Work/home life balance!

How do you balance working a full time job and your runs? I'm out the door at 6.30am and home at 7pm. It seems there isn't enough hours in the day.

[nowster Graduate10]

Do you have weekends free?

And you'll have seen some folks here out running at 5am!

I'm fortunate in that I'm currently working from home on flexitime.

[Lookslikejames Graduate10]

Now that it’s going to start getting warmer, I’ll be getting up earlier. I was running at lunch but that won’t be an option during the summer months.

[CBDB Graduate10]

I schedule it into my work calendar. I am also lucky as I have some flexibility in my working week, and a couple days per week working from home makes it even easier.

But scheduling it in weeks ahead, and if need to, work longer in the early evening to squeeze in a lunchtime run seems to work for me.

There have been a few weeks where it just gets too busy to fit in 3 runs per week, but during the working week I have almost always managed to get at least one short run in there somewhere.

I’m still also experimenting with how to best keep running within my weekly work patterns, so will be great to read what others do!

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hi Limalina, that is a long day and I can see why you think there aren’t enough hours! I run before work. That’s to say I get to work early, dump my stuff, then head out again. Deodorant and wet wipes after and job done. (I do shower before getting to work and running). I’ve tried doing it at lunch and after work, but this is the only thing I’ve found that works for me - every minute is precious during the working week! Hope you find a routine 😊😊😊🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Guess I'm lucky with time I'm self employed, don't work weekends anymore and can rearrange my weekdays if I need to . 😬

[Katnap Graduate10]

Are you able to do a short run during your lunch break when at work?

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

It’s hard to run round full time work, your hours are long. Most the time i’m only running on my days off but aim for one short after work run on a work day Good luck fitting at least some running in

[Sparkey5000 60minGraduate]

That’s a long day and depends if you like strict routine or not. I have to be disciplined otherwise I find reasons to not go. I could never run at lunch at work as I ended up too red in the face and felt grubby. I used to do a before work run and one after work....literally in the door and out again as if I let the bum hit the sofa it wasn’t shifting again. But my morning started at 6:30 so I can see that may not be for you but some people seem to be able to get themselves out super early. Could me a bit of an experiment to find a good plan for you....best of luck

[Raisemeup 60minGraduate]

Are you perhaps able to stop the journey to work before you get there and run the rest and run back to that place when you leave Not every day, but a couple of times a week? If you are able to leave clothes at work and freshen up, this might work. Just a suggestion that may be useful and leave your home time for yourself. It could also be a way to split the distance to and from work into something more manageable.

Best wishes ☺️

[tmbtrain Graduate10]

This is something I've been thinking about going forward. Lockdown meant flexibility for me to go jogging whenever I wanted and I found mid morning was perfect. When I have to go back to normal this won't be possible. I'm kinda hoping I'll be hooked on running and will just find another time of day to do it. Probably mornings but what to do in winter 🤔

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

It is really hard. I work long hours too and have family and caring responsibilities in the evenings. I run straight after work on Mondays but just keep it to a short run of 4K which is half an hour for me, or a half hour interval run. Then I do a longer run at the weekend. Realistically that’s all I can manage at the moment but at least I’m still running. You just have to fit it around your life, after all it’s supposed to be fun, not another added pressure.

[TotalNewbie1 Graduate10]

I am also struggling with this. I do these hours six days a week (I have the privilege of being in a COVID vaccination centre) but I am mentally and physically exhausted. I was so enjoying running but now it is another thing to fit in. However when I do force myself in to my running gear I instantly feel brighter so rather than beat myself up I accept on my one day off I can only do a short run knowing (🤞🏼) that this won’t be forever. A short run is better than no run, but accept that it can’t always be done. I was feeling such a failure that I could no longer run three times a week but I try to focus on the fact it should be a pleasure. I do hope you manage to run and enjoy it, but if not there will be a time when you will do this.

[Fionamags Graduate10]

That sounds really tough. Even if you manage just one run per week it should keep you ticking over. You need to look after yourself - sounds like a very long day!!

[Hidden in reply to Fionamags]

It is tough and I am tired by Friday can't lie, at the moment I'm doing 2 runs a week a longer one at the weekend and a shorter one during the week, plus I fit in 2 cycle sessions and at least one weight training session. I don't think I've quite got the work/life balance right at all, as sometimes I just get to a point where I'm really exhausted. Its been interesting seeing how people fit it all in. 🏃‍♀️

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I can’t fit in anything else in terms of exercise on top of running.

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Good grief - you need to cut yourself some slack!