12 Run Longer: Break New Barriers
You desperately need to escape for a few miles. Here’s how.
1. The Early Wakeup
Set your alarm for the crack of dawn and get your run done first thing.
Pros: Start the day off on the right foot. One shower a day.
Cons: Your bed doesn’t let you out so easily. And it’s still dark.
2. The Late Night
Easy access for anyone who needs you.
Pros: Everyone brings a child, one unlucky parent watches them all.
Cons: Your couch doesn’t let you go so easily. And it’s dark already.
3. The Jogging Stroller
The real workout is keeping an eye on your friend’s little “angel.&rdquo.
Pros: “Daddy, look at the squirrel!”
Cons: “I want to get OUUTTTT!”
4. The One-Hour Kid Swap
You get 30 minutes to run, your friend watches the kids. She gets 30 minutes to run, you watch the kids.
Pros: Everyone gets a short workout.
Cons: The real workout is keeping an eye on your friend’s little “angel.”
5. The Treadmill
Plop your kid in a safe area, put on some cartoons, and jump on the basement ’mill.
Pros: Easy access for anyone who needs you.
Cons: Easy access for anyone who needs you.
6. The Run Commute
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Pros: The real workout is keeping an eye on your friend’s little “angel.&rdquo.
Cons: You’ll come back to your desk feeling recharged and ready to tackle the afternoon.
7. The Lunchtime Run
When all your coworkers head off for fast food, you hit the roads around the office.
Pros: You’ll come back to your desk feeling recharged and ready to tackle the afternoon.
Cons: Sweating. Still sweating. And, yep, still sweating.
8. The Babysitter
Build Muscular Endurance With This One Move.
Pros: The kids are having as much fun as you are.
Cons: You will, at some point, draw the short straw.
9. The Sandbox at the Track
Put your kids in the long jump pit while you run laps.
Pros: Built-in entertainment.
Cons: Third-lap soundtrack: “Mommy, sand taste yuck!”
10. The Childcare at the Gym
You can still get your ’mill time in by joining a gym that offers on-site babysitting.
Pros: Kids get to play with different toys while you’re racking up the miles.
Cons: Shoes & Gear?
11. The Potluck
Who knows where those communal toys have been.
Pros: Great plan as long as you’re not the one who drew the short straw.
Cons: You will, at some point, draw the short straw.
12. The Graduation
Health - Injuries?
Pros: It’s just like going for a run before you had kids. So easy.
Cons: Your inner dialogue: “Is that siren I hear headed to my house?”
How to Run Longer is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World You forgot clean underwear, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
Robert is the former Executive Producer for Runner’s World Online. He has run over 60 marathons with a personal best of 2:52:11.
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