Training for the Eugene Marathon as a Law Student

Training for the Eugene Marathon as a Law Student

As a 2L in law school, I have a busy schedule but so do a lot of others. Anybody I meet through the law school is always amazed when I tell them I’m training for the Eugene Marathon. I think one reason is that the race is right before finals so while I'm preparing for a race, my friends are cramming for exams. Also, other law students just don’t understand how I manage law school and marathon training. I’m not saying it’s easy, but I am a very “go with the flow” kind of person so my schedule is very flexible with last minute changes all the time. The Eugene Marathon is one of my favorite races so it’s always a priority, and I find the time to fit it in my busy schedule.

Here are some things I do to balance marathon training with a busy schedule:

1. Make running the priority sometimes.

Sometimes things come up in school that I just cannot put off until after my run so the run gets put on the back burner. But there are other days where I make it a priority to get my run in while things for school or work become a secondary task. This usually happens on days where I know I have less work, fewer classes, or if I know the weather is going to be great. Making running a priority sometimes, but definitely not all the time, gives me the ability to balance school and training. Also, I always take an entire day once a week (usually Saturday) where all I do is focus on running. Having this single day dedicated entirely to running helps me because I know I can just relax after my run instead of immediately starting on work.

2. Always having running gear with you.

I play in a rec basketball league twice a week pretty early in the morning. If I have a game, then I make sure to throw in extra clothes and shoes I need for a run if I’m able to get a one in after I’m done with classes. Having this stuff with me is great because I know if I go home right after class and sit down to start readings, I probably won’t get up again to go run that evening.

3. Meal prep On Sundays, I usually try to make one big meal I can have for dinner for most of the week which means I don’t have to spend time during the week preparing meals. I usually stick to simple meals and always have snacks like fresh fruits and veggies available for throughout the week. Having this prepared prevents me from getting take out after a long day, and helps me stick to a healthy-ish diet.

4. Use a planner

For me, using a planner is absolutely necessary. Every Sunday morning I write down everything I have to do for school in my planner so I can see how busy I will be Monday through Thursday. Then I list the runs and workouts that I need to do for the week. I don’t schedule these for particular days, but having this checklist and my school schedule written down gives me an idea of when I will have time to get a run in. I’m a very easy going person so I like having the flexibility to make changes based on how I feel or things I need to do for school.

5. Accept that you might miss a run sometimes

One of the most important things I’ve learned from a law school professor is that you aren’t always going to be 100% prepared for class (or another task) every single day, and that is okay. Knowing when I'm completely overwhelmed and need to miss a run or skip reading for class is extremely important. If I have to miss a run, I attempt to make it up the next day or tack on some extra miles to my next run. I don’t beat myself up if I tried my best but just couldn’t make it fit in my schedule. Recognizing that you need a break is the most important advice I’ve been given.