Yes you can get your kids to run with you.
Follow these baby steps by The Bull Runner and proud running mom
JAYMIE PIZARRO
"I won the race!" Beaming with pride and exhibiting even more thrill and excitement than Usain Bolt when he broke the world record in Germany, my then five-year-old daughter, Nia, claimed victory after her first race, the UNICEF run/Walk 3-K, a few years ago. Well, she didn't actually grab a place on the podium nor did she even outrun her eight-year-old Kuya, Anton, but, she did finish the race. For a child (and a running mommy like me) that was pretty mush like bagging a gold at the Olympics.
As a mother, it's my dream that my kids grow up to be winners in every aspect of their lives. As a running mom, I wish that my kids fall in love with running as I did because--quite honesty (and I must admit some bias here)--running is one of the best ways for kids to learn many of the values they'll need to grow up to be responsible and successful adults.
Take the First Step I started running in December 2006 as a personal choice to get fit and active. From living a purely sedentary lifestyle as a work-at-home and hands-on mother, I did a 360 and put on my running shoes (most of the time while the whole house was asleep.!.) My husband eventually picked up the sport and we soon started joining races and marathons together. With the constant exposure to running, the kids got curious and started joining a few races, too. But it didn't happen naturally. Yes, there was some subtle encouragement involved! Here's how we did it: ENCOURAGE, DON'T FORCE I always invite my children to join me for a run or a race, but I never ever require them to do so. I want my children to love running, not resent it. If they never fall in love with running, then I'm ready to accept that as well. KEEP TRAINING LIGHT Don't get too serious with your child's program and start churning out expected pace, distances, and time (unless your older child tells you he wants to train seriously.) Just target to run around the block or hit a few minutes of running in the beginning. MAKE IT FUN For a child to engage in an activity, it must feel like play. Invite cousins along. Bring your dog for a jog/walk interval. Or, turn it into an exciting race where the winner gets to choose where to dine out for a post-run breakfast. | Family Planning |
Danielle Hope Jimenez and Faith Jimenez, daughters of the SOLEUS runner, Tony Jimenez. joined the 36th Milo Marathon. photo courtesy of www.photovendo.ph