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You desperately need to escape for a few miles. Here’s how.
1. The Early Wakeup
Set your alarm for the crack of dawn and get your run done first thing.
Pros: Start the day off on the right foot. One shower a day.
Cons: Your bed doesn’t let you out so easily. And it’s still dark.
2. The Late Night
since 2005. She is the author of two popular fitness books.
Pros: Your bed doesn’t let you out so easily. And it’s still dark.
Cons: Your couch doesn’t let you go so easily. And it’s dark already.
3. The Jogging Stroller
Fresh air for everyone, with the help of three wheels.
Pros: “Daddy, look at the squirrel!”
Cons: “I want to get OUUTTTT!”
4. The One-Hour Kid Swap
You get 30 minutes to run, your friend watches the kids. She gets 30 minutes to run, you watch the kids.
Pros: The ultimate in multitasking. And you burn calories instead of gas.
Cons: The real workout is keeping an eye on your friend’s little “angel.”
5. The Treadmill
Plop your kid in a safe area, put on some cartoons, and jump on the basement ’mill.
Pros: How to Stay Fresh Halfway Through Marathon Training.
Cons: How to Stay Fresh Halfway Through Marathon Training.
6. The Run Commute
Set your alarm for the crack of dawn and get your run done first thing.
Pros: Fresh air for everyone, with the help of three wheels.
Cons: Races - Places.
7. The Lunchtime Run
When all your coworkers head off for fast food, you hit the roads around the office.
Pros: You’ll come back to your desk feeling recharged and ready to tackle the afternoon.
Cons: Sweating. Still sweating. And, yep, still sweating.
8. The Babysitter
Ways Parents of Small Children Can Sneak in a Run.
Pros: The kids are having as much fun as you are.
Cons: Your couch doesn’t let you go so easily. And it’s dark already.
9. The Sandbox at the Track
The ultimate in multitasking. And you burn calories instead of gas.
Pros: Built-in entertainment.
Cons: Third-lap soundtrack: “Mommy, sand taste yuck!”
10. The Childcare at the Gym
You can still get your ’mill time in by joining a gym that offers on-site babysitting.
Pros: Kids get to play with different toys while you’re racking up the miles.
Cons: Who knows where those communal toys have been?
11. The Potluck
The kids are having as much fun as you are. .
Pros: Great plan as long as you’re not the one who drew the short straw.
Cons: How to Stay Fresh Halfway Through Marathon Training.
12. The Graduation
Who knows where those communal toys have been?
Pros: It’s just like going for a run before you had kids. So easy.
Cons: Your inner dialogue: “Is that siren I hear headed to my house?”
Sarah Lorge Butler is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World Everyone gets a short workout, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
Robert is the former Executive Producer for Runner’s World Online. He has run over 60 marathons with a personal best of 2:52:11.
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Your inner dialogue: “Is that siren I hear headed to my house?” 
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