10 Helpful Tips for Running with Kids

When my first child was born, I was head over heels in love and ready to dive in to my new stay-at-home mom career like a champion. I spent the first month embracing the “every day is a Saturday” feeling and immersed myself in baby snuggles. In month two, the care-free cloud that my prescribed narcotics created started to fade and the sleepless nights started taking their toll on my sanity. By the third month, I realized that I wouldn’t be a very good parent if I didn’t find something that forced me to take some “me time.”

And that’s how I became a runner.

I’ve never been a gym person. But I love sports. I love the outdoors. And I read something somewhere that said “anyone can be a runner” (turns out that is true, and I’m proof). After my caesarian, I was starting at square one. It was weeks before I could run one mile without pausing to walk. But over the next 6 months, I gradually built up my mileage until I was completing 26.2 miles in my first marathon with my baby girl cheering me on.

Fast forward four years and I have completed 2 marathons, 4 half marathons and countless 10Ks and 5Ks. I’ve truly enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that comes with each run. However, the finisher medals mean squat compared to one unexpected byproduct of my “me time:” I’ve inspired my daughter. I will never forget the day she looked up at me and asked if she could join me on my training run. My heart melted, and it was the start of a whole new shared experience for us.

We’ve done a few 5Ks together now and she truly loves the experience. One of my all time favorite 5Ks was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure run/walk. We were part of a team supporting my cousin’s wife who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a big teaching moment to show my 4 year old all of the people who came out to show love for their friends and family who have been sick, and my daughter was a part of that.

Now, this whole new adventure hasn’t been without a learning curve. That same 5K, my overzealous child tripped and fell on the pavement, skinning her knee a bit. Cue another teaching moment about picking yourself up and getting back at it. In hopes of lessening your learning curve, below are a few tips to start you out, along with a handful of upcoming family friendly races and additional resources for finding more year-round events. Enjoy your new adventure and remember, it’s not about the finish line…

It’s about the journey.

A Few Tips:

• Forget about what I just said about it being all about the journey. To the kids, it’s all about the FREE STUFF. Not only will there typically be post-race refreshments beyond the finish line (water, bananas, salted nut rolls, etc.) but there is often a free t-shirt or small swag bag that is included in the cost of registration.
• Dress the part. I’m not talking about the weather here. We’re parents. That’s obvious (if it’s not obvious, you’ll want to check the weather and dress in layers). I’m talking about costumes! When I ran the Twin Cities Marathon, I ran next to a full-bodied BANANA. Everyone cheered for her and I just pretended they were cheering for me. But you don’t need to go all out. Throw on a colorful tutu or a funny hat that matches the theme of the race.
• Make a plan in the event that you and your child become separated. When you arrive, show your child a person wearing a “volunteer” or “race official” shirt and explain that those are people who are here to help if needed. For the older kids who may run solo, pick out a spot in the finish area where everyone can wait for each other.
• Write your name and phone number on the back of your child’s race bib. Usually there is a place for emergency contact information. If not, write it anyway just in case you and your child become separated.
• Keep some water in the car for the ride home. I’ve been to races on hot days where the last folks crossing the finish line are left without adequate supplies to rehydrate. If this happens to you, your family will be thankful for your personal stash of H2O.
• Know what you are signing up for. Any race that says run/walk is usually family friendly. But you can’t go wrong with a race labeled as a “Kids Run.” And do the math:
  1K = .62 miles
  2K = 1.24 miles
  5K = 3.1 miles
  10K = 6.2 miles
• Don’t overestimate your child’s abilities. For kids age 4 and under, bring a jogging stroller along so they can take a break if needed, or simply avoid getting lost in the crowd. Walk when your kid needs to and cheer them on!
• For the longer distances (5K & up), always anticipate a long line at the portable toilets. A LOOOOOONG line. Arrive early enough that you have extra time for your family to go before the race starts.
• Study up on race etiquette. CliffsNotes version: Line up at the starting line according to your running pace with Olympic athletes at the front and walkers in the back. When and if you need to walk, move to the side of the road before slowing down.
• Consider races that benefit causes close to your child’s heart. There are many many fundraising runs or walks, including the Humane Society’s Walk for Animals, The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and the Colon Cancer Coalition Get Your Rear in Gear 5K to name a few. It’s a great way to teach your child compassion and generosity.

Check out these resources for year-round events:

• www.minnesotarunningseries.com – Features 7 Metro events including the Turkey Trot and Reindeer Run, some awesome family fun.
• www.tcmevents.org – Great local running events including the Medtronic TC Family Events during marathon weekend in October. Very well organized.
• http://www.andersonraces.com – This website has a great calendar including the Chad Greenway Gridiron Gallop 5K in June, which features Vikings players and cheerleaders. Plus, the Minnesota Zoo Tiger Tracks 5K and Kids ½ Mile Run in August.
• www.active.com – a general directory of select events. Use the filters to narrow search results by age group, type of activity and location.

Stacey Morgan lives in Woodbury with her husband Jesse and their two children, Brighton and Vail. Stacey is a former television news reporter turned SAHM. In the last ten years, she has lived in five states and was happy to return to the east metro and settle down where she was born and raised. Stacey loves taking her kids on adventures and rediscovering all that Minnesota has to offer families.