Finding Time To Run

1. Wake up early and run

Getting out of bed early may not sound like a good idea initially, but a good run first thing will invigorate you for the day ahead. You'll approach the day with a spring in your step, knowing that you’ve got your run done when most people probably aren’t even out of bed. Try building up to doing at least 30 minutes three or four times a week.

2. Ditch the car and walk the kids to school

If you do this, you can run back home via a longer route so you're out running for 30 to 40 minutes. If it is too far to walk, why not think about meeting up with another parent at the school gate and going on a run from there together.

3. Use lunch time for running

A  run at lunchtime  will give you a break from the hassles of work and leave you more refreshed and productive for the afternoon. If you don't have access to a shower and changing facilities at work, perhaps you can come to an arrangement with a local gym or leisure centre. If this isn't feasible, try a brisk walk instead.

4. Run faster for a shorter time

If you are limited for time, you can get more benefit out of your available time by running faster. You'll increase your endurance and strength while saving time. Around 20 minutes at a faster pace will be just as beneficial as 30 or 40 minutes steady paced run.

5. Pack your kit bag the evening before

Get your gear together the evening before you go to bed, that way it's ready to pick-up and go in the morning. This saves you the problem of waking up everyone else in the household as you turn the place over looking for your running shoes or your favourite running socks.

6. Arrange to run with a friend

When you've made a fixed time and date for a run, you're more likely to stick to it so as not to let the other person down. Running with someone else does wonders for your motivation and ensures that you can resist that temptation to waste your time doing something else other than running.

7. Invest in some home exercise equipment

Remember you don’t have to go out to run; invest in some equipment for the home and work out when you get the opportunity. It doesn’t have to be an expensive piece of equipment like a treadmill as even simple and inexpensive equipment like a skipping rope or mini-trampoline will get your heart pumping and your legs moving and be beneficial to your running.

8. Run for home

Why not get dropped off half an hour or more from home and run the rest of the way? It does mean that you’ve got no way out as the only way to get home after you’ve been dropped off will be to run. Alternatively, you could get off your public transport a few stops earlier and run the rest of the way home.