It’s no secret that when it comes to fitness, I love to do it all–running, cycling, strength training, CycleBar, Core Power Yoga, Orange Theory. I hate to miss any of these activities, but sometimes I just can’t fit it all in. There are weeks when a specific work conflict dictates what I miss, but when it comes to weekends, I usually get to decide how to spend my time. This year more than last, I’ve had to spend time figuring out my fitness priorities.
Saturday always has been my long run day, but that’s when the Conte’s bike shop hill ride happens. While it’s easy to go for a bike ride after church, I prefer running earlier in the day. I don’t mind missing church for a race, but missing it for a training run is not a reflection of my true priorities. Why can’t every weekend be a three-day weekend?
Figuring Out My Fitness Priorities
Last year I had enough time between my spring races and the Farm to Fork Fondo to focus on running until May and then turn my attention to cycling, but this year Farm to Fork Fondo–Pennsylvania Dutch is a month earlier. That means I need to get in shape for those Lancaster hills four weeks earlier.
On the other hand, last May I was “only” running a ten miler in Denver, and now I am signed up for the Denver Colfax Half Marathon. Also, last spring I ran the New York City Half Marathon, while this year my longest races have been 10 milers. That means I have only four more weeks to train for the half marathon distance.
This weekend presents another dilemma. If running were my priority, I’d make Saturday a rest day ahead of the GW Parkway Classic 10 miler on Sunday. But I’m tempted to join the Conte’s hill ride even if it means I’ll be racing on tired legs–I know I’m not in shape for a PR anyway.
Maybe it will rain on Saturday and spare me the decision-making.
I’m joining the Friday link up at Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness.
How do you figure out your fitness priorities?
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I have a hard time with this too. Usually running wins over other things, but I feel like there isn’t enough time in the week to do everything I want to do! Bad weather does make it a bit easier to skip a run.
It’s always hard for me to do it all! Now it’s even harder that I am training for a tri race. Looking forward to see ing this weekend
That definitely takes a lot of planning and prioritizing.
Yea this is a tough one.
I love to race but that means that I skip long runs. I have to accept that a half marathon will not be easy.
What a great problem to have!!! Isn’t it fun to be ready to do so many different things?
That’s a great way to look at it!
Good point, Wendy!
I love that your fitness activities are so well rounded. But yeah, I get that there are conflicts. When I do a variety of things regularly, inevitably my running suffers, and that’s really my priority. Because not being well trained for a marathon really sucks.
I’ll keep that in mind for my half. It’s a really good reminder that I don’t want it to suck, and if I don’t want it to suck, I need to get used to the longer distance.
Luckily running is my priority, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy doing other things — and finding the time for, say, hiking, isn’t easy. Yet I really want to hike! It makes me happy!
I guess that’s my best piece of advice — what will make you happy?
Oh, we should be doing some hiking too. Hopefully all our other activites will prepare our legs for Yellowstone …
That’s a mind twister! Good luck
If you are feeling good, I’d say do the ride.
Saturday is normally my long run, and in the morning. Lately I’ve been running in the afternoons, and then a couple times I pushed it until Sunday. Then that screws everything up for the week because I like to do a full-body workout Sunday, and recover Monday before my Tuesday run.
It’s like a house of cards falling when something has to be rearranged!
It can definitely be challenging sorting out the priorities! I know that once my training ends for the marathon, I’m going to want to do all the workouts I’ve had to cut back these past few months!
I feel you on that. Sometimes choices also extend to running related public programming vs. going for a run (meeting Deena Kastor won out on that debate). Now it’s all play outside all the time
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Hi, Coco! You are an amazing mother and an inspiration to other women around the world. Indeed, it is hard to juggle things but you have made a good step of balancing fitness with home responsibilities. Cheers!
My priority is to keep my body in shape and to keep the back pain from coming back. I always wanted to stay fit so I would be able to do my job. I have researched on ways to stay fit and of course the first step is to figure out your goal. So glad that I am able to stick to my routine.