“You’ve decided to pursue the ultimate challenge, harder than any ultra or any FKT: you’re bringing a tiny trail runner into the world.” - Megan Janssen.
Work, Eat, Sleep repeat. This is a normal routine for people across the world. A select few try to add a fourth item to the list. Work, eat, train, sleep (sometimes), repeat. This is a tough routine to stick to but is very rewarding. Suddenly you find you have an extra bundle of joy in the house and training goes out the window. Thus you decide to take on the ultimate challenge.
It’s going to be hard work but the rewards are well worth it. Trail Runner asked some top athletes how they maintain their training and trail running as new parents and here’s what they said.
Keep doing what you do best
Active trail runners may be some of the best prepared for parenthood. Why? Because min sleep and lack of nutrition are nothing new to someone whose had to train hard.
Jenny and Scott Jurek have seen this in their lives. Jenny and Scott finished the Appalachian Trail FKT together and in comparison sleep deprivation with a newborn was no big deal.
Karoline Lavagnino equates the tough days to being like hitting a wall during a race, these too shall pass.
Jurek and Lavagnino both ran until the day they gave birth, amazing right! “Exercise can decrease the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, back pain, constipation and other pregnancy-related conditions, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,” writes Liana Heitin.
Staying healthy is a matter of triage
“People say your life doesn’t have to change. That’s nonsense.” says Timonthy Olson, two-time Western States 100 champ and father of 2 boys. Having a baby changes your priorities and that’s ok. Olson advises making use of ‘parental nap time’. With the diminished amount of sleep you get it’s important to make sure your body can still recover from workouts. Take advantage of the little ones nap time for a bit of training or taking a nap yourself.
Jurek also advises to listen to your body, if you don’t have time for training on a day don’t try and cram it in, wait until the weekend and then go when you have a bit more freedom on your hands.
Food intake is also vital. Make sure to keep a varied diet to build the base to get back on the trails. Drink lots of water, eat your colourful veggies and remember that you’re are not just feeding yourself.
Schedule your runs—and stick to them
Don’t let the day get away from you, make consistent, concrete plans to train and then follow through. Time management is vitally important in every sphere of life and particularly if you want to end up training more often than not. Jenny recommends getting a calendar on your phone so partners can see when each other’s workouts are planned and can work around them.
Good time management also leads to being able to manage expectations better. Olson explained how he had to re-learn how to train and focus even more on quality over quantity.
Get the kids involved. “I use my kids as training tools all the time as long as they are having fun,” says Tim. “A baby is a great kettle bell and planks are now horse rides. My kids are included in push-ups, lunges, squats as well as added weight for hiking, stroller runs and pull-ups.” Wow, sounds like a great workout!
Keep your sense of adventure
“Naturally, runners are going to raise the fastest, healthiest people on the planet. It all starts with getting back on the trails—and bringing baby,” says Janssen.
The Jureks took it to the next level by hiking across the grand canyon together with the baby when she was only four months old. “It took us 14 hours with lots of stops for the baby. It was a super-fun experience,” said Jenny.
The Olson’s continue to turn training into family adventures! The memories you’ll make will be some of the best of your life.
Exercises to recover and stay fit
Yoga-ball baby bounce: Babies love bouncing.
Moms and dads: On a yoga ball, keep the core engaged while holding your baby. Yoga balls are also great for stretching tired, imbalanced backs.
For more fun examples of exercises read the full article by Megan Janssen here.