Training & Nutrition - How do you balance your training with your other duties, such as parenting?

How do you balance your training with your other duties – parenting, working, and being a good spouse? My mornings start at 6:30am when my kids are up, then I head to work, then it’s bedtime for my kids. My day ends at 8:30pm. I’ve tried working out at 5am but I’m totally brain dead during the session. I’ve yet to try the 8:30pm workout, because I’m too tired. I’m planning on trying the 5am workout again, perhaps three days a week.

Anyone experience the same phenomenon? I’m looking for some advice and inspiration.

Why not ride to work? or ride at lunch? consistency and quality can be more important that quantity.

I don't have kids or a wife, so that helps a whole lot. I am busy working as a teacher and coaching basketball and baseball. So my workday is typically from 7:20 a.m. to 7 p.m. I was doing the 8:00 p.m. workouts but it got my body going and it was hell trying to get to sleep. I am now back on the 5:30 a.m. workouts. I love them, just have to make sure I'm asleep around 10. Make sure you get a good warm-up in before your morning workouts to wake up. I ride my bike to the gym and it's only a mile and a half but it gets my heart going a little bit and gets me woke up (especially on the chilly days).

Why not ride to work? or ride at lunch? consistency and quality can be more important that quantity.

Good point - riding during lunch. Might be my only choice.

Yeah, I've heard that from a lot of people, where working out in the evening can prevent you from falling asleep at nights.

I built my life around my bike. I found that I feel the best in the afternoon, so I found a job that gets me home at 3. I didn't like the traffic up in town, so I bought a place out in the country.

I use rest days to do alot of the chores to free up time for the next cycle of riding days

So instead of trying to cram more stuff into a hectic day, I started with my bike and arranged everything around that.

I would say eat a late afternoon snack an hour before you leave work and train when you get home before dinner. Then dinner will replenish you for your recovery and you can spend the evening relaxing with your family. Everybody feels like crap when they get home from work on some days. If you just roll out and ride, you'll feel better and you'll have more energy for your family in the evening. good luck

bike commute (extend as time permits, ride past work in the am then turn around, or start out in the pm going past work before turning around), ride at lunch too. On the weekend, when our 2 yr old is slow to nap, can put her right out by putting her in the bike trailer and taking her for a long spin. I haven't had time, since I realized this, to try a 2-3 hr ride (my ultimate goal, just about the perfect nap length too), but it has been good for 60-90 min naps. This is not formal training for me though, just more biking.

I'm self-employed, so I have an understanding boss! I'm divorced, with 2 small kids (joint custody), so on days I don't have the kids I get up early (with the sun) and go on my long rides. Other days, I either head out right after dropping the kids off at school or wait for lunch. I schedule client appointments mostly in the afternoon, and am comfortable getting the work done in whatever gaps I have in my schedule.

On weekends, good friends have been inviting the boys over on Saturday mornings so I can go on long group rides (I'm training for the Ca. Death Ride).

JB

Bike commuting helps, as do lunch rides. I have gotten a lot better at early morning and after dark workouts as well. Like anything else, you just do what you have to do.

I have two wives. That way I can abdicate all responsibilities during training hours. Someone is always home with the chilluns.

I just send the kids off to boarding-school..

i do it when i can. sometimes it is at 5am and sometimes it is at 9pm. on the weekends i head real early for my rides and take over house duties when i get home. i must cycle and run so i make it work. i wouldnt have it any other way. later.

i do it when i can.

Looks like I'm not alone. Thanks to all for your input. I've decided not to stress over it and ride and race when I can.

How do you balance your training with your other duties – parenting, working, and being a good spouse? My mornings start at 6:30am when my kids are up, then I head to work, then it’s bedtime for my kids. My day ends at 8:30pm. I’ve tried working out at 5am but I’m totally brain dead during the session. I’ve yet to try the 8:30pm workout, because I’m too tired. I’m planning on trying the 5am workout again, perhaps three days a week.

Anyone experience the same phenomenon? I’m looking for some advice and inspiration.


Yes, its called gain weight because Im in the EXACT same boat as you. Lost 40 pounds in 06, gained 10 back so far. 3 kids, both of us work, me 8-6 (with a 13 mile car ride home) she till 5 and a 40 minute car ride home. We roll in with all 3 kids around 6:30. The twins, yes, I said it, 7 years old, 3 books each, 15 minutes per book. Oh yea, I almost forgot, the 2 year old, screaming of hungryness. Get the books red, eat supper, 7:30, then baths, 3 kids x 3 seperate baths = 8:30. Me and wife still have work cloths on. Both exhausted too. We get them to sleep by 9:15-9:30, still have our cloths on from work, then we undress and freaking callapse. Yea, lets go ride. PFFFFFFFFFFFt!

Thank god when there out of school and it wont be so hectic, NO WAIT! I almost forgot, they are enrolled in summercamp this year. That only gonna be a total Child care cost of $295 per week. Ah, my childhood memories seem so sweet in hindsight.

Now I remember why both tires are flat on my trek.

Sucks but what else do ya do.:)

I could ride at lunch but I have no shower, then again, Im not one that sweats a ton, just off the head. Im lucky that I dont emit any body odor either. I guess I could towel off. Shew, some guys I get behind, I dont stay long. Some smell like clorox of some chemicals. I slip on by those guys or either fall back.

Dam Stinkers!

I'm literally insane.

I get up and run at 5 a.m. until 6 a.m. Then get my son up for school, feed the 2 year old and help my wife before I head to pilates 3 times a week at 8 a.m. and attend classes from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The college is about 1 mile from the gym. I do most of my running mileage at night when I get off work (2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.) so I get to sleep around 12:30 every night.

On my days off I either get a 12 mile run in, or a 25 mile ride. I also rock climb with my son, take him camping & hiking, yada yada.

I've never been 'lax' though:(

3 books each, 15 minutes per book. Oh yea, I almost forgot, the 2 year old, screaming of hungryness. Get the books red, eat supper, 7:30, then baths, 3 kids x 3 seperate baths = 8:30. Me and wife still have work cloths on. Both exhausted too. We get them to sleep by 9:15-9:30, still have our cloths on from work, then we undress and freaking callapse.

C_heath, I can totally relate to your comments. My kids are five and two. I put both kids in the tub to save time. We're reading the same two books for six months now... I'm going nuts. My wife and I are usually dazed by 9:30pm, where we try to have a 15 minute conversation before collapsing. I've gotten to a point where sleep overrules sex... gee, I never thought I'd say that, but it's true.

5+2 yr old also. Combine book and bathtime when possible, though 5 yr old is up an extra 90-120 min than 2 yr old (she sometimes makes a cameo for his books later in the evening).

3 year old twins. I commute to work every day. Many days I'll get up at 5:20 and ride until 7 am, come home, help my wife get the kids ready for preschool, shower, dress, back out the door and on the bike (I only live 4 miles from work so the direct route is a quick and easy spin). Other days I'll find a long detour home if I have the time. This morning I convinced the wife to bike commute with me and I took the kids to preschool in the bike trailer.

Saturdays I'll race or go on a group ride. Sundays I usually run or take the kids out in the trailer.

I realize I'm very lucky to have a wife and kids who understand and tolerate my obsession.

Also, I watch a lot less television than I used to.

I only have a 6 month old and I can barely find time to ride....I can relate to you to a certain point but I can't imagine having three kids...I posted seeking advice if I should sell my bike becuase of the lack of time I had. So to answer your post I have no clue... :)

INTENSITY!!! I understand your pain (two businesses, other contracts, parenting.) You can optimize your training and shorten your time commitment by increasing intensity and keeping mileage low.

Do a couple of thirty-minute high intensity workouts every week. You'll get faster. You'll have more time. You'll feel more satisfied.

Danno:
> I just send the kids off to boarding school.

I'm counting down the days...

I am a single parent. My son and I commute to his school in the AM, then I commute to work 5 days a week. My daily distance is around 45-50miles. I am able to train en route (intervals/sprints/whatever), and on Mondays I'm often just doing recovery from the weekend's racing. I also go to the gym every day at noon to work upper body. Though there are some things in my life that I sacrifice in order to keep up with this schedule, I find it suits me, and I enjoy it immensely. My son and I both benefit from living car-free, and every day he and I are on the bike together for 45 minutes... plenty of parents don't even spend that much time with their children, let alone get exercise at the same time.

The Scales are still creeping upward. 40 pounds lost last summer and Im loosing hold. To those skeptics, Im still eating correct but Im one with Zero exercise that gains. I can eat 3 tics tacs per day and gain weight. Sucking really bad right now. Make me hate the world.

Tomorrow I'm helping 3-year olds hunt for Easter eggs rather than racing. It's worth it.

How old are your kids? How about tag team with the wife? You get one hour of free time a day and so does she...just not at the same time.

And, how about a trailer or trail-a-bike depending on the age of your kids? Take them with you!!

Yes, its called gain weight because Im in the EXACT same boat as you. Lost 40 pounds in 06, gained 10 back so far. 3 kids, both of us work, me 8-6 (with a 13 mile car ride home) she till 5 and a 40 minute car ride home. We roll in with all 3 kids around 6:30. The twins, yes, I said it, 7 years old, 3 books each, 15 minutes per book. Oh yea, I almost forgot, the 2 year old, screaming of hungryness. Get the books red, eat supper, 7:30, then baths, 3 kids x 3 seperate baths = 8:30. Me and wife still have work cloths on. Both exhausted too. We get them to sleep by 9:15-9:30, still have our cloths on from work, then we undress and freaking callapse. Yea, lets go ride. PFFFFFFFFFFFt!

Thank god when there out of school and it wont be so hectic, NO WAIT! I almost forgot, they are enrolled in summercamp this year. That only gonna be a total Child care cost of $295 per week. Ah, my childhood memories seem so sweet in hindsight.

Now I remember why both tires are flat on my trek.

Sucks but what else do ya do.:)

Why do you bathe your kids every day? I know sounds horrible, but before hormones kids don't really get very dirty/smelly unless they have been playing in a mud pit. At the age of 7, they should be able to bathe themselves anyway.

At the age of 7 they should also be able to do some minor chores as well like cleaning their rooms, making beds, stripping beds of dirty sheets, drying dishes, setting the table and so on. Why do everything yourself? You are only exhausting yourself and doing them a disservice by not teaching them some basic skills. It is nice that you read to them, but kids need to know other things too like taking care of a house. Why deprive them of the joy of doing a good job on their own?

Bike trailer... Added weight with kids... not a bad idea.

Why do you bathe your kids every day? I know sounds horrible, but before hormones kids don't really get very dirty/smelly unless they have been playing in a mud pit. At the age of 7, they should be able to bathe themselves anyway.

At the age of 7 they should also be able to do some minor chores as well like cleaning their rooms, making beds, stripping beds of dirty sheets, drying dishes, setting the table and so on. Why do everything yourself? You are only exhausting yourself and doing them a disservice by not teaching them some basic skills. It is nice that you read to them, but kids need to know other things too like taking care of a house. Why deprive them of the joy of doing a good job on their own?

They really do alot. They clean their rooms, make the beds etc. There hair is really long and they cant get all the soap out. They also set the table. Its gotten a little better. I hit the gym and will be riding more on the weekends so all is not lost.

It seems being a parent and cyclist don't go hand-in-hand. So I sent the kids off to boarding school... :)

hehehe

How do you balance your training with your other duties – parenting, working, and being a good spouse?

have your kids learn how to repair 'sewups' at a young age, clean a chain, washing water bottles is an easy 'entry' into the wonderful world of family cycling.
you know family type activities that have lotsa quality time, like that. once they get competent you can 'let' them work on your stuff.
sortta like the "Bag-O-Rattlers" roundup in National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation.