I have started taking Cole with me on runs, and I’ve discovered I really enjoy it for a number of reasons. He is 8, and today we stretched his range to 3 miles. We’re not breaking any speed records – maybe eleven to twelve minute miles. It gives us time to hang out, which is good. Also, he is just so proud of himself. I’m proud of him too. I think we’re going to run a 5k in a couple of weeks.
Another thing I have noticed is how pleased adults we pass on the trails and streets seem to be when they see him out there. I suppose there is the Midwestern thing of being pleased to see a kid working at something; anything. There is probably a cuteness factor of seeing Dad and son doing something together. And, I suspect, there is a level of happiness whenever our kids are getting some exercise; primed as we are to be concerned about sloth amongst “kids these days.”
Anyway, half the battle of running distances is simply knowing for certain that you can, in fact, do it. When your body is nagging at you to give up, it’s very helpful to have part of your brain telling you, “nah, we can do this; we’ve done it before.”
Great to hear a dad helping his child develop healthy habits, for all the reasons you name. And if he grows up truthful about his times, and knowing that being first all the time isn’t the most important thing, all the better! LOL
This one is honest to a fault.
Trying to get my son into running as well. He’s 9. I decided this when at the Fort Wayne Three Rivers Festival 5k a 7 year old girl that had been keeping pace with me the entire way, TOOK OFF and sprinted about 100 yards from the finish, completely creaming my old tired @#$@#. Talk about inspiration!