Are you a new mom runner who wants to give running a stab? You have the cutest Hoka shoes. You purchased a matching running top and bottom? You bought a brand new running watch. You are all ready to go. There’s just one problem… What do you do with your kid? How do you get a nice, solid run in while having a kid in tow who doesn’t scream and dispute your steady flow? As a mom who has been running with her son for over three years, I have quite a bit of experience with how to run with a kid. I’ve developed some foolproof ways to get kids to enjoy going on a run with you. After doing your best to prepare your kid for the run ahead, I have 5 ways newbie mom runners can take their kids along for a run. But first… The Best Jogging Strollers… Lauren Barrett Writes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy. 
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Lauren Barrett is a multi-passionate mom working to help all parents become their best selves and build positive relationships with their kids through mindful parenting. She has a degree in deaf education and a Master’s in Reading Education. She is a high school teacher of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer/author by her son's nap times, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. Lauren is a 3x author of the Add One-A-Day 30 Day Challenge, children's book, Henry's Hiccups, and parenting guide Now What? Mindful Checklists for Life's Hard Parenting Moments, a blogger at Lauren Barrett Writes, and has been published on sites like A Fine Parent, Pregnant Chicken, Pop Sugar, Her View From Home, and Scary Mommy. She loves her faith, running, visiting MLB stadiums with her husband, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending she would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, James, and son, Henry. Follow her on Instagram at @laurenbarrettwrites, and get her free guide on what to do during the middle of a tantrum.
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Were you a runner before you had kids? Or maybe you are a new mom looking to get into running?
Either one you are in the right place.
As a competitive runner before I had kids, it was shocking how much running changed for me once I had my son and became a mom for the first time.
I had to let go of the idea that running was going to look the same as it once did, at least for this season of my life.
But, I also knew that running is important to me. It grounds me. It’s my stress reliever. It’s my free therapy. It’s my time to think and decompress. It’s my exercise. Running makes me a better mom and an overall better human.
So, with all that being true, I knew that I had to continue running. For the sake of my physical and mental health.
But, how do you get started with running as a new mom when life looks so much different now?
I have 8 tips to help you out.
Either one you are in the right place.
As a competitive runner before I had kids, it was shocking how much running changed for me once I had my son and became a mom for the first time.
I had to let go of the idea that running was going to look the same as it once did, at least for this season of my life.
But, I also knew that running is important to me. It grounds me. It’s my stress reliever. It’s my free therapy. It’s my time to think and decompress. It’s my exercise. Running makes me a better mom and an overall better human.
So, with all that being true, I knew that I had to continue running. For the sake of my physical and mental health.
But, how do you get started with running as a new mom when life looks so much different now?
I have 8 tips to help you out.
1. Just Start
The hardest part to committing to get back into running is the starting process. So I say pick a day to start and just start.
Mark this day on your calendar with a big X. Put it in your planner. Set a reminder on your phone. Tell your family.
And then just make like Nike and just do it.
Mark this day on your calendar with a big X. Put it in your planner. Set a reminder on your phone. Tell your family.
And then just make like Nike and just do it.
2. Start Small
But start small. If you try to go out and run the same amount of time and distance that you used to, you’ll get burnt out and are more likely to fail.
When I say start small, I literally mean start small. Like go out and run for 1 minute. That’s it. You’ll be able to cross it off. You’ll be able to say that you did it and accomplished something.
Anyone can run for a minute. This small win will make you more likely to go out and do it again because you know that you can.
So, the next day go out and do 2 minutes. The next day, 3 minutes and so on. Just adding one minute more a day won’t seem so daunting.
Also, don’t run every day. It will be too much at first. I recommend 3-4 times a week. Even now, I only do 5 days a week.
You did it!
When I say start small, I literally mean start small. Like go out and run for 1 minute. That’s it. You’ll be able to cross it off. You’ll be able to say that you did it and accomplished something.
Anyone can run for a minute. This small win will make you more likely to go out and do it again because you know that you can.
So, the next day go out and do 2 minutes. The next day, 3 minutes and so on. Just adding one minute more a day won’t seem so daunting.
Also, don’t run every day. It will be too much at first. I recommend 3-4 times a week. Even now, I only do 5 days a week.
You did it!
3. Make Running Routine
Try to run at the same time each day, so your kids and family know what to expect - whether you’re running with them in a stroller, leaving them behind with a spouse, or having them tag along with you on a bike.
A routine will also help you. If you mark it on your calendar everyday and schedule things around it since running will be a non negotiable and rigid, you’ll be more likely to get it done.
A routine will also help you. If you mark it on your calendar everyday and schedule things around it since running will be a non negotiable and rigid, you’ll be more likely to get it done.
4. Stretch
You may be wondering how stretching will help you get started running, but it will. Here’s why…if you stretch after you run, you won’t be so sore the next day. If you aren’t so sore the next day, you will want to run again.
So stretch before and after. Trust me. Your body will thank you.
So stretch before and after. Trust me. Your body will thank you.
5. Have a Script
Talk to your kids about how you are going on a run beforehand. Be upfront and honest with them, especially if they are at the toddler age, but even when they are still babies to help them understand from a young age and to get yourself in the habit of feeling good about going on a run.
“Running is very good for my mind. It helps me be calmer, not yell, and think better. It’s kind of how you feel better after watching your favorite show or playing your favorite game.”
Stick to the script and then just go.
“Running is very good for my mind. It helps me be calmer, not yell, and think better. It’s kind of how you feel better after watching your favorite show or playing your favorite game.”
Stick to the script and then just go.
6. Just Leave
In the same vein as our tip up above, you are going to be honest with why you are going on a run. Then, you are just going to leave. You aren’t going to ask for your children’s permission to go on a run. “Can Mommy go on a run?” N.O.P.E.
If you already set up this run with the family, you’re not going to stick around to placate protests and whines telling you to stay. Or to soothe a baby that might be crying for you (unless he’s hungry and needs you).
You’ve already done your job. Your job is to prepare your kids, show empathy for their feelings, and validate them. Your job is not to fix how they will feel or react to your going on a run.
When you come back, thank your child for playing independently while you did something very important to you.
If you already set up this run with the family, you’re not going to stick around to placate protests and whines telling you to stay. Or to soothe a baby that might be crying for you (unless he’s hungry and needs you).
You’ve already done your job. Your job is to prepare your kids, show empathy for their feelings, and validate them. Your job is not to fix how they will feel or react to your going on a run.
When you come back, thank your child for playing independently while you did something very important to you.
7. Tell Them a Story
Kids like stories. They can relate to them. Tell a story about a Mommy who went on a run and then had all these magical powers because she went. She could play so much. She laughed a lot. She had SO MUCH energy. She was unstoppable.
8. Try Fair Play
Having trouble finding time to go on a run? Try Fair Play. Fair Play is a system that helps partners with kids divide up the household responsibilities in a way that is fair. It allows space for each partner to find time to engage in self-care and exercise.
Everyone in the relationship deserves and needs this card. Work with your partner to carve out your times.
Everyone in the relationship deserves and needs this card. Work with your partner to carve out your times.
With these tips, you, new mom runners, can get started on your running journey. Pretty soon you’ll be running (and drinking) at all the brewery run clubs in your area and making all kinds of running friends.
Who knows you may even sign up for a race!
Want more actionable tips to deal with life’s hard parenting moments? Try Now What? Mindful Checklists for Life’s Hard Parenting Moments.
Try before you buy for free today.
Who knows you may even sign up for a race!
Want more actionable tips to deal with life’s hard parenting moments? Try Now What? Mindful Checklists for Life’s Hard Parenting Moments.
Try before you buy for free today.
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Lauren Barrett is a multi-passionate mom working to help all parents become their best selves and build positive relationships with their kids through mindful parenting. She has a degree in deaf education and a Master’s in Reading Education. She is a high school teacher of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer/author by her son's nap times, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. Lauren is a 3x author of the Add One-A-Day 30 Day Challenge, children's book, Henry's Hiccups, and parenting guide Now What? Mindful Checklists for Life's Hard Parenting Moments, a blogger at Lauren Barrett Writes, and has been published on sites like A Fine Parent, Pregnant Chicken, Pop Sugar, Her View From Home, and Scary Mommy. She loves her faith, running, visiting MLB stadiums with her husband, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending she would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, James, and son, Henry. Follow her on Instagram at @laurenbarrettwrites, and get her free guide on what to do during the middle of a tantrum.
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How to Prepare for Cross Country
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Step 1: Buy a good pair of running shoes
Go to a local running store and get fitted.
Step 2: Buy a running watch
Go cheap or expensive depending on what you want the watch to do.
Step 3: Do dynamic stretches before you run
Step 3: Run 3-4 days a week for 20 minutes
It's okay if you need to do intervals. Run 5 minutes, walk briskly for 1 minute. Repeat.
Step 4: Cool down and stretch
Step 5: Hydrate
Step 6: Do core two times a week
Step 7: Cross Train on off days (biking, swimming, walking, hiking, boxing)
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Lauren Barrett was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now lives and works in North Carolina. She is a high school teacher of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by her son's naptimes, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. She loves her faith, running, visiting MLB stadiums with her husband, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending she would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, James, and son, Henry.
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