runners in nursing school?

windmill182 · Aug 26, 2011

This interests me as well because Im scared that running is going to go right out the door when school starts this fall. Running is such a stress reliever for me! I can't imagine tackling something like nursing school without it. I guess all I can say is 20 minutes is better than none. What seems to be interfering the most? Not enough time or too tired?

Mom/Nurse2b · Aug 26, 2011

Holy crap I'm so glad to see someone else post this! I'm a new runner-about 8 months. I'm a stay-at-home mom so I can pretty much run whenever, but my routine has been to run in the mornings after my kids leave for school, around 7 am, then come home, shower, and go about my day.

Now with school starting for me, I won't have time to do that in the mornings anymore. I've been stressing about it!

Mom/Nurse2b · Aug 26, 2011

I didn't really answer your question in my last post.

I guess my tenative plans are to run on the mornings that I don't have school and on the weekends. For example, I go to school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays this semester, so I will run on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for sure. I need to add one more day in there though and it will probably be one evening after I get home from school.

futurenurseya33 · Aug 26, 2011

I'm somewhat in the same boat too. I love taking Zumba classes at my gym. Problem is i work full-time on top of nursing classes. In order for me to go to the Zumba classes on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday nights I have to have all the clothes i'm wearing out. I also have to have all my food prepared for the day and have all my workout clothes packed and ready to just leave the house. It's a lot but i really want to keep up with exercise because i don't want to gain weight!

Despareux · Aug 26, 2011

I run when I can--that's the best I can do until I graduate. Something is better than nothing, so I have found a minimum that works for me for those days when time is very limited.

swoody · Aug 26, 2011

I am so glad I am not the only one with this issue! I am so used to being able to run every evening - I've started planning my running schedule on a weekly basis and tweaking it as needed. I def agree with packing ahead - I have everything ready to go the night before, lunch packed, running bag and school bags packed, clothes picked out - even breakfast is set out on the counter. My miles have decreased for sure and I'm not racing - which I miss! But 2 miles is better than no miles! It's more about finding time and not feeling guilty for taking a break to run, than being tired - running helps keeps my energy level up. I also deal with anxiety and it keeps it in check. So it's not something I really want to give up :)

ashulee89 · Aug 26, 2011

I'm sort of in the same situation. I used to go to the gym 3-4 times a week. When I started the program I had to bring it down to twice a week. Its all about time management and scheduling a slot where you can exercise. I think I'd go crazy if I couldn't go to the gym. :eek:

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2011

I fit it in somewhere and there are some weeks where I have only been able to fit in 2 days. Make it a priority and it will happen. I found that it really helped right after a test when I was stressing over a score.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2011

You've just got get off your tail and go. I started out as a teacher too before I used my running skills and got the heck out and into another field. Now, I'm on my way to finishing nursing school as a change, lol.

I run around three miles. I just finished two tonight because I had something else to do, but sometimes I run four. For some that's nothing. I tell some runners that I run three miles and they scoff and say I can run that while I'm in the shower while other people at the track look at you like you're Flash Gordon.

I don't think you'd have a lot of time for anything over five miles especially if you work like me (and I've got two jobs now), but I could squeeze my laps in everyday if I wanted.

swoody · Aug 27, 2011

ImThatGuy - thanks, that helps to hear that it's do-able! It does crack me up to talk about running with different groups - it's so true, you can tell someone you just ran 3 miles and if they run marathons, they'll laugh at you. Tell that to someone that never runs, and you are awesome!

Mom/Nurse2b · Aug 27, 2011

I'mThatGuy-that makes me feel so much better too! I usually run 2 miles 3 days a week and 4 miles on Saturdays, which is my long day. It's a HUGE stress reliever for me and I am so scared to lose that.

I'm glad to hear that it's still do-able in NS. Thanks! :)