I know you’ve seen those mom’s and dads out running pushing a gaggle of kids or being stalked by a group of kids on bikes. No matter the age of your kids, you too can be a runner! Here are a few tips on how to get it done.
- Just Do It.
Half the struggle of being a runner is actually getting up off the couch and deciding to run! Don’t let the idea of you having kids to look after keep you from doing it. Step 1 is to get a plan. I started with The Color Run 5k 8 week running schedule. It guided me from running 1 minute at a time to running 30 minutes at a time.
- Set a goal.
I’ve found that with my own running if I have something I’m training for, whether it be a distance, race or even a better time, working towards something keeps me more motivated than anything else. Having kids can sometimes make sticking to a routine hard, but if you have an actual finish line in your mind, anything that you do to move towards it is a positive.
- Plan ahead.
Make plans and have someone watch the kids if you can at least one time a week so that you can do a long run without them. At first you’ll probably only be running for 30 minutes or less so it shouldn’t be that hard to have someone help watch the kids.
- Get a running stroller if you want to run outside.
There is a little bit of expense that goes along with getting a running stroller if you don’t already have one, but trust me, running with a regular stroller might be a great feat if you are planning to enter The Strong Man competitions, but your back and your legs will thank you if you get a runner. For me it was like going from driving a mini van to driving a sports car.
- Get a gym membership with daycare if you can afford it.
I’ve recently gotten a gym membership so that I can run and workout without having to deal with my kids. I highly recommend this option. Not only is it great for me, the Kids Club at our gym is great for the kids. My son is about to start preschool and this was a great test to see how he’d react to being left with someone else.
- Look for a Mommy Running Group
Personally I’ve had a hard time getting on a schedule that fits with the local running groups due to my husband’s erratic work schedule, but if you can swing it, running with a group of people at least once a week will also encourage you to not give up. Check out Moms Run This Town or just look up your city name and Running Club and you’ll probably be able to find something that fits your schedule.
I’ve been running since 2013 and as I’ve gotten more serious about my hobby, I’ve learned how to get more chances to train consistently. Even if you can only get a small run in a few times a week, kids in tow, it’s better than claiming that it can’t be done because you have kids.
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