Training requires so much more work than simply going out for a run. You have to make sure to stretch, foam roll, take ice baths, refuel properly, carb load, hydrate and more. That’s not to mention that as a mother runner, you have to do all those things on top of all the duties of keeping your kiddos alive! I wanted to share some of my tips and tricks for balancing life as a mother runner: 1. You may have heard this before, but I highly recommend scheduling your workouts. I work one week at a time. I look at the up coming week and figure out how and when to get in my workouts. Having flexibility is key when it comes to balancing all aspects of your life. One day you may need to get in some early solo miles before everyone gets up. The next day it might have to be a stroller run. Looking ahead helps you ensure you’re able to get your workout in and avoid any scheduling surprises. 2. We all know how important it is to stretch after a run, but if you’re like me, it’s probably one of the last things you want to do when you finish running. I try and do any standing stretches while I’m making the kids lunch or a snack after we get home from a run. Then when they are eating, I’ll do any floor stretches. This is the only way I can do them without the boys jumping all over me (food is a great distraction). I also make it a rule to stretch when I watch tv at night after the kids go to bed. Once I’ve gotten through all my stretches, I can then have the rest of the night off. 3. If you’re like us, the weekends are busy and are precious family time. If I run a long run of 16 miles or more, I’m pretty much useless the rest of the day (hello tired and HANGRY all day!). So, the whole running before the family gets up really doesn’t do much good in my case. If this is you too, try scheduling your long run on a weekday. It makes a huge difference and that way you get to fully enjoy your entire weekend without the “long run loom” as I call it. 4. I also recommend having a stroller bag packed and ready to go. Mine has extra diapers, wipes, snacks and toys in it. It makes getting out the door so much easier. Just throw the bag in the stroller and go. Anything that helps simplify getting to your workout is a win in my book and helps eliminate excuses. Plus, we have enough other things to worry about, so one less thing is a win! 5. Lastly, my most favorite tip. Have your post workout protein ready! We all know that refueling within an hour after a workout is so extremely important to not lose the benefits you just worked so hard for. However, if you’re like me, the second we get home from a run, the kids automatically start demanding my time. Baby needs changed, kids need snacks or lunch, stroller needs unpacked and put away. That hour post workout flies by! That’s why fizzique has been a real life saver for me! It has made refueling SO easy. I can pop open a can and drink it while I’m cooking the kid’s food, or while I’m getting everything out of the stroller. I’ve even packed it along in the stroller when we’ve gone to run club and drank it right after the run while we walked back to our car. 20 grams of protein, no carbs and only 80 calories is an added bonus! I honestly just don’t have the time or desire to mess around with putting together a protein shake, so these are such a better solution for me! No mixing, or measuring, and no having to add ingredients to make is taste decent enough to drink, is a game changer. Also, they taste AMAZING! They are refreshing and light and bubbly. If you’d like to give them a try click below and save 10% with my discount code NOELLEFIZZIQUE. I am seriously hooked on them and they will be a permanent part of my workout routine! What tips or tricks do you use to help balance life as a mother runner?!
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If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll know that I’ve been using collagen daily for the last three months. I recently switched to Marine Collagen Peptides from Healthy Living Proteins. What is Marine Collagen? Marine Collagen is produced from 100% fish skin and scales that would otherwise be discarded. I like that fact since I feel like this product isn’t causing any additional waste, but helping to eliminate some instead! What makes Healthy Living Protein collagen stand out? It’s not only gluten free and wild caught, but it’s naturally sourced which is important to me. I had been using a bovine collagen originally and was a little worried about a “fishy” taste with switching to the marine. When I opened the container it does have a slight fish smell, but honestly, it did not taste fishy in my coffee or smoothies! Whew! There really wasn't much flavor at all and the slight flavor it does have wasn't unpleasant or noticeable after the first few tries. So, we all know how great collagen is for our hair, skin and nails. I have seen the benefits of my skin being super clear and my hair and nails growing like crazy, but I wanted to focus on the benefits I’ve experienced in my marathon training while incorporating Marine Collagen Peptides. 1. PROTEIN! It’s so important to replenish both carbs and protein within an hour after you workout. Doing so, prevents your body from using its own muscle tissue for energy and helps encourage muscle synthesis. You don’t want that hard work wasted right?! I use collagen in my training as a great source of natural protein. Each serving has 11 grams of protein and is quick and convenient to add to a post workout meal or smoothie. The benefit of being able to easily replenish my protein is a win for me! 2. ENERGY! As a busy mom of two, most days I feel beyond drained! During this marathon training cycle, I have started adding a scoop of collagen to my morning cup of coffee. The energy boost I feel by doing so is huge! It gives me a natural energy shot that helps me get motivated to get my running in and still complete all my “mommy tasks” for the day. I have really noticed a difference on the days I have forgotten to add it to my coffee. 3. JOINT AND MUSCLE PAIN! I turned 35 in December and I joked to my husband that I’m now old and falling apart. In all seriousness, I really did start feeling more aches and pains seemingly out of nowhere! That was scary to me as I was about to start my Boston Marathon training cycle. Adding collagen to my nutrition and daily routine, I have noticed less joint and muscle pain. This has been such a big benefit not only to my training, but to my recovery, as I’m not having to spend as much time taking days off due to sore joints and muscles. Last year I was taking Ibuprofen all throughout the day during my training to manage joint and muscle pain. That has NOT been the case this year!
I’m so grateful I have found collagen this year and really have loved the benefits I’ve experienced by using it daily. Honestly, if it wasn’t as easy as adding a scoop to my coffee, I may not have started using it, let along stick with it. I’m definitely hooked! You can learn more about all the benefits of collagen along with marine collagen by clicking below. Have you tried adding collagen yet? Have you seen these kinds of benefits or others I didn’t list? I’d love to hear your experience, too! |
AuthorThe adventures of running with my boys (bubbas) and the things I love! Archives
February 2019
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