Moms Running Solo

[bounceliketigger]

I was only able to keep an 11 min pace for the TOT, even though I was averaging 8.5 to 10 at home. What's that about?

Any suggestions?

 

[dislvr74]

I was only able to keep an 11 min pace for the TOT, even though I was averaging 8.5 to 10 at home. What's that about?

Any suggestions?

Were you running on a treadmill at home or outside? If you run outside, what do you use to check your time/distance?

 

[bounceliketigger]

Were you running on a treadmill at home or outside? If you run outside, what do you use to check your time/distance?

I was doing both, but mainly thinking of the outside runs. I measured out a few routes in the car, as well as a known 1mi. track in the neighborhood & averaged 8.5- 10. Just use a simple stopwatch/ chrono for the time. Usually 10 or so for the 1st mile, then 8.5-9.5 for the next 2-5, then 10 for the last mile or so. So now I'm trying to do some speed work on the mile track to try to stay around 8-9. This is so frustrating!

So is anyone running the Princess w/out family in tow? I just can't decide....

 

[swim-mom]

I was doing both, but mainly thinking of the outside runs. I measured out a few routes in the car, as well as a known 1mi. track in the neighborhood & averaged 8.5- 10. Just use a simple stopwatch/ chrono for the time. Usually 10 or so for the 1st mile, then 8.5-9.5 for the next 2-5, then 10 for the last mile or so. So now I'm trying to do some speed work on the mile track to try to stay around 8-9. This is so frustrating!

So is anyone running the Princess w/out family in tow? I just can't decide....

Kids are home with DH, SIL was to do it with me until she decided to invite her friends - NOT SHARING a room with one bathroom with 3 woman. So I have yet to tell her that I am doing it with someone else, since I refuse to share a room with more than one person! Oh well...............story is way longer though then what I just put but that is the bottom line!

 

[dismagiclover]

I'm loving this thread! I'm with all of you moms. There is just something so soothing about running solo. It is a time when you are out there and no one can bother you or ask you to do anything. And you don't have to worry about chit chatting with a training partner. You can just enjoy thinking about whatever you want to think about. I did an 8 mile run this morning (I'm doing the half in Jan.) and I just loved enjoying the beautiful fall weather, looking at the leaves, smiling at any other runners I happened upon. It was just so nice. I think one of the best things we can do for our kids is keep ourselves mentally and physically healthy and for me running solo the best way I've found to do that

 

[SAHDad]

I'm a stay-at-home dad who generally runs solo. I do it for the same reason that all you ladies do - because when I am three miles from home, out alone on the country road, there is no way I am going to be hearing "Dad, she took me crayons! Well, he hit me first!"

And while I do a lot of running at the Y (since they have free child care), I don't run with a partner, and I don't chitchat with other people on nearby treadmills very often. On rare occasions, I run with some other people, mainly to serve as a mentor to people who are newer to running, or because the area isn't very nice, and there is safety in numbers.

Fortunately, I have a very understanding wife, who not only accepts my running, but encourages it. I got to travel to several out-of-state races solo last year, though I think she draws the line at me travelling solo to Disney!

 

[dislvr74]

I did a half marathon in Indy this morning (that's a couple of hours from me) with the kids in tow. My DH had to work this weekend and my dad watched the kids while I was running. They were very well behaved, but that experience just confirmed my excellent decision to leave them behind in Jan and March. It's just too hard to take care of a couple of kids while doing what I need to do pre-race. It doesn't help that I get super nervous before every race!

 

[joan4mickey]

Welcome SAHDad
Your wife sounds like my DH-he isn't a runner, but encourages me and will not miss a trip to Disney!
And watch out for crayons in the washing machine

 

[SAHDad]

Welcome SAHDad
Your wife sounds like my DH-he isn't a runner, but encourages me and will not miss a trip to Disney!
And watch out for crayons in the washing machine

Haven't had crayons slip into the wash yet. Kleenex, oh my yes, pen once, but crayons, not yet, fortunately.

DW does run, but she prefers shorter distances (like 5k or 10k), whereas I like to be out there for a couple hours.

 

[cryssi]

I just had my son 3 weeks ago, and have been wondering how I am going to fit running back into my life. He is my first. I've been running for about a year and a half now, and have 1 full and 3 1/2's under my belt (all disney - and did DL 1/2 @ 34 weeks preg.). I train by myself. DH is not a runner, and has not accompanied me to any of my races. I am interested to hear how everyone accomplishes their training and racing without a DH that really supports their running...

 

[bounceliketigger]

Welcome SAHDad! My DH was a stay-at-home dad too for quite a while. Now we switch--I do days, he does nights. It's tough for sure, but we're glad to do it.

400+ days in a row--wow! You're an inspiration! I've maxed at 8 miles so far, but I'm really wanting to push it farther. I started at a local 1 mile track but have found it's too easy to quit when you start to get tired, bored, whatever. I much prefer going out so that I have to come back. Once you get out there, there's no quitting! I didn't used to carry anything, but do carry a cell phone on my running belt now in case of emergency. I was tempted once to call DH to come get me, but resisted & wound up doing my best run.

And I'm with you on the peacefulness of it all. There's no real escaping when you're in the house!

 

[bounceliketigger]

I just had my son 3 weeks ago, and have been wondering how I am going to fit running back into my life. He is my first. I've been running for about a year and a half now, and have 1 full and 3 1/2's under my belt (all disney - and did DL 1/2 @ 34 weeks preg.). I train by myself. DH is not a runner, and has not accompanied me to any of my races. I am interested to hear how everyone accomplishes their training and racing without a DH that really supports their running...

WELCOME Cryssi! Your history is fantastic! My son will be a year old in 2 weeks & I started running in May when he was a little less than 6 months old. It was the best thing for the baby body! I actually went to a wedding this weekend & saw some friends I hadn't seen since just after the baby was born & they didn't recognize me--in a good way! What an incredible motivator!

Anyway, as far as the non-supportive DH goes, you might appeal to things that would try to convert him into being supportive, like "did you know that running is great for post -pregnancy hormones & really increases the libido?" lol. If things like that don't work I'd just say stick with it. Do what you do. When the baby gets a bit bigger, take him with. If you can, buy a treadmill. If you have to, get a sitter for an hour. Just tell him this is what you need. And do it for yourself.

Regardless of the levels of support from our significant others, I think the moms (and dads) on this thread would agree that the whole point is doing it for you. He'll come around sometime!

 

[cryssi]

I'm trying to figure out how I can pull off Princess 2010. I'm not worried about the distance, but rather traveling x-country with a 5 1/2 month old...

 

[dislvr74]

I traveled to WDW with my youngest when she was 4 months old. I live in the midwest, so it was only half way across the country. It was much easier to deal with her than my oldest who was 5 1/2 at the time. I carried her in a sling almost the entire time and she was very happy. I was nursing and that made it even easier because I didn't have to carry around bottles and formula.

I also took my youngest to marathon weekend in 2008 when she was about a year old. My oldest and DH stayed home because I didn't want the oldest to miss school so soon after winter break. Anyway, I traveled by myself, but my youngest sister met me there so that she could babysit during the actual race. It worked out very well. The only tough thing was dealing with bathtime that night because I was a little sore!

I first started walking when my youngest was a couple months old. Once it got cold, I would pop her in the sling and walk on the treadmill at the gym. I got some weird looks, but she loved it. I usually went during her naptime and she would sleep the entire time. I went back to work when she was 6 months old and I also started adding some running to my workouts. My gym offered babysitting services and I utilized that whenever my DH was working, which was quite often because he works nights. We eventually purchased our own treadmill and now both kids are old enough to take care of themselves in the other room while I run.

It is hard to work it in, but you will be able to do it. I think all of us have run at really strange times or relied on friends/family to pitch in sometimes. Don't be afraid to hire a babysitter if you need to in order to get those long runs in. You are allowed to take a couple of hours for yourself and you will be an excellent role model for your child!

 

[emlutz23]

I was only able to keep an 11 min pace for the TOT, even though I was averaging 8.5 to 10 at home. What's that about?

Any suggestions?

Have you been to runnersworld.com to check out some of their training plans? I love having a plan laid out for me. I used to coach track and field and cross country, but I still need to "see" on paper what it is I am doing. Mixing in speedwork is the key to a faster race time. So even if you choose not to follow a formal plan, runnersworld.com will help give you an idea of the types of speed workouts you can add to your running.

 

[bounceliketigger]

Have you been to runnersworld.com to check out some of their training plans? I love having a plan laid out for me. I used to coach track and field and cross country, but I still need to "see" on paper what it is I am doing. Mixing in speedwork is the key to a faster race time. So even if you choose not to follow a formal plan, runnersworld.com will help give you an idea of the types of speed workouts you can add to your running.

I absolutely need to see it on paper too. A friend of mine suggested speed work, but I like the idea of runnersworld. Thanks!

 

[bounceliketigger]

I'm trying to figure out how I can pull off Princess 2010. I'm not worried about the distance, but rather traveling x-country with a 5 1/2 month old...

Would you run w/ the baby in stroller? Or do you just mean the travel in general?

We've traveled w/ the babies that young & believe it or not, it was easier at that age--they more or less slept the entire time! You can take your stroller right up to the door of the plane too, then they'll take it for you & will have it waiting as soon as you step off the plane. It's a great help.

 

[cryssi]

Would you run w/ the baby in stroller? Or do you just mean the travel in general?

We've traveled w/ the babies that young & believe it or not, it was easier at that age--they more or less slept the entire time! You can take your stroller right up to the door of the plane too, then they'll take it for you & will have it waiting as soon as you step off the plane. It's a great help.

Just the travel in general. I think he might be too small for the baby jogger, so I wouldn't do the stroller 5k. My friend in FL could actually pick up any essentials I would need out there, so I wouldn't have to bring much...

Princess was a lot of fun this year, and it would qualify me for the 2010 C2C... (lol, since it is all about the medals anyway)...

 

[dislvr74]

Just the travel in general. I think he might be too small for the baby jogger, so I wouldn't do the stroller 5k. My friend in FL could actually pick up any essentials I would need out there, so I wouldn't have to bring much...

Princess was a lot of fun this year, and it would qualify me for the 2010 C2C... (lol, since it is all about the medals anyway)...

Don't worry about the travel at all. If you have someone to watch him while you run, you are in great shape!

 

[cryssi]

Don't worry about the travel at all. If you have someone to watch him while you run, you are in great shape!

I do, actually...lol