Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 125, December 2019 | Page 60

COACHING
TRAINING
There’s Always Time
This time of the year brings with it a number of things:
Hot days, afternoon and evening thunder showers (up
north), shorts, T-shirts, slops and braais. But it also
brings a little chaos! It can be very stressful time of
year, and fitting a run into the mix may sometimes
seem impossible, but if there’s a will, there’s a way! –
BY RAY ORCHISON
C
ome the end of the year and there’s usually a mad rush in the
form of end-of-year closing, long working hours before going on
leave, family get-togethers, last-minute Christmas shopping, and
ensuring you have everything bought and packed for the holiday you’ve
been planning. But, while you might feel overwhelmed, there’s still a way
to fit training into your hectic schedule.
Plan Ahead
The best way to approach training over the next two to three months
is to actually sit down and plan. Look at the calendar, identify the days
where you can or can’t train, and decide what session you will do on the
days you’ve allocated. If you plan your training, there’s a good chance
that you will do it. On the other hand, if you’re waking up each morning
and thinking, “What should I run today? Should I do a 10k or 800m
repeats? Maybe I should do hill repeats. Ah, I’ll decide later…” then
there’s a very good chance that you’ll simply end up skipping the session
altogether. And before you know it, January has rolled around, you’ve
lost your fitness, packed on the pounds and have a huge amount of work
ahead of you.
Working Athlete
If work pressure is simply too much, then you’re going to have to
squeeze some training in where you can. Everyone needs to take a break
at some point during their work day, so prioritise that time for a short

quality run. Not only will this ensure that you keep
your fitness levels up, but it will also rejuvenate you and leave you feeling fresh for
the rest of the day. The other choice is to run to and from work, which definitely
beats sitting in traffic! Or try driving to work one day with your running kit and a
change of work clothes for the next day, then leave the car at the office and run
home after work, and run back to work the next day. Not only is this a great way
to fit your training in, but it also adds something different and adventurous to your
training. (Shower facilities at work are a must-have on this one.)
Find Time
If you’re going to supper at friends or family, tell your partner that you’ll meet them
there and run there. Your partner can always drive the same route you’re going to
be running, just in case you’ve bitten off more than you can chew and need a lift for
the last few kays. Another option is the gym, as most gyms are open till late during
the week. If you simply cannot get to your run before, during or after work, get in
your run on the treadmill. Set it to between 1% and 5% incline and give yourself a
solid 30 to 45min session.
You can always fit running into your busy lifestyle and schedule. Just give it a little
thought and planning and you’ll come up with many creative ways to do so. If you’re
dedicated to your fitness and goals, then scheduling training will become a priority.
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ISSUE 125 DECEMBER 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za