Run For Fun With Family
One of my personal and professional challenges is figuring out to incorporate family time with fitness. This is truly made easy with running.
I say this as a mom who has children from 3 different age groups. With 3 boys age 9 ,5 and two, many people are really suspicious of my claims that we can run together as a family. While it isn’t always done as a full family affair, I would love to share with you some solution focused ideas that I use running as a staple workout method.
Piggy Back Interval Training:
Does it sound crazy? It is how it sounds and is geared towards older children 3-8. You may want to start on a track or a contained running area. Begin warm up running with your child ( make sure not to push them ) . Let them know in advance when they need a break that you will piggy back them while you walk or lightly run for 1-2 minutes so they can have a break. It is VERY important that you approach this in a very relaxed and fun manner. You will get a work out trust me! There is no need to get caught up into stringent time-lines or intervals. I did a full 10 k race like this with my 8 year old. It was one of the best experiences of my life. As I crossed the finish line with my little guy I was literally moved to tears by his joy and our mom and son team work. Was it my personal best time? Not even close. I did it in 25 minutes less when I was 7 months pregnant! It however was a fabulous workout and an even more fabulous experience.
Run In The Park: This could be on a track while older ones ride their bikes and little ones in a jog stroller or doing "ball chases". Ball chases are where you stand at one end of the field and kick the ball to the end of the field then chase it with your kids. This is great for fast run interval training days. Not a walk in the park and as simple as it sounds.
Tag: The age old game of cat and mouse tag is a get up and go game! We all no tag….play long and play hard. 4 times weekly for best results and great family bonding.
While this weeks article is really simplistic in terms of solutions…that is the point. Many moms come to me with the feelings helplessness around fitness and managing children. Sometimes when we look to hard we miss the obvious. Play and run hard with your kids.
Happy Week
Andrea Page, Founder of FITMOM
Andrea Page founder of FITMOM has helped over 10, 000 woman in pregnancy and postpartum. Check out FITMOM at www.fitmomfitness.com
Thr truth is if i didnt incorperate my kids I probably wouldnt go at all!!
Although there are times it isnt as heartwarming as I described in my article. My last run had me wanting to run away when they werent looking. They whined and complained about everything. I had to accept today just wasnt our day!
I love your ideas! As a working mom I am always trying to find ‘balance’ in every aspect of life. The more I integrate my kids into my own activities the easier this balance becomes. As you said, it isn’t always the fastest or most efficient but most of us can do with a little slowing down now and again anyways!
My boys (ages nine and seven) have just started joining me on my runs. I’m so glad that they’re inspired by seeing me out there, and I so enjoy spending the time with them. I’ve explained the talk test to them, and they think they have to chat with me the entire time. I’m willing to give up a little speed and a little distance for some fabulous company.