Every runner who’s ever had a runner’s high knows it is one of the best sports in the world. It can be grueling and painful, yes, but the rewards we reap from running– especially once we’re in shape — pay big dividends. For those of us aging, ahem 40’s coming quick, and those of us trying to find ways to live longer, exercise is still likely the most influential thing we can do to promote the quality of our life and extend the years we get to witness our children grow. Nothing is a guarantee, of course, and I loved an article I read on Five Thirty Eight about the value of eating nuts for health and longevity that mentioned, “no matter how many nuts you eat, you’ll eventually die.” Yipes! Exercise is the good stuff, though. If you need pushing, be informed that recent data out of Canada shows that exercise may even improve the appearance of our skin and decrease wrinkling. Tah dah! It may be vanity that gets us out to pound the pavement.
But finding time and keeping healthy enough to keep up a rigorous running schedule amidst the whirls of child rearing and work? I have found it an exceedingly large challenge. When I was in medical school, I ran over 4-5 miles every day. Now a 4-5 mile run would be a freaking miracle day. Things are just busy.
Thankfully a cure-all has arrived…
It dawned on me last Friday that running, with my boy(s) while they bike alongside me, is perhaps the world’s most magical sport. Reason being, I never want to leave home after I return there from work. Even after a stressful day, I’d rather be with the boys after dinner time than out on my own exercising. And I’m one of those people who loves to run. I’ve still just not cracked the work-life balance code that would enable me feeling good about leaving the boys when I have the opportunity to stay with them after a whole day apart. Self care, with those emotions, becomes more complex. Heading out the door, just after finally getting home, never feels perfect. Do you know what I mean?
And here’s the thing. Although parents ahead of us on the child rearing road warn us about it all going too quickly and those same parents tell us to grasp onto our preschoolers because they’ll never be quite that cute again, let me tell you something right now: If your babies are young, if your toddler is entirely adorable (and a whole lot of work) today and if you haven’t been off and on a guilt-free run in years, there is hope. HOPE, I say!
Now that boys are both riding their bikes independently, a magical new sport has been spun.
Imagine this: sideways sunshine, clear paths, and a little biker just in front of me as I carry my body around the streets of Seattle and the park land. Yes, I think clearly yes, the world’s most perfect sport. These may be some of the most enjoyable and productive moments of my life…
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Natasha Raja MD says
My thoughts exactly…last week. This week my 6 year old is a good pacer and my 4 year old is off in the distance leaving us in her dust 🙂 Grab the moments when you can!
Carolyn says
LOVE this picture! Thank you for the hope!! Add a crock pot dinner waiting for you when you get home from the run/bike and I think you are on your way to solving over half of the major work/life balance issues!
I also daydream about future days of canoeing with kids 🙂
Jen says
Here in MN our nice days to get out and run have been few and far between lately! But it did thrill my heart to run along side my 10-year-old last Saturday as he was rollerblading. Yesterday I took advantage of the sunshine and pushed my four-year-old in the bike stroller while i ran (her little legs can’t keep up for more than half a mile) and she talked to me THE WHOLE TIME! Mom’s undivided attention is what she needed and some good fresh air, exercise and time with my little one is what I needed :). I never used to be a runner, but two years ago I decided that I needed to do something to get into shape, even though i wasn’t overweight, that was easy and reasonable. Now I look forward to my runs with my husband, a friend or my kids, and every once in a while, the quiet time I have running solo! All you need is a pair of decent shoes on your feet, then just take that first step…
smilegirl says
Completely agree! I still push my two year old in the jogging stroller, but know the day is just around the corner when I will be following her on her bike. Running is an amazing sport. Relatively inexpensive and GREAT therapy!
Craig Canapari says
I have now been doing this on occasion with my 6 yo who is pretty good on his bike (albeit a bit afraid of going down hills). We live on a narrow road so I have to be careful around certain curves, and and keeping a certain pace goes out the window BUT it is a lot of fun.
Anne says
Love, this Wendy Sue! Also, now that both kids are riding and we live near a big park, we do a lot of bike + runs. The kids bike together, the grown-ups try to keep up while running together. Fantastic.
Petra says
My story, exactly! Spending my days in front of my laptop, commuting to work and back and then cooking… I feel that I need a bit of relax but I was never gifted for sports (or just had bad luck for teachers and couches?). So, well, what can I do? I found a list of safe summer sport possibilities we have nearby, but my 8 year old son’s only passion is baseball… I think it would be a great motivation for me if we could do something together…