Marathon training is a rigorous and time-consuming endeavor not just for you, but for your family as well. Minimum weekly mileage requirements and long runs are necessary to get you to the starting line with a prayer of finishing the event. If you have a time goal, some speed/tempo work is also necessary. Beyond actual running is the pre and post-run stretching, strength training, and perhaps a trip or two to a sports massage specialist to work out the kinks. New running shoes, clothes, and gear must be purchased. Furthermore, how energetic and social are you on a Saturday night after a Saturday morning 20-miler? Finally, your family must listen to you drone on interesting topics such as hamstring tightness, fartlek workouts, and tapering, I could go on and on but you get the picture. Marathon training is a serious commitment not only on your part but also your family.
So when choosing your marathon destination, reward your family. Bring them along and make it a family event. They supported you through months of training. They want to not only share in your moment but see the fruits of their labor. Give them something to look forward to other than being your support crew. Here are some simple guidelines:
Choose an age appropriate mode of travel and location. If you have young children, driving six hours or less is much more painless than flying. In this case, choose a marathon closer to home. I live in Atlanta and have three children under the age of six. Chattanooga (Chickamauga), Knoxville, Birmingham, Huntsville, Charlotte, Savannah (Tybee Island), Charleston (Kiawah Island), and Jacksonville all offer marathons within a six hour drive. As your children get older, flying will become a more viable option and we will expand our geographic range.
Make it easy for them to see you race. Big city events like New York and Chicago can be difficult for families. The crowds and logistics can be awkward if you have younger children. Smaller races can offer opportunities for you family to see you multiple times without aggravation. Also, hotels near or along the race course also offer convenient race viewing opportunities.
Find something fun for everyone. You get to run 26.2 miles. That is your fun. Now research something everyone else will enjoy. Perhaps you can take your family to a fun or interesting restaurant the night before the race. See what your host city has to offer in terms of terms of museums, events, and major attractions. Last year my family accompanied me to the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon just south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The race was on Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon we went to the Chattanooga Children’s Museum. On Saturday night, we enjoyed a great meal at the Big River Grille. On Sunday morning, we toured the wonderful Tennessee Aquarium. By the end of the weekend, my kids believed that this was their mini-vacation.
It is impossible to separate your family life from your marathon training. They must co-exist in symbiotic relationship in order for you to succeed. So make the most of your marathons and set the course for a wonderful weekend experience for everyone.
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2 comments:
Great points, all. At this point, I do not have any children, but I have already had to find ways to amuse my wife on marathon weekends (or schedule marathons a few weeks before finals in law school so that I'm out of the house and not distracting her)
She's a runner, too, so you would think she'd understand! The only reason she hasn't run a marathon is because she got injured in the process of training for one.
These are some great ideas. Thanks for sharing them. I know what it is like to take the wife and kids along on marathon weekend.
I just posted today about training and qualifying for Boston while balancing my responsibilities as a husband and father. If you are still interested, check it out at lifestrides.blogspot.com
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