Nur

[nursemimi08]

I really admire the discipline that I see in RN's who have been able to train for triathalons and marathons. I know it can be done. But how?!!

Prior to becoming a nurse, I had a normal schedule so I was able to workout almost daily, either before/after work, and still have time for a social life. If I were training for a race, I would have less free time, but I was able to schedule it into my day.

Now... it is all a different story. I am just too tired... (Or am I a wimp?! Or getting old?!) Shift work is just havoc on my life and my health. I am thinking about working all nights at some point, just so I can have some regularity. I definitely haul myself off to the gym on my days off (at best, that's only 4 days/week), but even then, I feel like the quality of my workouts has diminished, like I'm only putting in 75% of my effort.

My former workouts: 30-45 min cardio, 15-20 min stretching/ ab work, 30 min strength training. I would do back/biceps one day, triceps/shoulders another day, skip legs altogether. This whole process takes 1 hr, 15 min at a minimum, not to mention travel time to/from gym, and time for a shower. Obviously, this is not going to be feasible after working at 12+ hour shift, especially when I have to go back the next day/night.

Any recommendations?

Those of you have done an endurance race, what's your training schedule? I'm trying to fight the weight gain. I've already put on 5 pounds, not to mention the muscle mass that I have lost.