For months now I’ve self-imposed a schedule that hasn’t worked. It is as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday - run; Tuesday, Thursday, strength training and Friday, off; with the addition of Wednesday as a “no-computer” day.

Today is Thursday and a new twist to the mix this week: getting up to exercise by 6:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday: has dwindled by now rationalizing to getting up 15 minutes later each morning as the week progressed. Monday, I was up at 6 a.m. and made it to the gym by 6:30 to get a good run in on the treadmill and elliptical. Tuesday, I was up at 6:15 a.m., but after getting ready to go to the gym, I decided I wouldn’t have enough time to get in a lengthy enough workout to make it worthwhile for me to go so I “bagged” it and then because of work commitments didn’t make it in afternoon either. Yesterday, I was up at 6:30 a.m. and then didn’t run until 8:30 a.m. because it was dark outside (waaah! and I didn’t have any reflective clothing). Today, I was up at 6:45 a.m. and too late for the gym, which closes at 7:30 a.m.

It seems like for me and I’ve noticed for some others, the real “Hump Day” isn’t Wednesday but Thursday. The let-down comes on Thursday. As a result, this morning I’ve decided instead of fighting it, I’m going to let it happen. Let the let-down happen naturally. Give in to the let-down for one day. By Thursday, I’m burnt out…so be it.

Let my week begin on a Friday. Run on Fridays, Sundays, Mondays and Wednesday, that way also no more than one day off between runs. Strength train at the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Further breakdown:

  • Friday, short run, starting at 2 to 5 miles, 6:30 a.m. run, preferably gym, treadmill and elliptical, physically the start of the week
  • Saturday, strength training, 8 a.m., gym, 1 1/2 to 2 hour workout
  • Sunday, medium run, starting a 5 to 7 miles, afternoon run 2-4 p.m. mentally and spiritually, leaves time for devotions and Mass in the morning, usually 11 a.m. Mass
  • Monday, short run, starting at 2 to 5 miles, 6:30 a.m. run, preferably gym, treadmill and elliptical (with borough council meeting I cover as correspondent for newspaper at 6 p.m. on second and fourth Mondays, this also works)
  • Tuesday, strength training, 3:30 p.m., gym, 1 1/2 to 2 hour workout (with school board meeting I cover as correspondent for newspaper at 7:30 p.m. on second Tuesdays this also works)
  • Wednesday, long run, starting at 7 to 10 miles, afternoon run 2-4 p.m., also fits in spiritually and mentally with Wednesday being a day off the computer, time for Eucharistic Adoration in morning, running in afternoon and reading and writing in evening when mind is free of distraction of computer
  • Thursday, no exercise, refuel physically and mentally restart week with new blog entries here and on my other two blogs

The main thing is I can focus on my running with this schedule, even if the strength training part gets thrown off, and I start off my days early enough on Fridays and Mondays that if something comes up later in the day, I won’t have an excuse not to run. The only “trick” will be devoting Wednesday afternoon to the long run and letting others know that I will be unavailable during that afternoon and pretty much that day. But I think this is much more workable and flexible than the schedule I self-imposed earlier this year.

(Note: This also does not mean that I will be giving up getting up by 6:30 a.m. To the contrary, I still will be getting up by 6:30 at least Monday through Friday to start my day.)