Today, I would like to actually share a day in the life of post, and I am going to do it as part of a What I Ate Wednesday (thanks Jenn) post, as obviously being a former elite runner who covered 70-90 miles a week means that you consume a lot of food!
I decided to use Monday, but I may go back and share a few other days of the week, as each day is quite different. Mondays are usually the day that my running receives the most attention, which is what you are most likely most interested in.
So lets begin
6:15am
Alarm goes off. I am usually somewhat awake at this time, and have looked at the clock at least once by now. Quietly walk to the kitchen, trying not to wake Steve. Turn on the kettle (which I filled the night before with water). Have a chai tea with a small amount of NuNaturals Stevia. While it is boiling, get the computer up and running.
6:30
Mix a bowl of cereal; a combination of cereals/granola, maybe with soy/almond milk. Attempt to shovel the pieces into my mouth, usually dropping half of it on the floor as my eyes are already on the screen reading through blogs…..oops!
7am
Begin working for Runners Connect; emails, preparing buffer for the day, final preparations to the posts, comments, reading running related articles for sharing later, talk to Jeff (my boss). Just normal social media manager stuff……if that can be considered normal….. I am sure that 95% of my friends and family could not explain my job to anyone else! 😉
Get a little more food; some nuts and dried fruit, or half a Balance Bar
8:45am
Time to get moving (promised Steve I would not sit and go right out the door from sitting). Prepare myself a snack for post run (Twin Lab Clean Series Protein drink, and a banana), and get ready for the day.
9am
Drive to my Chiropractor/ART office listening to marketing podcasts. Park the car, and bundle up for my run.
9:30am
Begin doing Dynamic Warm up exercises in the parking lot, smile at the people who are staring at me like I am a crazy person.
Pee for the 5th time today, just in case I need to go on my run….which I often still do.
9:40am
Run from Dr Mikes office. Usually 8-9 miles along rail trails and through neighborhoods. If I am feeling sore or particularly tired from the long run the day before, I will let myself listen to a podcast or music while I run. Sometimes I meet my speedy friend Allie Morgan to run with, depending on our schedules and if we both are seeing Dr Mike that morning.
10:45am
Stretch while talking to one of my good friends, Erin who is was Dr Mikes receptionist. Check social media for Runners Connect and my accounts.
Drink my recovery drink and eat the banana.
10:55am
Change out of my wet clothes, use baby wipes to clean myself off (classy huh?)
11am
Either massage with Karen; full hour massage working on my entire body, focusing on whatever areas I noticed are particularly tight.
OR
Active Release session with Dr Mike Sullivan. This HURTS! Active release is SO good for you, particularly if you have something wrong; he did wonders for my hamstring, but also is great for keeping your muscles loose.
12pm
Drive home
12:25pm
Have lunch; leftovers or a Almond Butter & Jam sandwich (all homemade, including the Whole Wheat Bread), with an apple and the other half of the Balance Bar.
12:45pm
Work for Runners Connect
Monday is my “posts” day, which means I spend most the day putting the articles from our writers into wordpress and editing them/making them easy to find on the internet. I will also edit past articles, engage with people on social media, research, and prepare for podcast interviews.
2pm
“I can’t be hungry already? Are you kidding me?” Walk to the kitchen, get another snack….1/2 an avocado or a few spoons of almond butter. Get some nutrition in there.
3pm
Okay, this must just be boredom; have a tea.
Stalk the mailman as I hear his car coming down the road; try to make it look as though I just happened to be going outside as he reaches the next house.
3:30pm
Alright, I am legitimately hungry, listen to the body. Have a bowl of cottage cheese or Greek Yogurt.
5pm
Talk to my mum and dad on FaceTime for about 30 mins.
5:30pm
Make sure everything is together for the rest of the day; send final emails, prepare social media for the evening, work on posts for the 2 business Instagram accounts.
6pm
Prepare dinner; MEATLESS MONDAY! Listen to business podcasts while I cook.
Try not to snack on more nuts while Steve is on his way home.
6:50pm
Steve arrives home, run to the door like a puppy who’s owner has just come home. The food is already on the plates, Steve has to dump his bags on the floor and eat.
Sometimes Steve is extra lucky and it is one of the days I am trying to prepare a recipe for the blog, I am in a state of panic and anger as the food is just not looking as good as I want it to. I yell and stomp around. He somehow saves the day, and makes it look somewhat presentable.
7:01pm
Finish eating dinner, consider asking if we can have dessert yet. Resist the urge.
7:30pm
“Dessert time?”
“Of course!”
We load up with a big bowl of ice cream, or a smaller bowl of ice cream with whatever baking I did over the weekend. Here is a typical bowl
8pm
Watch Netflix; Parenthood is my current choice, and Steve likes Arrow, Royal Pains, and Justified.
8:30pm
If it is not parenthood, I usually get a little bored and go prepare Steve’s lunch for the next day, and my clothes for the next day (as Tuesday is an earlier morning). Sneak in some more nuts, even though I am still stuffed, Steve teases me about being obsessed with eating nuts (keep your minds out the gutter!).
9pm
Do the UVA Speed Clinic Exercises, while we continue watching TV.
9:30pm
Roll out using a PVC pipe.
9:45pm
“Bedtime”? Steve begrudgingly agrees, although he is nowhere near ready, but I take 3 hours to fall asleep, so he agrees. Floss, Brush, Mouthwash. Take my Enduropacks L-Glutamine, and stick my amino acid patches on.
9:55pm
Steve reads a book. I try to sleep.
10:05pm
Sensing my fidgeting, Steve turns off the light, and reads yahoo articles on his phone
10:25pm
Lights out. Tina falls asleep in about another 30 mins
And there you have it! That is a typical Monday! Like I mentioned, each day is a little different, so I may well do a Tuesday and a Wednesday post in the future, especially once I get into the middle of my marathon training. Mondays are always the major recovery day.
Not too different to your day was it? What is your favorite thing to do in the evenings?
59 Comments.
I loved hearing about your day! It actually sounds pretty perfect to me. Lots of running, injury prevention, and time for recovery. I’m usually in bed by 9 and fall asleep really quickly! I guess thats why I have no problem getting up at 5am or earlier every day:)
LOVE that you shared this. and yeah. I love you and steve. is that awkward? 🙂
Nope! I dont think so….although he may be…..but he’s awkward in general….shh don’t tell him I told you that 😉
I would’ve thought you trained two or three times a day, but maybe it’s just off season and a Monday for you? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post a lot!
Technically I do train 2 times a day, as the exercises in the evening count, and as I continue marathon training I will be running twice a day somedays, but thats why I said this was a recovery day. Easiest day of the week 🙂 Its definitely not off season! Heavy into marathon training! Tired! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This is great. I can so relate to “I cannot seriously be hungry already?” because I go though that ALL DAY LONG when I’m training hard. I’ve also been known to yell and scream about the dinner I’m making. 🙂
I also forgot to ask if you can share some of the podcasts your listening to?? I just finished Serial and now I’m lost. I would love your recommendations on good running ones or blog ones, etc…
Just wait till Friday 😉 You read my mind. For now…..can you listen to mine? (FYI I am not the host of the UCANN one, but its still really good!) http://runnersconnect.net/running-podcast/
I have one more episode left! I did not think I would like it….I was hooked!!!!!!!!!!!!! They need to start a new case!
I am a total morning person so I am exhausted by early evening! Unless I am out and about, I am home watching tv with my son trying not to fall asleep before him lol.
I loved reading this! You sure do pack it in but it sounds like a good day…with lots of good food! i’m bless that my husband will eat anything I cook too:)
sounds all too familiar, except add in a 5 am swim with masters, and 3 hr bike ride in between running and swimming. And then loads of food. You guys really need to train together! haha rest up friend. You’re a hard worker!
I love reading ‘day in the life’ posts! It’s interesting to see how you balance your running career with your RC job – sounds like a great mix 🙂
Nothing too crazy! Seems like you’ve gt a system down! Haha, I drink tea when I’m bored too 😉
Day in the life posts are so much fun to read! I’m like you with having dinner ready the minute J gets home, and counting down to see him… it’s also partly (selfishly) to have help with the girls! You balance a lot in your day and do it all so well!
I love reading about your day! You’re right, it’s not all that different from mine except the massage. And you get a lot more running done in an hour than I do ;-).
I absolutely loved getting a sneak peak into your everyday life. You are basically superwoman! I just wish we were able to FaceTime because…. I MISS YOU!!!
Can we FaceTime this weekend!??! I would LOVE that!
So busy, but what a great day! I have a lot of trouble falling asleep too. I am always blown away about how quickly the hubs dozes off.
Interesting to hear about your day! You don’t eat nearly as much as I would think. I eat way more than you do! LOl. Yay for occasional ice cream. Which podcasts do you listen to while running?
Now you know 😉
I really like this post! I remember responding and suggesting it, I just like to read about days in different people’s lives I guess. I like how you manage to fit in your running and your workouts, and stretch in front of the TV (I do too). It’s cool that your job is fairly flexible to allow for running and everything too (but I guess if you work for Runner’s Connect they would understand, as an employer). I can’t wait to see which podcasts you listen to, as well!
Love this. It’s so interesting. Do you get a massage every week? I’m a great believer in massages (and ART) but tend to only get them when I’m injured/recovering from injury. Just expensive to get all the time! 🙁
I alternate between a massage and getting ART each week. I have to pay, but for me it is worth it. Expensive, but I would rather sacrifice something else and stay healthy….I go crazy if I can’t run!
I am known for yelling at all things, if they do not cooperate. This includes recipes, databases, my computer, the garage door, or the car. 🙂 Sleep is a tough one. Usually, I can get 9 hours, but sometimes it is only 7-8 hours during the week and then on weekend I catch up and feel groggy.
Love this. I had no idea what a day would be like for an athlete! Did you go to Ferris State?! My husband went there and I’ve never met anyone else who also did 🙂
REALLY! Yes! I did!! Thats so crazy! i rarely come across anyone who has even heard of it, let alone went there! That is so cool! Have you ever been to big rapids?
I have! I went once to visit and see the campus. I love Michigan. It’s a beautiful state!
that active release session. SO craving one of those on my shoulder/neck right now!
Totally love that you shared this. I’m in awe of all that you do in a day! Oh I can’t wait to hear more about the podcasts you listen to too!
So cool! I need Dr. Mike for MY hamstring. Gah. And we don’t have Parenthood on Canadian Netflix. SUCKS! I haven’t seen one single episode but I can tell from how everyone talks about it that I’d really like it. Hopefully it comes up here soon.
Fun to read about a day in the life!! I love how disciplined you are in all aspects (not just the running) – stretching, massage, working from home….
I’m like you – it takes me awhile to fall asleep and then I rarely stay asleep for very long.
Such a fun read! Thanks for sharing, Tina! I also dropped cereal all over the floor, but it was Tuesday for me. I guess I’m just trying to copy everything you do in an attempt to be as awesome as you. 😉
Funnily enough, not too different from my day! I am essentially a social media manager as well, so I even spend my day doing the same things for work that you do. I don’t get the benefit fo the ART/massage sessions, though, see if you can get those added in, will ya? And now I have to try to get my workouts in earlier in the day, though it would be perfect at the time that you do. So my question is….why am I not faster???
This was really interesting to read, especially as someone that is chasing the being an elite (or at least sub-elite) runner and also works. My current job is more of a normal 9-5 so its really helpful to know that your entire day doesn’t have to be dedicated to running to reach a high level! 😀
It was so cool to read about your day! I have always been interested in what a day in the life of an elite consists of and it was interesting to see how you balance it with your job!
“I can’t be hungry already?” <– I feel like that's something I'm constantly asking myself too lol. The joys of having a healthy metabolism 🙂 And 3 -hours- to fall asleep? Eeep! I usually don't even bother going to lie down unless I'm basically passing out, and then 15 or 20 minutes of reading will usually have me out like a light.
OMG I can’t believe it takes you so long to fall asleep! With all that running, I’d knocked out within 5 seconds 😉
PS: I LOVE ART! So painful, but it really does miracles.
I love reading about your day and your eats! That bowl of ice cream looks so delicious and makes me want some 🙂
Wow! I like to see that you focus so much time on stretching, dynamic warm-ups, massages and recovery methods. You clearly need it with all that running. It’s great that your job is all about social media and running, right? Two things you are good at and love to do. Thanks for sharing your day, Tina! Oh and by the way, I’m on a big cottage cheese kick lately. Glad you’re a fan of it too! 🙂
Love this and love that you eat dessert! Even elites eat dessert 🙂
In the evenings I love to disconnect (I am trying to get better at this); read my book; and slowly start to fall asleep and hope that all that “clutter” going in my head shuts up! Loved hearing about what your day looks like…similar to mine (without as much running), but all over the place! 🙂
I love posts like these! It sounds like you have a very normal life. Since I’ve been strapped to the treadmill more than I ever thought I’d be, I’m getting into podcasts. I’ll have to check out Runner’s Connect now!
So great hearing about your day! It’s inspiring 🙂
I love hearing about your day especially since I don’t know any elite runners in real life! It sounds like an awesome day. I need to work on going to bed earlier. I love that you do lots of recovery and fueling!
I didn’t know you worked for Runners Connect. How cool! Your day sounds busy but a good kind of busy. I would love to try some ART as I currently have some issues which could benefit! Thanks for sharing your day!
SO fascinating! I LOVE it. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
My day in the life also involves eating every 15-20 minutes and I don’t even run the mileage you do!
SO fun. I have thought about doing a day in my life but but I wasn’t sure anyone would care and my husband is convinced no one cares…but it looks like people like them and I like them too 🙂
I loved reading about your day! Such a fun post 🙂 I am amazed at how much you balance! You are incredible. And I am always in bed by 8:45…asleep by 9. Ha. Matt always looks at me like I’m crazy! 🙂
The ice cream is my favorite part! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your day, Tina! I was surprised that you fit so much in before you went for your run – does that change when you have two workouts a day? Do you always wake up with enough time to eat your breakfast before running? I’m also a fan of having a tea while I’m waiting to decide if it’s “I’m bored” hunger or legitimate hunger that I’m feeling. 🙂
Uhhhh not really too much. I will just run again instead of talking to my parents haha. Monday is always a day with only one run, but yeah, when I have 2 runs a day….makes things a little more crammed!! Yeah, I always have to eat…..I can’t handle not eating. I love breakfast foods! I guess I am lucky that I can run around 8 or 9 so I can have time to digest a little:)
I just finished Parenthood! What season are you on? What do you think?
Season 4……Christina….sad…….trying not to look into the future, but I am mad that I saw a commercial with Sarah marrying hank…..but she’s still with Mark!! Agh, I wish I never saw that! Now I get mad at her every time I see her hahah! Did you watch all 6?
This is so great! I really love hearing about your day and I love “Day in the life” posts! You juggle a lot and make it all seem joyful and seamless. Would love to hear about another day in your week! 🙂
Sounds like a great day to me! I always struggle with the am-i-bored-or-hungry question. I usually eat either way – whoops! haha
I love the image of you stomping around the kitchen when a meatless monday meal doesn’t turn out as planned – too funny 🙂
It sounds like Mondays are easy or recovery run days, but I’m surprised you still drink a recovery drink. Do you after every run? I usually only drink chocolate milk (cheap, but better than nothing) after hard run, but then I’m not an elite, so it must be different 😉
Thanks for sharing this, it’s fun to get a peek into an elite’s life!
Most runs….either that or some kind of other snack to tide me over while I stretch. Chocolate milk is a wonderful recovery drink, and works just as good!
This was so fun to read. Thanks for sharing and opening up your daily life to all of us. xo