Working out and family (Page 2)

Wait until they're older... (I have 15 and 12 yr old.).  You can etch a date in granite on the calendar and it can go *poof* in a matter of seconds.  My $.02...don't miss the recital.  Not that the recital is such a big deal, but 10 years later you'll be watching the video with your 13-year-old and the first thing you'll remember is THAT's the recital you missed for the HIM.

Again, my advice.  A HIM is a big deal financially and in general, so tough call.  I don't recall races I've missed, but I can name on one hand the activities I've missed.

My wife and I both train and race 6-10 races a year.  This year is a little less because we each have an IM.  We do not believe that anyone who is not doing this sport can fully understand the committment needed.  So ...

Hope that your wife becomes interested in racing triathlon.  Seriously.  There is nothing like a spouse who shares your passion.

Other things that help us (in order):

*Drop other time-consuming interests (Golf, softball league, drinking after work with the boys (or girls)).  We have found that our range of interests have become much more narrowed for good or bad.

*Center your attention onto your wife and children when you are with them - meaning get off of the triathlon internet sites when you are home at night.

*Make sure she has similar time to herself if she wants it.  Its only fair.

*Morning training - up before 5:00am on the weekdays and sometimes earlier on Saturday, baby! You can do a 5-hour bike ride and be home by 10:00am to spend time with the family.

*Get home from work early if your job offers flexibility.  That's really a must if you have two-a-days.

*For the kids - try to get them interested in watching your races and find kid-triathlons that they can participate in.  Our kids (8, 6, and 4) have been asking all winter when their "races" comes up.

*For the kids - when they are old enough to ride a bike, have them ride with you on your long runs.  My six year old can bike 7 miles with me and she likes the time with dad.  We use a bike path for safety.

Oh, yea, and the communicate thing, too, is handy.

Best of luck.

Ditto to many on the early AM thing.

I have a fitness club membership (Open 24 hrs) so I can swim and run (treadmill) at any time.  Usually I get up at 4:30 AM (family is still asleep).  I also do cycle class when necessary (raining outside, too dark etc.), that's usually at 5:30 AM.

Long rides are Sat or Sun early AM (as soon as sun rises).  Family still asleep.

My tradition is to make breakfast on weekends so I'm done working out by the time they wake up.  It helps to let them stay up LATE on Fridays/Saturdays) so they sleep in.  Doesn't work for all kids but for mine it does.

Ditto on the communication thing.  You must show your s/o and kids how much you appreciate their understanding/flexibility, that goes a long way.

My $0.02 worth



Guess I'm lucky to have a fitness club close by open 24/7.  So in casel yo

I try to plan my workouts around my husbands schedule which changes every week. I stay home with my children (age 2 & 4) all day so he is pretty understanding if I need to get out for a while when he gets home. I have relatives that will help out if I'm desperate and I make use of the daycare at the YMCA (although I have to drive 35 minutes just to get there). I get up early if that is the only time that I have but most days I can work something out. The evening workouts are eating into our time as a family but the good news is hubby is off during the summer!!
Now, if he wanted to workout after his work day (which he should) things would be more challenging. You are right - you don't want to leave your wife with the kids too much. Only you two know how much is too much though. I think you are already sensitive to the needs of your wife and family or you wouldn't have posted this concern to begin with

This is a great thread!  I have a 12 month old son.  I cannot get my workouts done in the early morning.  That just is not a good time for my body to exercise.  My husband is the same way.  Kudos to everyone that can do it.

For my runs, I either run on a tready at the gym while my son is in the gym childcare or I load him in the running stroller and go to a local bike path.  On long run day, my husband goes for his run and then I head out the door when he gets home.  Both of us are done with our workouts by noon.

For cycling, I ride my trainer most of the time while my son plays in his playpen.  He loves watching mommy make faces while she is grimmacing in pain.   Long weekend rides are coordinated with my husband.  We do the same thing as for running.

For swimming (when I go), I take my son into the gym childcare.

It works.  Both my husband and I get the time we need to do our workouts.  We coordinate our long workouts so we can get them done without worrying about our son.  I really enjoy running with him in the stoller.  I hope that we are planting early seeds in his brain that exercise is fun and that he can do it whenever he wants to.