Running, working and parental duties...
Discussion
Chaps,
Just wondering how everyone (with kids that is...) cope with the above...
Someone put a bee in my bonnet about training for a marathon... I’m being realistic and aiming for a half marathon first...
My job means I have to walk about 15km every day... not too much of a hassle but can leave me tired if I have to wake up at 4:30am...
Add that with the fact we have a 4year old who is our world but she’s a little time vampire...
I had looked at those “jogger strollers” but I don’t think the kid would appreciate being forced to sit down for two hours while I huff and puff and wheeze myway around...
So any suggestions on how I can tackle this one?!
So I’m wondering how I can combine running with kid... obviously she’s too small to keep up with me... i
Just wondering how everyone (with kids that is...) cope with the above...
Someone put a bee in my bonnet about training for a marathon... I’m being realistic and aiming for a half marathon first...
My job means I have to walk about 15km every day... not too much of a hassle but can leave me tired if I have to wake up at 4:30am...
Add that with the fact we have a 4year old who is our world but she’s a little time vampire...
I had looked at those “jogger strollers” but I don’t think the kid would appreciate being forced to sit down for two hours while I huff and puff and wheeze myway around...
So any suggestions on how I can tackle this one?!
So I’m wondering how I can combine running with kid... obviously she’s too small to keep up with me... i
I get up in the ealry hours 4-5 days a week and run 5 /10 /20k before work with the dog. This way dog also gets walked early freeing up time later in the day.
We have two kids, 6/3. no time while they're up due to my full time 9-5 work and wifes evening and weekend work, so I tend to go to bed early (9ish) weekdays and get up early 5:30 / 6 ish!
Occasionally i get tired and have a week where i don't get up early - just to catch up on sleep!!
We have two kids, 6/3. no time while they're up due to my full time 9-5 work and wifes evening and weekend work, so I tend to go to bed early (9ish) weekdays and get up early 5:30 / 6 ish!
Occasionally i get tired and have a week where i don't get up early - just to catch up on sleep!!
What is your line of work? Any option to run at lunch?
I don't run much but do cycle a fair bit. We have 4 kids and spend most of our lives running them to and from clubs/events. I manage a Sunday morning 3 hour ride - this now involves riding to the junior parkrun to watch them and then carry on. I also skip lunch a few times a week in the office to make time for a couple of slightly longer lunches for a ride.
Lots of folks from our office run in their lunch break.
I don't run much but do cycle a fair bit. We have 4 kids and spend most of our lives running them to and from clubs/events. I manage a Sunday morning 3 hour ride - this now involves riding to the junior parkrun to watch them and then carry on. I also skip lunch a few times a week in the office to make time for a couple of slightly longer lunches for a ride.
Lots of folks from our office run in their lunch break.
Ideas that work for me:
Run to work and back, this may not be an option at first or at all. My commute is 10miles each way, public transport part of the way, or drive part of the way?
Run in the evening when little one is in bed (this will be so much easier at the end of March when the clocks change and evening a light)
Form an agreement with wife/girlfriend/boyfriend to cover you whilst you go running, then they can go shopping (or whatever) whilst you do something cool with your daughter.
Run at lunch
My then 5 and 4 year olds liked going in a stroller running with me, but not during cold spells (like now) and not for longer than an hour, also resulted in frequent stops when they saw something and wanted to know more about it, normally wildlife.
Run to work and back, this may not be an option at first or at all. My commute is 10miles each way, public transport part of the way, or drive part of the way?
Run in the evening when little one is in bed (this will be so much easier at the end of March when the clocks change and evening a light)
Form an agreement with wife/girlfriend/boyfriend to cover you whilst you go running, then they can go shopping (or whatever) whilst you do something cool with your daughter.
Run at lunch
My then 5 and 4 year olds liked going in a stroller running with me, but not during cold spells (like now) and not for longer than an hour, also resulted in frequent stops when they saw something and wanted to know more about it, normally wildlife.
It’s all about routine and planning and it helps if you have a job that can be flexible. Can you go in early or work late and give yourself time to finish early or start late? I’m lucky I can do some exercise at lunch but that’s an hour swimming not 4 hours running. Summer will be easier for you it will be light at 5am.
It's not easy for sure. I try to run three times a week, I was going out Mon/Wed/Fri as soon as I got in from work but the missus put her foot down as apparently I wasn't spending enough time with the kids. I now do two nights in the week and for one of them it's usually after the kid's bedtime, then on Saturday I do the local Parkrun jogging down there and back to make for a longer run.
I can't do lunchtimes at work, this would be ideal but we don't have any showering facilities. I had also considered getting up earlier but I really hate mornings and even my normal 06:45 start is bad enough to cope with.
I can't do lunchtimes at work, this would be ideal but we don't have any showering facilities. I had also considered getting up earlier but I really hate mornings and even my normal 06:45 start is bad enough to cope with.
In a similar boat, I run in the evenings after the kids are in bed, currently 3-4 times a week for 40mins - 1hr. this time of year is hard as it is dark, cold and usually wet.
it isn't ideal and I try to get out in the afternoon at the weekends if I can, sometimes with my 6 year old on his bike.
it's a tricky balance and you just need to see what works.
it isn't ideal and I try to get out in the afternoon at the weekends if I can, sometimes with my 6 year old on his bike.
it's a tricky balance and you just need to see what works.
One suggestion that worked for me. I used one of the running strollers and took our kids out at the weekend when they woke (usually early), wrap them up warm, break up the run with feeding ducks etc, and you'll be surprised how quickly times passes.
Winning brownie points for letting the wife sleep in is an added bonus.
Winning brownie points for letting the wife sleep in is an added bonus.
I have a very tolerant wife who deals with the kids.
But in general, I just get up before the rest of the family and get the runs in before they’re awake. Or I go out after they’re in bed of an evening. The only one that sometimes gets in the way is the long Sunday run once the distances get up towards 20 miles as I’m pretty useless for the rest of the day. But that period only lasts a few weeks.
But in general, I just get up before the rest of the family and get the runs in before they’re awake. Or I go out after they’re in bed of an evening. The only one that sometimes gets in the way is the long Sunday run once the distances get up towards 20 miles as I’m pretty useless for the rest of the day. But that period only lasts a few weeks.
Foliage said:
Their are 168 hours in a week, 40 hours at work so 128, 56 hours asleep that leaves 72 hours, your training will be for a half, less than 6 hours a week? How can you not find the time?
Seriously?What about
Commuting time
Eating
Housework/chores
Spending time with children
and so on and so on.
It's very easy to say that one works for 40 hours pw and sleeps for 56 but there's a whole load of other unavoidable stuff that eats time when added up.
I run for 5 hours per week in total. Even leaving aside all the stuff I've mentioned above, when I factor in togging up, stretching, showering, warming down, etc, etc it's nearer 9-10 hours just to cover the running part in full.
Having a spouse that also wants to exercise makes it easier. I go to the gym 4 times a week for about 1.5 hours, she goes to Zumba/clubbercise about the same.
I go straight from work (6 till 7.30) she goes 7.45 till whenever she's finished chatting with her mates....
She has the kids until 7.30 I put them to bed.
I go straight from work (6 till 7.30) she goes 7.45 till whenever she's finished chatting with her mates....
She has the kids until 7.30 I put them to bed.
It's not easy, I'll say that much. One of the reasons I've tried to be clever with my training is because I can't fit the mileage in that I'd like.
A few things I'd suggest:
1. If you're getting up early, lay everything out the night before to make the exit as quick and painless as possible. I'll stack my clothing in the order I'll be putting it on, set the coffee machine on timer, leave a house key and HRM next to the clothes etc.
2. Routine. If you adopt the mindset that 5 days a week, you're running those early morning runs seem to become less of a chore. When you take a few days off it becomes harder to start them again.
3. Make sure your training isn't too intensive, and line the hard ones up for when you've got the most energy. So hill reps after a day off for example. Although I quite enjoy speedwork at silly AM oddly.
4. Strava. Peer pressure is a b
h. Yes, it can make you do silly things - but it also gets the legs out of bed, which is the hardest step of any given early morning run.
It's doable but I do think routine is key. Once you're into that groove it feels weird not to get out there.
Oh, one last thing if you're a shameless kit/gear junkie:
5. Buy yourself lots of new running things to try out. New watch, new HRM, new pair of shorts - it doesn't become running any more, it's getting up early to play with a new toy.
A few things I'd suggest:
1. If you're getting up early, lay everything out the night before to make the exit as quick and painless as possible. I'll stack my clothing in the order I'll be putting it on, set the coffee machine on timer, leave a house key and HRM next to the clothes etc.
2. Routine. If you adopt the mindset that 5 days a week, you're running those early morning runs seem to become less of a chore. When you take a few days off it becomes harder to start them again.
3. Make sure your training isn't too intensive, and line the hard ones up for when you've got the most energy. So hill reps after a day off for example. Although I quite enjoy speedwork at silly AM oddly.
4. Strava. Peer pressure is a b
h. Yes, it can make you do silly things - but it also gets the legs out of bed, which is the hardest step of any given early morning run.It's doable but I do think routine is key. Once you're into that groove it feels weird not to get out there.
Oh, one last thing if you're a shameless kit/gear junkie:
5. Buy yourself lots of new running things to try out. New watch, new HRM, new pair of shorts - it doesn't become running any more, it's getting up early to play with a new toy.
Edited by tenohfive on Thursday 22 February 22:26
Muzzer79 said:
Foliage said:
Their are 168 hours in a week, 40 hours at work so 128, 56 hours asleep that leaves 72 hours, your training will be for a half, less than 6 hours a week? How can you not find the time?
Seriously?What about
Commuting time
Eating
Housework/chores
Spending time with children
and so on and so on.
It's very easy to say that one works for 40 hours pw and sleeps for 56 but there's a whole load of other unavoidable stuff that eats time when added up.
I run for 5 hours per week in total. Even leaving aside all the stuff I've mentioned above, when I factor in togging up, stretching, showering, warming down, etc, etc it's nearer 9-10 hours just to cover the running part in full.
I don't have the time, is just lazy people making excuses, they find time to post drivel on facebook and watch soap operas, why are these same people not too lazy when it comes to stuffing junk into their face.
Edited by Foliage on Friday 23 February 15:24
For a while I found it difficult to run - more of a fast jog - as whenever I got home there was lots of demands. I've got four kids.
I found a place to park about 2.5 miles from work. I jogged in. Later I used to extend the route as I got a little faster. So 5 - 6 miles a day, 5 days a week. It saved a little petrol but cost a lot more in trainers. It saved a lot of aggro finding a parking space in the office car park.
I showered at work and as soon as I got home, the latter taking up the time I used to waste before eating.
I did that for nearly three years. The only downsides: 1/ being soaking wet when I got back to the car if it was raining, and 2/ the smell of damp clothes drying on my office radiator if it rained on the way to work. Kept the staff away though.
I found a place to park about 2.5 miles from work. I jogged in. Later I used to extend the route as I got a little faster. So 5 - 6 miles a day, 5 days a week. It saved a little petrol but cost a lot more in trainers. It saved a lot of aggro finding a parking space in the office car park.
I showered at work and as soon as I got home, the latter taking up the time I used to waste before eating.
I did that for nearly three years. The only downsides: 1/ being soaking wet when I got back to the car if it was raining, and 2/ the smell of damp clothes drying on my office radiator if it rained on the way to work. Kept the staff away though.
Foliage said:
I don't have the time, is just lazy people making excuses, they find time to post drivel on facebook and watch soap operas, why are these same people not too lazy when it comes to stuffing junk into their face.
I think you're chucking a lot of people into the same bracket - including me. I struggle to find the time to fit my running in some days. It's not really clear if you've got kids or not, but like it or not it changes things. Especially if your partner works.Lets rule out 7am to 7pm for running. You're either working or being a parent.
Then there are those who works shifts, and/or their partner does. Bye-bye 7pm-7am training time potentially, for several days each week.
And on those off-days, when you can go out in the evening? No can do, the missus wants to actually spend some time with you.
Weekends? The kids want to spend some time with you. Maybe your wider family do. And friends. (Bonus points if you can convert all of the above onto Parkrun though - two birds etc.)
I'm sure I'm not the only one who is regularly up at 5am or earlier to get a run in (3am sometimes if I've got a decent long run to fit in.) Which encroaches into the evening before's time if I want to get a semi-full nights sleep.
And that's without going into the multitude of things that get in the way - staying in when you could be doing a long run because you've got a delivery, or whatever else.
In the run up to a race, making it all fit is a sodding nightmare. I'm often knackered, and whilst the running helps me destress that's usually offset by the stuff I'm having to do to fit the running in. And here's the kicker - I don't even do particularly large volume.
But I f
king love running, and my better half gets it - so we make it work.I can sit here, ranting on PH because I've got to be at home anyway. I can share meaningless internet memes on Facebook because I'm having a s
t - I'm multi-tasking. Of course there are others who CBA, and do indeed stuffing junk food down their necks. But there problem isn't time - it's that they don't enjoy exercise like you or I do. Something for nothing: if I didn't love running, I wouldn't make the sacrifices I do just for the sake of my life expectancy.I'm pleased your time management skills are so good - perhaps, rather than moaning about the people who don't want to exercise, you could answer the OP's question and share some actual tips like others are doing though.
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