Time To Run?

watch Kids grow up so fast. Trust me, I know. My two year old just told me the other day that she needs some privacy in the washroom. Time with our children is precious, but our running and health shouldn’t be compromised. We all want to live long enough to spoil our grandchildren, too. Being a parent certainly takes a big bite out of your free time, but these tips can help you find the time to run without it interfering with your family life:

Take the short view.
5K and 10K races will have you home much sooner than a marathon.
Outsource.
Create a standing online grocery order that’s delivered weekly and use your grocery shopping time to go for a run.
Kill two birds with one stone.
Take the kiddos in a jogging stroller or, if your kids are older, allow them to ride their bikes beside you. Break up a longish run by stopping at a park 3/4 of the way through a run—the kids will love you for it.
Run while the kids are sleeping.
Run after they go to bed, or early in the morning.
Pack a lunch.
Bring a lunch to work and use that hour lunch break to go for a run. Then inhale your sandwich at your desk afterwards.
Get help.
Invite the grandparents to visit, dump the kids off on them and head out. (They don’t really come over to see you, anyway.) Hire a housekeeper to clean twice a month.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Let the dishes sit a little while longer. You’ll feel more energized to wash them once you’re back from a run.

Family life doesn’t need to take the back burner for running, and running doesn’t need to take the back burner for family life either. With a little time management, you can achieve a happy balance.

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Posted by Janice from Mom on the Run on April 17, 2008
Filed Under: Inspiration & Motivation
Tags: management • Running • time • Tips

4 Responses to “Time To Run?”

Audrey on April 17th, 2008 3:26 am

I was so pleased when my 5 year old son lost the training wheels on his bike, so now I can run with both my children. You’re right, they grow so fast. The really nice thing is that running for us is a family affair, with all four of us going to running club on a Thursday night and having a go at their races once a month.

Audrey’s last blog post..Too Tired To Run Today
Jim on April 17th, 2008 2:46 pm

While I think many of your suggestions are good (and I utilize several of them), I’m surprised at the number of times I see recommendations like “run/bike to work” or “run during lunch”. Given that probably <.01% of businesses have showers available for employees, I’m glad I don’t know anyone who heeds that advice.
Blaine Moore (Run to Win) on April 17th, 2008 7:04 pm
Jim, there are plenty of options for folks that don’t have showers at work.
1. Look for a local gym or pool with a locker room (I use the locker room at a local elementary school)
2. See if anybody you know lives near there and is willing to lend a shower.
3. Make use of an outdoor hose (obviously in warmer weather and usually combined with…)
4. Bring some soap and a hand towel into the rest room.
5. Get dropped off in the morning (spouse, carpool, whatever) and then run home from work (problem solved)
When I bike to work, I take it easy and am not usually too sweaty so I just soap off in the rest room and then change into work clothes. When I run at lunch, I run from the locker room at the elementary school. I also go the run home from work route on occasion since it’s usually pretty convenient on mornings when my wife heads in to town around the time I want to be at work.
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Brianna on April 24th, 2008 9:46 pm

I’ve been thinking about getting someone to clean the house – I bet that really WOULD free up some good time for a run! I’ll make sure my husband reads this.

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