Serious marathon running and the worker. Discussion?

I work full time and run marathons as well. Guessing my training is similar as I have run 2:19. My work schedule is pretty hectic (6 AM - ~8-9 PM). So I usually run at 4:30 AM or during lunch (or both).

I talked with my work about my running and they are ok with me taking 1-1.5 hrs during the day to train. I would try and get a sense for the culture and see if running during the day is something work would allow you. If so try and have a conversation early with the people you work with so that they understand what you're up to.

Of course if your work schedule is more flexible it'll be easy to run after work. Also, try and find a local running team. Depending on where you live there will be teams with people running close to those times. I find that it keeps me motivated and helps me during the harder workouts.

Run2work wrote:

Any one have any experience on how they structured their training around work? What benefited them, what didn't?

Thanks

This reminded me of reading Joe LeMay's blog and him working a 9-5 as an Exchange admin while putting in 130 mile weeks.

You obviously aren't ready for a real career if you're putting selfish goals at equal priority.

Not aiming for a full yet, but holding 105mpw working in a school from 7:00-4:00. Short run at 5:15ish am, then nap after work and run around 5:30 or 6 pm, eat. Eat, and then sleep from 9:00ish-5:00am. Eat at 6:30am, 11:30am, 4:00pm, and 8:00pm

exact-answer wrote:

You obviously aren't ready for a real career if you're putting selfish goals at equal priority.

Some of us have real careers, leave our work at the office, and have a lot of free time.

I don't run nearly that fast but I train more seriously than ever on top of a full-time software engineering job. So far I've learned:

If your running impacts your work negatively at all, don't mention it (like if you're going away to run at a national-level race, just say you're going on vacation and leave it at that). Honestly if you're even a bit tired or sick, and people know how hard you're training, they're going to start using that as justification for every negative thing you feel. My manager's wife blamed my getting the flu despite getting the vaccine on my training, even though I got the flu during my break. So try not to talk about it too much unless people ask.

Not sure what your hours are like, but I can fit in a run in the morning and a run after work no problem. The only issue is getting stuff like chores done, and I usually need to take at least one day a week to get as many chores done as possible.

I'm more productive when I run. I get my sh*t done efficiently and well. On my breaks I have more time, but it takes me longer to do things, so it doesn't really make a difference.

Thank you for the reply. My job, thankfully, doesn't appear as time demanding as yours does. Did you go with the 7 day approach with fixed days for sessions etc or a 9/10 day cycle?

In response to the 'selfish' dreams reply- I landed my ideal job, one I worked very hard to do. Now I am blessed that I can leave my office at the end of the day and run because I worked hard to get there. Thanks for your response.

Run2work wrote:

Thank you for the reply. My job, thankfully, doesn't appear as time demanding as yours does. Did you go with the 7 day approach with fixed days for sessions etc or a 9/10 day cycle?

In response to the 'selfish' dreams reply- I landed my ideal job, one I worked very hard to do. Now I am blessed that I can leave my office at the end of the day and run because I worked hard to get there. Thanks for your response.

I try to follow a 7 day schedule. One thing that I find important is being flexible with my plans (something that I struggled with in college). I listen to my body a lot more and I'm not concerned about pushing my workouts out or doing a 9 day schedule if I need to adjust my training due to work.

Due to my schedule (and just what has worked for me in marathon training) I also do a lot more strength workouts (meaning fartleks/tempos/etc) as I have found it difficult to run hard VO2 max stuff during the week.

Good advice here regarding communicating this with coworkers and the boss. In my experience it's best to keep it to yourself. Maybe tell your boss if the situation feels right. As in, can I come in at 8:30 instead of 8 type of thing.

I worked in public accounting and ran 90+ during tax season. If you have the desire and drive it can happen. I'm running most morning by 5 and either at lunch or after work when needed. I ended up doing mostly singles with on a few doubles a week which helped. I also asked about coming in at 8:30 once I felt the situation out more.

Ecin wrote:

I also asked about coming in at 8:30 once I felt the situation out more.

I did something like this. Asked to come in a half hour earlier to have an hour and a half lunch to get a full hour run in and a half hour for showers and to eat.

I ran on my lunch hour and then after work. Lunch was around noon and after work was usually 5:00.

Good advice there xenonscreams, especially the part about co-workers scrutinising you for signs of fatigue.