That is a statement that has been thrown around the household a lot lately. Interestingly, with different meanings.
Rich says "It's only January" when I am beating myself up for not being able to get to all the runs that I want to do. He reminds me that we are not yet officially following a training schedule - that will begin in the spring - but I wanted to try and do at least a few 3-5 mile weekly runs and a nice long run on the weekends for now - to get used to a) sticking to a schedule and b) get in great shape before the training begins (oh, and before an Aruba vacation in March).
I say, "It's only January" because I'm only into week four of training/running and already having a rough time sticking to midweek runs. I am feeling slightly overwhelmed and "oh my God how am I ever going to do this" keeps running through my mind.
I'm not wondering how I will run 26.2 miles, I'm wondering how I will fit training into a life filled with work, children, dogs, friends.... Mind you, I don't just work, I own the business - managing nearly 30 employees nationwide. I am a small business owner and that means doing a lot more than just showing up from 9-5. Rich also does a lot more than "just work" - he's a senior manager at one of the country's largest software companies ... oh, and he commutes 68 miles to work - each way - every day!
Factor in providing quality time to the kiddos, family/friend visits and nursing the "mommy guilt" with some volunteer time at kindergarten... and you might be able to see why I'm wondering How - Will - I - Do - This.
I could become a morning person but that bums me out because it would be all treadmill - Rich leaves super early and I am here with two young children, I can't exactly leave them at the house and go out for a run.
Maybe it will get easier in the spring/summer when the days are longer. Maybe I'll be able to sneak in some end-of-day runs after work but before the nanny leaves.
Any other working moms out there that have done this? Share your wisdom, please! I know I'll figure it out but for today, I'm feeling very overwhelmed.
I know - if you want something enough you'll figure it out. I know will - I do not like to fail - so stay tuned.
"It's only January"
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4 comments:
You have to make an appointment for yourself. Make it just as if you were making an appointment with a client. Put it in your blackberry and set a reminder 15 minutes before to remind yourself. Each person has to find what works for them. Sometimes it's trial and error but you'll figure out what it is. I have to hit it first thing in the am or I don't get my workout in. End of the day for me? Well, I find every excuse in the book and I am way too beat to muster up the energy!
You can do it! Cold weather is a witch... So for now you may have to hit the treadmill!
As a single working runner mother (SWRM) I can assure you there is no easy solution. However, there are many alternatives to try as long as you are willing to be flexible and are able to laugh at the crazy lengths you will go through to get your runs in. Think of the great stories you get to tell later! I have spent more than one late night running in circles around my house in the pouring rain and blowing snow.
I heard a great one recently from a friend who owns her own business. She discovered that a colleague was also a runner and now they hold weekly "running meetings". She told me that they once became so engrossed in negotiations that they "accidentally" ran 13 miles!
When my kids were really little, I signed them up for a tumbling class at a local gym and then ran around the perimeter of the grounds for the entire hour. This works great during t-ball practice in the spring.
A few years back I hired a young neighbor to come play with my kids for an hour while I ran. She was young enough to appreciate the responsibilties and be available on a moments notice.
Most of all, realize that your training system will look nothing at all like the neatly laid out plans you read about. But it will work all the same. A great book to get you laughing at the stupid things we runners will do is "I run, therefore I am......Nuts". Rejoice in the fact that you are just crazy enough to do this!
Great advice so far! You really need to be creative and in some cases do things that go a bit against your preference.
It has to be as important a thing on your schedule as doctor appointments. No one can schedule over it. You will have the occasional conflict, but you can't allow running to be the first thing to go.
If you have a treadmill that may need to be your solution for awhile until the weather improves. I don't like to get up early because I tend to stay up late, but the only time to run was in the morning before the kids were up and hubby was gone (and also before the heat and humidity hit in the summer). I have also run at lunchtime at work - we have a place to shower and change. I can run in the office park or on a treadmill.
I have dropped the kids off at karate class and then run for 45 minutes. Depending on the age of the kids, you might get a sitter like Follower suggested. You may need to take turns with the hubby.
You need to take a close look at your schedule and see where you can fit it in - then stick with the plan.
You ladies are great; thank you SO much for the advice. However, I think most of you are probably more crazy (running around your house - holy cow that's dedication?!) - but of course, in a good way. :-)
Great, creative advice - thank you!
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