Drop to singles. If you must double (which folks have found ways around) do it at lunch. Starting runs at 4am some days sounds nuts, but, if you really are dedicated, you'll do whatever, right? Remember, a week of single if worth about 130% of the same effort in doubles. In other words, you could pull off a 65-70 mile week of singles and get the same level of effort as killing yourself to run 86 in doubles.
Over 50 wrote:
I would like to officially log my vote for endorsing the 2/3 Rule. Statistically speaking, this is where 81.1% (or so) of we humans are. 19.8 % are in the 1/3 or 0/3 rule. 0.1% folks accomplish the 3/3 Rule for a period of their life and many, not all, burn out.
This is hilarious. I would like to officially log my vote for endorsing the 101% Rule.
Olympic marathoner, Christine Clark ran a lot of her runs after 9:00pm whe the kiddies were in bed. So, run your main run in the AM (8-10mi), then come home after work, do the family thing and put the kids to bed. THEN run your second run (4-5mi). It can be done, if your wife supports you.
Get a divorce.
someone's wife wrote:
Here is a wife's perspective: I am an avid runner and have always somehow gotten in my runs, first with a baby jogger, then with a double baby jogger, and eventually with the double and the oldest peddling along on her bike. I also would run extremely early before the kids were awake and my husband hadn't left for work. My husband is a cyclist. He puts his work before family most of the time and then trains on his bike 4 to 5 days a week. But here is the thing.....a lot of his training takes up all day (weekends) or into the evening hours during spring and summer. I juggle the four kids and all of their activities by myself. I didn't mind for a long time but I have to admit it really bothers me now. He has missed out on so much of the kids and their activities. The kids don't even expect him to be there a lot of the time. Soooo....be careful in your choices now. Family is so much more important than a few more miles. We have grown apart as a couple and I am struggling not to resent him. Plus he isn't as close to his kids as he could be had he taken more of an active role in their lives. Don't mess up your relationship with your family just because you want to run a few more miles.
Honey you obviously are backed up and need an upgrade. Please post some nude pics and perhaps something besides your hubby's bike will get taken for a ride!
If you're just running high mileage to run high mileage, it seems like a compulsion. Like someone else said, ask yourself WHY. "I like to run" is not the true answer. We all like to run, but you don't need to run 100 mpw to enjoy it unless you're using it as a crutch for some other issue.
How about commuting by bike and/or running home from work?
txRUNNERgirl wrote:
If you're just running high mileage to run high mileage, it seems like a compulsion. Like someone else said, ask yourself WHY. "I like to run" is not the true answer. We all like to run, but you don't need to run 100 mpw to enjoy it unless you're using it as a crutch for some other issue.
I completely disagree with you. There are some runners who run and run A LOT just because they like it. It's pretty outlandish of you to say those runners are using it as a crutch, or are compulsive. Some runners make the conscious (not compulsive) decision to run that much for training purposes. Other runners just end up out there that long because they love it, even if they could run better times or just as good of times with less mileage.
I really don't see any bit of logic behind your assertion, besides maybe that it is your opinion of those people. I guess, anyone who spends over 16hrs a week on something they love is compulsive or crutching? Or is 16hrs a week just the limit for runners, or does that standard apply to all things people love that are physical activities?
If you have time to play around on the computer, you have all the time in the world to sleep, eat, have a wonderful family, work and run all you need to run. If you are watching any TV or doing any of the facebook crap, then go cry in your own milk. the best runners don't ask about when and where to run, they just do it. It has been fun to see all the posts. I bet a lot of runners ran twice while others were sitting on their fannies waiting to see who said what the the last post!
Run if you want to run.
I have been following this thread and here is some insight from a competitive runner, father of three, and demanding career.
I think the best advice on here has been roll with the punches. With three children and a full-time working wife that also has running aspirations, I have had to compromise on my running, meaning no more 120+ mile weeks, let alone 80-100 mile weeks.
This past year with a move into a pretty demanding job, I wake at 5:30AM to help my wife with the two little ones (she takes them with her to work to drop at a local daycare) and I prepare my eldest for school. I can't run in the mornings, so I run at lunch up to 1hr. I get home at 6PM and that's when my wife is able to run.
Once the kids start track/soccer/softball/cheerleading, I meet my wife at the location after work and then she goes running and I will run again after practice, so on those days I double, although they are very late nights.
So, the past year has been between 50-80 miles/week with an emphasis on the weekend long run. The great thing is that I focus on quality and staying healthy and have run some pretty solid races, although I know I haven't done the work to approach sub-14:50 on the roads right now like I used to take for granted, but aerobically I have gotten stronger with up to 4hr long runs.
The great news is that as your kids get older, more opportunities to run arise. This upcoming school year I will have two out of three in school, so that might free up the mornings to run as well. The other major contributor to running would be buying a treadmill, but we are both averse to treadmills, although they would be a blessing in the winter.
Soon you will be able to go from 50 miles/week to 80-100 miles/week in no time. Just embrace the 40-60 mile weeks for the time being.
get a divorce and let her take custody of the kids then you can have all the time you want to run.
If your wife can run with the baby jogger, why can't you? She might appreciate having you take the kids out of the house for a while every day. If you stretched out that time to also play with the kids and take them with you to do errands, it would give her some time to herself.
You can listen to those who will tell you how to sneak in your miles or you can face the fact that you have to make hard decisions when your a responsible adult. If you decide that you want the miles, then you will have to expect to be injured when your big races come up due to the high level of stress your subjecting yourself to, or you can grow up and run what you can when you can and try to enjoy the process. Don't be one of those guys at the YMCA playing basketball like a scout from the NBA is watching. Running for working family people is great as a source of escape from the day to day grind. If you make running more important than your job or family, then your one of those guys who could have been great except that their family or job got in the way. Make the most of your workouts and be there for your family. I was one of those 140 mpw guys who ran at 4AM, lunch, and after work. Had some success but ran most of the time hurt and never reached the level I could have if my family and job did not get in the way. Don't be me.
wospence wrote:
If you decide that you want the miles, then you will have to expect to be injured when your big races come up due to the high level of stress your subjecting yourself to,
Thanks for your expert advice. Didn't know everyone who runs 100mpw is injured for big races.
I can relate. Three kids, all girls, ages 7, 5, 2. I'm 41 and want to continue being a competitive masters runner. Hitting 75 - 90 per week. You need to get up earlier and do 5:30 or 5:15am starts.
I am in control of my time at work (but also do not have a shower at the office) so if I can leave at 4:30ish 2-3 times a week, I'll pack a set of clothes and do a quick change in the auto and get a 30-45 minute afternoon run in. by doing this, you do not have to shower until you get home.
I love my kids too but even going home at lunch time, the minute they see you, it's tough to pop in and blow out without hearing how their day is going. Getting a second in in the late afternoon nixes this problem. Hope this helps.
...And yes, the wife will still give you shit for plugging 75 - 90 as a master!
As a recent college graduate who is adjusting to a "full-time" work schedule for the first time, I can tell you I've run into the same problem and have come to one very simple solution: wake up just a little earlier. I used to get 8-10 hours of sleep a night, now I only get 6-8 hours on week nights. If you can do it, drag yourself out of bed 30 minutes earlier and get in an extra 4 miles of running.
Just think, a 5:30 AM wakeup instead of a 6:00 AM wakeup will allow you to put in 4 miles extra Monday-Friday, which adds up to 20 miles extra per week. That means if you're hanging at 85 miles a week, you could slowly increase your mileage to 105 miles a week with limited interference in your family life, or career.
Just a suggestion because I know it's difficult, but going to bed at 10:30 PM to get up at 4:00-4:30 AM to run before a 9-10 hour work day ain't easy either, but I've found a way to do it. "If you believe it, you can achieve it."
With one child I was still able to run a good amount, with two it was greatly reduced. My youngest is almost 4 and things are a little better now (albeit were both teachers and off in the summer). My wife is an early bird and goes to the gym at 5 AM before school, therefore I do not get to run in the AM during the school year. I run during XC/Track practice or after practice (I also coach, which hurts). If I can get 2-3 days mon-thur that is a good week since i generally will always run Fri-sun. The key for me now is to get in a workout and medium long run during the week and a long run/race on weekends. At least this is the plan...I've run more this year than in the past 6. Good luck.
Wkaing up earlier is a habbit, it will feel really hard for the first weeks or sometimes months, you may end up ill a couple of times but you'll get through it and it will be rewarding on your training.
A WILL FINDS A WAY
txRUNNERgirl wrote:
If you're just running high mileage to run high mileage, it seems like a compulsion. Like someone else said, ask yourself WHY. "I like to run" is not the true answer. We all like to run, but you don't need to run 100 mpw to enjoy it unless you're using it as a crutch for some other issue.
Yeah, I agree. People that run 85-120 mile weeks do it for the purpose of competiting at a high level. Doing it "just because you like it" is greedy and stupid. What if you were playing darts for hours upon end, taking time away from family? No body on here would be telling you how great you are.
Dont wrap up your obession in the positive form of running and think you are doing anything special.
Patches wrote:
Disagree with the 2/3rds rule...
If you know how to balance yourself and know what will make you good in all three departments of your life and what is just fluff you can pull it off with minimal stress.
D3 mind you but still
D3 people should not be allowed to post stupid crap like this. You are so full of yourself and have no right to be.