Each of us at Ultra168, like everyone these days, seem to have ever increasingly busy schedules.
That is to say we like to get the most out of every hour of every day. Indeed as you know Ultra168 is named based on the number of hours in a week you “could” run.
Now while that isn’t possible, the longest recorded run without stopping is 80 hours and 44 minutes, we always come back to the challenge of fitting our training in with running our own businesses and demanding corporate jobs, families, friends and most importantly recovery.
In a typical week I spend 25 hours training, sometimes more, rarely less. This includes two strength sessions with Gordi Ellis, 2-3 Altitude Training sessions which include key improvement and recovery sessions, trail running, speed work, physiotherapy / massage and then a long run / ride on Saturday and a recovery ride / run Sunday depending on how I’m feeling, the time of year and of course the weather.
My only rule for training is that at all times it has to be fun and purposeful. If it’s not fun, you’re overtrained; it’s as simple as that.
The trick is effectively integrating your training into your regular weekly commitments.
Studies have established that for the same time spent exercising under the same structural stress, energy expenditure is 25% to 30% greater when the effort is performed at altitude.
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, this sharpens your awareness and improves your critical thinking. We all know the runners high and equally we all know the feeling of going to the office without having exercised that morning. It sure makes for a long day.
This got me thinking, as a business owner, can I afford not to exercise?
If I’m looking to make the most of my time I always make sure I get the most out of my shorter sessions by training at altitude in order to further improve my output from time input exercising. I walk out feeling ready for the day ahead, no matter what that may be.
Think of it like compound interest on your exercise investment.
* Sydney Altitude Training is a supporter of mine, they also support other local athletes. In line with Ultra168 standards other sponsors include Salomon Running, Footpoint Shoe Clinic and Suunto
I definitely agree with concept that exercise is a necessary part of life and without a good regular dose other areas in life will suffer. It isn’t just something extra to fit in.
I’m hoping to see a few comments here about the different ways people fit it all in. Hopefully there’ll be a few ideas to steal.
My world has family life of 2 young kids, the non-7-day-week of rotating shift work with very unpredictable finish times and all the other usuals. I consider I get in a lot of good quality regular training. My approach is to work from a set of guidelines or overriding principles.
Make it fun.
Know the purpose an goal of each session.
Have structure, plan it and allow for the required flexibility.
Know there are different ways to reach the same goal.
Don’t stress when you can’t do the so called ideal session. Make do with what you have and adjust as you go.
Keep good time management habits (cleaning the house and washing run gear early so it doesn’t compete with training time).
Happy running.
I have a 2 hour commute each way to work which always got me thinking , missed training time. I have just started driving part of the way once a week so that I have a 25 km run to work. Means a 4 am start and organising office clothes the day before but it can be done. So far I have kept this up for 4 weeks. Feels great walking into the office with 25 km done.