School hols+kids=struggling: I've been... - Couch to 5K

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School hols+kids=struggling

Rachey11 profile image
Rachey11Graduate
12 Replies

I've been struggling for the last 5wks trying to find the time to run. Kids at home, and trying to keep them occupied in the school hols has just left me with no time or energy to complete my C25k.

They return to school next week. So I will be able to get on with it, I last run about 2 weeks ago and I was on wk 7 run 2 so shall I restart at wk 7 or shall I go back to wk 5 to make up for the couple of weeks missed?

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Rachey11 profile image
Rachey11
Graduate
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12 Replies

After two weeks and at the stage you have reached, you should be fine to pick up where you left off. Try the next run and if that is too much, go back one. I know it is really difficult to fit everything in, but for the next hols could you perhaps try and find a way round. If you have a partner/family around, could they commit to having the kids so that you can get out at least twice a week. I find it can be difficult if there is too big a gap between runs; sort of lose momentum. Good luck!

Rachey11 profile image
Rachey11Graduate in reply to

Thank you helenwheels. I'll try and carry on where I left off at wk7 run 2 and repeat that run just see how much I can do. If I struggle to much then I can always go back a few runs I'm hoping to graduate in September tho so was hoping not to go back too far.

My husband works long hours so I feel guilty asking him to watch the kids when his not working or find us doing something all together rather than me running.

I will need to juggle the running and kids in the next holiday which is not til October so hopefully I can get a 2nd hand treadmill to run at home on which should help.

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

Hi Rachey, - I well remember the days when exercising around family was tricky. 2 thoughts for the school holidays, (although I don’t know if the children are old enough) ... do you have a nearby park where the children could play together while you run small laps around them in sight? Alternatively could they scooter or cycle with you while you run? I realise neither of these is the same as a peaceful run while they are at school! Not long till you have your running back- I am always super impressed with you running mums. Go you! 😀

Rachey11 profile image
Rachey11Graduate in reply to Elfe5

Thank you Elfe5, unfortunately they are only small so I'm not comfortable them playing on their own in the park. Scooting could be an option but I would need to keep all eyes and ears on them so like you say it wouldn't be very peaceful lol.

I find running helps keep me sane it's my little bit of me time away from mummy duties I think that's why I enjoy it.

18Windmill profile image
18WindmillGraduate

Hi Rachey, I know exactly what you mean! I made it out once last week. Are there any friends who can mind them for an hour if you do the same? Don't beat yourself up, we can only do what we can do! I've tried the taking them on scooters...mildly successful. Running pushing a scooter was a bit much! They go back next week. Hurray! Mind you, as one of teachers, so do I. Good luck.

Rachey11 profile image
Rachey11Graduate in reply to 18Windmill

Hi 18Windmill, again I feel guilty about asking friends to watch my 3 as they have the stress of their own in the holidays plus they have plans most days. Dont think I will risk the run with the scooters as I know it will end up the same with me carrying the scooters and most likely the kids too lol, I will get my head back in the game next week when they return with the motivation to not let myself slip again. I feel very sluggish when I don't exercise.

Runsome profile image
RunsomeGraduate

I’m not surprised you haven’t had time or energy, it’s a tough job getting through the summer holidays with the kids. no time to spare always having to keep them occupied. As you say they go back next week so you can get back on plan. I don’t think you need to go back to wk5 try starting again at wk7 and see how you go if it’s too much just ease back a bit. I’m sure you will be fine ,you will have loads of time to do extra runs after graduation which isn’t far off. Keep going and let us know how it goes 😀👍

Rachey11 profile image
Rachey11Graduate in reply to Runsome

Thanks Runsome.

It's really tough trying to do not allow day to day stuff with them home from school let alone go running. Hoping it's not going to be to tough next week when I attempt to run again. All I can do is keep the motivation to get out and run do what I can do.

Hopefully not long before graduation now.

Runsome profile image
RunsomeGraduate in reply to Rachey11

That’s right not long till graduation so keep focusing on the positives and you’ll be on the top step very soon. All the best😀

Ariadne1925 profile image
Ariadne1925

I’m counting down the days too and lost out on a lot of gym and run days. Luckily we found a holiday with a gym and pool on site so I made it there at least, too hilly to run outside. I’ve only continued with the running because I do it at work during lunchtime. I’ve had breaks of three weeks from the gym before and found it much easier than expected to get back into it, even needed to up some weights. I queried it with a fitness fanatic who wasn’t surprised as a rest can be beneficial and improve performance. So you may find it easier than you think.

I’ll be starting week 7 on Monday and hoping it gets easier. Give it a go but don’t put pressure on yourself, take it five minutes at a time and accept you may have to stop, but that’s ok. Although what also kept me going yesterday was the thought of having to repeat the run.

Rachey11 profile image
Rachey11Graduate in reply to Ariadne1925

Hi, thank you. Well done you managing to exercise actually on holiday. I found that really hard too we've had about 2 weeks all together camping and a holiday and I just found that the kids wanted to do so much I found myself putting my fitness on the back burner as usual. I was also too knackered to get up ridiculously early to run.

Normality commences this week and I am more than ready. I will just try wk 7 run 1 again and see how I manage with it. Just take it step by step.

Runsome profile image
RunsomeGraduate

Hi Rachey11 haven’t seen any posts from you. just wondering how it went getting back into the swing of your C25k plan after the school holidays ended. All good I hope👍

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