After working 15, 16, etc hour days I had nothing left to run by the time I got home at night. I also didn't get up before work to run because I neither had the time, the energy, nor was I getting enough sleep.
Today, I finally got back to a little bit more normal work day, so I was able to get home from work in time to take my son to his Lacrosse practice. I was exhausted, but I really wanted to run, so I took the opportunity to run the path around the football field that they practice on. The path is just a touch longer than 1/4 mile so it took me about 18 laps to get the 5 miles in.
I hate running in circles! But I did what I needed to do, and it felt good to run! I am sure part of the reason why I didn't go further than 5 miles was because I was running in circles. I much prefer to just head out and eventually make my way back. This thing about "getting home" every 1/4 mile is an almost insurmountable mental battle!
I started at nearly a 10 minute pace and finished the last mile at an 8 minute pace, and felt good throughout the five miles, other than being a little tired. My thigh has been feeling great, which is really encouraging. I hope it continues that to heal so I can get back to the mileage I was running before.
How do you work running in if you spend 15+ hours working - for days straight? How do you find the energy?
Great post. I work a lot although not 15+ hours a day, that leaves only 9 hours! I just find that I have to trim the fat from my schedule (no TV unless I'm on a treadmill!) and do a lot of multi-tasking. Yep, some things fall behind, but my running is important. Mentally and physically. It must be done. A life essential. @fuckyoudiet
ReplyDeleteThanks! This was a special circumstance and is not a normal nor long term thing. Only a few days and it is already coming to an end. I am with you on cutting other things out before running - that is what I have done for the past few years, however these past few days everything was cut out automatically, it was just work, drive, and sleep. Eating was even hard since I didn't get that much of a break :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and for your comment!
Nice work fitting in a run.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I would fit in running if I was working 15+ hours a day.
No worries Tim, glad you got to run.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't work that much but this post reminds me of Penny, who works in Hollywood - crazy hours. I don't know how she does it. I've only been getting about 5 hours sleep this whole week because my son is sick. I did manage a bike ride yesterday and a run today (but it was on my lunch hour). A little different. I had the time, but not the energy, which is easier to overcome. Sounds like you managed a nice run after all of that, though!
ReplyDeleteI also work a lot of hours. I try my best not to work on the weekends and do my longer runs then. Duri g the week is the tough part. If I know I'm not going to be home in time to run all week I try to get up early (4:30am)at least once to run. I find that when I do that I'm not more tired I actualy have more energy on the days I do that. Lime everyone I gave my bad weeks but having runner friends helps. When I start slaking they motivate me to get out and run. Without them I wouldn't have the motivation for 430 am runs, later runs after a ling day or early sun runs after a sat night out drinking. The one thing I know is no mater how I feel before a run I always feel better after and never regret going. So my best advice is get a group of friends that will get in your face and make you find the time they will be your saving grace
ReplyDeleteI also work a lot of hours. I try my best not to work on the weekends and do my longer runs then. Duri g the week is the tough part. If I know I'm not going to be home in time to run all week I try to get up early (4:30am)at least once to run. I find that when I do that I'm not more tired I actualy have more energy on the days I do that. Lime everyone I gave my bad weeks but having runner friends helps. When I start slaking they motivate me to get out and run. Without them I wouldn't have the motivation for 430 am runs, later runs after a ling day or early sun runs after a sat night out drinking. The one thing I know is no mater how I feel before a run I always feel better after and never regret going. So my best advice is get a group of friends that will get in your face and make you find the time they will be your saving grace
ReplyDeleteThat sounds miserable, I'm glad you found time to get in a run! Whe I have zero time I still try to get out for a run, even if its really short. A mid-work day run would probably give you more energy for the rest of the day. Smokers get to take breaks all day long, why not a 15-20 minute healthy break for you?
ReplyDeleteI don't get to sit down at my job, and it is particularly taxing at the beginning and end of the school year, which just so happens to coincide with high temps and humidity. These things are to my running what the Cavity Creeps are to your teeth.
ReplyDeleteI tend to beat myself up about it, but I have to remind myself (without too much help) that running is not my profession. Unfortunately, like everyone else, I have responsibilities that get in the way of all the stuff I'd really LOVE to be doing all day.
However, running is essential to my mental and physical well-being, so if life is so crazy I can't get out (like it was most of this week), I just sneak out early on the weekend, go slow and long. Those are the runs I enjoy most anyway.
And then I try to rededicate my desire, schedule and motivation to do better the next week.
I hope your week give you many more hours to enjoy yourself this week, Tim.
I struggle to fit in anything when I work really long hours. Sometimes it's more important for me to get some shut eye than to squeeze in a workout.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patrick!
ReplyDeleteMe too :) Good job with your running lately!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kerrie! It was a rough week, looking forward to getting back to a normal schedule this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike! I know all about the 4:30 runs, that is one of my normal run times - especially when I am training for a marathon.
ReplyDeleteThe crazy part about last week was that it was all kinda thrown at me the last minute and I didn't know what was going to happen day to day. The additional thing was that I was already getting only about 4.5 - 5 hours of sleep a night, so getting up early would not have worked for me.
I do understand the energy that is created with running, even to the point that it makes up for lost sleep, but this was not one of those times it would have worked for me unfortunately.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Thanks SwimBikeRunDC! I wish that was even possible last week :) I didn't even have a chance to eat a couple days last week. The other days I brought cold sandwiches just so I could eat :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth! This weekend ended up being a recuperation weekend and other than mowing the lawn (before the neighborhood called QOL on us) and a easy three miles on Sunday night I didn't do anything! It was one of the busiest weeks I have had for years.
ReplyDeleteToday was much better, and this week will hopefully be back to normal - it is on the right track so far, I will be at the running club tomorrow night! :)
It is always more important to get some shut eye.... unless you get enough of that already of course :) I was only getting about 5 hours a night last week which was less than what I need to function for too long.
ReplyDelete