Instagram rolled out an ‘Ask me a question’ feature last week. I tried to answer as many as I could (minus the questions about my boobs) but with 67 questions I didn’t want to be that person who posts endless stories that people skip over. Plus, I was also running out of entertaining answers!
A lot of them were about motivation which I covered in this post and a lot of people asked how to fit marathon training into a busy working week and still maintain some sort of social life.
So, this is what I do…. it’s got served me well for all my marathons so far.
Be realistic Pick a training plan that best fits around your lifestyle by working out how many days you can realistically train (any more is a bonus). If you work long hours / have childcare to factor in then a plan that requires 6 days a week may not be the best one for you.
Take it one week at a time I tend to look at that week’s training plan and prioritise my time. If I’m busy on a certain evening then I’ll make that a rest day and shuffle the run days around.
Try and be consistent The ‘odd’ extra rest day won’t harm, but if you regularly miss training then you’re going to struggle. Marathon day is a deadline that doesn’t move and you don’t want to feel underprepared. If you don’t have time to do the full planned work out that day – try and at least do something…. which leads to my next tip…
Have 2 plans During previous training I’ve followed an intermediate/advance plan and but I also had a copy of the beginners plan. I used the beginners plan as a ‘bare minimum’ guide. So on REALLY busy days / weeks, I’ve switched to that one – It’s still something and something is better than nothing!
Break it up If I have 8 miles planned on a Wednesday evening and I know I won’t have time to fit it in – I split it up. Do 2 or 3 miles in the morning and the remaining mileage in the evening. Takes up less time on a night and I’ve still run the miles.
Get up early This is a tip I got from Emmerdale’s Tony Audenshaw – I asked how he fitted marathon training in with filming and he simply said ‘I just get up earlier’.
Think about it – a 2 mile run may seem pointless to some, but 2 miles every morning before work doesn’t take a lot of time, and it’s an extra 10 miles over the week / 40 miles a month.
Run commute Running to work may not an option for everyone (I can’t run 70 miles a day) but when I had no car I was getting the train and running 5k to and from the station every day.
Runch Utilise your lunch break by squeezing in a few midday miles. It all adds up and it’s better for you than online shopping. I promise.
If you really want it you’ll find a way, if not, you’ll find an excuse!