Kids?
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
outdoorgirl:
we toy with the idea every day. I have NO idea how they do it. I do not know how I could have trained for my IM , have a job and a life if I had kids. Of course If I did I would not have the job, so I think I could do it.... may also depend on the lengths of tri's you plan to do. I think I could easily fit in training for a Sprint say , vs an IM . I am curious to hear the feed back too :)
Training is the one big thing that keeps me from doing it (that and taking the actual time out to have one.....ahhhahahaha)
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outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
Yea, I unfortunately would have to work...maybe not right away...but we can't afford for me to stay home for a long period. I am planning to go back for a Master's program next year and once I do that I will be off for a couple years...so I could maybe juggle school, workouts, and baby my last year or shortly after school. I am just wondering how people do it though. Seems like lots of people on this forum have kids and do Tri's... Yea, the whole 9 months thing I am not thrilled on. When you are used to swimming, running, and riding 5-6 days a week it would be hard to go down to just walking or whatever you are allowed to do. Brittda...you live near Seattle right? How much does it really rain up there? I love Portland and the Pac NW area and was trying to get hubby to sell our place in Southern CA and move up there...but he has MAJOR issues w/the rain and it being ultra cloudy for a long time. Sorry...I know this is a bit of a divergence from the original post.
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
Yeah, am right there with you on the 9 month thing...thats the HUGE set back for me...and not getting any younger with IM's planned out to 07, don't know that it will happen.
On the Seattle thing...LOVE it here. It does rain, but mostly drizzle. Its over rated really and not as bad as every one makes it out to be (I think) We really dont get snow in the winter at all (rarely) and in fact this winter we had little rain. Its mild, and I usually run in shorts (40 is my cut off) for most of the winter. Think last year I wore long tights less than 5 times. We are near biking/running trails, hiking camping, SCUBA diving etc and still near the city (about 10 miles), which I like. Lots of places to ride and I do my OW swimming in Lake Washington by my house. Portland is also great, I have family there so spend a lot of time down there too. Its more spendy up here in this area for housing, but if you are in So.CA you are probably used to it.
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JoseM posted 3 years ago.
I would give up anything for my boy....there's no other comparison for him. We have a second one on the way which is due in March. It depends on your priorities. Family is and always will be my number one priority. You can always find time to do anything else if you really want to! (I train about 7 hours per week and am going to college part time for my Masters Degree in Civil Engineering with 1 kid and 1 one the way).
So....what you're saying is....benching 1.5 times your body weight 10+ times is NOT good for triathletes?! OOOOOH! :eek: :D
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
I would agree to a point. Does your wife/signifant other do tri's as well? I think it depends on whether both parents are attempting to train for races at the same time etc., and the distance of the race. I don't think I personally could juggle a child, job and training for an IM. And in all fairness, she is giving up the 9 months to have the baby (which I do admire, so dont take that the wrong way)., which does not preclude someone from exercising by any means, just not at a competitive level. This would of course eliminate an entire year of competition. People think they can "do it all" but you really can't and do it all well with out something suffering. Just my take on it since I have been debating the same thing.
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bluebirdbiker posted 3 years ago.
Well, I have a great wife! She supports me a lot. My training is usually associated with times of the day when the family is doing their own thing though. You will find that if you have kids the first 5-6 years are useless for almost ANYTHING and any interests will be easier if they are focused with the kids in mind or you incorporate the kids and THEIR interests into the plan.
Now that they are 10 and 7 yrs old it's easier cause they can be left unattended more and have their own interests (e.g., play w friends in the alley, watch TV etc.).
Right now my schedule for training or workouts are in the early morning 5am and after work (4:30) or during lunch. That's where I get the max. time. In the morning the bike ride to work (all family asleep). Ride home (family at home), that's a norm. in many households. A brick after getting home of 1hr is usually acceptible. They have become used to that, but by then it's 6:30 so it's supper for me then with them I do homework, piano, reading and it's lights out by 9pm. That's MY life.
Sat. morning is mine for myself till noon or so and my wife takes her time as she needs it, we work it. She's not too picky about her free time and we co-ordinate. I love having the kids around though. They have learned SO much about determination, goals, pain etc. of training. To attain and the "glory" of finally accomplishing things. They give you another reason to push yourself too. Those times that you feel like you can't, it gives you another reason TO DO cause there are the kids and you can't stop thinking "is this a good impression I am leaving?" It teaches both of you consistancy and the need to complete what you start, if you get what I mean :)
I love to take the kids for long runs (while they ride their bikes) and we all go swimming 3-4 times/week. I do my laps and then devote about 20min to them after, either teaching swimming for 5min and/or just splashing around. They get used to the regime. Hey, my son did his first tri this spring. He was so happy and wants to do another. So does my daughter! It makes me so happy to see their interest. Even the wife does stuff, so they get it from both sides.
Sunday runs are again, before everyone woke up in the house (7-9am or so). By the time I am back from my long runs the kids were watching the TV eating breakie. It kinda fits in. During the IM training I use the family trips to the beach to do open water swims while they play on the beach. We all bike everywhere too. I make them. They hate me for it hehe.
That's it for me. Having kids while training can be tough. It really tests the time management and EVERY minute of the day is precious to you. It becomes easier after they get older. I am sure trainDaBrain is feelin' it with his new addition as do many others.
Good luck
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
WOW!!!! I still don't know how you do it. Does your wife do tri's too? My husband does marathons with me so there is a problem, unless we train sepparately.
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bluebirdbiker posted 3 years ago.
No she just likes to speed walk and lifts weights for energy. Basicaly, her moto on life is the slower the metabolism the better. She subscribes to the LOW HR therory :D Did I mention she's a stick too? Genes goin' for her the whole way man!
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TBRAVO posted 3 years ago.
Tri’s are great but kids are absolutely AWESOME.
I actually believe that kids would enhance your triathlon endeavors as long as you find a balance. I have done Olympic and Sprint distance Tri’s and my kids have been an inspiration. I have 3 by the way, 12, 10 and 8. My 2 oldest sons did the Kids Dannon Duathlon last year and had a blast (my oldest son took 2nd place, much better than his old man did!). It also helps to have a supportive spouse like I do. If you are really into Tri’s as a lifestyle then you will find a way to integrate those things that you love. My track coach in high school always told me “Runners run…�. Those women that I see out running with a baby jogger are quite impressive, even more so when they pass me!
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
DAMN her (just kidding you know BBB) I am certain if I had a kid all that weight would come back and not go away. That frightens me too. I have to train for an IM to loose weight. That is not normal. Thats great that she is so supportive. I know I would have my husband to do the same (although now he is set on doing IM Canada in 07 with me so that may not work) it just seems overwhelming is all. I know though that if I had to add juggling in work to like most people do, it would be VERY dificult.
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outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
This is really interesting and insightful. Thank you! Any additional comments about children would be helpful. Both my hubby and I trian quite a bit. However, if we stay living where we do my mother in law, father in law, and father are all within 10 miles...so grandparents could babysit...there is always the baby jogger and burley bike trailer right? Brittda...what are the home prices like up there? Yes, we could make a couple hundred thou on our house and are thinking of moving somewhere so we can have a low payment and an actual detached home. We currently live in a townhome. How many sunny days a week would you estimate in the winter time?
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bluebirdbiker posted 3 years ago.
TBRAVO wrote:
I actually believe that kids would enhance your triathlon endeavors as long as you find a balance.
Yes, Sir!!
TBRAVO wrote:
It also helps to have a supportive spouse like I do. If you are really into Tri’s as a lifestyle then you will find a way to integrate those things that you love.
Amen to THAT!!!
It's like anything else that you hold dear to the heart. Where there is a will.......
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
Well you probably could not buy a house for 200k here in the area I am in :( you could a bit to the North or South though I think. you might get lucky and find a fixer upper but I would not count on it.
Winters are odd...it might rain every day for a week, and then be sunny for the entire next week. And by rain , not a downpour like you get down there in the summer afternoons, but really just drizzle most of the time. so mayby 50/50
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.
And you can be 'Ghettofabulous' doing it ;) (Hee,Hee,Hee)
I have my two daughters and it is a juggling act.
Basically it is lots of planning, some sleep deprivation, and lots of flexibility. Coffee helps too!!
I figure out how many times I need to run, bike, swim, stretch etc. and for how long.
I try and schedule my training for whenever I have free time.
If that changes I adjusty my schedule as needed.
I am sure if I didn't have my kids I could train better, harder, more efficiently and rest better.
On the other hand if I didn't have my kids I wouldn't be as motivated to train.
They are my biggest fans.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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Amy Lee posted 3 years ago.
hey outdoorgirl and brittda,
KIDS make it all worth while! Sure you have to micromanage every moment of your day to get quality workouts in but somehow you will find a way to make it work. I am a stay at home mom to four kids. three boys...10,7 and 3 and a girl who is 1. my husband is a doc and he is never home. i have some family in the area but they don't help much with the kids. so i have learned to outsource a lot of housework ( laundry and cleaning) and have landed some great babysitters who watch the kids for me on the nights i attend my masters swim class. i also belong to two different gyms so that i can utilize their babysitting services and max out on my workout time (spin classes and the treadmill). you have to be creative with your schedule and become a master at juggling. you'll probably have to train indoors a little more.
the thing i struggled most with after having kids was GUILT. i never felt right leaving my kids with sitters or persuing my dreams until i had my last child. i guess i was trying so hard to be a good mother that i lost my sense of identity. to make a long story short, i ended up with post partum depression and decided to start exercising again to feel better. one thing led to another and 8 months later i have completed 4 sprints, a half marathon, six 5ks and one duathlon. i still have one oly, one sprint and another duathlon to go before my season ends! call me obsessed but i am happier (not to mention fitter) than i have ever been in the last ten years. there is no babyweight left on me what so ever- thanks to breast feeding and tri training.
your lifestyle will rub off on your family. they will become a part of your training. my boys completed a junior tri this summer and my oldest son took 3rd place. my 3 year old ran weekly 1/4 mile fun runs with me all summer long. my hubby is doing his first full sprint tri in oct with me. your energy, dedication and enthusiasm will spread thoughout your family .Racing will become a big part of your family's recreation.
You can have kids and tri. you will definitey have to modify goals and training regimens. but you'll have an even better reason to smile as you cross the finish line!!!! it's great to have all those little fans cheering mommy and daddy on! it's even more rewarding when you see them following in your footsteps!
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JoseM posted 3 years ago.
After reading some of the above comments, it made me remember. My son was one of the primary reasons I started working out! I decided that if my son ever wanted to play with me, that I was going to have the energy to play back with him! I started running and lifting weights....then after I lost about 15 pounds, I started swimming, and withing the past 2 months or so (been working out for about 8 months now) I threw in bike riding. So now I work out about 4-5 times / week doing all parts of a tri (still haven't done my first tri though). So my son WAS my inspiration for starting to work out and IS my inspiration now! And your earlier question..."does my wife train". No, she has started walking and will walk around the lake when I run. But she is very supportive (with both my working out and my Master's degree). We also have #2 on the way, so she can't do much even if she wanted to.
So....what you're saying is....benching 1.5 times your body weight 10+ times is NOT good for triathletes?! OOOOOH! :eek: :D
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JamieM posted 3 years ago.
My wife and I had our first child in January. And I competed in my first duathlon in April. Since Ryan's been born, I've found my self more dedicated to training and more creative about fitting it in. I train about 10 hours a week right now, most of which is done in darkness at 5 in the morning. Or in the trainer in the basement. I can usually get in one long bike or brick workout each week.
The most important thing is to have a wonderful, supportive spouse who accepts what you're doing. And my wife is very supportive, even if she doesn't understand it one bit. She has her own hobbies, but endurance sports are not it.
It's a juggling act that requires communication, compromise and flexibility. Sometimes the planned workout just can't happen. But it balances with times that an unexpected opening comes up, which is where the flexibility comes in. One of the joys of life right now, that doesn;t involve my son (who has just learned to crawl!), is coming home form a rough day at work only to realize that my wife has gone out with the kid somewhere and I can suddenly go for a run/ride and get rid of all the stress from the day.
I try to keep her informed of the training for the week and at the beginning of the season we sit down and plan out weekends that are good for races and such. And most of the races are local affairs here in Delaware. Not having to coordinate travel and everything makes it easier. Though we are starting to discuss a vacation or two that would involve a race in some exotic location.
The bottom line is that the kid now provides a great deal of motivation. The level of fitness and the weight I have lost have contributed positively to my outlook on life and how well I can deal with all the stresses, good and bad, of having a child. I see parents around who are overweight and tire easily and how it affects there relationship with their children. I plan on being able to run and play with our children for a long time.
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Dkidd posted 3 years ago.
Like everyone else said, jugle. I try to do most of my training on my time. Family time is mostly off limits and thats just my choice. Our children are 5-girl and 3-boy. These are the average weekly distances i put in: Swim-6000 yards, Bike-150miles, Run 20-25 miles.
I swim at 5:45AM (when the pool opens) m-w-f. Run t-th at 5:45AM.
Then I bike to work which only adds an extra 10-15 minutes to my commute. Saturday morning I do either long runs or tag along with the roadies for along ride, I'm usually back home by 10:00AM to spend the rest of the day with the fam. I might do a longish run on sunday mornings if I biked saturday and didn't get to do a long brick. and this is just my side.
My wife is a runner so she gets her runs in after dinner. She puts in about 25 miles/week. I usually take night duty (play, bath, read, pray, bed) when she's out running. Other times we load up the kids in the bike stroller dealy and i pull them along on the bike while we follow the wife, we love being the support vehicle. We do get wierd looks are to why she is running and I'm on the bike.
It's possible and as the kids get a lil older we'll have more time because they won't be as needy. Thinking about kids and jugling schedules etc sounds like a daunting task when you are without, but once you have them is really no problem and just falls into place. Best of all they always want to train with you and start to enjoy excercising from a young age.
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
I was up this morning at 4:30am
I went to the ex's and she goes to work and watch the kids.(they are still sleeping)
I get on the treadmill and go.
I finish my workout, shower and get ready for work and get the girls up at 7:00 am.
Then off to school for them and off to work for me.
I will then hit the pool during lunch.
I come home and get on the bike trainer.
That is a typical day.
My 4 year old woke up early today and cut my workout short. I'll try to make up the time tonight.
Stuff happens :rolleyes:
Nothing to it, but to do it
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Darin posted 3 years ago.
Once you have kids you quickly relize there is no such thing as "age groupers". The only groups should be "Kids" and "No Kids". That would be a much more fair way of catagorizing racers. Both my wife and I train for marathons and half Tri's. Our date last night consisted of a baby sitter watching our kids, a 20 mile bike ride a 10 mile time trial and a 5 mile run followed by 2 burritos an 4 tacos at Baja Fresh. Kids for us has changed our perspective of why we race/train. They bring you an inspiration you never had before. When your kids watch you cross the finish line in first or fifty-first they are so excited to see you finsh it makes you feel like a champion in your heart. The podium does not matter anymore. We still manage to both average around 10-12 hours a week of solid hard training. You may not get all the hours in you had before but the hours you get in are quality. We still manage to place in the top of our age group and still have our pride and our competitive desire to win and we also have a cheering squad we never had before that is inspired by our dedication and conviction to somthing we love to do.
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
There are AG's and AGWK's
beads1985
Trifuel Regular
Skill Level: intermediate AGWK A ge G rouper W ith K ids
Primary Distance: Ironman
Endurance Level: 6,5,6
Age Group: 35-39
:D
Nothing to it, but to do it
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outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
darin...that was really great. I see you live near the portland area...I am really really really trying to convince my husband to move up there so I can go to school and if we do have a child raise them in a better area than Southern CA. It is too money oriented and shallow down here compared to when I was a kid. The only issue hubby has w/moving there is the amount of rain you receive...any thoughts?
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Darin posted 3 years ago.
Outdoorgirl,
Yes Oregon is a great place to live still. There are a lot of Californians moving here which is slowly but surely changing the culture of the state. The outdoor lifestyle is still here but seems to get more "posh" as the money from CA moves in. I have lived in the PNW almost my whole life growing up in Central Oregon which is mini California now. If you live on the west side of the mountains is does rain and can be gloomy. I say there are only two seasons in the valley "Indoor Season" and "Outdoor Season". When you know its coming it is easy to cope with. I train on trainers and at the health club during indoor season and train outdoors during outdoor season. It is actually a great climate for triathletes. I start my marathon training in late october when the weather is cool and I try to get my marathons in somwhere between December and Febuary. I take an easy month in March and start heavy on triathlon training in April. That season lasts all the way through the end of September. Works out great.
If you do move here remember be humble, smile and respect the outdoors.
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outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
Darin,
That is EXACTLY why we want to move there. My husband is an avid mountain biker (races) and we have both loved the outdoors since we were little. We live in Southern OC and it sucks now. I hate to be blunt...but we both grew up close to the beach w/rolling hills, ranches around and no traffic. Now our area looks like LA and people are so fake. I dislike the hoards of people moving out of CA to other parts of the country trying the change the culture and climate of other places too. Thanks for the advice. We would probably rent for a few years so i can get my Masters from Portland State...then figure out where we would like to buy a house. Thanks again!!!
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qb ant posted 3 years ago.
Outdoorgirl/britta-
You can raise a family and do tris, you just need to have a plan and a great support group. I have three boys, 14, 13 and 9 and my focus is mainly sprint distances but I'd like to try an oly and 1/2 marathon next year. Anyway, the first few years are rough. I went back to work and worked full time til my second was born and I pretty much did whatever I could just to stay in shape, but any kind of competing was pretty much out of the question for me. If you're organized and have a supportive spouse, you can still train and compete, just be reasonable and remember that they're only babies for so long and as they get older, it gets easier. I'm a stay at home mom now (work part time sometimes), so it's a little easier for me, but with three kids sports, school, homework, etc. it's still a juggling act. You'll also realize that they are great motivation for you to be healthy and raise them in a health conscience home - kids are awesome and they make great fans :D
There are a lot of things to consider when you are deciding on having a family, but they are truly worth it.
Good luck - Ant
ps - I hated being pregnant. I know a lot of women enjoyed the experience, but I didn't. I was real fit before I got pregnant and thought it would be a breeze, but spent most of the nine months with my head in the toilet :( - I hated watching my friends and treammates from the sidelines. My first two are a year apart, so I had an infant, was pregnant (AGAIN) and was working fulltime, but you know it was so worth it - I wouldn't trade my family or my life for anything. Kids make it all worthwhile.
"90% of the game is half mental" Yogi Berra
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have2tri posted 3 years ago.
Outdoorgirl and Britta,
Having children is not a sprint...it is the ultimate iron distance! I will never forget the terror we felt when we brought our first son home and the realization just hit us head on that this child is totally dependent on us! The terror came from thinking we would do something wrong. Well, we may have--but they need something to complain about to their future therapist :)
No, your focus probably won't be on your training during the first few years. Infants and toddlers are very demanding. But, it can be done! All I can say is time management, time management, time management!!
We sit down every Sunday to plan our week. Our children are older now (12 and 8), so the demands change a little. We write down every football/baseball/karate/piano practice, school function, work demand, etc. I'm in graduate school, so we add my class times. Then we find the holes where we can fit our training. We have found ourselves running at 10:00 at night, cause it was the only time that fit. But, we can find the time. We don't watch much TV and sleep can be hard to come by...
There have been some great posts from others on this thread. Everyone handles it differently. But, I wouldn't trade my family for all the training time in the world!!
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trimedic posted 3 years ago.
Most of these comments I agree with. A few key points...it's always possible to do the juggling you will need to do with kids, which is true whether you tri or not, if you have a supportive spouse. This is easier for the husband than it is for the wife and I don't care what you husbands say I know this to be true. Most mothers are made for mothering...most fathers have to work at it. (notice I said "most". there are always exceptions) Second, you WILL make sacrifices that you wouldn't have to make if you didn't have children. Football games, right after karate, which is followed up by Hunters education...that's just one child, one night....When was I suppose to workout???? :)
If you are creative and if you have support, you can get it done. I struggle with it but I have been able to do sprints and I'm working on Olympic for next year. The best part about having kids is seeing the impressed look on their little faces when you come across that finish line. Plus when I am on the run and feeling tired, I can say, "I am the mother of three boys!"
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brittda posted 3 years ago.
Thanks everyone. It was good to hear from some of the women out there experiencing this! I agree with trimedic, for MOST men its easier than for the woman (at least from what I have seen with friends and family). Beads you area wonderful exception :) I just need to know that it can be done because my training is not something I will give up. We shall see. I still have 2 marathons plannednext year and IM Canada in 07 again(am 36 soooo) ......tick tock, tick tock....ahhahhaha
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outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
Yes I agree with brittda...thank you! We are really leaning towards having a baby in the next couple years. I know my husband is super supportive and since we both compete in different events he will be supportive of me and my training time. He is so happy I have been working out consistently and have these goals. I love this forum because of the great advice we can get from all of you.
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
Outdoorgirl/Brittda,
The joy of doing the events will pale in comparison to the feelings you get from your kids.
When you do the events after you have kids you may not do as well but you will have a some little fans that will think you are the best 24/7.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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Amy Lee posted 3 years ago.
Beads... right on!
here's a perfect example of training with kids. i have this big race this sunday. i planned to take a long ride on the trainer this morning because i have been sadly neglecting the bike lately. my 3 year was up all night coughing with the croup. (it's not serious but it sounds really bad ...kind of like a bark) i can't get my workout in because hubby is at work and i have no babysitter today. if i took the kids to the gym and used their babysitting services i'd get THAT LOOK from the other mothers. so here i sit counting the minutes waiting for the other kids to get home, go to karate, do homework, get ready for bed. i'll probably get on the trainer at 10 p.m. but i am determined i will get there and i will kick some butt! ;)
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
Way to go Amy Lee!!!
You can do it!! You just gotta want it!! :D
Nothing to it, but to do it
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Amy Lee posted 3 years ago.
sudden change in plans! both of my little ones miraculously fell asleep at the same time. time to stop postin and start riding. YIPEE!! i can get a good 45 min in before the bus comes. see y'all later! :D
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have2tri posted 3 years ago.
Way to go Amy Lee!! That is exactly how training goes when you have kids. I thought about this thread yesterday afternoon. It was my turn to take our oldest to football practice. Since he is 12, he is old enough to drop off at practice. That left me 2 free hours!!!! So, I got a good long run in. I was embarrassed, though, when I picked him up. I ran a little too long, so had no time to change. I tried not to stand too close to the other moms as I was still dripping sweat (I mean glistening :) ) and didn't want to offend.
So, in the car ride home I asked my son if it embarrassed him that I showed up sweaty straight off a run. At his age, we embarrass him all the time anyway so I try to keep it to a minimum. He said that he thought it was cool that even though he could beat me in football, I can out run him. What a good kid!
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Amy Lee posted 3 years ago.
boy do i hear ya have2tri,
don't be embarassed ...those other moms are just dying of envy when they see you... they can only dream of being as fit as you! way to go girlfriend!!!
i used to NEVER go anywhere without the whole "coordinated outfit- completely madeup" routine. it's really easy to get caught up in the whole supermom / keep a really clean house/ and be beautiful wife way of life. now my priorities have changed...there simply isn't enough time. i'd rather train and spend quality time with my family. so the makeup is minimal, i run around in workout clothes ( downy fresh clean, but sometimes a little sweaty!) and the house is rarely presentable. bottom line.. we are all happy and i can tri! just juggle, sacrifice a little and prioritize... and you get the job done!
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
Kinda reminds me of the ad that has the mom with the jogging stoller waiting outside of the school waiting for dismissal while there are other cars around .
My daughters are only 4 and 7 and I can be an embarrasment I am sure.
They think it is cool when I cross the finish line and give them a big sweaty, stinky hug
(I am a boy so I don't glisten)
Could be a 5k or a marathon or a triathlon, doesn't matter.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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1272 days
zcowgirl3 posted 3 years ago.
I can honestly say I see where some people come from but don't. I am 22 yr. old single mom and when I'm done with college I can only image how it will be for me. So in some aspect ODG, I'm in the same boat. I still go to school while my mom watches my daughter and her dad sees her during the week.
Quick story: I got into tri's this summer by a good friend. He told me I could, I am done with college sports, why the hell not. I was at home this summer and worked, took care of my kid and did my workouts. My day would consist of wakin' up, going to work, coming home, my mom going to work, she would then eat lunch, take a nap, i would take a nap, she'd get up, we'd play, have supper, my step dad came home by 6:30, I was out the door Till 8:30 that night, i showered, played w/ her, bathed her, put her to bed. The key is and like everyone has mentioned: MAKE A SCHEDULE. Your family will be there for you, I wouldn't see why not. It is there grandchild/neice or nephew, and to feel as if your pawning your kid off-I so know how that feels. I never see her during school so havin' time to myself onto training...I felt horrible. However, life doesn't end b/c of a kid. My kid saw me in my workout clothes, "Mommy go run? Mommy ride?" and still does it now when I'm here at school. She wakes up in the morning and asks MY mom if I'm running or riding. I know she'll be my lil' supporter, she is now. Gives me hugs and tells me good job.
Whatever decision you and your husband choose, ya'll will make it work no matter what. Don't like the 9 month ordeal? Try finding out 5 1/2 months along and being on a diet and lifting like crazy! I didn't show until my 7th month and I worked out and rode my horse and did trail rides till the day I gave birth. Work out (to what you can) and eat right. I jogged till my 7th month then just walked everywhere I could. I know some people are different but just have to look on the positive side. I know I don't have a husband and no I have no other who worksout and does his thing but like I said, anything can be worked out. Yea, it will be tough and yea it might suck w/ no sleep but if it is what you really want, you will achieve it. Be lucky you have that husband of yours (not like i don't appreciate my family b/c they saved my ass big time *sorry for that word) but you have someone who I hope agrees with some of the thing suggested with these posts.
Okay, I'm done babbeling but that was the best post yet. I'm sorry too if none of this makes sense but...yea. Hope I helped.
494
Member
1692 days
trainDaBrain posted 3 years ago.
wow, I am just soaking in all this great info. as BBB pointed out, I am definitely a noob when it comes to parenthood. our future trifueler just turned 6 weeks! this saturday is my first iron-distance race: CaliforniaMan. it's definitely been challenging finding time to get the miles in, and this weekend will be a test to see what a person can do on a bare minimum. (i have the diary to prove it) we'll see how i do. but my wife has been great, encouraging me to get out there, and never complaining about the time commitment, even tho I say I didn't do a lot, a little ironman training is a LOT more than what the average fitness enthusiast might attempt, and my wife, thru the pregnancy, the 10 week research trip, and thru one of our hottest summers (without AC for most of it), always supported the effort (even when I know she was jealous of the run-time) :)
so for the future... my wife does marathons, we also do adventure races together, so finding time for training (for both of us) will definitely be challenging. she's picking up a new pair of running shoes this week as she just got the all-clear from the doc. woohoo!
it will be interesting for sure.
44
Member
1227 days
brfoot posted 3 years ago.
Just like anything else in this life where there is a will there is a way. My youngest is now 16 so I really am on the home stretch. But for the last 8 years I have been a single parent. I started doing triathlons in 1998. During this time I also coached almost every sport my son played. And even to this day I help coach his high school wrestling team. When he was younger he would ride his bike while I ran. He would swim,goof off, while I swam laps. You can make it work.
Triathlon is a pretty selfish sport, it's all about me,me,me. It is a sport that demands alot of time and commitment, as do kids. Know this for sure those kids will demand and do deserve all of your attention. Having said that, they are also moldable balls of clay and they really don't care what you're doing as long as they are included. So get a baby jogger thingy, a seat for the back of your bike and take em with you. One of my favorite quotes is somthing like you can't change the wind but you can trim your sails. Kids are not the end of life, just life as you now know it.
my 2 cents
Bryan
4949
Member
1727 days
beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
zcowgirl3 / brfoot
I guess we have enough to start our own support group??
Single Parent Age Groupers With Kids?? :D
Nothing to it, but to do it
96
Member
1287 days
outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
Thanks again. I definitely think it is doable. I would love to think of having one sooner rather than later...but hubby isn't so ready. It would allow me to be home for 2 years while in school. You guys are a great wealth of information. :-)
To all the dads and moms out there....how has having kids truly affected your training? My husband and I are toying around w/the idea in the next two years...however, he has heard from several of his buddies that they ruin your life... for training that is. He races mountain/road bikes...I am just starting to train for Tri and a 1/2 marathon this winter. I just was wondering about your thoughts...