Two great days of workouts!
First things first: Yesterday, I ran a 5K with my neighbor Christine. Everyone, please look at Christine’s jogging stroller. Yes. That is a TRIPLET stroller.
My stroller weights about 45 pounds with Henry; hers weighs over 95 pounds with her babies in it. NINTY FIVE POUNDS! Also, when I ran to her house to pick her and the girls up, she said, “I hope you don’t mind how much the stroller slows me down… I run like 9-minute miles with it.” I laughed really, really hard. 
I pushed the triplets’ stroller for about 0.25 mile and seriously thought I was going to die. Super intense. She said pushing Henry was a breeze in comparison.
Running with Christine was extremely motivating. It was like, “Dang, if she can train with triplets, I can definitely find the time to train with just one.” (She WON a half marathon a few months ago.) It’s all about find a way to make it work, right?
Speaking of making it work, I made it to spin class this morning! This was a huge accomplishment for me.
I wrote earlier how I’ve been struggling to make it to spin because classes tend to be early in the morning or run into Henry’s nap. After my run with Christine, I decided to just stop making excuses and DO IT. I really want to be faster this upcoming tri season, and the bike is by far my weakest leg, and I know the only way to get faster is to train harder.
I got up at 6:30 and started to get all the morning’s chores out of the way… Feed Henry, pump (down to one pump a day – it is glorious), feed the animals, eat a peanut butter sandwich, give Henry eggs and broccoli, dress him, change into my spin clothes, find a water bottle, find my cycle shoes, get in the car, encounter rush hour (doh!), get to the gym, drop him off at childcare… And then – I MADE IT. I was so chuffed that I actually got to class. And it was an awesome spin session. Now that I know I can *make it work* (as long as I go into hyperdrive!), I’m going to go more often.
Who inspires your workouts? A neighbor like Christine is definitely motivating!
Twitter
Operation Beautiful
Pinterest
Facebook
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m tired just thinking of that…I’m sure when she doesn’t have babies in hand, she’s probably FLYING!
This is how my husband runs with our three kids! He runs a six minute, 15 second mile on his own and he tries not to let the kids slow him down, haha. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/228270_10150191119664706_7505469_n.jpg
WOW how old are her triplets because she also looks amazing!!!!!
Keep up the good workouts!
They will be 1 in April!
okay, wow! Haha maybe her giant stoller is an equalizer so you two can run together! I bet that will make her even faster when she runs without it!
My husband and his buddy just started doing Insanity in our living room before 6 every morning. That has helped get me out for my runs in this snow we have right now.
oh my goodness…triplets! my sister in law is pregnant with twins…and i just…i just can’t imagine – let alone running with multiple babies. i’m in awe!
Running with a triplet stroller is DEDICATION! I’m just trying to get my butt out the door to the gym to run, PERIOD.
You two are super moms in my eyes, I have a near 3 month old and look forward to running with her this spring but I am super intimidated by doing it with a stroller!!
Honestly, something that inspires my workouts is reading your blog! That’s actually the reason I clicked over here today. Now off to the gym for me!
She’s definitely a bad @ss! You are too! I struggle just to get myself through a run, I can’t imagine pushing 1 or 3 babies as well.
Your morning chores before spin class sounds like my morning every weekday. I didn’t realized that as a full-time working mom, the mornings would be the hardest part of my day. I remember that the first few weeks were hard, so congratulations to you for getting out the door and making it work!
dude, mad props at surviving the rush every single day – i bet it gets easier with time but DUDE. so hard. super momma!
Yeah, your “rushed” morning sounds like my everyday morning! Just the status quo for us normal working folks, NBD.
And your neighbor sounds like a true inspiration; I can’t imagine jogging with a triple stroller, let alone finding the time and energy to run with three babies under the age of one! Almost 100 lbs of stroller, what a great training tool, no wonder she is so fast. I can’t imagine her level of dedication and hard work. So impressive!
UGG. I always have things typed out and hit the backspace button by accident and delete my comments, so if you got a half written one from me already, my apologies!
So that story deserves a WOW with all caps, truly amazing a 5k pushing 95 lbs?!?!?! HOLY CRAP. I feel like a fool for not going to the gym last night because I worked 2 days in a row at my full time gig then gap at night. My excuse was “I had stuff to do like laundry” meanwhile this women has triplets are not making excuses! And congrats to you making it to spin class! you motivated me to try to make it to a kick boxing class tomorrow on my vacation day!
Thank you for sharing this post!
Sara
Wow- I don’t even run by myself, never mind pushing 1 baby. The idea of pushing 3 makes me want to take a big nap! Good for BOTH of you for finding that time.
That’s ridic! Good for Christine and you! I have no baby in sight and I struggle keeping my miles to 9 minutes each.
My best friend Jamie inspires me to work out. In the past two and a half years, she has lost about 100 pounds and looks and feels amazing now. Reminding myself of her persistence and dedication motivates me to keep trucking through the runs.
Speaking of neighbors, how is Tonya doing?
WOW! That is some serious dedication right there. I can imagine that pushing triplets on training runs makes her super fast without the stroller. What motivates me to get up and work out @ 6am is knowing if I don’t I miss out on dinner and quality time with my family after work.
There is a lady in my boyfriend’s neighborhood who trains with a triplet stroller, I’ve never actually seen any kids riding in it, she just fills it up with rocks and runs with it! But hey, I guess it works!
Normally if I’m feeling unmotivated I read a few of my favourite blogs (yours, Hungry Runner Girl, Skinny Runner, Fitnessista), promptly feel like a slug for wanting to skip, then head to the gym or outside for a run. So thank you for motivating ME!
PS: When you see your friend Christine next, please give her a huge high five from me. And maybe a Wayne’s World-style “we’re not worthy” wave.
Your neighbour is NUTS! In the best possible way, of course
Sooo motivating!
Congrats on finally making it to class!! I love spin so much and have been in the market for some spin shoes, but I’m really not even sure where to start! I get so overwhelmed looking at them all, plus I don’t recognize ANY brands, so I don’t know what to go with! Any recommendations? Thanks!
Umm your neighbor is my hero!
I’m going to share my “mommy-timesaver-get-it-done” way to get out the door in the morning.
Put a laundry hamper by the door the night before and throw everything you think you need into it.
Then you just need to carry the hamper to the car and aren’t stuck trying to remember everything. I started doing this when my twins were babies and we’d need to kill a day in the city. Now – everyone knows (even the 3 year olds) that if we need it the next day – it needs to be in the basket. Probably saves me about 15-20 minutes EVERY morning.
And she must have a LIGHT baby jogger – holy hannah! My Valco weighed in at around 40lbs on it’s own…then, I’d add in a couple of 30lb kids. I finally sold it when I realized there was no way I was ever going to consistently push 100lbs on a run – let alone at the mall! Good for her. No wonder she flies in her races!
Awesomeeeeee
Love this idea!! Very smart!
Great post! I recently invested in a jogging stroller and CANNOT wait to use it! My baby is still a little too small however (12 pounds, 4 weeks):). As for your friend, all I can say is wowza! For anyone who comes up with excuses not to run, like me, she is a true motivator, as are you, Caitlin
Wow, Christine is a super mom! Does she happen to have a blog? It would be so interesting to learn more about a #motherrunner with triplets.
Nope but I have asked her to do a guest post!
Oh, great idea!
Christine is my new inspiration! She looks so happy and healthy in that pic, great motivation. Would love to read a guest post from her!
There are several things that motivate me to exercise. 1. Seeing how far I have come. I could barely do 30 minutes of light cardio a year ago. Now, I am up to 60 minutes and increasing intensity.
2. Knowing that I am inspiring others. I don’t want to let anyone down.
3. Seeing the friends I have made at the gym.
Like I said before in one of the comments I left on your blog: Moms and Dads, so people who have to take care of a family and still train for races, truely inspire me. When I have a hard time going to a training session, I just remember how many tasks they have to handle all at once, and that the only thing I need to take care of is myself. Then, not training sounds pretty stupid to me, so I’ll just go.
I saw that picture in my feed and thought it looked like there were three pockets and thought “surely that’s not a triplet stroller” so I had to click over and see that yes, yes it is. That girls puts us all to shame – good for her!!
Holy crap! Christine is super inspiring!
The thought of doing anything with 3 babies makes me want to faint! I guess you get used to it but, man, I can’t even imagine.
That stroller is intense- I can’t imagine!! Good for you for managing to juggle everything and make it to that spin class this morning!!
Holy cow!!! 9-minute miles while pushing a stroller with triplets?!!??!?! *faints*!!!! Way to go ladies!!! You rock!!!!
A triplet stroller?! A 9-minutes mile with an extra 95 pounds? A mom of three who won a half marathon?!
OHMYGODIAMSOLAZY.
Well done, to both of you! I only have a job, grad school, and a husband, and you both are exercising laps around me. *applause*
Holy moly- triplets in a running stroller?!?! Whoa- you girls are awesome! Running alone is tough as it is- your super- woman!
Oh my god.
This is the no whining zone, in the best possible way. I can’t run a nine minute mile on my own. What inspiration. And the whole illusion that I don’t have enough time … right out the window.
Holy Triple stroller! No wonder she won a half marathon; training with that beast would definitely help.
Getting out of the house on time, with a child, is definitely a challenge. There are so many variables! I try to do as much “prepping” as I can the night before. That way I’m not so frazzled in the morning
oh my those little feet! you both are inspiring!!
I wish Christine had a blog. She looks healthy and fit and clearly has some major dedication! Awesome!
Wow,
this is really an inspiration! And I am complaining about the cold, and it’s not even freezing!
Every morning I am struggling to get a workout before going to the lab. It makes me more awake, energized and my brain works better. But kicking myself out of the bed is a challenge. It deffinitelly helps if everything is ready in the evening, so I minimize my prep time. I try to have the clothes ready, lunch packed, breakfast half made, coffee machine loaded and workout list on the table. 30-45 min circuit workout in the living room is the best, since I don’t waste any time getting somewhere. I am awake, but not too exausted to work. 10 minute biking to the train station is always refreshing afterwards
Wow! If a mom of three young triplets can run regularly, anyone can! You are so right about it being necessary to make the time and to stop making excuses- something I really need to work on. Your neighbor has inspired me! lol…
I have found that exercising with friends keeps me motivated. We attend a 5:15 AM bootcamp in our neighborhood three times a week. On mornings when I am having a hard time dragging my butt out of bed, I remember that my accountability partners are there waiting on me! That is also the reason I sign up for races with friends.
Wow! Triplets?! That issss inspiring! I can’t even imagine having time to get dressed with triplets let alone go for a run.
I found that my mornings got less crazy when I instituted the “Mornings start the night before” routine. That would mean: setting out spin clothes, filling water bottle and sticking it in the fridge, setting spin shoes by the door, packing bag for gym, etc. all the night before. Saves a ton of time and removes all the “find XYZ” from the to do list.
Way to go momma!!!
and she looks absolutely amazing! definitely an inspiration.
btw – absolutely love your blog.
Wow that’s awesome she pushes 95lbs. I’ll have to think of that next time I’m running.
holy hell! I know you shared the triplet mom story as a source of motivation, but it totally makes me feel like a failure! I have twin 8-month-olds and I’ve been STRUGGLING to find time to run/go to gym/etc. Maybe I’ve been relying to heavily on the twin-thing as an excuse, but it really is very, very hard. Props to your neighbor – that is amazing!!! I need to stop being depressed by it and just use it as motivation for me, too!
Randomly saw your comment while scrolling down… just think of how many people don’t have ANY children and have trouble making it to the gym…or who don’t even try. I’m sure you’re doing great!
Triplets, 95 pounds… Holly Superwoman! I really have no excuses in comparison. Thanks for putting things in perspective:)
I agree – that was definitely laugh-out-loud-worthy when Christine prefaced your run by apologizing for her “slow pace” due to her 95 POUND TRIPLET CARRYING STROLLER!
I find it so incredibly inspiring when I meet ANY mother who sticks with a fitness regimen – I can’t imagine how hard it must be! Not to mention, I so very much aspire to being a physically active mother (if I do ever have children).
Ask your friend if she knows about MOST – Mothers of Supertwins. An organization that supports families with triplets or more. http://www.MOSTonline.org
Umm…is Christine a superhero? Because I don’t even have kids and I don’t run a 9 minute mile. Haha this makes me laugh and cry at the same time, but hey, if she can do it, I can do it eventually too, right?!
I can’t even imagine being in Christine’s shape, winning a marathon, and regularly training with TRIPLETS. She should seriously wear a cape!
My friends and I made a fb group to keep each other accountable and motivated with our workouts. We all have kids so it’s hard to work out together anymore. This way we can help each other stay motivated and cheer one another on. Over time we’ve all added new people to our little group and I’ve met lots of new people that way. In fact, I just signed up to do the Reach the Beach relay (200 miles!) with a bunch of girls I’ve only “met” on that fb group!
Wow! She is definitely motivation! I hope she does a guest post, I would love to hear her story!
And I was looking at double jogging strollers today (I have a 17 month old and baby #2 is due in August) feeling a bit intimidated/overwhelmed! Go mommas!
Incredible! She is so motivating. Honestly, I’m motivated by people like you
One thing I love about reading healthy living blogs is that you see how people make fitness a part of their daily life.
Whoa! Way to go Christine!
WOW! What a fantastic workout routine that could be. My grandson is 14 months old and and weighs over 40 opunds. I keep telling my daughter to stroll Charlie down to the Post Office and back for a real morning wake up jog. I”ll have to get her to read this post. She”ll be panting just by reading it.
Hi there!
Both of you are such an inspiration! Can i know if there are any issues/problems with running with a stroller? Is there any technique or method or is it a matter of just running the same as as you always do but just with an additional pushing to do? Doesn’t the arms or shoulders hurt because it is not “free” to swing as it desires?
Thank you for taking time to ansswer – i am really interested to run with my kids in a stroller – two of them!
I’m impressed!!! Wow! 9 minute miles while pushing a 95 pound stroller!? That’s amazing!!
Wow…….your neighbor is freaking amazing!!
And so are you
That stroller is SO freaking cute.
Makes me want to have 2 more babies just so I can fill up a triple pink stroller!
Or….maybe thats a bad idea.
go christine!!
as i read i got more and more impressed…
1) she got out the door…
2)… with TRIPLETS!
3) she runs with them!
4) 9 min miles!? whaaa!?
5) she WON a half??? dang, girl.
Wow, Christine is one solid little muscle of a woman! How amazing that she jus won a 1/2 with THREE babies who are under 1! Definitely gives some perspective. Looks like you found an awesome neighbor-friend!!
How do you work naps with spin class? I always feel homebound during nap time because I don’t want to screw him up for the day. If you push it back, do you feel like his schedule is too off?
I just push it back. He’s a LITTLE flexible.
I have mad props for anyone running with a stroller! When I get passed by them in a race I always share a hearty congrats! I wish I had running neighbors…I need to start recruiting some : )
I think it’s so important to be sure that we have others who are motivating for us but also not fall into the comparison trap. It’s a fine balance, I suppose.
I feel like your rockstar neighbor Christine should have a blog. Whoa. Except then it would probably make me feel inadequate.