LOLZLetter 253 | No Time, No Problem: The Ultimate Guide to Sneaking in a Run!
Good morning,
After a few days in Nebraska, I am tired. We were honored to see one of our good friends retire after 20 years in the Air Force. Inspired by a recommendation, this week's talk is about how to run when you just don't have the time. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people say, "We all have the same 24 hours in a day." Do we, though? If Beyonce has a full-time house cleaner, child watcher, makeup person, fitness trainer, and a single mom is doing it all themselves, do we really have the same 24 hours in a day? I get it, things can get busy, especially during the holiday months.
I've read a dozen of these types of articles that have tips on "how to run when you don't have time." They usually say the same things: go to bed earlier, wake up earlier, schedule your run, and act as if that appointment cannot be missed. There are also other ways you can find more time in the day.
Embrace Mini Runs:
It can be easy to think, "Running for 3 miles is a waste of time," but I challenge you to think that miles are miles, no matter how you run. Is running 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening still 60 minutes of running? The same can even be said about 10 minutes in the morning and 10 at night. While many of us don't have an extra hour in the day, many of us do have an extra 20 minutes.
Incorporate Exercise into Daily Routines:
Maybe this isn't your time to "train" and that's ok. Maybe your dog enjoys walking. See if they'll enjoy running. You are already out there anyway. But it's essential to make sure they are comfortable and build very slowly. Or, try commuting to work. Ride a bike. Run. Walk. This is obviously easier for people in cities or who live closer, but exercise is exercise. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Try to stay active during the day.
Utilize Technology:
I think technology can be hit or miss. It can be easy for technology to slowly become an obsession, but remember, it doesn't have to be. Join Strava or find those with similar lives and goals to help motivate you. As someone who primarily sits for 8 hours a day, I do appreciate wearing my Coros so I can track how many steps I get in a day. If I notice I've literally gotten 50 steps in the workday, I do try and make an effort to walk around a bit. Technology can be a curse, though, and it can be hard not to become obsessed.
Schedule and Prioritize Your Workouts:
You've heard it before, but schedule workouts like a meeting. That way, coworkers won't bother you. They'll likely see "busy" on your team's schedule. LOL. For parents, maybe that means early mornings, during naps, or when your child is sleeping. For some, that might be a treadmill, and that's ok. Treadmills are a great tool to run when you still need to be at home.
Optimize Your Environment:
It can be expensive, but it's worth it to have your own home gym with things you need. Eventually, it will pay itself off because you won't be paying for a gym membership. But also, it pays you back time. Time is your most valuable asset here. No more commuting to a gym, and you can do quick runs or workouts on the treadmill because you have an extra half an hour here or there. It's no longer a process to get to the gym.
Quality Over Quantity:
Understand that a 20-minute focused workout can be more beneficial than an hour of distracted, half-hearted junk miles. It's okay if your mileage is lower, especially when the quality is higher.
Keep It Fun:
As I stated in last week's newsletter, keeping it fun is essential to avoid burnout. But if you are having fun, you are more likely to find time to do it. If you feel like every run is a chore, you aren't going to make time to work out.
Running or working out during a busy and chaotic life can be challenging, but staying active is important for maintaining physical and mental health. (I'm sure I don't have to tell many newsletter readers that).
For those with full-time jobs, families, or chaotic lives, finding time to work out can require creativity or changing your schedule. It's not about finding more time; it's about making the most of the time you have.
What is Keeping Me Entertained?
BREAKING: NC State’s Katelyn Tuohy Turns Pro, Signs With adidas
I'll have another with Grayson Murphy: I appreciated Grayson talked about making money as a pro runner.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim History – Part 5: The Races: I asked online if Rim to Rim to Rim (running to/from the Grand Canyon Rims) was a sanctioned race. While it no longer is, someone sent me the history which was super interesting.