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Training for a marathon with 3 young kids?
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allIwant
Love my crazy life!
Member since 1/10 9170 total posts
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Training for a marathon with 3 young kids?
Running a marathon has always been a dream of mine!
I had back surgery in 2007 and my surgeon said running isn't great for me. I have felt great since and I run just not as much as I used to. I have decided one marathon won't kill me
Now I am trying to figure out if I can train with 3 yound kids (2 three year olds and a one year old) or what ages would be easier.
I work 4 days a week and have summers off with my kids. I will run with a triple stroller but not more that 6 or so miles.
I know the training is very time consuming and I am wondering if I can really do this without my DH wanting to kill me
Any tips?
I don't have a treadmill at home but belong to a gym
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Posted 4/29/14 8:50 PM  |
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runlikethewind
Love my babies!
Member since 12/06 2941 total posts
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Re: Training for a marathon with 3 young kids?
I did it - I "only" have 2, but mine are very young, and only 15 months apart. I ran marathons in 2011 when they were 3 and 1 (my youngest was actually turning 1 a couple of days after marathon) and last year they were 5 and 4. I work full time and did not have the summer off and was able to pull it off. I did have to get creative. I am also an early morning runner and was even prior to children. So I did most of my running before work at 5am (and earlier when I wanted to go longer distances). I've probably told this story on here before, but for both of my "post babies" marathons, I had to squeeze in a really long run before work. I was going to be away, so I once did a 16-miler before work - it was nuts, but I was determined to get it in. I had to start before 4am and since it was during the summer, I remember bars not even being closed yet LOL. You just figure it out. My goal was to not allow the training to interfere with family life too much. Of course, that cannot always happen.
If your DH is on board, that's great. If you have others to help, even better. In 2011, I took a few Fridays off to complete my long runs while DH was at work and kids at daycare. I have a ton of vacation days so that helped. Maybe you can do your long run on a weekday that DH is working and get someone to watch the kids? This way your weekends are free for family and you only have to do a short run.
I can honestly say it's doable, just challenging. You will feel such a sense of accomplishment when you complete the marathon though! Good luck!
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| Posted 4/29/14 9:17 PM |
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allIwant
Love my crazy life!
Member since 1/10 9170 total posts
Name:
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Re: Training for a marathon with 3 young kids?
Posted by runlikethewind
I did it - I "only" have 2, but mine are very young, and only 15 months apart. I ran marathons in 2011 when they were 3 and 1 (my youngest was actually turning 1 a couple of days after marathon) and last year they were 5 and 4. I work full time and did not have the summer off and was able to pull it off. I did have to get creative. I am also an early morning runner and was even prior to children. So I did most of my running before work at 5am (and earlier when I wanted to go longer distances). I've probably told this story on here before, but for both of my "post babies" marathons, I had to squeeze in a really long run before work. I was going to be away, so I once did a 16-miler before work - it was nuts, but I was determined to get it in. I had to start before 4am and since it was during the summer, I remember bars not even being closed yet LOL. You just figure it out. My goal was to not allow the training to interfere with family life too much. Of course, that cannot always happen.
If your DH is on board, that's great. If you have others to help, even better. In 2011, I took a few Fridays off to complete my long runs while DH was at work and kids at daycare. I have a ton of vacation days so that helped. Maybe you can do your long run on a weekday that DH is working and get someone to watch the kids? This way your weekends are free for family and you only have to do a short run.
I can honestly say it's doable, just challenging. You will feel such a sense of accomplishment when you complete the marathon though! Good luck!
Thank you!
4am!!!! Wow I give you credit! Not sure I could do that before work and get all the kids out of the house by 7. But I guess I have to remember a bulk of the training would be when I was off in the summer (if I were doing nyc)
Lots to think about.
Funny I got a team in training packet in the mail today
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| Posted 4/30/14 4:21 PM |
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runlikethewind
Love my babies!
Member since 12/06 2941 total posts
Name:
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Re: Training for a marathon with 3 young kids?
Posted by allIwant
Thank you!
4am!!!! Wow I give you credit! Not sure I could do that before work and get all the kids out of the house by 7. But I guess I have to remember a bulk of the training would be when I was off in the summer (if I were doing nyc)
Lots to think about.
Funny I got a team in training packet in the mail today
I trained with them in 2006, it was a fun experience. The fundraising is tough and I didn't have children back then. Yep, 4am. It's crazy, but I knew that's what I had to do to get it done. It sounds like you will be able to manage, especially if you're off in the summer. Once Sept comes, you only need to run really long runs every other weekend - at least that's how I trained. So figure 3-4 runs total since you'd taper by mid-Oct if you're doing NYC. I ran NYC 3 times it was a great experience.
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| Posted 5/1/14 9:04 AM |
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Training for a marathon with 3 young kids?
I'm not sure how much advice I can give since I don't have 3 lo. I have one dd, I'm a FTWM and my hubby ran the same marathon I did (we trained together), so I can give you some advice because I had a very hectic schedule.
Bottom line is if you really want to do this you will make the time to train. Sometimes it's hard to fit it all in and sometimes we had to get creative with our schedules especially with my dd, but it is possible. Shorter runs I sometimes took my dd with me in the jogging stroller. Longer runs were done on weekend mornings so my dh could watch dd. I ran Sundays, he ran long runs Saturdays. It's great if you can get extra help too! My mom loves watching dd so there were days she stayed there overnight, so dh and I could run together in the morning. That was a nice break and helped get me through those really long runs. My parents were and always have been supportive of my running so the help I get from them is wonderful.
The training is challenging but totally doable even with lo's. Good luck to you. Crossing the finish line was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. You will never regret all the training and commitment it requires, trust me!! The sense of accomplishments you get from running 26.2 miles is amazing!!!!
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| Posted 5/2/14 10:02 AM |
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wishing2012
My heart is full
Member since 3/12 1961 total posts
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Re: Training for a marathon with 3 young kids?
I only have 1 LO, but have been thinking about this too. I've always wanted to run NYC, and know that if I don't do it, I will always regret it. I currently live in the city right by Central Park and we're not planning on #2 until next year, so this fall is basically perfect, life wise.
I'm also nervous about training, so I'll be running with a charity to help keep me focused and accountable. Also, nice to run for the greater good!
Good luck if you decide to do one. Maybe we can help keep each other motivated!
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| Posted 5/9/14 10:20 AM |
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