Happy Friday! I’m looking forward to a weekend of cooler weather and racing. What about you?!
Today I’m participating in the Friday Five link up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Mar from Mar on the Run and Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?! Since it’s “free” Friday, I thought I would discuss some ways to still maintain a social life while marathon training.
I’m coming up on the end of week 10 (how the hell did that happen?!) of training for the NYC Marathon. I’ll admit that some weeks have been better than others, but that’s just how training is supposed to go, right? Although I’m usually in bed early on Friday night for Saturday morning long runs, there are still ways that you can, and should, maintain a social life while marathon training.
Early Morning Workouts
Yes, these are a pain in the you-know-what, BUT is there anything better than getting a workout out of the way early in the morning? Sure, waking up an extra hour early kind of sucks (especially when that calls for a 5:00 a.m. wake-up), but you’ll have the rest of the evening free after work to see friends and family. For me early morning workouts on Thursdays work well because I can then meet up with friends for Happy Hour at least once a month.
Workout with Friends
Running and cross training are part of all training plans, there’s no way around that. Obviously it’s best NOT to skip too many workouts, so why not bring a friend along for a run or a class? That way you can still spend quality time together, all while completing your daily workout! If you don’t have any running buddies, that’s okay! Take a gym class with a friend – spinning, crossfit, boot camp, barre, yoga – the possibilities are endless.
Sign up for Races
If you have to run 13 miles or longer for a training run, why not get a medal for your trouble? Better yet, why not recruit a few family members or friends to run that race with you? When you incorporate races into your training plan, you usually aren’t “racing”, but trying to run the race at your “long-run pace”. For some people, their long run pace is considered “conversation pace” so if you recruit a friend to run a race with you, this would be a great way to catch und chat for a while.
Brunch is your best friend
Chances are you will power through a long run early on Saturdays. But the time you finish and shower, it’s time for brunch! Is there a better way to catch up with friends than over mimosas? I think not! Or if you would rather rest after a long run, you can always go out to brunch on Sunday!
Netflix and Rest
Obviously you’re not going to party hard the night before a long run, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun. Invite some friends over for a movie and pizza night. This way you don’t have to leave your home and you can set the time for your “Netflix party”. You can still relax with your compression socks, carb load with pizza and hydrate with tons of water before your long run the next day!
Marathon training is intense and requires a good chunk of time, no matter if you are a fast or slower runner. But the most important thing to remember to not let the training process take over your whole life. I had an issue with this when I first started training but I’ve now found a happy medium.
Do you have any tips to share? Let me know in the comments section!
Kimberly Hatting says
All great tips!! I think it’s SO important for runners to stay grounded with non-running friends. Granted we don’t always speak the same language, but we may be the motivation/inspiration they need to start running (or be active) and they might be the influence we need to lighten up on all the excessive training and take a break now & then.
kookyrunner says
Totally agree with everything that you said Kimberly! I also think for training to be a “good” experience you must have balance or else you get too obsessed witht the training plan and the miles.
Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says
That’s the thing about marathon training, it sucks the life right out of ya! I don’t have any runner friends that were on my same schedule so I ended up running a majority of my runs alone.
kookyrunner says
Very true – I have literally felt exhausted all week!
Jack says
I’m always refer workout in the early morning so that in rest of a day I still have time for my friends and family
kookyrunner says
I start work early (7am), so sometimes its hard to get in a morning workout, but I try to do it at least once a week!
MICHAEL BRANDON says
Thanks for sharing this, Kim. Such a good topic to discuss and such a great tips, too. Yes, maintaining social life while training marathon seem quite hard but it is great that you could manage to do both. Your tips are very useful and could apply in many occasions, not only during the marathon training.,
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Michael! It was a topic that I have been wanting to write about for a while and I am glad that you found the tips to be useful!
James Gross says
All great tips!! I’m always refer workout in the early morning so that in rest of a day, I think it’s too important for runners to stay grounded with non-running friends
thanks for sharing
kookyrunner says
Very true! I have a lot of non-runner friends and I definitely work hard to keep those relationships happy!
Claudia Smith says
Marathon training is really as tough as the way life makes on us. Btw, I think you have all helpful tips. Cuz I just do jogging and yoga, or sometimes several gentle exercises, not that strict marathon training, so I don’t have any suggestions for you. But I’d like to say: Take care and hope you’ll achieve your goals!
Richard Friesen says
All great tips!! I think it’s SO important for runners to stay grounded with non-running friends, Your tips are very useful and could apply in many occasions, not only during the marathon training.,
Barbara J. Silverman says
Such an informative post. I myself always find it hard to wake up early in the morning because I often stay up very late at night. But the idea of racing with friends is worth trying. It’s gonna be very funny.
larry dunn says
And me, I’m looking forward to a weekend with good weather. I don’t have any race in that day. I want have a good day in my family similar you have a good day with your race
Good luck for you!
Michael says
Wow, such a great post.!!! I have to note it in case I will need some motivations 🙂
Jack says
I totally agree with you at point #2. This is also the way that I keep doing excercises. Whenever I feel lazy and want to lay down on the couch, I will ask my friends to join physical activities with me. They can push me up and we also can build up the relationships or network.