It wasn’t long after John and I met that we completed our first half marathon together. In fact, it was a family affair as we ran with his entire family (parents, brothers and their girlfriends). I was only 23, didn’t train much and I ran in slip-on Skechers. While I finished the race okay, I was in misery most of the day afterwards and it was the slowest finish time for me. I have since learned about the importance of training, the use of proper foot wear and have completed 7 other half marathons since. While I did take a two year hiatus from running, it was obvious that Kyle has been paying close attention to John and I because he has become obsessed with it himself. He always asks to join us on our runs and couldn’t wait until he could join his school’s cross-country team. He’s already started training for this year’s race. Kyle and I also signed up for the 10km run in this year’s Global Energy Race by Dempster’s taking place on September 23 at Ashbridges Bay in Toronto, Ontario.
I recently posted a picture on Instagram of Kyle, who joined me for a 4km run at the cottage. Someone messaged me and asked me if I have any tips on how to start running with kids. So I thought I would share some of those tips on my blog too.
Tips to get your kids running
- Lead by example. This is kind of what happened with our kids. They would see that John and I would take turns to go out and run. Of course, they wanted to join too. Perhaps at first their curiosity got the best of them and they were worried that they would be missing out, but ultimately, it stuck with them. Now they’ve developed a love for running, especially since they see how much we love it.
- Start small. When you first take your kids out for a run, don’t go far…from home that is. We’re lucky to live right across from a park so the kids can just do laps around the baseball field. However, you can easily take your kids for a run around the block or street as well. Start small and close to home so you can easily go back if the first run with your kids is less than stellar.
- Let them take the lead. Once they are eager to get out and run, let them take the lead. Let them set the pace, where they want to run, and for how long. Don’t forget to encourage them to take breaks when needed. Tip: Bring a bottle of water with you so they don’t stop or return back for water.
- Make it fun! Our boys love to do stuff if they think it’s part of a game or a challenge. Set a timer and see how far your kids can run during that time. Record that time and distance and see if they can beat it the following day or week.
- Sign up for a family run. Nothing motivates kids (or adults) to work hard than some friendly competition. Signing up for a family run like the Global Energy Race by Dempster’s gives you a goal and something to train for. Not only is it a fun and family-friendly event (the 3km walk/run is a family-friendly event that is open to all levels, including families with little children, walking groups and dogs on leashes), but it also includes various free activities like face painting, sign making, bean bag toss, live entertainment and more. The cost to participate is $20 for the 3KM family walk/run and $30 for the 10KM run. Children 16 years old and under are freeto participate by registering online.
- Teach them that by running they can give back. Most city races help raise money for a charity. Dempster’s is donating two slices of bread to the North York Harvest Food Bank for every kilometre completed by participants at the Global Energy Race.
On September 23, 2018, join Dempster’s on its mission to promote healthy living and physical activity at the 2018 Global Energy Race by Dempster’s hosted at Ashbridges Bay Park in Toronto, Ontario at 9:30 a.m. For more information about the 2018 Global Energy Race by Dempster’s and how to register as a participant, please visit the registration website:www.Toronto.GlobalEnergyRace.com. Participants can register until September 21, 2018.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Dempster’s. In exchange for this post I received perks in the form of product and compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.