Get Kids Running

by Bev Sklar (Subscribe to Bev Sklar's posts)
Jul 10th 2009 11:00AM

Photo: Kate Gardiner/Tim Taliaferro 2009, Flickr

Who or what inspired you to start running? Perhaps it was your jackrabbit runner dad, a neighbor who ran circles around the block or taking first place in the 50-yard dash in elementary school. No doubt, jogging has a tendency to run in families.

Parent runners have an instant fan club -- their kids. Whether or not you're into the sport, here are a few ways to spark your child's interest in running:

Train Yourself. OK, so you're not a runner. Break the chain and train for your first 5K. Sign up your kids for the Kid Fun Run or have them volunteer at the water station to cheer you on. Couch Potato to 5K offers practical beginner tips to gradually get you in shape for race day.
Running Rocks. Find a youth running program in your area with Running Rocks' convenient directory.
Backyard Track and Field. Set up a track and field day at home. Time neighborhood kids in the 50 and 100-yard dash, measure their long-jumps, 12" softball shot put and frisbee discus. Don't forget the 4x100 relay with baton. Or look for a track camp in your area. Don't forget to schedule family time to watch an upcoming track and field event on TV or attend a local high school competition next season.
Buy This Book. If you really want the ins and outs of youth running, purchase "Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther" by Carol Goodrow. Her page over at Kids Running.com outlines distance limits for young children, tips for your child's first Kid Fun Run, creative running games and much, much more. And don't miss her personal site which includes the new Muddy Dog Running Log offering a special kid running/walking incentive prize by USA Track and Field.
Youth Runner Magazine. Stay on the pulse of the youth running scene. Put this icon on your kids' computer desktop and help them sign up today.

Fit Family Summer Assignment: Take a slow jog with your kids this week. Novice to the sport? The walk/run method will make it easier.

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Comments (7)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Catherine 7-10-2009 @ 12:40PM

Our community has a series of family fun runs in the summer -- free, no registration required. My only quibble is that they give out ice cream after. Yes, motivating for the kids but kind of defeats the purpose!

carol goodrow 7-10-2009 @ 2:32PM

Hello, this is Carol Goodrow, author of Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther

I am now located at http://www.carolgoodrow.com and I have a new Muddy Dog Running Log Program there.
Please visit my new site!
Thanks,
Carol

Bev Sklar 7-10-2009 @ 2:21PM

The family fun runs in your town sounds terrific! But I know what you mean ... I'm so tired of junk food as rewards.

Bev Sklar 7-10-2009 @ 2:40PM

Carol,
Thanks for the updated information -- I've included it in the post. Appreciate all you do to get kids moving.
Bev

carol goodrow 7-10-2009 @ 5:57PM

It kind of depends what the purpose is. I don't have a problem with getting ice cream after a fun run, if the portion is small. We want children to think that running is fun. And we all know that ice cream is fun, too.
At my family fun run, the kids only get medals. We never have food there. They also never get treats in school anymore - ever - even on a holiday. So I guess that getting a treat at a fun run is okay and maybe a good thing. It's better to have a treat after you've exercised, than after you have stayed on the couch all day.
But I know exactly where you are coming from.
I used to tell parents to take kids to the fruit market after they ran, but now with my new charts, I do have a place called ice cream island and I want all kids to visit there, but only ONCE in their 100 miles.

carol goodrow 7-10-2009 @ 2:48PM

Thanks Bev. That's perfect. Your article is a nice overview of resources available to help teachers and parents get kids running (and walking and hiking). And the Muddy Dog incentives are not food! They are full-color original 25, 50, 75, and 100 mile bookmarks.
I'll link back to this blog. Thanks again!
Carol
http://www.carolgoodrow.com

Brianna Grant 7-12-2009 @ 8:59PM

I think it is important for adults to teach kids to reach goals THEY set and to offer a variety of rewards for their accomplishments (like Carol's uplifting bookmarks or stickers and pencils - something USABLE that promotes healthy activity). Ideally what we're trying to do is get children to become intrinsically motivated so that they keep up physical activity into adulthood. I don't get a tangible prize for every one of my runs, but the feelings of statisfaction, strength and a clearer mind far exceed any token I could get as a congratulations. Although I have to admitt that I just love a full crowd cheering for runners at the finish line - there's nothing like it!

Brianna Grant
Author
We Are Girls Who Love to Run
www.balancedsteps.blogspot.com