The Logistics of Running

I want to apologize because I’m mostly writing about running these days but ever since I started this journey, it has taken over my life especially now that the distances are getting longer so I barely have time to think about anything else. Now, I’m facing new challenges I didn’t considered before.

But I promise I have a huge list of non-running topics I want to write about but while I’m struggling to juggle everything running related, let’s talk logistics.

Before I continue, this isn’t a complaint. I’m genuinely enjoying the process. Yesterday I ran 12 miles and felt very grateful for my health, my body, and the privilege of being able to do this. I just think it’s interesting to share what it actually looks like to plan marathon training around a normal life.

As the runs moved past the 1 hour mark, everything got more complicated. My long run always lands on Sunday and there’s a reason for that. Those runs will eventually reach three hours or more before race day. That’s too long to squeeze in before work and doing it after work, especially in winter, would mean running in the dark which brings its own set of challenges. So Sunday it is.

But here’s the interesting part: trying to live a normal life while planning for your longest run of the week is… a lot. Here’s what the past four Sundays looked like:

• 9 miles in Santa Monica. It’s a 50-minute drive and I had a family commitment a couple hours later. I finished the run, rushed back with no time to breathe and barely made it on time.

• 5-mile deload run. I slept late the night before, started late again and had just enough time to finish, rush home and drive an hour for an airport pickup.

• 10 miles before a potluck. I came home, showered and went straight into cooking before heading to the potluck with no rest whatsoever.

• 12 miles in San Diego. I drove two hours the day before to visit family. To avoid disrupting everyone’s plans, I woke up at 6 AM, ran for two hours and was back by 9:30 AM ready for a day out with the family.

And the funniest part? I haven’t even faced my toughest logistical challenge yet. Without spoiling much… next week I’m not even sure where or when I’ll be able to run. Add high altitude into the mix and I genuinely have no idea what that run will look like.

So yeah, I’ll keep this short but long-run logistics have taken over my weekends for five weeks straight. And honestly? I’m really looking forward to a lazy Sunday where the only thing on the calendar is my run and maybe a nap.

Again, I’m not sharing this to discourage anyone. It’s just the reality of running long distances while trying to maintain a social life. But it’s absolutely doable and if anything, I encourage people to pick up running—not necessarily marathon training—just simple, easy runs once a week. The benefits are genuinely worth it.