We Can’t Do It All During Marathon Training
This week was a harsh reminder that “we can’t do it all.” No, we can’t.
For the last 2 weeks my kids have been in the only camp they’ve had all summer, which takes place at the main beach here in Encinitas. Luckily, I coordinated carpooling both weeks (not always easy when you have 3 kids since they can’t physically fit in many people’s cars, along with their own kids), so I wasn’t the one dropping off and picking up every day like I did last year.
I like to call this type of camp “anti-child care.” It runs 9 AM – 12 PM and requires you to leave your house at 11:30 AM for pick-up in order to find a parking spot and walk down to the beach to physically fetch your children.
But, it also feels like a very iconic thing to do if you live in a beach town. My older daughter is now in her 2nd year of Junior lifeguards and this camp really fosters a sense of independence, responsibility, care for others and athleticism that I truly love. So, we’ll keep doing it every year, even though some days I literally get only 1 hour of time to myself at my computer to work (like the day Siena did the buoy swim, in the photo above- I couldn’t miss watching her!).
On top of this, my marathon training for the Chicago marathon is heating up, with my weekly mileage hitting consistently in the 50-55 mile/week range and I’m still slowly working my way through the Connect pelvic floor program.
In busy times like this, there are two things that keep me going:
- Priorities.
- Habits.
My Top 3 Priorities During a Busy Season
My Top 3 Priorities Right Now
In the summer, my kids become an even bigger priority. One of the reasons I left corporate america, was to have a more flexible work schedule & spend more time with my kids. And every summer, I work less so I can do that. I took them to the beach twice this week after camp – even if it meant answering emails at 5 PM or doing check ins at 6 AM.
When it comes to my coaching business, my number one priority is my current athletes – whether I’m helping them 1:1 to train for a marathon or half marathon, or they’re inside Run Fuel. And right now, my focus has been on making Run Fuel even better.
Improving Run Fuel for Female Runners
While originally my plan was to add a whole new Performance fueling track to Run Fuel, as I was brainstorming, I realized the very first priority was improving Run Fuel as it is now – a weight loss program for runners.
I’ve taken feedback from past and current members, as well as my own observations from the last year and a half of running this program, additional nutrition research & many hours of podcasts on psychology & coaching, to make the program better. In addition to more 1:1 check in messages, I spent nearly all day Thursday recording additional trainings, a new welcome video, adding checklists to make milestones more clear in each step of the program, and revamping the materials.
And while I’ve always believed in Run Fuel, I’m really proud of how these updates are going to improve both weight loss results, but more importantly, improve female runner’s relationship with food.
My Top Priorities Right Now
My top 3 priorities in this season – my family, the women I coach, marathon training – come first.
What’s Surviving on Habits
How Healthy Habits Help When Life Gets Busy
The things that have fallen through the cracks a bit?
- Cooking – we’ve eaten out/picked up food more often lately or I’ve defaulted to simple meals.
- Sleep – not significantly, but I’ve been going to bed later this summer.
- Sending emails and posting on Instagram – doing less than normal.
But, because I’ve developed good habits around each of these things, they’re not not happening. They’re just happening less.
Staying Consistent With Nutrition During Busy Seasons
All my food choices may not be ideal right now, but it’s pretty good. There was that one week night I was feeling stressed & overwhelmed by a long list of things, & got out a bottle of wine, cheese and crackers to share with my neighbor and then ended up ordering pizza.
But, I’m still eating fruit & veggies every day. I’m still eating before my runs. I’m still fueling after I get home. I still cook most nights and am making my same healthy recipes. As someone who used to be likely to fall into the all or nothing mindset with nutrition, this is a win.
Moving Away From an All-or-Nothing Mindset
Same with sleep and marketing — it’s still happening, just not at “optimal” levels. And that’s ok too. It’s a season.
We can’t do it all. We can’t thrive at everything at once.
Letting Go of Perfection During Marathon Training
If you’re feeling like you’re dropping all the balls right now – ask yourself which 3 balls you’re meant to be juggling. If something you’re beating yourself up about is outside these top priorities, you MUST let it go.
It doesn’t mean ignoring it – it just means being ok with it being a bit messy. For most high achieving women, the bare minimum is actually pretty freaking impressive.
Happy running,
Nicole Dobransky
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