I try to do as much of my training before work in the morning. My reasons are simple:
- I enjoy morning running
- It can be the only time during the day that I may get a chance to get my run in
However, on the days that I run in the evening it is usually during one of my running clinic nights or a group run with a number of Running Room runners. The issue is that these runs start at 6:30 pm which is a very busy time with kids. Dinner happens around this time as well as the craziness that occurs when you try to convince a 2 year old that it is time to put the PJs on. They will do everything in their power to avoid this. The 4 year old is a bit better, but for some reason he usually decides that this is the best time to chase the dog all through the house, getting both himself and the dog all riled up. My wife tends to need me the most during this period as she is at her ropes end after a day with the kids. Therefore, when I head out the door to enjoy some lovely leisure time running it can be a bit difficult for her. But she puts up with it.
I asked her why. Her response was simply that she knows how important my running is to me. Amazing. You don’t find that type of support everyday and I realize how lucky I am. I imagine a weekend away is in order pretty soon.
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5 comments so far
You are really lucky! My wife tolerates my running as long as I actively try to include her input when I schedule my runs. I have also learned to run my long runs quite early in the morning on the weekend so that it minimizes conflict with normal family life.
Good God, your comments about combining running and a family just sound exactly like my life. With the exception that evening runs are not an option for me. I’ve got twins aged 4 and a toddler who is rapidly appoaching his second birthday, and the mere idea of me running after work would send the wife into a fit!
Morning runs are the only real way to go. One evening run per week might be tolerated, two would surely push it too far!
Anyway, keep it up!
Thomas
Thankfully I have no small children at home. I do have a 4 year old grand daughter that I like to spend time with. She enjoys running so sometimes we do short ones together and have even done a couple of races.
Balancing the family-time is tricky, but my Hubby knows how important it is to me to get my runs in. Life is better for him if I get my stress-relief, and he knows I feel better about myself when I accomplish my goals. “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”
I am very careful to schedule my runs at reasonable times, which gets tricky with his shift work. Luckily the kiddos are older now (13 & 10), and not quite so demanding.
I wish both you and your wife strength and patience to enjoy these “little kid” years!
I give my wife all the credit when it comes to my running schedule, she encourages my times out, again for stress relief more than anything, hehe! She also makes for a good cheering section at the races she attends!
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