Most runners don’t stop running because their body gives out.

They stop because “life gets too busy”. Work demands more. The kids get sick. It rains for a week straight. Or maybe it’s just the damn laundry pile screaming louder than your Garmin.

And before you know it, the habit’s gone.

But here’s the truth:

You don’t find time to run. You build it.

And when you do? That’s when everything shifts—your mind, your mood, your momentum.

Why Time’s the #1 Excuse (And How to Beat It)

Time is the adult version of the monster under the bed.

Everyone’s afraid of it. Everyone swears they don’t have enough. And when it comes to training? It’s the easiest excuse in the book.

But here’s the kicker: The busiest people I know are the ones who train the most.

Why? Because they’ve stopped “trying” to make time—and started treating running like a non-negotiable.

Like brushing your teeth. Or picking up your kid from school.

The Prep Moves That Make Running Automatic

Want to make sure tomorrow’s run actually happens?

Do the hard part today.

Here’s what works:

Put your run in the calendar. Literally. Like it’s an important meeting.
Lay out your kit the night before. Shoes. Socks. Clothes. Sorted.
Pick your route before bed. Know where you're going. Saves brainpower.
Run close to your routine. School drop-off? Work commute? Find a loop nearby.
Wake up 30 minutes earlier. Before the world starts talking to you.
Use a running app with reminders. Dumb-proof your commitment.
Set realistic expectations. Don’t shoot for a 20K when a 3K is all you’ve got.

Make Running Part of Your Actual Life

You don’t need “extra” time to run.

You need to slip it into the cracks of your already-packed day.

Try this:

Run to work. Or halfway. Or from a few stops away.
Lunch break K’s. 20 minutes. You’ll be shocked how good it feels.
TV show + treadmill. Let Netflix carry you to 5K.
Commercial break strides. Sounds dumb. Until you do it.
Dawn or dusk. Those are your golden windows. Use ‘em.

Accountability: The Silent Weapon

When motivation disappears (and it will), accountability steps in.

Running group. Instant motivation. Bonus: post-run coffee.
Coach. Someone to report to. Someone who notices if you ghost.
Progress tracker. Watch your K’s grow. Gets addictive.
Reward yourself. New running gear. Gelato. Rest day brunch. Earn it.

The Time Management Moves Nobody Talks About

You don’t need more time. You need fewer distractions and better boundaries.

Time-block your runs. Treat them like sacred windows.
Say “no” more. If it doesn’t feed you, free you, or pay you, it’s a maybe.
Stretch while you wait. On hold? Crank a calf stretch.
Scroll less, sweat more. 15 mins of Instagram = 2K jog.
Audit weekly. What’s working? What’s not? Fix it.

You’re Not Too Busy. You’re Just Out of Rhythm.

Every runner I’ve ever coached has said the same thing at some point:

“I’ve just been so busy.”

You know what they all say 2 weeks after we fix their routine?

“I can’t believe how much better I feel.”

Running makes life easier—not harder. It clears your head, fires your productivity, keeps your body sharp, and builds a deeper sense of discipline most people never touch.

So here’s the question:

Will you keep letting time own you?

Or are you ready to make time your training partner?

Your move.

Yours in rhythm and resolve,
Daniel Lucchini

P.S. If you’re serious about your fitness and want a coach to keep you accountable, I do this every day, and I haven’t missed a day in 3 years. Book a free chat with me, and let’s talk about your next move.

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“I Don’t Have Time” – The Lie That’s Killing Your Running Habit