Started today, but may struggle with 3 times a weeK? Help!

[Mitch15]

I have just come back from my very first walk/run. I really want to do this, but have a job with very long hours and I work across the country. I may only be able to do my runs at the weekend. Does anyone else have this problem? What do you suggest?

[Hidden]

It's not ideal but so long as you repeat each run three times I think you will be okay - it will just take a longer time to get there. But I think if you missed a weekend you would need to go back and redo a previous run. It would probably help if you could get in some walking too during the week even if you can't run.

Do you stay away with work, is it possible to run between finishing work and eating dinner (and make use of someone else's shower!) I know people who do this as part of their exercise plan. Other people get up very early to run but that might not work if it means an even longer day and driving when you are tired.

[Greg_M Graduate]

I have this periodically and sometimes also just do a compressed set of runs at the weekend. Sometimes I can find a way to squeeze in a week run as well if I am staying at a hotel with gym (rare) or do a bit of research in advance re possible routes.

I am lucky to have a shower at the office so I can also use my lunch break when I am in the office sometimes.

Its not ideal and if you were writing a text book I suspect you would say three times a week with rest days but life gets in the way of those careful schedules so if weekends are what you have then just use that.

Its no issue if you take longer than 9 weeks, getting out there doing it is the important thing. If you get a couple at the weekend them fitting in one sometime in the week is easier than two or three and even if you don't manage it every week you still keep some momentum.

[MaryAB Graduate]

I had this very problem the whole way through the programme. I work long hours in the week and travel quite a bit. It was never practical to run through the week so could only do weekends.

I know it wasn't advised but I would do a run Saturday and Sunday and it wasn't an issue not having a days rest but I already had a decent level of fitness before I started.

Obviously takes a bit longer than the 9 weeks to complete but it still works fine! You need to do what works for you and if you can only do weekends don't get disheartened, you will still be progressing and getting fitter!

Good luck!

Mary