Indy Mini Ambassador guest blog – Maggie LaMar
As a consultant, I often find myself traveling for work, which means plenty of time restrictions met with limited gym equipment. When I mapped out my 14-week training plan, I realized seven of those weeks would be spent on the road. Yikes.
While the past few years have granted some more control over their schedules, many of us have obligations that we must work around. Work, family, social, and all other life commitments can be a lot to handle in the schedule and adding an additional time commitment, like training for the Indy Mini, might seem like an impossible task. It’s entirely possible to do – and still enjoy your life – with a little flexibility, creativity, and compassion.
Be honest with yourself…
Waking up 90 minutes earlier never sounds like fun and I almost always dread the alarm. But I know my motivation will be almost nonexistent after twelve hours of driving and meetings. Set realistic goals for yourself so you don’t find yourself demotivated by failing to achieve something unobtainable.
… and kind to yourself
Training for a half marathon is hard, no matter how many you do! Be kind to yourself if you miss a training day or aren’t running as fast as you would like. So many things can impact your training day, from stress to sleep to what you ate or didn’t that day. Most importantly, don’t compare yourself to others!
Cross-Train
Days that you have limited time and/or limited access to equipment open the door for creative cross-training! Don’t let inexperience with certain types of equipment keep you from branching out either. There’s no shame in Googling workouts to do with the type of equipment. YouTube and Instagram are also great resources. Take advantage of the official Indy Mini training group as well! I promise if you post a pic of what you have to use, people will jump in to help you out.
Reward hard work
Better known as “treat yo-self.” Rewards are incredibly motivating! They don’t have to be financial either. A successful week of training completed could be purchasing new workout clothes, going for a walk in a new park you have been wanting to check out, participating in some extra screen time or grabbing the latest menu-hack Starbucks drink you saw on TikTok (yes, I am 29 and on TikTok).
Enlist Help
Having a partner or group to help you stay motivated and on track is another helpful tool when training for a half marathon. Shout it from the rooftops that you are training for the Indy Mini! The more people who understand what you’re doing can help you add more flexibility in your schedule. This is also a great way to break up your routine and step outside your comfort zone. Training while traveling allows me to discover new trails and sites I would otherwise miss and make connections with local runners and walkers.
Caregivers, students, those with unconventional work schedules or anyone who just feels like they can’t squeeze one more thing into their busy lives can still cross that Indy Mini finish line. Have fun and enjoy your Indy Mini experience! See you all on the track in May.