running with your kids

[ju-ju-]

I have read alot of posts lately about running and parenting etc.....

I just wanted to share my journey and I know I am always banging on about this but I am very passionate about it!!!!

I started C25k with my boy, 4 years later we still run together ( he goes slow for me!!!!), he guides me in my training ( and I his- he has just done his first triathalon) and we are sooo close. I dont think we would be if we hadnt had these last few years of time together running...

He now has the body of a Greek god, is fit and healthy and he is very popular with the girls ( no girl will ever be good enough for my boy tho !!).

So- if you have children I would really encourage you to invest the time to run with them.

I wrote this article ages ago when we started!

nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

Happy panthering

Juju

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

A great read ju-ju..😊

Well done to both of you and what a lovely mum you are to a smashing son.x

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thankyou... I am very proud of my boy

[damienair Graduate]

Brilliant article. Like you I have started running at the tender age of 43. I have 2 boys, 8 and almost 5 years old. Last week I joined an Athletics club in my local town. I will be joining the two boys up when the new juvenile season starts up in September. My 8 year old is a little young for Parkrun yet but I'd like to get them involved. I'm volunteering at Navan Parkrun this weekend and bringing the kids along. There is a play park right beside the finish line. My Wife Nicola is running her first Parkrun on Saturday morning. So it will be a family affair.

[Karina1976 in reply to damienair]

Do you know there are kids park runs from age 4 to 14 and parents can run with them ? We have one in our local park

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to damienair]

That sounds perfect, have a wonderful time together as a family...... I hope they really enjoy it too... and have loads of fun together

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Lovely Post Ju x What a super boy and a super Mum...

The speed small runner in training, is crawling at currently at 8 months..., I don't think it will be too many years before she is streaking around... She covers at least five or six miles most days walking..( on no, she is in her buggy) that would be me then!

You are so right though.. encouraging our children and sharing experiences brings an unbreakable bond. Thanks for sharing!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

She will be running before shes walking then... !!

[Hidden]

Excellent. And excellent article too.

How did your lad manage at the beginning? My eldest is only 8 so struggles a bit with distance. I'm not sure what 'normal' is for a kid of his age. I can actually vaguely remember turning 8 myself. I remember suddenly feeling much older than my playmates in the street, and having to proudly prove that I was a big ard 8 year old by showing off my birthday badge. But I can't remember how far I could run at that age.

I'd love to get my son running with me as you did with yours, but as I can running for longer than he can, I'm worried about that nightmare conundrum of striking a balance between encouragement and pressure.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Hidden]

Junior parkrun would be a good start.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

My 7 and 9 year old girls do the Junior Parkruns (2km) - the eldest is toying with doing a 5km with me one day... soon she'll be faster than me so I need to strike now!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

If there is a junior parkrun near you then thats idea as IT suggests.... IF not then doing the parkrun after completing C 25k is equally good. I have been overtaken by a 5 year old before! I did C25k with my daughter who was 8 then and she ran a couple of parkruns but running is not her bag, its horses!!!

[Slinkymalinki Graduate]

Thanks for your inspiring post & the article you wrote previously. My 12yr old swims & has trained a bit for the obligatory school cross country runs with my husband but I would love to run with him. As well as being great for your health I think it's important to have one to one time with your children particularly in the teenage years where taking about life can be tricky but so much less threatening for them when there is no pressure to open up but the closeness & opportunities are there. Hope your son realises what a fab mum you are!!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thankyou so much and I couldnt agree more, I think its having that space together whatever the activity is really important. Sometimes we run and dont say anything but just having that time together is enough...