No time to train? Get the balance right when life gets in the way

Olympic gold medallist and Aqua Pura Brand Ambassador Jess Learmonth on making your training plan work for your life 

Got your first marathon, half or 10K in your sights? Or maybe a parkrun PB? Balancing training with life and work can be tough, especially if you have a young family. British triathlete, Olympic gold medalist, mum-of-one and Aqua Pura brand ambassador Jess Learmonth MBE helps us figure it out.

<1> Get organised
Get to grips with your calendar. “Be really realistic,” says Jess. “Plan to train when it is genuinely possible. I’ve had to adapt my training routine since becoming a mum, and I try to do a lot of my training before Fred wakes up or when he’s napping.” 

<2> Get creative
Think outside the box. That might mean calling in favours from friends and family, running with your kids while they ride along on their bikes, or pushing them in a running buggy. “Consider lunchtime runs or running before work if evenings are a struggle,” says Jess. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” 

<3> Stay hydrated
When we’re busy, we often forget to drink. But if you’re dehydrated, running will feel harder. “I always have a water bottle on me to remind me to drink,” says Jess. “By making sure you’re properly hydrated, you’ll feel better, perform better and recover faster.” The Aqua Pura Hydration Calculator will help you to understand how much water your body needs.
 
<4> Train your brain
Remember the bigger picture. “Like everyone else, I have bad sessions,” says Jess. “It happens, but there’ll be another race. The important thing is to focus, breathe and be present. Who actually cares if you don’t beat your PB? You have given it your all: that’s all you can ever ask of yourself. What’s important is to find the joy in it and soak in that happy feeling.” 

Jess’s training tips
<1> Journal it
“A training programme shouldn’t just be about distance and time,” says Jess. “Get to grips with your sleep patterns, eating habits, life stresses and hydration levels, too.” 

<2> Get your gear right
“Consider your outfit,” says Jess. “I consider how fabrics feel, how absorbent they are, if they will rub and irritate my skin and if they will make me sweat more.” 

<3> Consider electrolytes
If you’re going to be out longer than 90 minutes, consider popping an electrolyte tablet into your water bottle. “Having too little sodium in your body can make you very sick,” Jess explains. 

Filtered through ancient, mineral-rich rocks in the Eden Valley, Aqua Pura’s unique, refreshing taste will help you stay hydrated, whatever life and training throw at you.

Learn more at aqua-pura.com and connect on Facebook and Instagram.