Keri Wallace is the founder of Girls on Hills – the UK's only trail, fell and mountain running company for women – and a mum of two daughters aged 6 & 8. In this new blog post Keri shares her top trail running tips for busy mums.

Being mum is one of the most rewarding but also most trying jobs anyone can have – it simply never stops and the mental load is ever-present. It’s no surprise then, that it can be difficult for mums to carve-out time to hit the trails, no matter how old the children are.

Even though I perhaps should have expected it, I found the impact of motherhood on my free time and freedom of choice a massive shock. I also didn’t expect to become my own barrier – but I am forever worrying about my girls, feeling guilty for leaving them and questioning my priorities!

The challenges mums face in this regard are hugely varied and no two mums have the same home, work or support options available to them. We all have to find solutions that work for our families, while striving to prioritise our own wellbeing, mental health and fitness. It’s also important that we recognise unhealthy mindsets and toxic influences in our lives. As mums, we should pull together, build each other up and help facilitate better support for parents who want to run, race and be the best we can be this Mother’s Day.

Here are some of my favourite mum hacks to help you get out on the trail more! They won’t all work for everyone but perhaps one or two will help you on your way…

This phase is fraught with sleepless nights, overstimulation and cluster-feeding (or other ‘only mum will do’ type behaviours!)

1. Buggy run

Invest in a good quality running buggy (some have suspension and will cope well with trails). Experiment with timing to match nap-times and explore a range of options for getting baby to snooze on the go. As they get older, expect to swap napping for in-buggy entertainment!  

2. Baby-carry 

It’s not possible to run whilst wearing a baby-carrier but with the right layering and supplies (and a decent weather forecast), it’s possible to carry your little one further or higher than you might think! I carried my daughters up many hills as babies and it was great for re-building my hill-climbing fitness and aerobic base.

3. Lunch run

If you’re a working mum, investigate any trails close to your workplace. Even though you’ll only get a short run, use brief but impactful sessions like intervals or hill repeats to get the most gains out of the time window. If you can’t shower, wear your muddy shins to the office with pride!

4. Run home from days out

On the weekends, consider running home from family days out. If your little-one is happy in their car seat or naps in a moving vehicle, use this time to jog home (or part way home) while family/friends transport junior back for you - ideally with a scenic detour!

5. Treadmill/turbo

If you can’t get out to run, bring the running home to you! Ok, so it’s not trail running but if you can get on a treadmill or turbo trainer while baby is asleep or entertained, you may be able to work towards a fitness goal that enables you to achieve more on trails or even train for an upcoming race. I actually found the that the rhythmic sound of a treadmill helped my baby daughter to fall asleep in her car seat, when positioned next to me in in a quiet gym!

If you’ve survived the broken nights, early rising and clingy toddler behaviours then you might be able to squeeze in a run around your new found routine!

7. Swapsies

Do you have other mum-friends or a partner who also runs? If your child/ren are comfortable spending time with this person, agree a little rota for taking turns to get out on a run. Nobody will understand like they do, and they’ll be grateful you asked!

8. Babysitter

If you have very few options for support, DON’T feel guilty about using a babysitter or childminder to run! Many people need to run for their mental health and wellbeing. Obviously, this can be an expensive option long-term, but might be worth considering for particular long runs or key sessions. Once the kids are old enough for a babysitter, it’s also a nice way to spend quality time with your partner, if they are also lacking the opportunity to run.

9. Night run

It can feel wonderful to run in the evening when the chaos of the family life has finally died-down and the children are asleep (partner is home). But unfortunately, this is often the hardest time to get motivated, as mum’s days are long and exhausting! The good news is, that if you can stumble out the door, then you’ll feel rapidly better and definitely won’t regret it. This can also help with sleep if you’re still struggling with some broken nights. Get yourself a really good headtorch and embrace the stillness of night running!

10. Event/class childcare

If your child is old enough and will settle in an activity class/childcare setting, then look out for adult gym-classes, running events and races that have childcare provision.

Some kids’ clubs and soft-play facilities include childcare, giving you the opportunity to hit the trails in the surrounding area while kiddo is entertained.

READY TO ROLL

Once children hit school age, they are much more independent and have busy lives of their own. The challenge now is finding time around their busy schedules to plan your own!

11. School run

Can you run to or from school drop-off, maybe adding in a little extension as required on the way home? Fit in your run before life gets in the way.

12. Run commute to/from work

Can you run to or from work? Or even run part of it? The issue here is usually the need to avoid being late for work. If you have an understanding employer, consider asking to start later, change your lunch hours or request flexible working to help facilitate a better chunk of running time in your working day.

13. Kids in tow

Now is the time that you will probably be starting to think about how to motivate your children to join you out on the trails! If they are too young, slow or struggle with motivation, see if they can scooter or ride their bike alongside you.

14. After school clubs, playdates and drop-offs

At school-age, most kids clubs, playdates and parties are ‘drop-off’s (hurrah!) Plan your training around their weekly schedule or book in reciprocal arrangements with other parents that will carve you out some quality me-time!

15. Get them running

Are your kids able to run a parkrun? Under 11 years, children have to run with parents but from 11, they are free to run alone, allowing you to go at your own pace. Perhaps there is a good local running club with a junior section? Many events also have kids’ races, which can be fun for children of all ages.

From a young age, kids enjoy the freedom of running. Often however, they don’t understand ‘the point’ of keeping going or are unwilling to endure the effort of continued exertion. I have found it useful to take a walk-run approach with my children and do some running on longer days out (when we are going hill walking or exploring a new place). It’s not a useful training tool me, as it is usually very slow or erratic, but it can help get us out on the trails together and build a healthy approach to the wider pleasures of trail running - with an emphasis on the great outdoors over competition.

Expectations on mother’s have never been higher and in this era of social media, comparison (that well known thief of joy) is on a rampage! Whatever age your children are, remember to put yourself first sometimes. I have often used the mantra ‘happy mummy, happy baby’ to remind myself that only when I’m happy, healthy and fulfilled can I truly give my all and connect well with my children – I’m simply a better mum after I’ve been trail running!

Get out on the trails and give yourself some compassion this Mother’s Day – you’re doing great.

*These hacks work for dads too of course!