10 CREATIVE WAYS TO SQUEEZE RUNNING INTO A HECTIC LIFESTYLE

As a working mum with two jobs, 3 children, 1 husband, 2 ponies and many other pets, it can be hard work fitting my running training in, especially when a lot of the races I do are long distance.

How does running get squeezed into my lifestyle? I typically run around 65-70 miles per week so it has to go somewhere. 

Over the years I have found some novel ways to incorporate running into my very hectic lifestyle to make sure I get the training in.  There is not really a lot of spare time in my working week, so I have to make my running sessions count and I have to fit them in where I can.  Within my daily routine I have to get my kids to school/College, sort out ponies, guinea pigs etc, do my day’s work, and then do the morning routine in reverse in the evening! Then sort out everything ready for the next day.  Plus fitting riding our pony in!

So here are my top 10 tips to squeeze long runs into a hectic lifestyle:

This has to be at the top. Without making running an absolute part of my daily routine it would be easy to think it is not possible to fit it in.  Also, making it part of the routine means it has to get done. It is what I do, without it I don’t function as well and I am not myself.  People say ‘but how do you fit it in?’ and I just say because it is part of life and what I do each day so it is never questionable.  This is key to getting it done.

Having a coach help plan my hectic lifestyle and fitting the runs in has been a game changer for me.  I know it may not always be affordable, but even making your own plan can help.  If you have set out 4 weeks in advance where you can fit runs in and what you need to do, it takes that time out of thinking about it and gives you more time to get out and run.

I am very fortunate to live very close to work – 3.5 miles is my shortest distance.  I can adapt this run to make longer sessions when the children are at their dad’s, or keep it short if I have school drop off beforehand.  If it’s shorter I can do speed work within this session on the way to work – there is also a good hill I can do hill reps on before work. If I do this I’ll then have a nice gentle recovery run on the way home.

When I was Spine training, to fit extra miles in I would run to the ponies, then to work and do it all in reverse again – often getting 18 miles in on a workday!

I have been known to squeeze a lunch run in if I’ve struggled to get everything done before work or I need to get back earlier to do extra family duties!  It is just about how much you want it sometimes.  

Yes, it can be a rush and I have learnt how to eat lunch in about 2 mins! But once it’s done I feel so much better. These are the sessions you’ll think about when you are on that start line – when you’ve put the extra effort in and gone the extra mile (literally!).

We have a pony that needs exercising too.  So, to fit weekend runs in or extra time on my feet – I will run alongside my daughter and pony! I get some odd looks, but it’s great fun and is effectively ‘killing two birds with one stone!’

Similarly a family dog walk can be used to run out and backs with your family and you may find your children end up running sections with you too!

We all want to spend time with loved ones at the weekend.  I sometimes struggled to get longer runs in and had mum guilt about trying to do fun things with my kids and do the training.  

I found running to my parents whilst my husband drove the kids there, one of the best ways to get the training in.  I often managed a 15-20 mile session with my kids not really noticing.  You need a good partner for this one though!

Or family Parkrun – which is super fun but I would run there and back to extend the run but without the family missing out.  

If long runs are harder to fit in, be economical with your running.  Shorten your long run but add in your weaker areas like speed or strength – for instance hill reps.  

My children are not with me every weekend so when they are this is particularly precious time.  So, I don’t do a long run every weekend, but I will work on weaker areas within a shorter session.

Keep a moisturiser, deodorant, hairbrush at work or have mini ones that are easy to carry in your bag.  Along with these essentials, always have a supply of wet wipes – these hold the answer to cleanliness wherever you find your run ends!

Make sure you have clothes at each place you are running to and from. I leave kit at work but also carry a lot on my back – I always wear my INOV8 8l RACEPAC into work, which I put my lunch in and a change of clothes. I also leave kit at the stables so I can be dry and warm when I run to tend to them.  I leave a pair of clean shoes at work too and an extra pair on the mobile screening van for when I work there.  This took time to get used to but with time and repeating this day to day I now always have kit where I need it.

I absolutely love my INOV8 WINDSHELL jacket – it folds to the size of my hand and is so lightweight but so warm.  This means I always have an extra layer to easily put on when I stop at the ponies and start to cool off post-run.

Treadmill don’t have to be pricey – I got a cheap one from Facebook Marketplace!

When my children were smaller and I had no other option for long runs, I faced the prospect of the treadmill in my front room! I did this for quite a while.  But it does work and it can be useful if you have no other options.  

I once did 18 miles in my lounge with my children asleep upstairs! It may not be as fun as the trail adventures we all seek, but it’s certainly an option if you have no other way.  Just don’t do it all the time or you may go mad! And put a good movie on.

I am not extra special to fit my training into my hectic lifestyle. I just want it enough. I strongly believe that if something is important enough to you and you have enough of a desire for it, you will do all you can to make it happen.  

If you have children, they will learn that exercise and getting outdoors is good for you and what you can achieve if you really put your mind to it. We shouldn’t feel guilty for getting our runs in, but should feel proud of what we are teaching our children about the importance of exercise.

You can always fit training in and I hope my novel ways of doing this help inspire you to squeeze those runs in when you may have thought it not possible before.