Run To Work

​When I lived in Sydney, running to work was an integral part of my training. Typically, I would use public transport only on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons to bring a week's worth of work clothes to the office, and run to and from work on the other days. I started commuting to work this way when I first started running and lived only 4 km away. Even when I moved 15 km away, I continued to commute by foot. During the last couple of years I lived in Sydney, I ran an average of 90 to 120 km a week just by commuting. It's no surprise that I was so aerobically fit back then, and could easily run 140-160 km a week!

Since 2020, I have been working remotely almost 100% of the time, which is a double-edged sword when it comes to my running. On the one hand, I have no fixed commuting schedule and more flexibility with my time. On the other hand, my overall running volume and fitness has decreased dramatically because I don't always run for that long or twice a day. Furthermore, going for a morning run before work has transformed from an easy commute to a training session, and this small but important psychological change has affected my overall attitude. Maybe that's why I rarely get to run after work. It's not just because it's easier to get caught up with other things, but also because a second training session takes more effort and conviction than just running home. And because I already trained in the morning, it's harder to justify a second session not only in my own eyes, but also in those of my wife and kids!

I'm not complaining about working remotely. I absolutely love it, and it has made me more efficient in my work and personal time management. 

I'm just reflecting on the positive impact that the compound effect of commuting by foot had on my overall running fitness.