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Friday, June 10, 2011

How to Have a Successful Lunchtime Run (without alienating co-workers or losing job)

Sarah Fitness is hosting a Couch to 5K program starting Monday. Since that is the case, I thought I would share some things I've learned for those participants who may have no other time to run than "lunchtime".
Lunchtime runs put me in a better mood. You're welcome, co-workers.


I love my lunchtime run. It's the only time I can do it during the week. However, many days I have to get right back to work, and as a librarian, people might notice my sweaty stinkiness.

So, I've created this handy guide to a successful lunchtime run:

1. Put it on the schedule.
Everyone in my office knows when my lunchtime run is. I'm lucky enough to have a flexible schedule, so unless I have a specific meeting in the afternoon, I don't always have to go right at noon. But, when I write out the to-do list for the day, I put the lunchtime run.

2. What to bring:
Washrag, makeup, change of underwear, hairbrush (optional), deodorant. Also optional: Baby wipes.

3. The Spit Bath.
After my run, when I'm in my running clothes and sweaty/gross as heck, I bring my work clothes, *change of underwear*, makeup and a washrag into the bathroom. When I was a kid and I didn't want to take a bath (or, now that I'm a parent I'm starting to suspect my parents didn't feel like doing the whole bath thing), we did what my parents called a "spit" bath. It sounds gross. But it just means scrubbing yourself off with a wet washrag. So, that's what I do.

4. Try to have low maintenance hair.
I would love to always have a cute hairdo. But, that's one of the things I give up with my love of lunchtime running. I usually start the day with my hair fixed and looking fabulous. Then I put it up during my run. I usually leave it up for the rest of the day. On some rare days, if I want to look especially good and I have a few extra minutes, I'll get out the straightening iron and work on it on my desk so I can put it down again. But, that doesn't always work...

My hair looked so good before this run, I had to document it before messing it up.
5. Take a shower when you get home.
Even with my brilliant "spit bath" technique, I still don't quite feel clean until I've had a proper shower. However, since you've had your "spit bath", you don't need to go too crazy. 5 minutes should be enough. (or 3, if you have kids like mine).

Do any of you run at lunchtime? What are some of your tips?

Happy Running!
I just ran. Where's my washrag?

3 comments:

Quirky Homemaker said...

Great tips! *clean underwear*. LOL I know it's needed, but so funny to hear (read). It's Monday. Where's your C25K post? I'm still making it through my linky list from the S&R hop. Don't forget to do something fun locally with your kids so you can link up to the "Show us your town hop". I have a Twitter hop starting tonight at 10PM. Link up your Twitter. Will you have C25K twitter updates?

Unknown said...

Hey Michelle- I created an event for the C25K. Will you be joining us?

Yes, I will go ahead and add Twitter updates.

I'm going to get in your face about C25K :-)

(And yes, I brought clean underwear today)...

RunningOnCoffee said...

No lunch time runs here... I'd get run down by a luxury SUV running on the narrow road without shoulders that my elementary school is on. I run at 6:45am (up to 5 miles), after 5:30pm, and on weekends.