Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
Now let’s get started by talking about something every runner will experience that might cause them to throw their hands up in the air if they don’t have a backup plan in place… training disruptions. This is especially true if you have designated Saturday mornings as your long run day. With so many things competing for that valuable time slot, it’s a good idea to have a plan B, C, and even D in place when anther activity takes precedence over getting in that crucial weekly run.
So as someone who’s been running through several seasons of life and now works as the Wellness Coordinator for our county health department, I know a little something about resiliency and backup plans. Whether it was scheduling long runs around babysitters when the kids were little, soccer practices and school functions before they graduated, and now directing races and runs at least one or two Saturday’s each month, I’ve had to discover alternatives to the traditional training time—alternatives that I hope will help you make it to the finish line with a smile on your face.
So without further ado, check out these three options that are tried and true for me and I hope they will be for you too.
1. Friday night fun runs.
These are great for so many reasons. By rallying up a few friends to join you after work, you can make this time super enjoyable and it comes with the benefit of freeing up your whole weekend and also running at a different time than normal, something that gives you some extra grit and staying power. To top off your run, plan a reward in advance. It could be something as simple as treating yourself to a cup of coffee or smoothie for a job well done. And if you can get your buddies to join you for the post run party, the reward is even better.
2. Break up the run.
This is a great option when you’re short on time. Let’s say a 10 mile run is on the calendar and you only have a few breaks in your day between taking the kids to a game or practice. Wake up early and get in 3-4 miles and then finish it up after it’s over. On a side note, you can always run while your child is practicing, even if it means making large laps around the sports field. Don’t worry about it being awkward either. You’ll find people not only think it’s NOT weird to get in the mileage, but they’ll eventually come to envy you and wish they had your same discipline. You can even break up run into three smaller ones if need be. The goal, in the words of Larry the Cable Guy, is just to ‘get er’ done.’
3. Run the race and then some. So for those who are participating in the OMRR Bass Pro training program, you’ve had last Saturday’s and next Saturday’s group run canceled due to some amazing other races taking place (Run the Rock and OneSolePurpose). The Pulaski County group has had the same thing happen. So what’s a person to do? Run before the race, run the race and then run some more miles after the race of course. For instance, if you have a 20 mile run on the agenda but want to take part in the OneSolePurpose 10k, warm up with a 3.8 mile run before stepping up to the start line of OSP and then run the race with your friends for an amazing cause. Take some time to celebrate afterwards and then finish up your last 10. It may be hard to stop and start but it will make you a better runner all around.
So there you have it friends. By having a plan B, C, and D to fall back on when (not if) your plan A fails, you’re setting yourself up for success. And just one more tip… prepare for before, during, and after your run by having clean clothes, food, and hydration. When life gets busy during one of your training cycles, you’ll be able to go from one event to the other without a hiccup—something that will allow you to make the most of the time you have. Hope that helps!
Happy Running!
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