I have two kids (ages 10 & 12). I picked this sport up only 3 years ago so I wasn't training when they were younger. I worked out a lot but didn't train for anything. Mostly lifting and running back then when there was time. My situation is different than yours since I am divorced (before getting into triathlons so that had nothing to do with it) but I do get my kids 50% - literally every other day. So I stick to Sprint and Olympic races because basically I can't afford the training time for longer distances. So I train hard on the days I don't have them and then easier on the days I do have them. It's a balancing act for sure but way better than not doing it.

I have 3 kids - 5, 4, and 1. My spouse doesn't exercise at all, no matter how much I try. :)

During the week, I wake up at 6am for my runs and swims, get them done before work. My wife stays home, so she gets the kids off to school. I bike one evening during the week, so that day I need an hour or two in the evening... but other than that I'm there for the kids in the evenings.

My long run/bike usually happens on Saturday... up at 6am, done before noon, so the rest of the weekend is more or less free. I might do a swim or short run Sunday.

Event weekends are the toughest, they take so much of the day and I don't really feel like doing much after! Weekends really should be 3 days all the time, right? :) Sometimes I take the Monday off just so I feel like I had a weekend.

That's it! It's been working for me so far, but it's still pretty early days in my tri career. :)

jono

I've got one little boy, 17 months old. I trainned for an IM before he could crawl and that was easier. Now that he is in full on toddler mode I can still train upto half irons. My wife races sprints and half marathons.

Here is our strategy:
--We bought a treadmill so that we don't waste time driving to the gym. Rain, shine, cold, whatever... It's go time there is always time to train before he wakes up. I'll get up at 4:30 to do my long runs on thursday mornings.
-- we also have two bike trainers set up in front of a cheap TV in the garage. We watch 101 Dalmations, Jungle Book, and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. This one is great b/c we are all together.
--We alternate weekends. One weekend I do a long ride by myself or with friends. The next I tow the kiddie trailer while the wife leads.
-- Our gym has a kids club, so for $10 a month we get child care while we swim.
-- Baby Jogger brand trailer makes a great running stroller too.
-- I have a very wonderful and supportive spouse who likes the way I look in a Tri suit. Don't know how I happened into that one.

I know that sounds like a lot of gear, but for less than the price of a pair of zipps I can train all I want, spend time with my family, and never get rained out. If you have none of this a bike trainer is first, treadmill second, and bike trailer third.

I've got a funny mental picture in my mind from this :) ... cool idea you thought of and glad it works.

I have a 4 year old that is probably the only kid in her preschool that knows what a yasso 800 and brick are. She goes with me on a lot of my training. When my wife was gone for 2 weeks of National Guard training, I took her to the high school track a few times to play on the infield, and I'll push her in the jogger to a metropark and back. Today my wife pulled the kid in the bike trailer while I ran one of my 4 mile loops at a park. My wife isn't currently active with racing, but she'll do the occasional jog/bike.

Wow, I'm at the other end of the spectrum - my kids are 17, 16, and 12 and it's GREAT! They usually come out to the park with me sometimes run or walk the dog while I run. My oldest loves to mtb with me - we just did the Muddy Buddy together and now he wants to try an adventure race. When they were younger though, it was all about balance and staying focused - kids first, training second. Set realistic goals, if you can only train for sprints and olys - that's okay - the kids will be grown before you know it - the days may drag, but the years fly by!

3yo boy
wife runs and has announced intentions for a duathlon in August
i've got a first HIM this Sunday (OMG!)
my wife has given up some time for me to train, and I will need to do the same for her after this race. I will move into minimal fitness upkeep and try to do 1 or 2 more Olympic races this summer.

I have two kids, six and two years of age. My wife is one of those that says she'll run only if a bear is chasing her, although she is attempting to be more active recently. The best "trick" that I have for getting workouts in is commuting to work. In fact, I started out just commuting and doing some swimming to cross train from running ... which morphed into doing triathlons. Now I commute to work 3/4 days a week (about 12 miles one way), do a brick or AM swim on one of those days too, and then generally run or bike long on the weekend. I've not made it up to training for an HIM, but sprints and oly distance tris are doable on this kind of base. The good thing is that I don't have to wake up at 5am to do workout (like I did when I was training for a marathon) and I only get home just a little later than I would normally from work if I drove. And, I don't have to put $4 gas in my car for those workouts.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, strategies, etc.

Sprint is plenty badass enough for me, and, so far at least, it seems like something I can do with minimal family disruption.

I do this for me, but I am very aware that my 4.5 yo daughter (toddler son still mostly oblivious) is taking it all in. Tonight we played race (laps around the downstairs) and I was her coach. She gets so excited to see my husband or I do any sort of event. Heck, she was cheering for me doing my road bike test ride in the parking lot of our LBS.

You're right, they are taking it all in, and that's part of what's so cool about it. My kids have learned that the doing is more important than the winning, that we cheer all the competitors on, that you can set goals and achieve them by working steadily towards them, and all kinds of other good values, just from going to races with me. I'd also encourage anyone with young kids to find a kids' race. My kids have both had a great time doing these little mini-tris! My 8 y.o.just did the one at Pac Crest this weekend:

My little girl just turned one. I guess I've just kept my expectations low for my training. I try to get out at least once a day but lately it's been every other day. I ride my bike to work and have a child seat on the back to drop my little girl off at daycare on the way. .It's only 3 miles round trip but it is 3 miles nonetheless and it's a sure thing everyday. throughout the week I try to sneak away from work to put in more miles before I have to pick her up and the daycare closes. to swim I act like I have to leave for a meeting but drive to the pool. I'm the boss so I can get away with it. hahah.

Ok this keeps coming up what is WOP/BOP???? Normally im pretty good with acronyms but this one has me stumped.

ah I should have known those. Yup, or rather just a typo.

thanks for asking the question. :) I'm a newbie and MOP to me means Mother of Preschooler. WHEW. things might start making more sense now.

Too funny!!

I have 2 daughter now 7 and 10. I got into running marathons and doing triathlons when I was going thru a divorce as therapy so I am in the same boat as iamtb13.
When I didn't have the kids I trained. When I was with my kids I played and did something active. They have been cheerleaders at many events.

Now that I am re-married, I still do most of my training when I don't have the girls but now I can also go out after they go to bed or before they wake up and my wife is at home.

As many have perviously stated the key is to be flexible, and don't try to squeeze too much in and not be around for your kids. Training and doing events is a great example for your children to grow up with a healthy lifestyle but not being around for them isn't.