When I discussed me training for my first full marathon with my husband, he told me he supported me. Knowing full well that it would require me to be away from the house for a few hours in the morning on the weekend to get my long run in. He still supports me. However, his work load has made training interesting.
A few weeks ago, I did my long slow run with the boys. It was only 6 miles. We did it and survived. Yet it isn’t… wasn’t the same as busting out those miles on my own in one go.
This weekend was similar to the one mentioned above. It is Labor Day weekend and my husband’s job requires him to be present. Which gave me the conundrum on what to do… and how to get my 10 mile training run in.
I had the choice of running it all on a treadmill (or multiple treadmills), running all 10 with the boys, or run in the afternoon/evening heat in the upper 90’s.
What is a girl to do!? Marathon training is important. My family time is important. I juggle. Juggle is what I did. Time with the boys… while Mommy ran. Time away from the boys… while Mommy ran.
I loaded the boys bikes and my jogger in the van and we drove to our gym. We parked and headed out to a nearby trail. I ran while pushing T in the jogger and the big boys rode their bikes. We covered 3 miles before hitting our turn around point at a park.
We took a 10 minute break to play at the park. The boys played and I stretched and drank water.
After our short break was over, we headed back to our van the last 3 miles. Once at the van, we loaded the bikes and stroller. We re-fueled with fruit snacks (the boys) and honey stingers (me) and drank more water.
Quickly walking into our gym for the last leg of my 10 mile training run quest… I checked the boys in to the kid zone. They were uber excited to see their big buddy, Brennan, working. He is a big kid… we love him.
I busted out a grueling 4 miles on the treadmill. It was hard, I am not going to lie. I didn’t go fast. It wasn’t set to an incline. I was just done. My legs felt fine… but my brain wasn’t in it. But… I overcame and I covered the necessary miles. I did it. With a smile on my face!
Running is hard. Committing to run a marathon is hard. Training is hard. Running with kids is hard… and adding to that commitment to train for a marathon is a whole new juggling mess.
I am happy to say that we survived. We overcame. We survived. We conquered. I am hopeful that next weekend’s 12 mile training run will be solo… or with friends… no kids!
Martha says
I am exhausted just reading this! I can imagine those last few miles were rough. You are an amazingly dedicated runner and an awesome mom for taking on the juggling act, and I’m sure your kids are really proud of you!
Cecilia @MommiesRun says
I most definitely do NOT run with my girls. You are amazing for running with your boys! My girls just can’t stay put for that long. Plus, running has always been my time, the time where I reflect and allow myself to be a better mom. I just finished week 4 of marathon training and it is most definitely hard to do with a family. My husband is supportive too, sometimes to where he pushes me to get my run in when I’ve all but counted myself out!
Sarah J says
This past weekend was my final 20 miler for training and I have vowed to take a year off from training for another full marathon because it’s insanely hard to train when you have kids. My husband works every other weekend and I had to depend on family A LOT this year to take my girls over night so I could get up at the crack of dawn to run my miles. I’m glad I’m almost done with this training cycle now and can let me family have their weekends back!
Jen M says
I really admire you for sticking to your plan by getting creative to make it all work. I have teenagers now, so worrying about childcare is not something I have to deal with. I can imagine it would make sticking to a training plan so much harder. That said, I wish I had been more active when my children were younger. You are setting a great example, and I know they are proud of having such a great mom!
Janice says
Kudos to you!! Hubby is totally against me doing another marathon – partly because of the child care issues, and also partly because I get injured when I consistently do longer runs greater than 13 miles. Truthfully, I have no desire to either – I just don’t have it in my mentally to push on with running that far anymore. I have given hubby the warning that next summer I’m doing an Olympic distance triathlon, and probably 2 or 3 other sprint triathlons. I really like switching between the three sports. I’ve also been dropping hints that there’s a local half ironman distance triathlon on my 40th birthday in 2014…. Coincidence? Very rarely do I do a serious work out or run with my kids anymore. I don’t bring home much $$ to contribute to the family after paying for daycare, so I consider my only return on that time is my lunch break which I use to get in my solo workouts. That said, we occasionally do cosmic yoga together in the evenings.
steph says
I hear you on the juggling act of mom and running mom. It. Is. Tough! Kudos to you on getting your miles done.
Courtney @ Don't Blink. Just Run. says
I don’t have kids, but I can’t even imagine doing that! You’re incredible!