These Two Otolaryngologists Find Peace, Strength in Long-Distance Running

by Cheryl Alkon •

Cheryl Alkon is a freelance medical writer based in Massachusetts.

Runner Training Tips

There are a few tricks to being able to train enough for long distances with a busy surgeon’s schedule, said Jim Daniero, MD. Whether you’re beginning a running regimen or lengthening your workout, these tips from Dr. Daniero and Matthew Q. Miller, MD, can help:

  • Use your time wisely. Both Dr. Daniero and Dr. Miller use the time available to them that best fits their schedules and temperaments. Dr. Miller does his workouts in the early morning. “I’m a morning person and go out at 4:30 a.m. to run,” he said. “I’ve learned if I don’t do it first thing in the morning, it doesn’t get done.” Dr. Daniero often splits his longer training sessions into two parts, before the sun comes up and again after dark, when there isn’t enough time to complete the whole training at once.
  • Add shorter workouts on off days. If your day is busy enough that you can’t fit in an entire training session, do a shorter workout. Dr. Daniero suggests using an exercise bike or treadmill for quick high-intensity training or practicing yoga before work on a recovery day.
  • Get the right gear. Obtain the proper gear for night and bad-weather runs, regardless of how long you’ll be running. Sometimes there’s no other choice than to run when you have some precious free time, regardless of the outside conditions.
  • Be creative about workout opportunities. Instead of hopping in the car, try leaving early and run or bike to events with family and friends. If you’ll be competing in a longer race, consider scheduling a vacation three weeks before the race to have the time to get peak mileage completed during the vacation week before starting a race taper (reducing the volume of weekly training mileage during the final two to four weeks leading up to a longer race). Dr. Daniero will run a self-guided training marathon on a day of vacation at the beach, which takes less than four hours and comes with the benefit of beautiful scenery the whole way.