{"id":1435,"date":"2024-02-21T17:27:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T17:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/completeathlete.uk\/?p=1435"},"modified":"2024-02-21T17:27:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T17:27:22","slug":"time-management-for-athletes-fitting-in-running-and-strength-around-life-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/completeathlete.uk\/time-management-for-athletes-fitting-in-running-and-strength-around-life-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Time Management for Athletes: Fitting in Running and Strength Around Life & Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The hardest thing about training for a marathon or a HYROX isn\u2019t the demand it places on your body. It\u2019s \u2018how an earth do I fit in a full-time job\u2019s worth of training on top of my full-time job?!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people most follow for tips and inspiration are the runfluencers of social media. They speak a very good game. But are mostly unqualified in what they\u2019re talking about and ironically don\u2019t have full-time jobs\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so it\u2019s a little bit rich that they tell you to make more time when most of us have full-time jobs to worry about\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The worst part is the constant preaching to \u2018dream as big as you can\u2019. They\u2019re not wrong but I encourage objectiveness over delusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To start progressing your athletic goals, get objective about your time management. Even more so important in a world where the line between work and life is blurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve put together 4 steps to creating the ultimate working athlete\u2019s time management system. It\u2019s designed to buy you back time, reduce fatigue and increase your performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But first, let\u2019s bust some myths on time management\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What time management is, and what it ISN\u2019T<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When I say \u2018time management\u2019, you may think this. Niche YouTuber using an AI-integration to automate and optimise every second of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time management I\u2019m talking about is literally what we\u2019re faced with everyday. It\u2019s just being honest about what\u2019s on your plate and setting the intentions of how you want to spend your time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also won\u2019t be how to create the ultimate marathon plan. But it will be the vital time management systems that sit underneath it. Most people neglect these and pay the price for doing so. The price usually being burnout or injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get this right and it can be your biggest return for your health and performance. Fitness takes months to build. But being more intentional around how you spend your time can be a massive instant gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now to get hands on with creating a time management system for your training, plus life. And it starts with a blank calendar\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 Step 1: Training Availability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most plans start with the goal but we’re doing it the other way round. First, we need to be objective about whether the goal is attainable. This in the context of our lifestyle and availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of this exercise is to find the least amount of time we can commit to training in a given week. Important distinction between \u2018can\u2019 and \u2018feel like\u2019. If it\u2019s objectively possible for you to train, block it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t need to be specific about how long a block is. But allow for more time than you think a block should be – there\u2019s always faff baked into life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Create a blank calendar – you can do this on Apple or Google calendar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. BLOCK OUT<\/strong>: working time, social\/family time, sleep and any other times you CAN\u2019T workout.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. PENCIL IN<\/strong>: potential training time (least amount of days).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83c\udfaf Step 2: Your Goal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    We now have an \u2018ideal week\u2019 calendar with slots blocked out for training. Time to fill it with training by getting clear on your goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Is there an event you\u2019re working towards?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. If so, when is it?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. What does that person look and feel like on that start line (or goal date)? Set a timer for 5 mins and scribble down anything that comes to mind.<\/strong><\/em> e.g. Is capable of running a marathon in under 3hrs 30mins, can stomach gels at pace, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Use this as a guide to create milestones along the way, how often you should train, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      The steps after are individual to your goal, in designing the actual plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u270d\ufe0f Step 3: Create the plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Next step is to map out the training weeks to your event on one sheet of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I don\u2019t know your goal and background, so I will keep it generic, but make sure to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n