2 days per week training-advise

CJ1

I am looking for advice/tips/motivation to get my running back in order. I started running about 3/4 yrs ago, started alone, did a bit with my husband, then joined local club mainly for company, eventually signed for marathon, did Dublin in 2009, 3 hrs 35, was absolutely thrilled but had done serious training up to it.

Now one baby later (19 months old) I keep finding every excuse not to train properly, I always feel I am starting from the bottom as I may go 3/4 times one week and then not again for 10 days.
I have committed to one night per week on track with club but otherwise it's on my own and at the mo it's not happening. I ran Reading half marathon in 1 hr 50 3 weeks ago (on memory, had one 7 mile training run done) and have signed up for one in Wexford at end of June so want to prepare for it half right at least.

Anyway sorry for long post but can anyone advise how to train with limited time, I work full time, OH does too so sitters are hard to get as no family nearby etc etc...

YFlyer

James Cracknell mentioned yesterday that he sees Nell McAndrew out running pushing a pram

Rhys Essien

Have seen a few girls lately running with the pram as well.

wrstan

Sounds like you need a running buddy who will hold you to account if you miss a session!
I suggest you set yourself out a realistic but challenging training programme, say 10 - 12 sessions over the next month. Agree a time slot during the week which suits you and your OH, say Saturday mornings, and get his agreement that this is your running time (try the "it makes me a better husband/wife/lover" line - not that it ever worked for me!). Then find a buddy who will run with you at least some of the time, but more importantly will check that you are following your programme. Log your runs and check how you've done at the end of each month. If your programme has been realistic you should be able to achieve 80%+ of it.

The best way to find a running buddy is to join a club and find someone in your area of your general ability. Sounds like you have plenty of potential at 01:50 with no training and 03:35 on your first outing. My guess is once you rediscover a taste for running your problem will quickly be how do you fit in 4 sessions a week.

Good luck with it anyway.

RayCun

Fit in short runs where you can. You might think that it's not worth your while running unless you can go out for at least an hour, especially because you don't get to run often, but that can be self-defeating.
If you have 30 minutes, run for 30 minutes. 3 or 4 short runs a week are better than nothing, and when you get used to making that time for running it will get easier to extend it sometimes.

CJ1

Thanks for the replies, running with pram is out, tried that and learned that I really use my arms so could not get used to it.
I read the thread about early morning so hope to motivate myself to try this at least once a week and see how that goes.
Also mentioned it to coach at club tonight and he was saying the fact that I always run hard doesn't help, to try get back to running thirty mins easier and build up a base before jumping in too strenuously.
Thanks again

huskerdu

I understand how hard it is to find the time to run when you and your spouse are working.

Can you run some or all of the way to or from work one day a week.
It might take some organising, but if you can get public transport to work,
and run home, or get off the bus early and run the last 5km home.


Can you go for a 30 minute run at lunchtime at work ?

mr.wiggle

Another good way to get in those miles is the run to/from work.
If your workplace has a shower , this could be the way .
If you live too far from work, you can always get a colleague to drop
you a manageable distance from home.
This really is a great way to do it !

Mr.W