Photo by Linus Ahlberg

5 TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE TRAINING A PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE

BY George Bjälkemo

In the high-speed, information-overload world of today, it is almost too easy to find an excuse to skip your training schedule or not even have one. That’s why we asked George Bjälkemo for five tips on how to make training a part of your everyday life, despite (or indeed because of) the busy lives we lead. Why George? Because he is - get this - a professional triathlete gone greatest swimrunner of today (won record-setting five consecutive ÖtillÖ World Series races with teammate Pontus Lindberg), and when not over-performing in a wetsuit, he happens to be a lawyer, a commercial model and a family man with two small children.

5 TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE TRAINING A PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE

BY George Bjälkemo

1. PLAN FOR IT - DON'T LEAVE IT TO CHANCE.

Like with anything else you do, training is most likely to happen if you plan for it. It´s a mindset. Thinking that you will train if, and only if, there will be time for it is a mistake. You have to plan for it! Not to mention, consistency is key. If you have goals with your training, leaving it to chance will most likely set you up for a disappointment. If training is important to you, treat it as such and the people around you are likely to be much more understanding and supportive than you think.

2. PREPARE – BE PACKED AND READY TO TRAIN.

Try to be proactive to overcome obstacles that you find might keep you from training. Preparing everything you can in advance will make things easier, e.g. packing your training gear, mixing sport drinks, preparing pre- and post training meals and snacks. This helps, especially if you have an early morning session.

3. PRIORITIZE AND BE PRACTICAL.

If training is important to you, prioritize it. Accept that you can´t do everything and don’t beat yourself up over it. Figure out what works for you. If you find it hard to get your training done after work, do it before work or during lunch. Training earlier in the day also makes it less likely for something unforeseen to come in the way of your training. Be practical, cut out as much logistics as possible, e.g. start your run as soon as you get out the door, sign up with the gym closest to work or home.

4. TRAIN SMART - DON'T WASTE TIME.

Focus primarily on the training that gives you the most bang for the buck. Do the type of training that has the most effect on your overall fitness and get into details later if there´s time (unless necessary from an injury perspective). Be open to train outdoors as well as indoors, not being limited by the conditions. Be creative, there is usually some way of getting the training done, e.g. transportation running to work or running with a baby stroller.

5. PERIODIZATION - LESS RANDOMNESS.

Don’t set your mind on trying to be in great shape all the time. Breaking down your training into blocks with an alteration of training load or focus over time, will allow you to get more out of your training. Furthermore, this means that you now and again can forget about training and focus on life in general (and the other way around). This gives perspective and may result in less stress over things that you think you might be missing out on.

FOLLOW GEORGE

ABOUT GEORGE

After a very successful career in triathlon (multiple medalist at the Swedish Nationals, multiple top-10 finishes at international half Ironman races including 5th at Austin in 2013 and 6th at Raleigh in 2015), George eloped to the sport of swimrun in 2016 and formed Team Garmin with Pontus Lindberg. The pair would soon assert themselves as the Golden Bib Boys of the ÖtillÖ World Series, winning the total of eight races in a two-year period (out of nine they entered!), along with two 4th places at the World Championships. Team Garmin was the overall winner of the 2018 ÖtillÖ World Series.

Sponsored by GARMIN, HEAD Swimming, Access Rehab, and Clif Bar, George lives in Stockholm with his wife and two children. In addition to being an athlete, he has a degree of Master of Laws, LL.M., and works part-time as a lawyer in the public sector. He also does work as a commercial model.