No Time To Run?

Of course there is! Here are useful tips for squeezing in a run when time is tight.

Written by: Linzay Logan

We are all busy, we are all short on time, and we all have a million things to do in one day. Unfortunately, there isn’t always time to go for a run. However, there are certain times you can fit in a run when you might think you can’t. Keep your running shoes and a set of workout clothes in the car at all times in case that previously unforeseen opportunity presents itself.

Here are some times I always make sure I’ve got my running shoes handy.

Oil Change

The mechanic will always tell you your oil change is only going to take 15 minutes, but when has it ever been that quick? Rather than sit in a crammed waiting room, throw your shoes on and go for a 20-minute run. And don’t hesitate to ask if you can leave your car a little longer while you squeeze in another couple of minutes.

Early Morning

Getting up before the sun to get in a run ranks pretty close to last on my list of fun things to do, but with a packed day sometimes it’s the only time I can go running. Running blogger, Skinny Runner, is lucky enough to have an internal alarm clock to get her on the road early. Even when she is fishing in Alaska for several months during the summer or on vacation, she gets up before every one else to go for a run. “When I’m on vacation, I like to get my run in as early as possible. It’s so much easier to get it done and out of the way before the beach and piña coladas start calling my name,” she explained. “So I make sure to set my alarm so I can get up and get going before the busyness of the day starts; that way I’ve got a good sweat in and don’t feel like I’ve missed out of any of the fun either.”

Getting up early is often difficult, especially when on vacation. I asked Skinny Runner how she stays motivated to wake up early for a run and she told me: “To motivate myself to get up that early, I remind myself how good I will feel afterwards: how accomplished I’ll feel, how proud of myself I’ll be, how I will want to fuel my body better afterwards, etc. For the people who say ‘I don’t want to wake up early; I’m on vacation,’ yeah, you’re on vacation—you can take four naps if you need to! Go fall asleep by the pool knowing that you’ve started your day out right and in a healthy way.  And come on now, if you stick to your workouts, you know you can have that second, (or third), mai tai.”

The Dentist

Now you can’t go running and get your pearly whites cleaned at the same time, but next time you are sitting in the waiting room for one of your children, your significant other or whoever it you happened to taxi to the dentist’s office, go for a quick run while they deal with the drill.

During Down Time

When I was in college I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and nearly every weekend was spent traveling, which meant even less time to get in a run. After most train rides or flights, my friends would demand a nap before a late night out on the town. Most of the time, instead of napping I would go for a run. It was great because I got to explore a new city and not feel like I was missing out on anything, plus I was re-energized from the run just as much as a few z’s would have given me.

At The Gas Pump–Really!

OK, you definitely won’t get very far in the two minutes it takes to fill up your gas tank, but last week when I filled up I took advantage of those two minutes and did calf raises. Two minutes of this little move will light your legs on fire, and you’ll be stronger than you were before you pulled up to the gas station.

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