It can be really tough to keep up with your runs when you get really busy or just have a big change in your schedule. Maybe you always ran after work and now you have longer work hours. Or maybe you were used to running in the morning but now your kids’ bus comes earlier to pick them up. Many of us thrive off of routines and consistency, and when change happens it can be hard. It’s important to find ways to adjust your running when your schedule changes and not let it completely derail your training.
How To Adjust Your Running When Your Schedule Changes
Find the most consistent time you will be able to run
It’s usually the easiest to stay consistent with workouts when you can do them around the same time every day. Some people are great at “going with the flow” and squeezing them in whenever they can, but for most people it works best to stick to a similar time. This can help to make it a habit. So look at your schedule and figure out when you usually have the biggest window for running, and plan to do it then. If your schedule changes alot from one day to the next you may need plan when you will do your workouts at the beginning of each week.
Give yourself a back up option
As you are adjusting to a new schedule you may find that it doesn’t always work out. If you miss a workout, is there another time you can get it in? Maybe plan your rest day for the end of the week so that if you miss a workout early in the week you have an extra day to get it done. Or if you plan to run in the morning but it doesn’t get done, maybe you can squeeze in a short run in the evening instead.
Test out your new schedule
After you come up with your new schedule, test it out and see how it goes. Use some kind of tracking system to see how you are doing with getting in your workouts. You may want to also keep an eye on your sleep to make sure that you are still sleeping enough with your new schedule.
Give it time to adjust to the change
Adjusting to a new schedule may feel hard at first, but give it some time. If you stick with it it will eventually feel easier. Change takes time, and habits can take a few weeks to start to stick.
Try to stick to a plan
It can be helpful to have some kind of a plan to follow, even if you are not training for a race. You can set a goal or just plan out your workouts to keep you motivated. If you don’t have a workout plan, they will be less likely to get done.
Reflect on what is working and make adjustments
As you go through this process see what is working and how often you are missing or moving workouts. If needed, make some updates to your plan and schedule. If your new routine still isn’t feeling right, keep adjusting until you figure out what works for you.
Whatever you do, don’t give up! Change is hard but you will figure out how to adjust your running to your new schedule. If running is important to you, there is most likely a way to make it work.
Have you ever had to adjust your workout routine due to a change in your schedule?
You may also like:
How to Plan Your Morning to Fit in an Early Run
How to Adjust Your Training Plan When You Miss a Run or Workout
How 2 Working Parents Plan to Train for a Marathon
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
It really helps to be flexible when your schedule changes with kids or any other changes. Good ideas!
This is great. I go through this every semester when my workout buddy get her new teaching schedule. Of course, the first step is to spiral dramatically, and then we get it sorted out.
My big change will be in November when my clients return and I have to start working earlier. That usually means running in the dark. Not all that much difference because I still need to run pretty early in the summer to beat the heat even though I’m not working much.