As coaches we work with a lot of athletes who have young kids and other life responsibilities like busy careers. A question that often comes up with athletes who begin to ramp up their training is when do you have time to train? How can you put in 7+ hours of training per week? We don’t have a one answer solution for you because everyone’s life looks different. We do however have a few ideas for when/how you might be able to utilize different resources to get your training in even with small kids and/or a busy career.

Time of day:

Working out while kids are sleeping

Pros: easier

Cons: lose out on sleep

Working out while kids are awake and at home:

Pros: you get to sleep

Cons: you miss out on family time, logistically harder

Working out while kids are at school/daycare

Pros: you get to sleep

Cons: logistically easier, guilt

`1. Treadmill at home

Investment: $2000+ dollars

2. Treadmill at gym with daycare

Investment: $150/month

3. Stroller outside

Investment: $500

Babysitter

Investment: $20/hr

Is it worth it to invest in yourself and your hobby? How do you deal with guilt associated with going on a run or running a race? Waking the kids up at 5:30am to go to a race? My kids like to go to races and run races themselves now. What they see as normal they will take mental notes. It’s one thing to say something is a value, but when you live it, kids witness it. It becomes a part of their identity.

I don’t have the answers, but I can share my experiences and sometimes that can help.

Is it worth it to train for big races?

How does the competitiveness/running change after having kids?