5 Time Management Tips To Help You Train As A Busy Athlete With A Busy Life
As a dad, husband, full-time professional, and part-time STEM grad student, I’ve had plenty of training blocks that have had to take a backseat to, well… life! When I’ve asked others – whether they’re training for a 5K or a full-distance IRONMAN – “What’s one of your biggest challenges with training?” – the overwhelming answer has always been: TIME.
From “I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day,” to “By the time I’m done with everything, training is the last thing on my mind,” time scarcity seems to be the most common hurdle.
But as athletes, we train so we can race injury-free and actually have fun out there. A friend once told me: Train hard, race easy. The idea is, the more consistent your training, the less brutal race day feels. Easier said than done though right? I’ve been there too!
With all this in mind, I think of the famous quote (and a personal favorite) by Lao Tzu: “Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time’, is like saying ‘I don’t want to'”. (This quote personally means I always try to be intentional with my time, prioritizing in this order: family –> work –> school –> training.) Not always perfect, not always completely doable – but we can definitely try!
So, here are five things that have helped me squeeze in training even when life’s at its busiest – because while it feels like I don’t have time, I still want to train! My hope is they can help you find some time to train too!
1. Early Mornings, Late Nights
It’s not glamorous, but it’s often the only time I truly have to myself, where I can dedicate and commit my full attention to training. I’ve logged workouts at 4:30 AM and sometimes after 9:00 PM. Is it ideal for rest? Heh, no not for me, not at all! But, it gets the job done – one to two hours of solid training before the day starts or once it’s wrapped. I’ll also make sure to prioritize rest by going to sleep earlier any time it’s possible.
Personally I’m an early bird and early mornings have been my go-to. Though it’s incredibly tough (mentally AND physically) to jump into the pool for swimming training at 4AM, there’s something super personally satisfying about finishing your workout before most people have had coffee. You might even feel more energized throughout the day because of it (at least that’s been my experience… sometimes).
If late nights work better for you, there’s usually the added bonus of a quiet gym or an empty pool. I’ve done both. And while I love an empty pool late in the evening (meditative zen zone!), I’m still team 4:00 AM wake-up!
2. Color-Coded Calendars Everywhere
Between everything life sends this way, sometimes it feels like I’m juggling flaming torches, blindfolded, on roller-skates! But I’ve learned something that works for me very well – if it’s on the calendar, it gets done.
When I’m deep into an IRONMAN training block, I’ll block out my calendar down to 15-minute increments. Seriously (even though it might seem like too much!). I also use my TrainingPeaks calendar to plan a month ahead, then sync it with both my work and personal calendars so everything’s in one place. I’ll block out times for workouts, work, school, and personal time with my family. This helps me tackle my priorities every day and feel like I am making the most of my time!
I might not have time for much else during this timeframe (I love video games and reading too), but it’s what I’ve got to do at the moment to make the most out of my training blocks.
Yes, it’s a little much. But yes, it works!
I like to highlight my first workout as blue, second as light blue. It helps me to know which one to tackle first. Once at work, I refer to my work calendar for the rest of the day.
3. If Possible – Try To Train During Lunch
This one I feel is underrated! I’m very lucky that my office is next to a beautiful set of running trails, so I can jump from a meeting at 11:59 AM to a set of intervals at 12:00 PM and still be back in time for my 1:00 PM call, usually eating lunch during that meeting.
Midday workouts have also helped me avoid the classic and dreaded afternoon slump and mentally split the day into two parts. I come back feeling more alert, focused, and ready to finish the afternoon strong. I will recognize though, this isn’t always doable for everyone. I’ve been in roles before where I was not able to leave the office/workspace the entire day (or night, too when I worked overnights) so now that I’m in a role where I can, I try to make the most out of it and the time I have available.
4. Split the Bricks
You don’t have to do your brick workouts back-to-back every time – at least I don’t if I do not have the time. Splitting them across th)e day, a swim in the morning, a ride in the evening, still counts! (Of course if you’re trying to get the feeling of a bike to run, then it might be beneficial to still plan to do them back-to-back!).
Some – probably most honestly – weekends allow for full bricks, and that’s great! But during the workweek, splitting sessions can be a game-changer. This ties back to your calendar. Try to find windows of time and make them work for you.
5. Find Your Accountabilibuddy
Having someone to check in with makes a huge difference. An accountabilibuddy helps keep you honest on the hard days and provides someone to vent to when things get overwhelming.
They might also share time-saving strategies that work for them and things you wouldn’t have considered. Sometimes just knowing someone else is going through the grind too makes it easier to stick with it. Truthfully, it really does, as you know you’re not in the grind alone.
Parting Thoughts
I could go on (and probably will in another post), but these five off-the-top-of-my-head tips have helped me manage training while keeping up with the rest of life.
Whether you’re just getting started or deep into a training block, I hope at least one of these helps you find a little more balance!
Got your own time-saving tips/tricks/hacks or any thoughts on the ones I shared? Drop them in the comments! I’d love to hear what’s working for you.
As always, I appreciate you being here. Thanks so much, and best of luck in your journey, wherever you are right now!
Fortitudine Vincimus
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