How to Fit Running Into a Busy Life as a Working Mom
- nic7819
- May 4
- 3 min read
By Coach Nic Baxter | NBx Running Coach
I'll be honest, there are days when the alarm goes off at 5:30am, or even earlier, and the last thing I want to do is get out of bed and run. Between coaching, life admin, and everything else that comes with being a woman in the thick of it — finding time to run can feel impossible.
But here's what I know after years of marathons and coaching women just like you: it is possible. You just need to stop trying to fit running into your life and start building your life around it.
1. Forget the "All or Nothing" Mindset
The biggest mistake I see working moms make is thinking that if they can't do a full hour, it's not worth doing at all. But 20 minutes of running is infinitely better than zero minutes of running.
A short run still builds fitness. It still clears your head. It still counts.
Give yourself permission to do less on the hard days. A 20-minute run on a Tuesday is not failure — it's consistency.
2. Treat Your Run Like a Meeting
You wouldn't cancel a meeting with your boss at the last minute. So stop cancelling on yourself.
Block your runs in your calendar at the start of each week — and protect them. Tell your family, your partner, your kids: "This is my time." You don't need to justify it. You deserve it.
3. Find Your Window — and Own It
Some women are early morning runners. Others run at lunch. Some wait until the kids are in bed and head out at 8pm.
There is no right answer — just the window that works for your life. Experiment. Try different times. When you find the one that sticks, own it completely.
For me, early mornings are non-negotiable. It's done before the day has a chance to get in the way.
4. Double Up Where You Can
Running doesn't always have to be solo. Can you run to school drop-off and get picked up? Can you run errands on foot? Can you use your lunch break twice a week?
Look for the places in your day where running can replace something rather than add to it. These small wins add up faster than you think.
5. Get a Plan — and Stop Winging It
One of the biggest time wasters I see is runners who head out without a plan, run too hard, run at the same pace for EVERY run, feel terrible, and spend the next two days recovering. That's not sustainable.
A structured training plan tells you exactly what to do each day — and more importantly, when to rest. When you know what's coming, it's easier to schedule and easier to commit.
This is exactly why I build personalised TrainingPeaks plans for every one of my clients. No guesswork. No wasted miles. Just smart, efficient training that fits around your real life.
6. Ask for Help
This one is hard for a lot of women — but it's important.
Ask your partner to take the kids on Saturday morning so you can do your long run. Ask a friend to meet you so you're accountable. Join a group. Hire a coach.
You don't have to do this alone. And you'll be amazed how much more you show up when someone is waiting for you.
The Bottom Line
Fitting running into a busy life as a working mom isn't about finding more time. It's about deciding that your running — and your health — is worth protecting.
Start small. Be consistent. Give yourself grace on the hard days.
And if you're ready to stop winging it and start training with a real plan built around your real life — I'd love to help.
Coach Nic Baxter is an RRCA Level 2 Run Coach and ACE-Certified Personal Trainer based in Morristown, NJ. She helps women in their 30s, 40s and beyond run stronger, feel better and fall in love with every mile.
Comments