Walking the walk ..
Or in this case running the run 😉
I mentioned last week that after we did a family 2k practice run, that Elias would run the Albany Lakes 2k kids dash and that Issy and I would be in the “support squad”. Although after Issy saw that Elias didn’t just have to run around “boring streets” she was slightly disappointed to have turned down the opportunity.
Although J or I have entered the Albany Lakes series every year since it’s inception, we have never stayed around long enough to witness the kids dash and I’ve got to say I was impressed! The kids are so enthusiastic! I’ve never seen so many smiling faces, especially whilst running.
After a group warm up all 219 kids running the event made their way to the start line and at the starters gun they were off (at speed)! J ran the course with Elias (and we guess will continue to do so for a couple of years) Elias didn’t want J to hold his hand so J just ran slightly behind him ensuring he went in the right direction.
Elias kept a good pace and although he didn’t run all the way he kept moving and not once did he ask J to carry him (as quite often happens when we go out for a run or a walk) he would even find a burst of speed each time a girl passed him. The sooner he realises that girls are formidable competitors the better. 😉
Sport New Zealand recommends kids between the age of 5-12 exercise at least 60 minutes a day. Most people would think that kids would do that naturally, but my kids will quite happily sit in front of a TV, ipad or computer for an entire day if we let them.
Children close their ears to advice, but open their open their eyes to example and as such J and I try to normalise being active. The other day I saw a comment on a video that J had posted on Facebook of Issy designing a WOD for her Dad that said “I wish someone had taught me to like exercise when I was a kid”. As a parent we are our kids first teacher (and while they are still young, we are even somewhat superhero(ish)) so I’m glad that we’ve managed to instil in our kids that exercise is fun.
The only time I’ve ever seen J beam with so much pride was the day Issy started school and the day the kidlets were born, not only does he have a son, but one that is literally following in his footsteps.
