Fitness and mothering a large number of small children

[loveneverfails]

Ok, I need help. Is there anyone else doing a running program with a large number of small children? I just completed week 2 of the C25K program, and I don't know how much more, if anything, I can do.

I've got 5 under age 8, and I'm on my second day of runs that just feel too hard, even though I slowed down considerably. I am seriously considering either running on every 3rd day, going up to the next stage when I feel like it only no matter how long it takes, or dumping out entirely. This is making a serious difference in my ability to handle my barbarian horde.

I feel certain I could do this under ideal conditions, but I just don't know how likely it is to happen with everything else in my life. HELP!

[annettemarie]

With some weeks of C25K, I actually took two weeks rather than one. Believe it or not, it does get easier.

[bec]

^^^This. There is nothing wrong with taking an extra rest day (I'm currently working through the C25K this way as I recover from a stress fracture), or with repeating a week. Some people have done the first run from the new week, and used that as a litmus test to whether they are ready for it. If it is simply impossible, they go back to the previous week and repeat it. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with pushing a little bit outside your comfort zone!

[loveneverfails]

I think I'm going to switch to giving 2 days of rest and see how things go with the school year starting, or even dropping down to 1 run a week on a weekend day when my husband can help out more with more relaxed walks in there. I'm just getting absolutely wiped from a run, and then I'm not getting stuff done around the house the way I am used to doing.

I'm running my best runs the 1st day of the "week" and then getting worse and weaker as the week progresses, and it's very discouraging.

I'm normally someone who pushes too hard, so maybe not looking at "day I need to run" will make it more relaxing and rewarding to run, and focusing on "hey, I feel like running to day" instead.