Welcome,
This is the last week of balancing work and running a newsletter series. A few people asked if I would share my story, which feels a bit self-indulgent, but why not?
Last week was rough as I came down with a virus in my throat. I thought it was strep throat, but after a strep test, it was not. I took a few days off from running. It also meant, I wasn't feeling up to running the Mountains 2 Beach half. I really wanted to race, so I was pretty disappointed. Running easy is one thing, but running a hard half is another. And for what? Do have a mediocre race because I was sick? Infect others? Take even longer to recover because I pushed myself too hard? So I skipped it and I guess I was rewarded as I’m feeling semi ok today.
In case you missed the last few weeks from the series:
Finally, this is the last week the newsletter is sponsored by UCAN. So if you've wanted to try it don't miss out. UCAN has offered readers 4 free gels, just pay shipping: ucan.co/fueledbylolz and 15% off just use this link ucan.co/fueledbylolz.
Supporting brands that support the newsletter does, in turn, support the newsletter, so I appreciate anyone who does. If you aren't into gels, UCAN also has energy bars which are my favorite snacks during the day.
UCAN Edge energy gels deliver steady, long-lasting energy that's easy on the stomach. UCAN uses starch-based carbohydrates instead of sugar, giving you a more even flow of energy. Plus, they taste like a smoothie and don't require water for digestion!
Onto the newsletter:
Where do you live?
Edwards, California.
What is your job?
I am a Department of Defense civilian at Edwards Air Force Base. My "side hustle" is all forms of blogging and social media. Admittedly, I've dialed that down a lot, especially in the last year. I don't have as much time as I once did for social media, and honestly it's been really good for me to step back.
What are your work hours? Some form of 8-4. (7-3, 9-5 ect)
Do you have a demanding job? Are you on your feet or sitting all day?
I mostly sit at my desk. I do try and get up to talk, especially when working from home, otherwise I would get no steps except for runs. When I'm in the office (the majority of the week), I tend to get up often to talk to people or find people when working on projects together.
What benefits does your job have that not all jobs may have?
Working at Edwards is great. I'm on a "maxiflex schedule," which means as long as I get 80 hours per pay period (every 2 weeks), I can do that as I want. That means I can work 9 hours one day, 7 hours another, as long as every two weeks I get 80 hours. Now I can't abuse that and say work 4x10 hours and take every Friday off, or just not show up to work, but it makes it a lot easier if I sleep in and still want to run because I can just work later.
I also get 3 paid fitness hours a week, which means I can use work time to work out. I usually take mine either before or after work. Half of the time I use them because I did sleep in and the other half I use them to leave early and swim after work. I'm actually amazed that maybe only 20% of my coworkers take advantage of them.
Are you training for something right now?
I would like to break 20 minutes in the 5k again. It's been since 2021 that I've done that. I'm trying to get as fast as I can in the 5k. I'm doing a couple of half marathons this spring and maybe a fall marathon, but TBD.
When do you like to work out? Are there sacrifices you make to do that? Less sleep? Less family time?
I like to run before work. If I swim, it's almost always after work because I hate how long it takes you to get cleaned up after the pool. I'm lucky my husband and I both run. We both can have weird schedules (especially him) so sometimes it's the only time I see him before we go to bed. We don't run together all of the time, but maybe a couple of times a week, so I don't really sacrifice family time. I never sacrifice sleep honestly, and if I want to go to bed at 7 because I'm tired...I do. I don't set an alarm, and if I end up sleeping in way too late with not enough time to run, I just don't and I figure my body needed sleep more than running that day.
How do you make time for other things like grocery shopping? Cleaning? Etc.
Truthfully, I asked this question to get help with my own life. LOL I don't enjoy any of those things. I hate grocery shopping. I dislike cleaning and cooking. Living in rural America, grocery delivery is not available to me so we try and go once a week on Sundays. (Ubereats is also not available so thankfully we save a ton of money not doing that).
I will do a meal delivery service with CookUnity that makes healthy and good lunches. It's not cheap, but I find I actually enjoy the lunches and dinners. It's definitely cheaper than takeout, and they have so many healthy and also decadent options. (Side note, I just realized all members get a link to refer friends to save $60. So it could be worth trying because it will be cheaper than grocery shopping that week. Anyway, I digress).
Occasionally we will need a few other things from the grocery store so sometimes I'll pick them up on my lunch break. A big benefit to me is that I live 3 miles from work so can come home on lunch breaks.
As far as cleaning, we also do once a week and it's almost always after I decide a long run is a good idea. My husband and I share about 50% of the chore workload, but if one of us goes out of town for the weekend, then we just pick up the rest.
How do you make time for other activities with working out? Strength? Core? Stretching?
I love swimming as much as running so I try and make time for that a few times a week. I'll do some light strength and core (15-30 minutes) once or twice a week. It's not so much making time for me, it's finding motivation.
Is your family supportive of your working out?
Yes. Almost all of my family works out in some sort of form. Funny enough, my husband and I met through cross country when we both competed for neighboring schools. Now does my husband always want to drive 100 miles into Los Angeles for a road race on the weekends? No. So sometimes on weekends, I'll do my thing and he'll do his. My immediate family including parents, in-laws, and brothers all work out too so it's fun to spend some time doing that together when we visit.
What tips do you have for someone trying to make time for working out and working?
Try to make it fun or something you want to do. If you feel like it's being forced, it's going to be miserable. Sign up for a goal that excites you even if you've "never done it before."
Also, choose sleep. It was a hard adjustment when I went back into the office full time, setting a new schedule so I could get enough sleep, run, and also be in the office. Don't be afraid to go to bed earlier, even if conventionally, it's not "bedtime." I always say: "It's bedtime somewhere."
What is Keeping Me Entertained?
New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v4 Shoe Review
TOZO OpenEgo Headphones Review
Skratch Labs Everyday Hydration Mix Review
Local runner turning heads and breaking records at 82