In the past month we went from 1 runner in the household to 4. Something clicked and I couldn't be happier about it. It all started with Around the Bay, where hubbs volunteered to replace my injured teammate. We know how great he did by running 15k in about 1h25. He's now started going out on runs by himself or with me, like when we went to a soccer game downtown Toronto and we parked our car 5km away from the stadium. We walked to the game, we came back running together, it was really awesome. His commitment is to continue on his weight loss goal (he's lost 50lb since November!), get faster and of maybe run some more races .
Then my younger son, who's 10, said he wanted to make the running club this year. The school held trials over 2 days and he made it!! Attaboy! Now he challenges me in runs when I go out and since he's running in front of me, I can watch his foot strike and I can tell he's also a natural. Great mid-foot strike, he'll go far, hopefully without injuries. During the weekend, we went and bought him sneakers and we found some great Nike that are rather on the minimalistic side. It didn't seem to matter to my son, he already thinks these are the greatest running shoes ever!
Last but not least, I suggested both my boys to participate in this year's "Marafun" that will take place at the same time as the Mississauga Marathon which I will be running this coming May 6. The rule is that they need to accumulate running 40k over a period of 6 weeks and run 2k during the marathon. My older son, who is 12, created a Runkeeper account and is now tracking his runs as well. We already had a running session last week after they went to their fitness bootcamp, which is almost 3km away from home. Since it was a beautiful day, they agreed to come back by running instead of me going to pick them up as usual. I took my bike and waited for them at each km with water and to check on their vitals :-) They did just fine, no need for assistance. After a week of small and long runs, they met their goal. I think we're going to do this every week, at least until the Marafun, so they can meet their mileage requirement. And who knows, it may stick with both in the long run.
In the end, they all made my week!! I'm a happy runners' wife and mom!
That sounds awesome! My kids are too young to run so much, but I can't wait until they are old enough even to join me on their bikes.
ReplyDeleteMay sixth can't come fast enough now...
Biking with the kids is great, but I find it nerve wrecking, unless we go on trails. Now I let them bike by themselves most of the time, we're on the "free-range" spectrum, so out of sight, out of worry. :-) At least not immediate. As long as they come back in one piece, I'm ok.
Deletewow...that sounds awesome! way to make 'em multiply!
ReplyDeleteHey Katie, I wonder how it is to run with dogs. Do yours like it? I suppose it's a bit tiring on longer runs, but it must be fun! I usually try to run away from dogs, around here they have the nasty habit of going after my legs. I blame the owners, of course.
DeleteWell, we'll see how it goes with the kids, you know, they are at the age where they like to experiment and I know for sure that my oldest will probably not stick with it. He's in for the medal, if his little brother gets one, he must get one too :-)
ReplyDeleteThe youngest always liked running, so I have faith in him. As to hubbs, I think his running is here to stay, he always loved it, but he is more interested in speed rather than distance. However he already asked me to take him on my next 2 long runs, so who know, maybe there is change in the air? :-)
Thanks for commenting macnic and Katie, much appreciated, girls!