Honestly I don't know how the folks on here with young kids do it.

 We put on our gear and head out the door. Once there, put one foot forward and follow it with the other. Continue until done.

 

And this - we run at lunch, at 10 pm, at 4 am, on a treadmill in the basement since you can't leave the house, doubles at those strange times and any other time where it doesn't get in the way of the family.

 

Tater is now an EnP - Empty nest Prick

I hear you, spaniel.  Honestly I'm in a different place than you are right now.  My oldest just got married and my youngest is 20 living at home but I barely see him, so I have more time to run now (or so it seems).  10 - 15 years ago it would have been much tougher.  Honestly I don't know how the folks on here with young kids do it.

 

 

An understanding and supportive spouse goes along way here.  Its also helps if she runs as well (well it helps the understanding part anyways...).  It's simply let me have my hour to myself  to run and clear my head...I feel like it helps with patience and other required attributes for a parent of 3 kids under 3.5 yrs of age.

 

The other think that does work for me is I'm self-employed and work out of my basement, so I can usually sneak out for an hour pretty easily during the day. 

 

kmark: wiping noses and asses since 2006 and for the foreseeable future.

I've been jockeying with you too Candice, but given your stated goal to end up on Page 1 I try not to get my hopes up. 

 Yea, i've noticed...but that's the thing with my pride, It doesn't really bother me when a former sub 2:30 guy is one upping me. No offense to tater.

 

 

An understanding and supportive spouse goes along way here. 

 Or one who is usually in the top 5 on the YTD page by the end of the year...?

When my kids were young getting out on weekends was the toughest part for me.  Weekdays I could come home from work and run before dinner.  After dinner was my time with the kids.

 

My wife was a stay at home mom, and worked part time on weekends, so it was tough getting out for a run.

 

And honestly, running just wasn't as high up on my priority list as it is now.

 

Or even just one who is tolerant. 

 

Amen Brother

 

I am back on cross training -

 

I decided all I can do is set time of aerobic activity goals and not running goals for the time being.  I was too agressive last week in the 1st week back and now I am set back.

 

Cross training goal is hard / easy with hard day > 3 hours and easy days > 2 hour total of aerobic activity.

 

As much as I want to say life sucks - it doesn't - I hate cross training, but I am happy to be able to keep the aerobic engine burning. 

 Or one who is usually in the top 5 on the YTD page by the end of the year...?

 
He is not your spouse.

I find my wife is much more willing to tolerate the running time when I'm tolerant of her getting away from responsibility when she needs the break. If I'm not willing too, she'll complain about my running.

Marriage can be easy sometimes, at least for us. Be nice to your spouse and hopefully they'll reciprocate. If they're a jerk they won't, but most will.