Running Your Family: A Family That Runs Together Stays Together!
Filed Under Fitmom Wellness |
In my classes, I certainly sing the praises of strength training for increasing lean muscle mass, which in turn burns fat. That being said, I think running is also a great exercise option for new moms for one simple reason: convenience!
While there are things to consider, especially for new moms (see my blog on feet issues), the one attractive quality is you can run almost anywhere! A favorite new line of mine is, “A family that runs together stays together.” I am proud to say this summer I recruited a new running partner – my four year-old – who was thrilled to participate in something he has watched his big brother do for some time now. My oldest son, who is 7 years old, ran a 10 km race with me and literally beamed with pride when he crossed the finish line. The pride he felt at that moment stayed with him for about three weeks. I’d say he ran 80 per cent of the race and got piggy back breaks from his mom (which by the way is a perfect substitute for hill training) for the remaining 20 per cent of the race. While it wasn’t my best time, it was certainly one of my best races because I shared with my son something more valuable than beating my best race time.
I had another great run when I was 7 months pregnant with my third child. I completed a 10 km race and came in only 7 minutes later than my previous “non–pregnant” time. I certainly enjoyed both the inquisitive looks and the support and encouragement of total strangers, but the most memorable moment for me was seeing the open arms of my proud husband and two older boys at the finish line.
Over the last eight years since becoming a mom, I’ve had to adapt my running routine to the ages and stages of my children. For instance, while I was pregnant and running with one child in a jogging stroller, my oldest son rode his bike along side us. Over time, we have created running circuits that accommodate our differ0ent levels so we can all run together and stay side-by-side. I can say without hesitation it is far from perfect. There have been days when I’ve had to deal with a child in a full-blown temper tantrum 5 km from home and days when I’ve felt defeated, all of which set me back. But as a family in training, we try to learn from every “bump in the road.” I now accept the fact that we are a team in training, preparing for all of life’s challenges and successes, and navigating a road that has much to teach us about what it means to be a family. Check out our ebook “Fit New Mom 101″ at www.newmom101.com; it includes a 5 km and 10 km run plan.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
