Real World question: telling your boss you are a runner

I would be very careful NOT to let on about how much you run. This will be looked down upon in many work places.

Just tell him/her, like others have said, that you are more productive after a break. So see if you can go run at 5 or whatever.

don't tell him or anyone else that you also run in the morning. but get most of your mileage in the AM.

good luck.

Ah... to be young and think that working 45 hours a week is overtime...

Basically, what you are saying is akin to telling your boos you are really interested in getting a second job so you are going to need more time out of the office. He will laugh at you and tell you to suck it.

Realize that a real job isn't a punch-in/punch-out type of deal.

Explain the benefits you get from running to your boss, and try to get an extended lunch break to run.

Or commute via running - that is the best thing you can do.

Do not try to come off as "special" b/c you are training for the 2:20 marathon. It is no different than Jack from accounting explaining that he really needs more time off of work to finish his scrapbooking project. In truth, it really is no different. If you want time out of the office, get a different job.

Alas, maybe you need to rethink your life if you have other aspirations. I presume you might want to date/marry one day. If this running thing is temporary, fine, but maybe a different job is better if you prefer to run more and want more out of life than sitting in an office.

Looking back, I wish I would have waited to do the office thing. I look back fondly on my years of running and my years of being with my wife. I could have done without the late nights in the office though.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Run fast or semi-fast, qualify for something big or tell your boss what you're trying to qualify for (Olympic Trials), get a sponsor or join a sponsored group (free shoes, gear, travel), and THEN your boss will realize just how serious you are about your running. You need credentials to justify why you're even running. Otherwise, you need a boss who understands, a job that is flexible, or quit it altogether (sabbatical?) to pursue your dream (temporarily). Your physical window of opportunity is now, and you only live once.

a sub-elite marathoner wrote:

Run fast or semi-fast, qualify for something big or tell your boss what you're trying to qualify for (Olympic Trials), get a sponsor or join a sponsored group (free shoes, gear, travel), and THEN your boss will realize just how serious you are about your running.

don't believe this kind of stuff. if your boss is under pressure and is paying you to do work, he won't give a shit if you're champion of the world.

the answer to your question is very obvious. you cannot tell your boss how much you run. you're not just punching in at burger king anymore. if work has to be done, you need to finish it or get a different job.

if you can pretend that you need just one short workout in the afternoon/evening, that's the way to go. don't say you need a 2nd workout.

Thanks for all the advice.

Believe me, sometimes I think I chose the wrong major. But at the same time I am a very productive worker, in fact my boss has told me I have been doing well with that. I dont waste time. I just need that mental break as well after 5, I would start making mistakes on drawings which would not be a good thing. I've always put quality over quantity, and I did tell him I could come back in the evenings(since my commute is 10-15 min), which he was ok with and I have done before. I told him in the afternoon I just have "personal stuff" to do..maybe i should say the word "commitment" though. He seemed to acknowledge that, although he really prefers that I stay "all the way through." After this conversation I had with him, I thought about mentioning running...but haven't.

I am just to cautious to mention it.

I think the real problem he has with me is the fact I don't have the same routine as most of the other employees(though there are a few that leave no later than 430 everday), and that the difference is i cannot always stay from say 5-7pm, even though I can go home and come back arund 8 oclock. To me, I have never been more productive doin this and got the job done doing so, maybe he just hasn't seen this yet. Some days I do stay until 7 tho when I don't run in the afternoons.

Keep Going- Thanks for the advice. I feel that could be a good thing to say.

I agree with a lot of the advice so far. I especially would keep discussion of the running to a minimum. Perhaps only use it to make a point that healthy people are usually better workers. You could always play the federal labor laws card, being that you do not have to work more than 40 hours per week, although that could easily backfire. Initiate an open and honest conversation about how you realize that you won't work your way up the ladder as fast with other personal interests. Remind your boss that there is a good reason why 40 hours is considered full-time in this country.

It is cliched, but it's true there is rarely a situation that can't be resolved by good communication. In this case, if it can't, find a better boss to work for or don't run as much.

Ditch the job, it stinks.

1. Don't lie as someone suggested.

2. Tell your boss or find a mentor, and explain to them your running goals. Anyplace that has a problem sucks and you should leave.

3. You, however, need to be way more flexible. 40 hrs for a 25 year old is nothing. Life balance crap is for people with mega responsibilities like kids. Get up earlier or figure it out to get miles in and put other crap on hold if you want to have both; maybe pick 2 days a week when you can always put in extra hours. Tell boss you need 2 days to leave "on time".

5. The reality is most peoplw are 9-5ers, but they are not high achievers, and will get nowhere. You are a high achiever so make some sacrifices.

I'm lucky that my boss is also a runner. He encourages me to take off work early if I have a race.

Yeah, lying about having a kid?, LOL.

Has anyone ever had success in mentioning their running to their boss(es)?

The other thing is, why would I have to mention any of my personal life? It's none of his business. I have kept my mouth shut and maybe if it comes up again I will say "personal committments" and no more...I'm sure I can work on my own flexiblity, and I do want to grow in the professional world...but maybe right now I dont intend to jump up immediately since I wanna give this running thing a shot as I'm still young. You only live once, might as well try. It's hard.

Unholy Cumulus wrote:

Another solution is to pretend that you just had a kid. I've found that people that I work with pull the "kid card" all the time. "Oh I have to leave a little early and pick up my kid from _____". No one ever questions it, because if you do you look like a huge douche.

Definitely something George Costanza would do. In fact, I think even Elaine would do it.

wmonkey wrote:

don't believe this kind of stuff. if your boss is under pressure and is paying you to do work, he won't give a shit if you're champion of the world.

Why not? You are going to live, and you are going to die. If you have the ability to run, use it while you can. You have a lifetime to make money working a real job with real hours. There is no point in being unhappy because you have a boss who doesn't understand your goals in life.

Can you run at lunch time 1, 2 or 3x per week. All you need is a locker and shower. Many people do that (in addition to the morning or evening training.

Is there a reason you have to leave at 5? Why not work until 6 and then do your run starting at 630 (given you have a 15min commute).

In the workplace, unfortunately, it is not just about production but also about face time (the time you are in the office).

I too wouldn't lie but I also probably wouldn't say the issue is because I have to go running. Non-runners, unless they are big in another sport, don't take that too well.

Or realize that the American Dream we've been sold is worthless. Put in the bare minimum, realize you may not advance, realize that means you probably don't want to start a family now if ever (keep your dick out of the wrong holes) and live on your terms. That job is a means to feed yourself and make rent. Period. If you see it as that (which it may have to be if you really want to be serious about running for the next decade) it will allow you to focus more on your running priorities. If you don't like the sound of that, something will likely have to give sooner or later...especially if you buy into that whole "moving on with your life" "growing up and starting a family" thing. It's a simple choice...

Working 45 hours a week is overtime...

to the ......... person, I simply wouldn't function properly on 5.5 hours sleep a day. Yes, I'd survive, but not feeling good.

Over here (UK) the standard working week is 37.5 hours (9-5 with half hour lunch break). I don't doubt there are some professions where people put in a lot more. Heard of one girl working for goldman sachs putting in 18 hour days for the first year. Know people there now putting in 60-70 at mid- management level. On the other hand, I know wealthy people who put in 37.5 to 45 hrs.

To me, earning £200,000 a year wouldn't be worth an 80 hour week or similar. I would rather be on £25,000 and work a standard 37.5 but that's just me.

To the original poster, I wouldn't explain to your boss about running, they cannot pick fault with it if it's a commitment they don't know about. I'd put the emphasis on showing you do work those 40-45 hour weeks and you work them well.

I think people are misunderstanding the reason why some people are telling this kid to keep running out of the discussion...

Obviously, everyone here understands why the kid wants to run fast, and feels that running is a very important thing in life. No one is disputing either of those things.

What we are saying, is that everyone has priorities and everyone makes choices about what is best for them.

To many people, hearing that someone is training for the Olympic Trials in the marathon is no different than hearing that someone is trying to become a world-class poker player or a master turkey hunter. Sure, it sounds cool, but it sure-as-hell better not take priority over work.

I am not saying that "professional" jobs such as lawyers, architects, accountants, etc are any better than typical 9-5 gigs, but you sure as hell cannot expect a boss to understand that running is going to keep you out of the office.

No matter how good you are, your boss will not understand or care. Why do you think that so many Olympic-level athletes work for the Home Depot OD program? Do you really think these people cannot get other jobs? Of course they can, but no other job is going to put up with their lack of total focus at the office.

It is sad, but true.

You have options:

-Wait a few years to start your career.

-Train when you can and make more money.

-Try to find a boss that is a runner, so you can properly tailor your work-life around your running.

I work at a law firm in Boston and run about 80-100 miles per week. My goals are a little slower (sub 2:30), but I feel your predicament. I have to work 45-50 hour weeks at a minimum.

I kept quiet about my training until the last Boston Marathon. The only person who knew about my running was my secretary, and she told the bosses that I ran Boston. Ever since then, my bosses occasionally ask about the training and how I'm doing. It has also made it easier for me to tell them "I'm going for a run" during the afternoon and then stay at work later on into the evening (and work weekends). As long as I get my hours billed and work done, they don't care. Letting them know I ran and it was important made things more flexible.

Don't assume your bosses won't understand. If you tell them you're trying to qualify for the next Olympic Trials, they'll probably be impressed (they should be or they're ignorant). There are ways to feel them out on this though. Find out what sports they like, if they've ever run, etc... This may also be a completely different situation for you because in Boston, everyone knows about the marathon and anyone who doesn't run respect those who do.

Anyway - feel it out, see what their opinions are and you should be able to find out if you can have a flexible schedule. If it's important to you you can make it work.

ITBS wrote:

... and that the difference is i cannot always stay from say 5-7pm, even though I can go home and come back arund 8 oclock.

Why do you NEED to run @ 5-7pm and come back to work (from home) around 8pm?

Why can't you work till 7pm and run after? It'd be way less commute time then going home in the middle of your work day and coming back.

Do you have kids, wife, etc.? Cause if you are single - you sound kind of whiny with these demands. Honestly, 50 hours/week and 100 miles/week is plenty doable without making special exceptions at your job. Run in the morning and a couple times a week before bed - NOT THAT COMPLICATED!!!!!!!

I'm 25, work 45-50 hours/week, married, and run 80-100 miles/week. Just get it done and stop thinking you're special. Be creative and productive - commuting by running a posability?

I'm not trying to come down on you - I'm exactly like you, I have the same goals - but from a business perspective and not personally knowing your boss, your request will seem pathetic.