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Home » Travel » San Francisco » Fitting Running Into A Busy Schedule

Fitting Running Into A Busy Schedule

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Fitting Running Into a Busy Schedule + Jawbone Up24

People are usually surprised to find out that I run about 20-25 miles per week. Their first reaction is inevitably, “How do you manage to fit that in to your schedule?” Staying active is a big part of feeling healthy for me and even though I’m working 60-80 hours per week and running this little corner of the internet here, it’s something that I make a priority.

Nike Women's Half Marathon San Francisco Training

Fitting running and workouts into a busy schedule is equal parts time management, creativity, and goal-setting. I’m so excited to share some of my strategies for staying fit even when I’m busy in partnership with the Jawbone UP24. I just started using the Jawbone UP24 fitness band in order to help me get in shape for the upcoming Nike Women’s Half Marathon and I’m excited to share my journey with you.

Click through for my tips on fitting workouts into your busy schedule!

Running in San Francisco + Staying Motivated with a Workout

Here are a few of my tips for fitting running and fitness into your busy schedule:

  1. Find your time: For me, this means waking up at the crack of before dawn to run because I know that I just can’t get my act together to run at the end of a long day. It’s never easy to roll out of bed when the alarm goes off at 4:15am but it’s dang near impossible for me to not come home and sprawl out on the couch with a plate of dinner at the end of a 12 hour day. One thing I love about the Jawbone Up24 is that I can chose a 20 minute window to wake up and it will gently vibrate to wake me up at the optimal time in my sleep cycle. This means it’s easier to get out of bed and I feel more refreshed.
  1. Ramp up slowly: The worst thing you can do is ramp up to your fitness goal too quickly. If your baseline is couch, don’t go from a three mile run to 10 miles the first week. A good rule of thumb is to not increase your mileage or the length of your longest run by more than 10% per week.
  1. Be accountable to someone: This doesn’t necessarily mean someone you run with. Most of my workouts happen alone since I run at such odd hours. It works just as well to have someone to check in with about planned workouts. Tell a co-worker you are going for a run after work and ask them to check in with you in the morning to make sure you accomplished your goal. I use my Jawbone Up24 to keep me accountable. I can use it to set activity reminders and I can make sure I’m meeting my step goal for the day.

Jawbone UP review and Running Motivation

  1. Mind the gap: If you’re a visual person like me, it may be helpful to actually diagram out your day so you can see where your free time is. You may be surprised how much unscheduled time you actually have. Commit yourself by actually penciling in a run.
  1. Have a route: I have a favorite running route that I can shorten or extend based on my time and goals for the day. Having a predetermined end point keeps me from throwing in the towel early and gives me satisfaction that I’ve accomplished my goal.
  1. Pick a goal:  A girlfriend convinced me to sign up for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon (#WeRunSF!) and it’s really made me take my training up a notch. Knowing that I have a “judgement day” coming up motivates me to get off the couch because everyone is going to know what my finish time was. My Jawbone Up24 also allows me to set fitness goals and gives updates on my progress. I love to watch the steps add up after a workout!
  1. Take your running shoes with you: I never leave town without my running shoes. It takes up hardly any room to throw in a set of running clothes. This ensures that I keep up with my mileage and can enjoy those dinners out on the town without guilt.
  1. Make friends with dry shampoo: Think about how much time you spend washing and styling your hair every day. You’ve probably read in every beauty magazine under the sun that you’re not supposed to shampoo every day to keep your hair healthier. I started spacing my shampoos and use the time saved for a run.
  1. Find running shoes that fit: Especially if you are just getting into running, it’s 100% worth it to go to a qualified running store to get fit for the right pair. This involves running on a treadmill and sometimes getting video taken wearing different pairs.

Half Marathon Training + Jawbone Up24 Review

  1. Cross train: You’ll get far more out your workouts and avoid injuries if you don’t run every day. That means throwing in a day of yoga or cycling here or there to use different muscles and keep from getting bored.
  1. 20 minutes still counts: It’s way better to sneak in a 20 minute run than it is to roll over and hit the snooze button. You’ll keep building that routine and 20 minutes is still more than enough time to improve your fitness. One of my favorite short runs is a set of intervals:

4 minute warm up

1 minute medium intensity, 1 minute jog

1 minute high intensity, 1 minute jog x2

1.5 minute high intensity, 1 minute jog x2

2 minute high intensity

3 minute cool down

Trust me, you’ll be thankful that it’s only 20 minutes!

  1. Give yourself permission to take a break: Even after all of these sage words of advice, part of building a consistent workout plan is knowing that some days it just isn’t going to happen. Every so often I just roll over and turn my alarm off because I know that what my body needs is more sleep and not a run that day. An injury is wayyy more of a setback than taking a day off.

Running in San Francisco + Staying Motivated with a WorkoutOutfit deets :: Tank – Gap (similar) // Shorts – Brooks (similar) // Sneakers – Brooks // Watch – Suunto // Sunglasses – Oakley (similar) // Motivation – Jawbone Up24 //

Thanks so much for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Twitter, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts (see sidebar).

Fitting Running Into a Busy Schedule + Jawbone Up24

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Jawbone UP24 and Collectively, Inc. All opinions and fitness tips are my own! Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me running!

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September 17, 2014  â€¢  Filed Under: Health & Fitness, San Francisco 15 Comments

Comments

  1. Diana says

    September 17, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    I’m so impressed with how much running you do! I’ve been trying to make more time for it and easing in with two miles a day at my extraordinarily slow pace haha!

    I also loved the tips and wanted to know if you have a nearby running shoe store you’d recommend? Savil’s been having some issues with his sneakers, and I think it’s probably time to get him a proper pair.

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      It’s definitely better to ease into it! I don’t have a local running store at this point because I have a shoe I prefer and get them online! I liked Fleet Feet back in Madison and I know there’s one in the Marina. Looking at their website it looks like they do a free fit analysis in store. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  2. Kelly says

    September 17, 2014 at 11:05 pm

    Such great tips Kelly. I really want to get back into running again and definitely need to try to fit that into my day. Loved this great reminder and motivating post 🙂

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      Thanks so much Kelly! Even more important than all the tips is knowing that even a little activity every day adds up! Keep at it!

      Reply
  3. erin says

    September 18, 2014 at 12:04 am

    Love these runnning tips I am going to try a few.I am currently preping fot a half marathon. Good luck with your Nike run!
    Xo Miss Erin
    See what I have to say at :
    http://www.misserinsays.com

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:46 pm

      Oh nice! What half marathon?

      Reply
  4. Colleen Hoeschen says

    September 18, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Kelly-

    I’ve really been trying to get back out there and start running again. Sometimes it’s hard with that injury that never seems to go away but I love the tips! I want to look into getting a watch that sums up my activity because I do workout everyday, so I will have to look into the JawBone UP24. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:48 pm

      Hey Colleen! I hear you, working through an injury is hard, and it’s really important to pace yourself. I definitely recommend the Jawbone if you just need that extra push of motivation! I also like that you can sync it with apps like Map My Fitness.

      Reply
  5. Colleen Hoeschen says

    September 18, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Kelly-

    I’ve really been trying to get back out there and start running again. Sometimes it’s hard with that injury that never seems to go away but I love the tips! I want to look into getting a watch that sums up my activity because I do workout everyday, so I will have to look into the JawBone UP24. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    September 19, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    While I don’t run very much, I do fit in about six workouts a week between teaching group fitness classes and doing my own workouts, so a lot of times I write them into my schedule on my calendar. I love these tips, and I would say dry shampoo is a lifesaver for me. Great photos!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Hey lady! Dry shampoo is the best! I’m so impressed at your varied workouts & group fitness – that’s definitely something I need more of.

      Reply
  7. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says

    September 20, 2014 at 12:17 am

    Excited to hear about your half marathon! (And see your fancy new bling:)

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan says

      September 20, 2014 at 1:50 pm

      Haha – hooray for Tiffany’s! I can’t say that the end prize didn’t cloud my decision making to do this stupid thing! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Jill @ RunEatSnap says

    November 23, 2016 at 6:49 am

    Great post and great pictures!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      November 23, 2016 at 6:56 am

      Thanks so much Jill! I hope it was helpful!

      Reply

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San Francisco Food, Fashion, Travel Blogger

Hi! I’m Kelly. I live in San Francisco with my husband, Pat, and our puppy, Maddie. Here you’ll find recipes, DIYs, style, travel & a glimpse into our adventures. To learn a little more about me, Click Here.

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