kit, nutrition and races.
Just drop me a message and we can have a free online consultation.
Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter. If you have any running news for me, let me know! Send feedback to lilycanter@yahoo.co.uk or suggest topics you’d like me to cover.
