Training with small kids...does it get better?

Hi dad!

Unless running is your job, it’s less important than spending time with your kids. While it’s important to keep a level of fitness, it’s not important to win races, set PRs, etc. Each age presents different challenges. As your kids get older, some things get easier (not having to revolve your life around things like naps) and more independence, but new challenges arise (like sport practices, help with homework, etc.). Try to find ways to incorporate exercise into the time you spend with them as it will benefit you both. Coach their sports, run with them while they bike, go on hikes, etc. I have twins and the times I have spent coaching their soccer teams, biking with them and running with them have created great memories for all of us and have forged them into great athletes. The kids are faster than me now and I don’t think that I shall ever catch back up, and I rejoice in that fact. There will be plenty of time for me to train for myself when the house is empty and I miss the energy they brought to our home. Try to enjoy each age, as you only get the opportunity once.

That is the best time of your life to train. Get up early a few times per week. Run during practice when your 8 year old is at basketball or baseball. Put 3 year old in trailer and have your wife pull while other 2 ride and you run. I have 4 and never had any problems.

Great advice!

OP, if possible exercise with them- do push ups, wall sits, planks, calisthenics etc...in a few years you'll run with them or run while they're riding bikes. It will get easier and you'll take great pride when they surpass you.

tired parent runner wrote:They just...want a lot of attention on weekends.

Umm, not to be rude, but...yeah that’s the point of having kids. So you can spend time with them.

Also, (and again, I’m a parent, I get how tough it can be, but...) how did you not realize after the first one that kids are exhausting and require a lot of personal sacrifice?

joedirtt wrote:

Unless running is your job, it’s less important than spending time with your kids. While it’s important to keep a level of fitness, it’s not important to win races, set PRs, etc.

Gotta agree with this guy. You decided to bring three kids into the world, now they need you to be their dad. And, as a husband, it means making sure your wife isn't doing all the work. That's priority #1.

I've got a two year old. I get up early and run most days before she wakes up. I take her in the jogging stroller on the weekend...she LOVES it. She'll do 15 miles and love every second of it. Sometimes my wife and I will tag-team care so that we can each run or get some alone time if we've been stressed. I run for transportation a lot...easy way to get miles in if you can run commute, run to/from appointments and errands and stuff. I've gotten pretty comfortable running errands in my tights.

But this still only nets me ~40 miles. If you think you're gonna run 80 MPW with a kid...that's gonna be tough. My PR days are definitely behind me, and I'm younger than you. I'm fine with that. I run for enjoyment and relaxation now, not for performance.

I try to always remember that childhood is so brief. Ten good years, maybe 15 years max, and after that they'll barely have the time of day for you. Enjoy it while it lasts and don't worry about running.

Mine (4) are all 10+ now. My suggestion is just accept that you can't really "train" seriously. I mean, you can, but the cost is too high and the friction is not at all worth it. If you are reasonably skilled, just forget the long stuff and do enough running to be a local 5k/10K legend.

Once your kids are lets say 8+, you may not have to devote as much time to them, but you will probably want to, so things will change but they wont change ;-)

My wife wanted another and I resisted, now I wish we had another. Life comes at you fast, don't miss it.

zdcfvx34 wrote:

Mine (4) are all 10+ now.

My wife wanted another and I resisted, now I wish we had another. Life comes at you fast, don't miss it.

...you wanted 5 kids? Damn, are you a billionaire?

That's what I think when I see big families now. It's like seeing someone driving a Lambo.

Just wake up early and go to sleep early. You will sacrifice some sleep but so it goes. I have a 3 year old and .5 year old and am home before they wake up every day. It’s actually kind of pleasant having the morning hours to yourself.

34 with a 4 yr old, 2 yr old, and another on the way. Work 50-60 hrs a week, take care of my wife and kids and still running pr’s. Don’t listen to these other guys. You can have it all. If you want it you will find a way. It won’t be easy, but it’s never easy. The secret is to run before your family wakes up.

I agree with many posts here, but also have to point out that it depends on the kids and spousal support. I used to run early before people woke up.... one of my kids started walking up at 4:30 half the time, which left my wife having to deal with that. So now I "try" to run at lunch. Unless you have a supportive wife and you support her as well, it's not going to work no matter how hard you try if you have one kid with an unpredictable sleep schedule. Other families get perfect little sleepers. As long as you put family first, you might find a way. I do recommend asking your wife what will work and getting her buy in.

Why does everyone keep assuming that "tired parent runner is the dad?

To answer op's question: yes it gets a lot easier.

Man Overboard wrote:

Why does everyone keep assuming that "tired parent runner is the dad?

Only one or two posters made that assumption and besides, does it really change the advice at all?

Fully loaded definitely has the Letsrun trifecta

Man Overboard wrote:

Why does everyone keep assuming that "tired parent runner is the dad?

To answer op's question: yes it gets a lot easier.

Because women don't come here for parenting advice.

Man Overboard wrote:

Why does everyone keep assuming that "tired parent runner is the dad?.

Oh no! I'm a sexist now?!?!?! ?????????

Do you have a stroller for running with the youngest? My friends with kids enjoy it.

dissenter wrote:

I agree with many posts here, but also have to point out that it depends on the kids and spousal support. I used to run early before people woke up.... one of my kids started walking up at 4:30 half the time, which left my wife having to deal with that. So now I "try" to run at lunch. Unless you have a supportive wife and you support her as well, it's not going to work no matter how hard you try if you have one kid with an unpredictable sleep schedule. Other families get perfect little sleepers. As long as you put family first, you might find a way. I do recommend asking your wife what will work and getting her buy in.

Yes, one has to sacrifice sleep if one both trains hard and puts the family first, and if the children do not sleep so well. I run late in the evening (usually starting at 9 - 10:30 pm) and run only singles, and take one evening completely off to relax with my wife, but I manage 80 or miles. I don't get much sleep though, usually 4-5 hours, often broken. I survive though.

Unless you have a job you are really passionate about, that is where to save time in my opinion. One needs a job to pay the bills, but most employers don't truly give a fig about their employees, so don't put your soul into it (unless, again, it is work which you find fulfilling), and always try to drop an hour at work rather than an hour of family time.

I meant to also remark that my wife tolerates my running, no more than that, but one can make it work if one puts the family first.