How do you 9-5ers do it?

[roadie gal]

I must say, I'm really impressed with you 9-5ers who can train for a tri. I usually work the pm shift, which starts at 4pm. So I can train first and then go to work. Last week I worked a day shift: 8am-4pm. I was so tired when I got home that there was no way I could exercise. I don't know how you do it. I repeat: I'm so impressed.

[NbyNW]

Last year I was an 8-to-5er and to train for my first sprint tri I biked to work, about 11 miles round trip, 3-4 times a week. Twice a week I went to the pool before work, about a 10 minute ride from home. I found that I could get into the pool by 6:30, swim for half an hour, shower, then back on the bike by 7:20 to ride to work (mostly downhill!), clean up and change and in my cube by 8 am. Went for an occasional run after work or on weekends, as I was planning to run-walk the run portion.

I have no idea how people work full time and prep for longer distance races, but would love to hear about it!

[txred9876]

When I was training for my first tri I had no other life but working out! I am starting to get a little bit of a ballance back now though. I am concentrating on riding my bike most of the time these days with an occasional swim thrown in (walking hurts....due to medical issues so I just grin an bear that part!!).

Tina

PS I had a lady friend tell me ....back when I said I didn't have time .... she told me... if its important for your health you need to schedule time and keep it like you would any other important appointment. This helped me in making my decisions.

[derosarah]

I find that I do better sticking to a workout if I go in the morning or immediately after work (as in pack my gym clothes and head to the gym near my work).... if I plan on going after work and I stop at home first.... forget it. I'm immediately exhausted and in yoga pants (and not to work out, but to relax!) and no workout happens.

Working out after a full 9-5 (or in my case 7:30 to 4ish)... well, it pretty much stinks. I cannot imagine doing more than a sprint distance and working my normal job... I would do nothing but work and train and be completely exhausted in no time! I'm tired enough as it is.

Being interested in creating a good like balance, I'm curious how others do it too.

[colby]

I work in a software company, thankfully I have a relatively flexible schedule. What I've been doing is getting up at 6-7AM, working online remotely for an hour or two, working out for an hour or two, then going to the office. On swimming days, I will swim at lunch (take a long lunch and work later) or swim after work (eat at my desk and leave earlier). Sometimes I've biked after work (once it's light out long enough); I'll bike to work, then do my bike workout on my way home (or even sometimes before I eat lunch). (Have to have a snack first!)

Running I pretty much have to do in the morning or afternoon, long enough after lunch that my food is settled but not too long that I'm hungry. This never works with my work schedule, so it's always been morning for me. With running, if I wait too long, I just won't do it.

Weekend long rides/runs, I try to work around whatever the plan is, if there is a plan, so I have afternoons/evenings with my family and to relax. Sometimes I'll trade running/riding days depending on weather or what we have planned for the weekend.

I also have to get 9+ hours of sleep especially during peak training. It sure adds up quickly. Stupid days and their 24 hour limits.

Honestly sometimes it feels like the training is what keeps me sane at work and at home. That's time I spend just with me, just for me, and I spend the rest of the day working for/with other people and thinking about my family.

[kaybee]

Well . . . I don't actually participate in triathlons, but I do regularly swim, ride, and run, and I work an 8:30 - 5:00 job. For me, it means that my days start early -- between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m. -- and end early -- no later than10:00 p.m. Before I go to work I'll either swim or run and do a weight workout. One night during the week DH and I ride after work, then we get in a longer ride on the weekend. I'd love to do more, but until I figure out how to pack 30 hours into a day this will have to do!

KB

[HillSlugger]

I do most of my swimming and running before I get ready for work. I'm up by 5:30 and out and at it by 6:15. I do my longer rides on the weekends. It may not be optimal but it's working pretty well.

[Tri Girl]

I'm not a 9-5 er, more like a 7:30-4 er. I train when I get off work. Run or bike right after work and swim after 7 when the lanes open up. It eats my whole evening on most days. We don't have kids, so I have enough time to devote to it. When I was IM training, my life was consumed with it. It was like having a full time job and a part time job. I'd devote entire weekends to training, and would swim or run before work, and do the other sport after work (bike or run). It was not easy, but I managed. Not having kids and having a DH who also trains definitely helps!!!
Now I'm just a slacker who hardly trains at all.

[alpinerabbit]

I'll do a run or a swim at lunchtimes, but only about once a week and the runs mostly in the wintertime when it's dark at night. Or a swim right after work. Or on occasion, I've ran my 6k to work and showered there. I always keep a change of clothes there.

run or swim in the evenings, now that it's light out until after 8 I can even fit a 1hr+ ride into an evening or a run.

Most training happens on weekends: one Weekend day we'll do a long bike (anything from 70-140k or so), the other another shorter ride or a long run or/and a swim.
We started training on an indoor trainer (with a group while watching a DVD on projector) in Feb and went on a training holiday beginning of April.

you can train with 2 runs, 2 swims (more often in the winter if you're still learning freestyle) and 1-2 bike rides a week.

[KSH]

You make your situation work for you.

Last year during my IM training I would try before work (6:00-7:00 AM) and then after work (6:00-8:30 PM). I would fall into bed by 10:00 PM and do it all over again. My long sessions were on the weekend, where I had more free time.

This year I have been training just after work (6:00- 8:30 PM) and on the weekends. I have gotten up early here and there and have run before work (just 2.5 miles- at 6:45 AM).

NOTE: I do not have kids or a husband so my time before/after work is all mine. I admire people with FAMILIES who fit training in... now THAT is impressive!

[HillSlugger]

You make your situation work for you.

Last year during my IM training I would try before work (6:00-7:00 AM) and then after work (6:00-8:30 PM). I would fall into bed by 10:00 PM and do it all over again. My long sessions were on the weekend, where I had more free time.

This year I have been training just after work (6:00- 8:30 PM) and on the weekends. I have gotten up early here and there and have run before work (just 2.5 miles- at 6:45 AM).

NOTE: I do not have kids or a husband so my time before/after work is all mine. I admire people with FAMILIES who fit training in... now THAT is impressive!

I try to schedule my training sessions so that they'll have as little impact on the family as possible, but it really helps to have an understanding and supportive SO who is willing to take care of things on the weekends during training.

[ginny]

I have to say that I'm grateful to read this thread. I work a day job - albeit science and rather flexible... but I feel like every day is a marathon for me. In science, you are expected to work more than 40 hr/wk. I have a horse and two dogs that also need exercise... Every night I fall into bed completely exhausted! I ride my bike to work nearly every day of the year. My running has recently taken a hit - am I burnt out? I am trying to teach my horse to trot next to me while I run. My dogs are retired from running, but they still require a saunter every evening. Swimming... not so easy once one is out of school. When I was in graduate school, I used the gym at school. It kills me to pay an entire gym membership to use only the pool! Needless to say, with a move this year and readjusting my schedule, I haven't signed up for any tris this year. I could do a sprint no problem, but I am contemplating a HIM in May... dunno if it's really possible. Maybe the horse can swim with me

[bmccasland]

I admit I've been a slug lately. But when I'm good, it helps that my office sits on top of the levee, and the levee bike path goes right by - dips down off the levee to be outside the fence but once pass the building climbs back up. So I really don't have a good excuse. Bike path right there, secured parking. Now if the long work days would only be an 8 hour day, me and my bike would become friends again.

[katluvr]

Can one say "ditto, ditto, ditto". I have a bit of a flexible schedule, so I can come in a "bit later" or leave a bit early if no meetings...so I flex some. Mostly I find some days no matter how good my intentions the thought of getting up early, putting in the time to bike/run--I have a hard time really getting out of bed. Then by the time I bike or run I have to do all the regular stuff before I get out of the house and get to work. As I am going to work I see folks running/biking inteh LIGHT not in the dark. If i don't do it in the AM, again I have to stay motivated to do the workout in the evening. And with the heat right now ---it is hard. It really is motivation & good planning to say teh least. I am struggling with both right now. I have always said I could actaully be good at this if I didn't have to work! But work pays so I can play. I can train for long bike rides. I can train for 1/2 or even marathons. And I think i can train for this tri...but it is a sprint. I would have to have much more dedication/motivation and really be organized to train for a long distance tri.

[surgtech1956]

I really admire you gals for your 'juggling' training and a career. I would just like to be able to ride in the morning, I work 6:30a-5p(right now I get up at 4:50a and leave for work at 5:50a) - don't think I can get up any earlier.

You go girls..........