Saturday, April 11, 2015

You Say You Don’t Have Time to Run? I Say,“Bullsh*t!”

When I first came up for the concept of this blog a few years ago, I named it Shut Up and Run because I kept hearing people bitch and whine about how much they wanted to run but there just wasn’t enough time. Or, they just couldn't get motivated. Or, running was hard (no shit).  Or, they didn’t have the right “runner’s body.” Or, they were too old. Or, they peed/pooped themselves when they ran.

All of this complaining had to go. It seemed to me that people were making this all way harder than it had to be. Couldn’t we all just shut off our brains for a second and just start to run? I am believer in the premise that if it is important to us, we will find a way to make it happen.

Here begins a 5 part series on how you can just toss the excuses in the toilet and RUN. Unless you are sick, disabled or on the verge of injury, there really is no reason why it can’t happen for you. That is, if you want it to. Running is not for everyone. If you don’t want to run then stop talking about how you do and go buy some knitting needles or golf clubs.

So, let’s start with Excuse #1.

Please say this in your most whiny voice: “But, I just don’t have the time to run!”

Let’s break it down. That’s bullshit. What you mean is: “But, I just don’t make time to run,” or “I don’t really want to run, I just want to complain about not running.”

Because the truth is (and we’ve all heard this one):

Now, it’s time to problem solve. If you really don’t think you have time to run, get busy implementing these tips.

  1. Believe It’s Possible. First, you need to re-train your brain. Get out of the negative that says, “I don’t have time to run,” and create a positive statement that you believe such as, “It is possible to make time to run but I also need to make some lifestyle changes.”
  2. Get Organized. Every week I make a to-do list (the old fashioned kind with a pencil and a piece of paper). I put absolutely everything on that list from running errands to work deadlines to appointments to my workouts. I’d put pooping on there but I’m just not the regular. Yes, I schedule in my workouts much like I schedule in a OB/GYN appointment. It has to happen and it’s not getting interrupted. Sure, this takes some balancing. Maybe it means I can’t sleep as much as I’d like or I forgo a happy hour (not likely). The point is, make your runs a priority.
  3. Be Realistic. If you are really that busy, then maybe is not the time to train for a marathon. Take on a simpler and more achievable goal like running for 30 minutes 4 or 5 times per week. If you keep it basic and manageable you are more likely to do it. Period.
  4. Find a Group or a Friend. Find someone or some ones who are even busier than you are. Notice how they make running fit into their lives. Plan routine runs with them. You’ll be less likely to skip your run if you know they are waiting on you. Hang out with people who push you, who make you better, who motivate you.
  5. Make it a priority. This kind of goes with #1. If you want to run regularly, some other stuff might have to go from your life. Do you really need to watch that extra hour of reality TV? Could you say “no” to someone who asks you to do the millionth thing at your children’s school? Do you have to make every meal from total scratch? (or, you could be like me and start using a grocery delivery service for when you are crazy busy. It’s only a #5 delivery fee).

So, you see, if you want it to happen, it will happen. It doesn’t mean that it will be easy or you won’t have to move out of your comfort zone and make some changes. 6 years ago I did not run and I hardly exercised. I made changes. These changes did not happen overnight, but they did happen. Trust me they will happen for you too. You’ve just got to want it.

Sound a bit bossy? Maybe. It’s not like I have all the answers, but these are some tricks that have worked for me.

{Like anything, there are exceptions. This post is meant to target people who use being busy as an excuse – when deep down they know they could fit running in if they wanted to. There are those people who desperately want to run, but simply CANNOT fit it in (i.e., brand new moms, etc.)}.

Any other tips for how to find time to run?

What changes have you made in your life to fit in running?

SUAR

59 comments:

  1. Hey Beth, I agree with your commentary on excuses, but just wanted to share with you that knitting and running aren't mutually exclusive. There is a running group on Ravelry called Running with Sharp Objects...though we don't really knit while running, but take a look at this guy :-) http://donotstaple.com/knittingrunner/kc13.html

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  2. Love this post! I totally agree! I shared my tips and tricks shortly after my 4th baby
    http://melissacunninghamifpapro.blogspot.com/2012/06/great-balancing-act.html?m=1

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    1. http://melissacunninghamifpapro.blogspot.com/2012/06/great-balancing-act.html

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  3. I used to run after work then my husband changed jobs and it no longer worked for kid pick-up. For a few weeks I was bitter that I lost my run time. Then I realized if I went to bed earlier I could get my run in at O'Dark Thirty. So that is what I continue to do 7 years later and its great. I saunter into work at 7:30 and my co-workers have no idea I have already got a 7 mile run in for the day. No excuses!

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    1. Exactly! You are the perfect example of how to find time if you want to!

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    2. O'Dark Thirty...I like that. My group runs at 5:00 a.m. and we call it running at But o'clock. It's really fitting for that hour.

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  4. Preach it! I recently did a blog post on the same topic after listening to a round of excuses. As I was doing some stretching after going for a run, I overheard some parents at the karate dojo (where my son takes lessons) lamenting the fact that neither of them can find time to do any exercise. Never mind the fact that I had just knocked off a 6-mile run in the time they had been sitting there (complaining about everything that was wrong with the world).

    I made time for running (well, walking at first) by deciding I was going to get out and move three times a week during the one to two hour periods when my son was at karate; instead of sitting and playing on my phone, or going to a coffee shop and *consuming* calories instead of burning them. It has become enough of a priority for me now that if I miss my normal time slot, I will make time later in the day, or go the next day instead.

    The thing about always going at the same time every day / every week is that it forces you to work through another common excuse: weather. There is no room for, "Oh, it's raining. I'll skip running today". Buying the right clothes, and learning to handle the elements, helped me immensely. This morning I did another 13.1 mi training run, and I got dumped on for about 2 of those miles, but that just made me even more determined to gut it out -- and I finished better than two weeks ago (no 'wall' in site this time). It did helped that the sun came out and warmed me back up the last 4 miles. :-)

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  5. Interesting post Beth. Life can take over and leave you no time to focus any kind of fitness routine for yourself. This is more so in case of new mothers out there, juggling 101 things at a time. I personally try to a little bit of cardio at home, even if I have just 20 minutes on hand. Thank you for the motivation!

    Amy
    http://sixpackmommy.com

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  6. I just wrote a post on this. I call bullshi## on anyone who says they don't have time to run. I work full time, have a family, a delinquent son and I just keep moving. It's all about priorities.

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  7. I don't know. I sort of agree, sort of don't. I'm a runner, but basically had to give it up from February until just a couple of weeks ago because work just got too crazy and I have two small children. My day looked like this: 5:00 am-7:00 work, 7:00 - kids up and off to school 8:00-5:00 work 5:00-8:30 time with kids chores dinner errands etc, 8:30-10:00 work, 10:00 bedtime. There was just no way to squeeze running in there. Even on the weekends I was working a good 6 hours a day and trying to get everything else done and spend time with the kids. So yeah. That's not typical, hopefully, but some times there really is no time to run. Thankfully work has cooled off and I'm back down to 50-60 hours a week or so. Oy. But I'm running again!

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  8. Most people that say they are too busy, are full of it. If they gave up their TV habit, they could train for Ironman, write a novel, AND spend more time with their families actually doing stuff. New moms get cut a lot of slack, they probably really are too busy, and sleep deprived into the bargain.

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  9. Do you follow the "See Mom Run Far" blog? She has twelve kids, one of whom has developmental disabilities. She is a marathoner. She starts her runs at something like 4:30 in the morning. She also has a fantastic attitude and loves her life. She's really inspiring -- and if she can make time for it, anyone can (I too give new moms a pass).

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  10. Hey I knit and run but not at the same time ;)

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  11. Totally agree with this post. I don't have time to run = it's not a priority for me. There's no problem with this, but it should be recognised as such.

    The exception being new mothers, of course.

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  12. I don't understand people who say they don't have time to workout. Some days I work from 8am-7pm. But I get my ass out of bed at 5:30 in the morning and I workout. But then again, I LOVE it. It is easy to make the time for something you love.

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  13. It's so easy to make excuses when running isn't a priority. I make myself run, just as I make myself brush my teeth and shower. Just like I don't have to wash my hair every day, I don't have to pound out 10 miles at tempo every day... but I at least need to rinse the stench off ;)

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  14. I just had my third baby 8 weeks ago and let me say I feel a little better seeing that so many don't lump new moms in the excusable excuses column! 😉
    A year ago today I was finishing my 3rd half in 6 months... today I struggled through 1.5 miles pushing the stroller. It still felt good afterwards and worth the 30 minutes of prep it took to get a two month old ready for such a short run ;)

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    Replies
    1. This is just a seaon of time that you are in. It will change and soon you will be able to have a routine and schedule again. Hard to believe, I know, but it is true.

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  15. The time excuse always kills me. I work full-time and have two small kids in various afternoon activities. I'm two weeks away from running my first full marathon--the majority of my training runs done at 4AM because I have to be at work by 7. Don't have time? MAKE time.

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  16. For sure! I do two runs each week with my work running group and we go out on our lunch breaks. Great way to get the runs in even during those weeks where evenings are really busy. Sometimes life gets busy and I'll miss a run, but life is never that busy for days, weeks or months on end. That's just an excuse!

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  17. I find time by waking up at ungodly hours to run before sunrise! I love getting on with my day knowing that my run is behind me. :)

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  18. I have mixed feelings about being "too busy"... I agree that if something is important to you, you will make time for it. But when days are TRULY filled to the max with working full time, commuting, and trying to spend quality time with family/young kids, it CAN be hard & exhausting to get in workouts (and I promise I'm not whining!! :)) If I can get out of work on time, I can squeeze in a 30 min run before I pick up the kids. But if surgeries run long, I lose that window during the week (and I'm up at 4:30 to pack lunches & be to work by 6:00, so running before work isn't going to happen while also maintaining my sanity). And sometimes on the weekends I feel like I'm choosing between going for a run in the morning, or getting some actual relaxing/snuggling time with my girls. I don't "thrive on being busy", but I'll admit that I am knee deep in trying to figure out how to balance all the things that I want/need to do - work, kids, fitness, nutrition, fun. I appreciate that your post aimed at figuring out how to make time for it. I think that when people just focus on the "no excuses" message, they discount people who REALLY are crazy busy, and REALLY are trying figure out how to do everything they want to do.

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    1. Yes, there are exceptions to everything. I think this post was targeting people who use the "I'm too busy" excuse as just that...an excuse...it's not really a valid argument. In your case, you have a very valid argument. You want to fit it in, but there is absolutely no place to do so and family should always come first.

      Most of all I want to differentiate between your situation (or that of new moms, etc) vs. people who merely don't adjust schedules to find the time. These are two very different things and I'm focused on the latter :)

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  19. COMPLETELY agree with this post! My biggest pet peeve EVER, is the naysayers who make tht comment of "I just don't have time to run", "I just don't have time to cook dinner for my family", "I don't have time to read." etc. It's all about how you prioritize your life!!! I compromise other things in my life sometimes, so I can choose to do the things that make me happy or balanced!

    Balancing my work schedule and dealing with AZ heat (it's often 80+ degrees by 6 am in the summer) - I have found a group of ladies that are in the same boat. We get out there at 4:45 am every morning! Does it mean I have to get to bed a little earlier? Yes. But it's makes me happier, which makes everyone around me happier :)

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    1. And I bet it makes it more motivating and maybe a bit easier to get out there at 4:45 a.m. when you know you have friend to meet. Great strategy!

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  20. Hey Beth, I agree excuses are lame. I have my running in my schedule. This way everyone knows where I am. I will admit I sometimes have arguments with myself before I go, but a run never lets me down. I think you have to set small goals to get started and then build yourself up. I love the people at races and the runners on the trail. We all know what the other goes through to get out and run. Training is hard, but buying a bigger size pant is depressing..LOL! If someone is making an excuse not to run, they have no idea what they are missing. I use to run at 4:30 in the morning and now my schedule has changed and I can go at 6 am or 6 pm...No excuses!! Oh love your blog Beth, you make me laugh, cry, and keep going..😎

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  21. Beth, I started following your blog 2 years ago because the name of this blog says it all. I hate the excuses......it is important for our health, our well being and definitely keeps me grounded. Heck, I can even solve a few problems if I am in the "zone"! So, to sum it, pleeeeease do shut up, make it part of your life and get on with it. We can't do this for you BUT we will help, encourage and cheer you on if you take it seriously .......without missing out on other important pieces of what makes up our lives. Go get 'em Beth !!!!


    Rick B
    Halifax, NS, Canada

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  22. I hope your going to cover the response I get when co-workers find out I'm going for a run after work. I work 12 hour night shifts, and then change into my running gear and pound out a run before I head home. I usually hear "wow, your gonna go run now? Your crazy".
    I reply that if I don't do it now then it won't happen at all. This is usually followed by,"well I would run with you but it's too hard, or It's boring, and I've got bad knees".
    They don't seem to believe me when I explain that it IS hard....but you've got to keep trying. It gets better and easier if you give it time.
    I've found a few other nurses in our unit who run and we have done some races together. It's creating a momentum and I would love for more people to join us. I need help convincing them to try.
    Got any pearls of wisdom coming for that excuse?

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    1. I hate when people say those things. I honestly usually don't let it get it to me. Most of the time I just agree with them, "yes I'm going to run NOW" and "yes I am a bit crazy" and "yes sometime's it is hard but I feel great when I'm done." Everyone always has an opinion about what you're doing. Some family members think I'm off my rocker doing an Olympic distance tri. Yes I may be to them but I love triathlons. If they are happy sitting on their butts, so be it. I'm tired of trying to justifying what I do and shouldn't have to just because you don't want to do any type of physical activity.
      Do I make a snarky comment because you're going to go home and sit on your butt and watch tv all night, absolutely not. But maybe we should! ;)

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    2. I just say "well, we all make the time for the things that are important to us, and this is important to me!"

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  23. I'm a single mama and everyday I drop my baby off at his child carers home (a couple blocks over) and run the 3 miles to work and then again after work to pick him up. The running definitely gets the blood pumping for the rest of the day. I definitely owe it to you & your blog for my decision to continue running!

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  24. My biggest change was getting up really early so I knew that my run could happen even before my day began. It has helped me tremendously and now my day doesn't feel right if I haven't put in a good workout/run.

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  25. I gave up junk TV in the evenings so that I could start going to bed earlier, so that I could wake up earlier to run. Best decision ever! Now everyone knows that I'm MIA after 9pm because I'm in bed, but I'll text you back at 5am when I'm headed out for my run!

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  26. I'm a mom to 6 children ranging in ages from 19-7. Aside from being full time mommy, I work outside of the home for 20+ hours, plus coach track at the jr. high. I certainly have many days of non stop go, go, go. But I'm with you! It's completely normal for me to be up at 4 a.m. & hitting the pavement to get my run done. Or only have a small window of time, I head out for an easy mile. Sometimes I grab a mile in the morning, a mile in the afternoon, then the evening. One mile at at time I get it done. It's not always easy & some days that is all I get. But it gets done!

    Along those lines, I'd encourage & tell others that this just didn't happen over night. It was a process of which I worked to be consistent in getting my run done. I've always been a runner, but years ago when I was surrounded by lots of babies & toddler I wasn't as consistent & I used to never consider myself a morning person. Either way, it was a process. Given enough time & consistency you can make it happen!!

    Great post! I always look forward to reading your blog.

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  27. I suppose this is true for most people, but it wasn't true for me for about a year. Single mom of two little kids (can't watch themselves), not near family, can't afford babysitter. When I work, they are in daycare, but the daycare hours are not long enough to watch them while I run. If my current job did not allow me three hours of exercise a week, I would still not be able to. Probably others are in a similar situation.

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    1. Yes, like I said there are extenuating circumstances to any situation. I can see why there would be no way for you to fit it in. Again, this post was directed at those who could fit it in but choose not to based on the excuse of being too busy. Does not sound like that is the case for you.

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  28. Very true! I have maintained my running even with my son being born because it's the easiest for me to do. If I can't get time to run alone then I take him in the stroller. Now if I could just figure out how to get more swim time and bike time in!!! My last race made me realize bike trainer is not sufficient!! But it's kind of scary biking in the dark. The pool time I found a place that does Masters swim at 5am now I just need to figure out a way to get my butt up that early and get my husband to stop complaining if it wakes the little guy up! Thanks for the reminder!

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  29. I run commute which takes the guess work out of "finding time". I've got a routine where I'll get up an extra hour earlier so that I can take indirect routes to work. It's not unusual that I've ran 6 - 8 miles before I even step in the door at work....Sometimes I'll have a bag of fresh clothes + hygiene products (including baby wipes) there OR I will run with my commuter backpack. After work...I take a 3.5 mile trail that leads directly back to home. When you change your mindset from running for exercise to running for transportation....it's a big difference. I could never wake up earlier to hit the gym but I'm finding myself setting my alarm earlier and earlier so that I can do bigger loops that end up at work.

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