1. Schedule your runs in your calendar in the same way you would any other activity or appointment. Do this in advance and stick to it. Do not skip this appointment as you would not skip a dentist appointment or important meeting at work.
2. If your spouse runs too. Run early in the morning. Get out of bed in time to give you both 30-45 minutes to run but separately. This works great if you have children that you can not leave at home by themselves. One spouse can run and the other can have coffee and a breakfast snack waiting for the first runner when they come back. Then the other spouse can get out there as soon as the first comes back. Trade out who runs first, and who cooks breakfast and makes coffee.
3. Most runners want to include 2 maintenance runs, 1 speed training day, and 1 long run each week. If you have weekends off, the long run and a maintenance run can be done on Saturday and Sunday. Then you only have to find 2 mornings or evenings or in my case, 2 lunches a week to get in the other maintenance and speed day. It doesn't seem as hard to find time during the week when you are only trying to find 2 30-60 minute time periods.
4. Be flexible with your training. If you are training with a schedule for a 5k or other event like a half or full marathon. Do not tie yourself meticulously to the schedule as it is written. If you have to move your long run to mid-week to accommodate travel, work or a child's activity...do so! This will not harm your over all training. Honestly when is the last time you have gone 18 weeks (typical marathon training time) without something coming up unexpectedly in your schedule? Be flexible!
5. Plan ahead. Pack running clothes in your car. If you find yourself with 15-20 minutes before an appointment (you showed up early) or with 30-60 minutes because an appointment or meeting was canceled get your run in immediately. Be prepared ahead of time can help you take advantage of "wasted time"!
6. Consider a gym membership, especially if that gym has child care and that is a real hindrance to your ability to work out. Although I find that a gym usually takes up more time that you have because you must think about the time it takes to get there and back. So, also consider budgeting for a treadmill and a few weights at your own home. Then you can squeeze that run in when the baby is napping or while dinner is in the oven.
As I am sure there are many more time management tips I have not mentioned here. Please come back and re-read this article occasionally. I will continue to add to this list as I see exciting and helpful tips when I read and get out with other runners.
Happy Running!
