There is nothing that makes me happier than kids running–I love watching my 3 1/2 year old run free through the back yard. He runs with complete, uninhibited joy and loves to “race” everyone. Children run so naturally and they run for fun. Why do some children lose this positive association with running and start to see it as something to be dreaded?
It’s so often that extra running is doled out as “punishment” in gym class or for infractions or losses in team sports, and we wonder why children don’t enjoy running. When I think about this, it actually makes me pretty sad. Running is such a natural exercise and something that young children love to do. How many times do you see children running and squealing in a game of tag and the huge smile on their face makes you smile too?
As we continue to battle the epidemic of childhood obesity, I think we need to keep kids running, so they can be more physically active and to have fun at the same time. I think that the boom in kids’ races that accompany local 5ks are a great idea.
My son was so excited to run in his first kids 1k. He had been asking me for a while to do a race, because he constantly sees me pinning on a bib and toeing the line. I was more than happy to let him enter the kids Monster Mini Dash over Halloween. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I had a tear in my eye as he crossed the finish line holding my husband’s hand. He was so focused as he crossed the timing mat, and the look on his face was priceless!
I hope that running is always something that my son loves, and I know that some day soon, he will be leaving me in the dust! As parents, we need to continue to be positive fitness role models for our children. By continuing to run for myself, I am showing my two sons that physical activity is something that is both essential and a ton of fun at the same time.
I love this! One of my favorite things to see is a child running with his/her parents. It warms my heart. This is probably mostly due to the fact that my parents were the ones who got me into running. I didn’t always love it as much as I do now, but I’m so thankful for the example that they set for me, and for the fact that they always encouraged me to be physically active.
I think especially now, with childhood obesity being so prevalent, it is more important than ever for parents to be positive role models for physical activity. I hope someday when I have children of my own, I can help encourage a love of running and being active from a very young age. Congrats to your son for finishing his first 1K! 🙂
Thanks Lauren! I couldn’t agree more! My son is already asking about his next race- I see a future cross-country runner 🙂
My son (10) ran two 5k’s with me last year. The first was a smaller race and he ran and walked his way to a 2nd place medal (only 2 kids in his age group 🙂 ). He did another with me a month later and ran the whole thing. He plays other sports that will come and go, but I hope that he’ll run for a lifetime.
That’s awesome Curtis! I can’t wait until my son gets a little bit older and we can go on runs together! Sounds like your son is off to a great start!