Life in the Fast Lane – How to Balance Work, Life, and Running

Ever feel like you never have enough time in the day to get in a run? Unfortunately, not everybody is a professional runner so we non-professional runners must squeeze in time to train. The first and most important thing to do is to establish a schedule and stick to it. It’s a much better idea to have consistent short runs than one long haul at the end of the week. Fit in your run wherever you can find time without comprising your other responsibilities (work, school, kids, etc.). Whether you prefer to run in the morning or in the evening, here are some tips to help make your life easier.

Morning Runs

A morning run is a great idea if you want to start your day off right. You will feel more awake and alert after your run. Plus if you’re a parent you will be able to squeeze in some “me” time before taking care of your kids. Set your alarm to at least an hour before you normally wake up. Are you pressing the snooze button too many times? Get a good night rest before your morning run so you will feel energized in the morning.

Prepare the Night Before

Before you go to bed each night, prepare your running clothes, work outfit, your lunch, and your work bag. This will eliminate any last minute scrambling in the morning. When you wake up, you’ll be prepared for work and most importantly, your morning run. You’ll be out the door in no time!

Don’t Worry About the Pain

If you’re feeling pain from the run and rushing to work at the same time, you might want to try investing in a Massage Stick. The Tiger Tail Massager works by massaging the muscles which will reduce soreness, tightness, and pain. It comes in a portable, easy-to-pack design so you can take it anywhere with you. You can use the Tiger Tail before you drive to work or after you park. If you work at a desk or have your own office you can use it under your desk. Your co-workers will be oblivious to your under the desk roll out!

Ice Ice Baby

If something feels strained consider keeping ice packs in office freezer. Place the ice pack on the strained part for 20 minutes. Depending on how strained you feel, repeat these two or three times during the day. Be sure to label the ice packs so no one else uses them! You can also slip on a pair of compression leg sleeves underneath your work clothing to decrease the time it takes for you to recover and reduce muscle soreness in the days following your run.

Evening Runs

Don’t let a late meeting or your work commute deter you from running! Consider evening runs to help de-stress after a long day at the office. Physical activity helps to improve your mood by increasing production of endorphins (your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters).

Bring Your Running Clothes to Work

Bring your gym or workout clothes with you to work. You won’t have to worry about driving home to get ready. This will help avoid the danger of staying home instead of going out and running. A great way to remember to bring your outfit is to pack them along with your lunch. You’ll never forget to bring lunch so you’ll never forget to bring your workout clothes! You can also wear part of your running outfit to work. Wear Zensah argyle compression socks to your office, which will help keep your legs prepared for your evening run by increasing your legs’ blood flow.

Run Right Out of the Office

Map out a 3 to 4 mile safe course around your office. To map out a course you can look for an online site that provides that service. Completing your evening run before you even get into your car will relieve the stress of driving to the gym or trying to find a route. As soon as work is done you can run right out of the office!

Bring a Buddy

Sometimes we need to be held accountable for our actions including running. Find a friend that will accompnay you on your evening runs whether it be your cubicle buddy, neighbor, sibling etc. Pick someone that will help you stay motivated and will hold you accountable to your running schedule. It’s much harder to ditch running if it involves a friend. You wouldn’t want to ditch your friend too right?

Running is very beneficial to the body. It boosts your immune system, improves your mood, and slows down the aging process. It is also meant to be a fun activity. It may become stressful trying to include running in your busy schedule, but it is doable. Do you have any tips on how you balance work, life, and running? Share in the comments below!