Too Busy to Train…Try a Lunch Run

Running on Your Lunch Break

I live in Utah and this time of year  (the winter months) when I leave for work it’s dark and when I come home from work it’s dark. As far as running goes, that leaves me the option of putting on a head lamp and some glow in the dark clothing (so car can see me) to go for a run in the dark. But my preference is to not run in the dark, but to run in the day light. So I decided this week I would start running during my lunch break at work.

To make this idea work, I decide to make sure I ate a good breakfast in the morning, so I would have enough energy for my lunch time run. I also have made a better effort of drinking water during the day so I will be hydrated come lunch time. Then on my run during lunch I eat a small sandwich. In ultramarathon races you have to eat on the run. Eating a small sandwich while running is good practice. When I get home in the evenings I make sure to eat a little bit more for dinner to make up for only eating a sandwich during lunch.

So far this has worked out very well. I’m able to run during day light hours. I also work in downtown Salt Lake City and right close to downtown there is a canyon called City Creek. Within five minutes I can get up City Creak Canyon and I actually feel like I’m in nature and away from the city…it’s great!! I also feel rejuvenated physically and mentally and I am ready to get back to work after my run. I also feel more productive after my lunch time runs.

Also, my work has a small lockeroom with showers and so I’m able to change into my running clothes, take a shower after my run, and then quickly change back into my work clothes. All this takes me about an hour and fifteen minutes. I can get in about 2.5 to 3 miles in during that time period.

I think this will be my regular routine for lunch until I can go running in the evenings when the sun is still up.