A stroller, two bikes and a mom

Well this morning was one of those mornings that I needed to be creative in terms of getting out for a run. I knew that I needed to do about 6 miles, so how do I do that with three kids? Ah ha, put the two older girls on their bikes, put Chloe in the stroller and that way we can all get out and exercise and it is a great way for me to spend time with my girls. My plan was to run to the hat park (a lovely park with a slide shaped like a hat), have a snack, let the girls play for a few minutes and then run home again. 

So we got ready, I packed some healthy snacks and water. From my experience when taking kids on a long bike ride snacks are essential, but I do always try and make them healthy snacks like dried blueberries, easy to pack and they are tasty. Okay enough about food. After struggling to get Emma's helmet on, we were ready for this great adventure. First set back, the trail we wanted to take was closed, so we had to take a detour across a soccer field, past the tennis courts and back onto the trial and then it was easy after that and the girls did such a good job.

The park was super busy but we stayed and played for probably a bit longer than I wanted, because when I started running again my legs didn't feel like moving. It took awhile to get back into my stride and then Amy started having trouble with her bike. The pedals kept getting stuck and eventually the chain came off. I then realized I was no bicycle mechanic and we had to walk the last half mile home, so much much for that training run. 

Actually it was  good run because I was out with my children, listening to them chatting and singing, who needs an iPod when you can listen to your children singing. And we were out enjoying the beauty of God's creation, what a great way to spend a summer morning.
I am realizing that this marathon training, is going to take a lot of creativity, especially if I want the girls to bike ride with me. I do think it is a good idea to get your family involved with your training, they really can help to motivate you and encourage you and lets face it we need all the encouragement we can get. Speaking of encouragement here is a scripture that encouraged me this morning.  
Isaiah 12:2 "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."