NW Kids: Running as a family
Tips for getting kids into running
By Amy Whitley
Photo at right: Author and son at the Peach Blossom 5k. Photo courtesy of Amy Whitley
Just about every morning, I step outside my front door and run three miles through my neighborhood. As I’m tying my shoes, my kids are still asleep in their beds, and they’re usually still snoozing upon my return. I wouldn’t have it any other way; my morning run is my respite from the “real” world, my “me time,” my period of reflection. In other words, no kids allowed.
However, as hypocritical as it sounds, I’m also a big believer in running with kids. Running as a family teaches kids that jogging is a lifetime sport, and seeing mom or dad run regularly is one of the best examples for physical fitness we can offer. Even if your kids don’t run with you daily, there are several ways to have fun running as a family.
Participate in community running events. If your town hosts an annual 5K or even a marathon with shorter distance options, sign up to run or walk it as a family. Be sure to read the rules: sometimes strollers and dogs are not permitted. If you can’t find a community run near you, check with your favorite charity and run for a cause.
Not sure you can run the distance yet? Sign up as a family to volunteer and cheer the runners on while offering them water or cleaning up trash. Find a run near you in OutdoorsNW’s event listings. www.goldtravelblog.com/eventcategory/running
Try trail running. Older kids—especially those who enjoy hiking—like the adventure and challenge of trail running. To find an appropriate trail near you, ask at your local running shop, or simply start with a familiar (and fairly flat) hiking loop of a mile or so. Go as a group, and make sure your running shoes are trail-ready.
Join a running club. Larger Northwest cities such as Eugene, Portland and Seattle, have family-friendly running clubs, which host several events annually as well as weekly or monthly group runs. Find them through your community event listings, the YMCA or Boys and Girls Club, or even private medical clinics. Ask at your local running store to see if they have weekly runs. Older kids can join their school’s cross country clubs and teams, and many areas also have “all comers” track and field days for kids as young as three.
One perk of running as a family sport is its affordability. Finally, a sport that only requires a good pair of shoes! If you start running, keep kids in proper-sized running shoes, but any other attire can come directly out of their closets: nylon athletic pants in cooler seasons pair well with long-sleeved non-cotton tees, and in summer, any pair of shorts will suffice.
Favorite NW family-friendly runs
In addition to the runs below, check out the OutdoorsNW.com/event for lots of fun runs, turkey trots and holiday jingle bell events.
Nov. 28: Bend Turkey Trot, Bend, Ore., www.bendturkeytrot.com
Dec. 8: Jingle Bell Run & Walk, Seattle, Wash., www.seattlejinglebellrun.kintera.org
Dec. 15: 12K’s of Christmas, Kirkland, Wash., www.12ksofchristmas.com
Dec. 31 & Jan. 1: First Run, Eugene, Ore., www.eclecticedgeracing.com/First_Run_-_Eugene.html
Amy Whitley of Medford, Ore. writes about her family adventures in NW Kids every edition in OutdoorsNW. Miss a column? Log onto www.OutdoorsNW.com and search NW Kids.
