Daddy, “Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’ ”

- my daughter, age 3, quoting Peter Maher (Irish-Canadian Olympian and marathoner)

Hi Eric’s family, and the three other “Why Am I Running 13.1 If Nobody Is Chasing Me?” readers. My name is Ted Hill, and I work in Corporate Strategy for Nationwide. I also happen to be a marathon runner (I have two under my belt so far) and like to keep up with Eric’s training on this blog, just like many of you. For this post, you get me as the guest blogger. I know, you were hoping for Jim Tressel. He’s currently occupied at this time and had to respectfully decline the opportunity. If it makes you like me any better, please pretend that I’m him.

For all you parents out there, I hope you can relate to my challenges of incorporating young kids into marathon training runs. With two kids under the age of four, and a job that keeps me working pretty hard, I knew I had to work my kids into the mix for most of my runs. The short ones are easy, it’s the longer runs that are sometimes tricky to find times that work. My kids are bigger motivators than their size would dictate and my three-year-old daughter actually helps me to run faster. I recommend that you do a few things to plan and help keep motivation high for yourself and your kids, especially on the longer runs:

1. Buy the right equipment
2. Turn your running stroller into a mini-RV
3. Make it mutually beneficial
4. Create a running commentary with the kids
5. Keep in mind who you are pushing

1. Buy the right equipment.

These days, you can buy a good quality running stroller for pretty cheap. If you plan on running over your first stroller in the garage like I did, don’t spend too much on it so you can buy another. The one important feature I’ve come to appreciate is making sure there’s plenty of easily accessible storage space for water, snacks, and toys. I use the basic Expedition double running stroller you can buy at Baby’s R Us or online. The kids enjoy the reclining seats and have been known to fall asleep when only one child is tagging along with me. The sun visor does a good job with the sun, but a poor job with the rain, so if you expect showers make sure to bundle up the kids. My kids actually like the rain, as long as it’s not too cold.

2. Turn your running stroller into a mini-RV

Anyone that has traveled with kids knows that the Dad’s role is to be the pack-mule and carry bags, toys, snacks and drinks through airport security and connecting flights. The same role applies in running with your kids, except for some reason, the temper tantrums occur more frequently than compared to going through security.

I run about 10-minute miles, so 15 miles takes about 2 and a half hours. With the kids, I never know when things will blow up, so I come well-prepared. To leave the house, the prep time is typically longer than it takes me to run the first two miles. We start by the kids picking out their favorite books, Pepperidge Farm goldfish treats, and water bottles. Then I get my Clif bars, Gatorade, and water bottles together. Combined with the two kids, I think I push 75+ pounds during the run (and the stroller has all of the amenities of a mini-RV) but my sanity is preserved as any child outburst is prevented with a snack.

I’ve found that as long as you start training with the kids, working up to the longer runs is just as easy as running alone. Lastly, I bring a cell phone and a couple dollars in case that rainstorm I thought missed us comes roaring through or the kids have a total meltdown eight miles into a 16-mile run that no goldfish snacks can cure and I need to call 911 (or my wife). I have not had to use this yet, but I know the minute I stop bringing my phone I’ll wish I had it.

3. Make it mutually beneficial

My kids are three- and two-years-old, so their excitement is usually in 15- to 30-minute increments and involves things like picking flowers, watching ducks, petting dogs and collecting rocks. On every run, we try to find all four of those things. We run from home along bike paths in search of dogs and ducks and always end by picking flowers. I always do this near the end of the run to help them motivate me to speed it up and get us to the finish.

We also started making lists on Saturday of all the important things to do (get dressed, make breakfast for Mommy, brush teeth, go on a run with Daddy, etc.) and after we do them my daughter gets to cross it off the list (note to self, I should do this daily to create a sense of accomplishment). When your daughter tells you that she wants to go on a 16-mile run (instead of the 8-mile run that was planned), you have successfully indoctrinated her into marathon training.

4. Create a running commentary with the kids (similar to Eric talking to himself)

When we run, I make sure to tell the kids where we’re going and how far we’re running. When we get to key milestones (the Giant Eagle, Kroger, the library), I mention that. If we had a microphone in the stroller this is what you would hear:

Me:  “Kids, do you see any red fire hydrants?”

Daughter:  “Yes, I see two… wait, there is an orange fire hydrant, that is silly… Little Man do you want to text mommy by pushing these buttons on the cell phone?  Look at that big doggy up there…. Daddy run faster… this wind is bothering me… make it stop… Little Man, look, an airplane…”

Little Man:  “Aah ooh aaah oooh aah, airplane way up high …”

5. Keep in mind who you are pushing

Fortunately I live in a Columbus suburb with lots of bike trails. I run entirely on trails with the kids, which is the safest path. A few months back, I took a slightly aggressive NY-style street crossing in front of a speeding car while running with them. While we got safely across and the driver did slow down, it made me realize that if anything happened to my precious cargo I would never forgive myself (and my wife would kill me). Now I’m a lot more conservative crossing that road, always assuming that cars will not stop for us, even in a crosswalk. Back in my single days, I was definitely more daring (I’m sure drivers saw my superhero cape draped across my shoulders and realized that hitting me would do some extreme damage to their car). With my kids, it’s not worth the risk.

Running with kids is all about enjoying the journey. It takes a little more planning, but is really rewarding and great time spent together. It gives me my own sense of accomplishment and every so often, as I round the corner towards the finish line, I think of Dick Hoyt running a marathon pushing his son.

For the readers that have small kids, do you bring them along with you on runs? What tricks have you exercised to keep them happy and content?