since my runs are relatively short right now and i can’t seem to drag my butt out of bed in the morning, it finally occurred to me that right now is the perfect time to be running on my lunch break!
not only do i get to sleep in a bit, but i also get to run in the daylight, wear music, and still have my evenings… and it’s a great excuse to start the day off with my hair in a ponytail.
sounds like a win to me!
i realized this was a good day to try it out again as i was packing my bag this morning, so i just added a towel, my makeup and my travel shower bag to my running clothes and i was set. i keep a small bag with travel sized toiletries handy just incase i want to run in the morning and get ready at work, run at lunch, or just need it in general. it was nice not to have to go scrambling trying to find things and just have it ready.
11:30 came, i changed and headed out to the trail. the air was very crisp and my hands were really cold to start off, but it didn’t take long to get warmed up.
i could tell immediately that my legs were going faster than my recovery pace has been, but they felt good so i didn’t bother to slow down. i don’t typically look at my garmin during the first mile and i didn’t today, i was just running. when i heard it beep and saw that i was in the 8:20s i was in bit of a shock but happy too. i figured it wouldn’t last very long, but as i kept running each mile that beeped was getting faster and faster.
and it felt good.
i continued on zoning out to my music, enjoying being able to see where i was running and enjoying the fact that my legs were feeling good. i made myself slow down a bit on the last mile just to cool down since i was going to be back at my desk soon but i ended the run feeling great.
6.0 miles/49:36/8:16 avg pace
i went back, took a quick shower, got dressed and was back to my desk in just over an hour. i ate my lunch while working and the afternoon flew by. easy peasy!
i think this is definitely something i am going to be adding to my routine.
are you a lunchtime runner?
Sounds like a great run.
Oh how I envy your lunch time running! Live it up as it's awesome that you have somewhere to shower at work! I wish I could do the same…
I love lunch time workouts and exercise… except my job doesnt allow for eating at a desk and being late back from lunch so the most i could ever run would be 5 miles!
your lucky!
I wish I could run at lunch. I only get the 25 minutes my students get, plus I usually have kids getting extra help during lunch. That sounds amazing though!!!
I love the idea of running during lunch. The area I work in is not very nice (major highway) plus I'm always afraid I can not make it back in time. I should try once I'm injury free!
I look so forward to my lunchtime workouts! It's great just to get away from the desk….
I would love to run at lunch but it just wont work because we don't have showers at my work or even a place to change clothes
Great job getting out there! Lunch running really is a great way to get a run in!
i don't know why i don't run during the day at work. we have mulitple locker rooms in all different buildings and they are stocked with anything we would need to get ready. i might start this to make sure i get outside to run since it's so cold and dark before and after work this time of year.
Yes, luch running is awesome. I did it every other day…including today. Rock on!
I love lunchtime runs. It makes me feel so efficient. I have an awesome lake (glorified pond) outside my office with a .77 mile loop around it. Perfect for getting in a 5K at lunch.
Lunch running is about the only way I get to run much of the time. Since I'm not blazing fast, 5 miles is the most I can fit in and make it back to the office after a shower at the Y. It definitely makes the last half of the day more enjoyable.
Sometimes I'll do lunchtime running with a friend or hit up the gym. Unfortunately, I am terrible at packing for afterwards. I usually forget something important.
I often run on my lunch break. It's one of my favorite times to run. I LOVE when a speedy run just happens. Best feeling
Yes! Although I still get up and do a few short runs before work I have recently been enjoying the treadmill (shudder!) at lunch. This is a new development since I normally do weights at lunch, but since I hurt my shoulder a few weeks ago I've been replacing those workouts with running and have really enjoyed it. Last winter I ran outside at lunch a bunch of times and that was a really good way to break up the work day as well.
YAY! Welcome to lunch running! What I love most is how quickly it makes the day go by. Enjoy!!!!
I'm not a lunchtime runner, but I've thought about it. I work four 10 hr shifts, so I don't want to take a long lunch break, if I don't have to. But I do like the idea of not having to get up early and not having to waste my evenings running. Perhaps, one day I will adopt a lunchtime running goal, if I go back to working five days a week.
I think it's great that you can get a 6 mile run in…in less than an hour. IMO that's super fast. Way to go speedy runner.
-dom
I haven't been, but this is one of the changes that I am making now that I have vowed to be less regimented with my running. Alas, there is no shower where I work, so this plan can only work in the cooler months where it's not 100 degrees here (TX).
Awesome run!!! That is so cool that you get to run at lunch! Great pace speed demon:) Our lunch break is only 40 minutes and half the time I am working on last minute stuff ha! I am glad you are able to go when it is light and you get to sleep in:)
Lunchtime runs are very nice! It definitely breaks up the day and the rest of the afternoon does seem to fly by! I need to get back in the habit of these since it would be nice to run during the daylight.
Nice! Sometimes i run on my lunch break, mostly in the fall, winter or spring, never in the summer as its too hot here. I usually do 5 miles, i just change my clothes before and after, i have no access to a shower but i'm not a sweater so its fine. I tie my hair in a pony tail and then braid my ponytail. It works well. I usually enter/exit the side door to avoid annoying people/questions.
Nice way to get a run in! I like to run at lunch too. You're lucky you have a access to a shower at work!
Sounds like a great lunchtime run! Awesome you have the ability and access to a shower to do that!
this sounds great! i could never be a lunchtime runner–but i do get out early enough to run at 4p. still, i like the idea of running midday. impressive!
that's so awesome! and perfect that you have the option to shower after a lunch run. nice pace. sometimes i love just running without trying to hold back. sounds like an awesome solution to the finding time to run problem.
I really wish I could run at lunchtime but it would be hard to run in a suit.
I do run at lunchtime. a lot. it's fantastic.
great idea! i've never been able to do this w my teaching schedule but I would if I had a 9-5er!
great pace! i love running at lunch. it's a great way to break up an (exciting!) workday and extra nice to get some sun-time during the winter. i have never done it during the summer… and don't think i ever will! lol. i would be sooo hot getting back into work clothes.
If I have 3 or less miles to do, I'll run at lunch on a treadmill. Otherwise, between driving to the gym, changing, changing again and driving back to the office, it takes too long. It is really nice to get it over with before the end of the day and not have to get up early though.
I love lunch time runs! It's the best way to recharge my battery and get a break from sitting at my desk all day…I only wish I could do it every single day!
Yes, I am absolutely a lunchtime runner, especially at this time of year! I find that heading out for a midday run clears my head, makes me less grumpy and results in a happier, less stressful, more productive workday!