Nothing beats a run with you kids
All of us who run probably secretly, or not so secretly, would love to see our kids (future kids) become runners someday. I of course would love nothing more than to run alongside my kids as they go through school and on into adulthood. But as much as we all love that idea, we know that we can’t push those desires onto our children.
My 10-yr. old son has been running races from one-mile fun runs to 5ks for a solid five or six years now. He likes it and does well at it. But do I think running will be his passion? I doubt it. He’s into team sports, lacrosse, soccer, as well as swimming. I can easily get him to sign up for a 5k, train for it, and have a good race. But he doesn’t really ask to run outside of that and so I don’t push it.
My 7-yr. old daughter, however, is showing some signs of really, truly loving to run. She did my club’s jr. cross-country program this fall and never missed a practice. On really busy weeks, I’d give her the option of skipping; it was met with a resounding no.
Now that I’m back to running, she has asked if we can run together a few times a week. Not much arm twisting to get me out the door with her. We already did a mile together today. If she ends up a runner one day, I know she’ll take numbers–she has my same steely determination. Maybe even more so, if that’s possible.
She's got the minimalist shoes down
And did I mention she loves her Merrell barefoot shoes? And snagged my Oiselle
Those would be my Oiselle arm warmers!
arm warmers today? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Do your kids run? Wish they did if not?
I love this. My 12yr old is a talented runner (22 min 5K with no training!), but it’s certainly not her passion. It kills me a little bit to see something with such promise, just hold no interest for her. Maybe some day…
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Heather recently posted..Things I love. And things I don’t.
I can’t wait to see if my boys become runners. That would be so cool…but okay if they didn’t, too.
Carrie @ Maine Mom on the Run recently posted..It’s Thursday!
Sounds like you have exactly the right mentality for this -encourage them when they show interest, but never push. Perfect!
Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner recently posted..Chickamauga Battlefield Race Recap
Super post! My son is 10 and has done 7 5km races so far. He is currently training to drop his weight so that he can run better. My fiance’s 2 children are competitive athletes and tri-athletes. They also swim competitively. As you say, we all secretly wish for this.
Johann recently posted..A Foto For Friday
My five year old Milo loves to run and My oldest Sam wants to run a 5k of which was his idea!
Angie Bee recently posted..Angry Birds and Everyone Poops
My kids did their first tri this summer (shorter distance kids’ race). My son was in a foul mood the whole morning of the race, but did slog through it. Running is really NOT his thing, but he likes biking and swimming. But he came in 2nd to last for 10 year old boys. My daughter loves it all and came in 4th in 7 year old girls. I was not surprised when she said she wanted to do it again, but was more than a little bit surprised when I overheard my son tell someone the next day that he thought it was pretty cool and would consider doing it again. She has the talent though and wishes she could do cross-country at school (have to be in 4th or 5th grade I think – she is only 2nd). So it will be interesting to see where she takes it. She did a 5K with me in August and I only had to stop to walk with her a few times and we finished in 47 min (5 min slower than the 5K I did without her in Oct so she really wasn’t holding me back much). I really wish I could get my son interested in training as his doctor really wants him to maintain his weight for the next year or so and I’m afraid he isn’t going to be able to do it without really reigning in his eating and getting more active. Fingers crossed that I’m setting a good example for him.
My 9 yr old son tells me there are a couple of fun runs he wants to do next spring and he loves coming to my races and spectating with me…so we’ll see. He also loves his team sports – like you said, encourage it but don’t push it!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Coming in off the ledge…a little
That’s so awesome! Mike and I talk about how, if we ever have kids, we’d love if they were runners too.
kari w/ running ricig recently posted..not taking any chances
My daughter has been on a few runs with me but mostly she just keeps up on her bike. I’m really hoping at least one of my kids picks it up and loves it. We shall see…my oldest mini me just might decide to hate running just because I love it.
Knowing her, she’s be a cheerleader….no offense to cheerleaders…just not my thing. 
But she knows this.
Chico wants to run and we are finally going to do a 1 mile fun run with him in December.
The other day he ran around the house saying he was in training for his race and he was doing burpees as well.
It makes me proud but I certainly do not push him to do it. It is up to him but I’m not sure if he will go much further than the 1 miler. His father is not a runner and is into cars and motorcycles and I can see that route being taken. Time will tell.
Jason @ Cook Train Eat Race recently posted..Strip At Night Las Vegas Marathon Training Run
This is so cool!!
Those are the CUTEST barefoot runners I have ever seen!!
Mandy recently posted..Running Through Changes
My kids are still too little to tell (they’ll be five next month), but yes I would LOVE it if one or both of them became a runner. They do like to do short kids races when I take them to my races (I hate it when local races DON’T have a kids’ race), and after yesterday’s Turkey Trot they both want to do the 2-mile next year. We’ll see! My daughter is a very determined little person, but she gets tired on walks. My son is not so determined, but he loves hiking and can walk forever. Could go either way for either one of them.
So happy for you that your daughter likes to run!
Terzah recently posted..Race Report: Longmont Turkey Trot 10K
Don’t have kids and don’t plan on it, but I will admit the kid’s fun run is my favorite part of all the local 5Ks, never mind being beaten in any race by a youngster, frustrating but very satisfying at the same time.
Good for the two of you!
Jen recently posted..Perrrfect!
I bribed my kids with interstate trips so they’d run with me. My eldest will never be a runner. He’s a soccer player and has been from when he was born. But my middle one has a bit of ability and really enjoys it when he can find someone to train with.
Neither of my boys love running. My younger one has perfect running form though, so you can bet I’ll be doing my best to convince him that running is fun. ;o)
MCM Mama recently posted..The world according to Shoo
That is so great! I am really hoping that my kids will want to run too. I thought they were too young to do races but I read about Marissa at Let’s Move it Mammas experiences with her son. I am really excited to have my son try one too! I really don’t care what they do as long as they find an outlet for their energy…I mean find something active to do.
Katie recently posted..Pop culture phenomenons I just don’t get
This is so great! I love that your mini-me is showing signs of a love for running.
My older two boys ran track and cross country when they were in middle school. I’d go to meets, but I didn’t really “get” it. I wish I could go back now as a runner and watch it all over again. My 8 year old considers running (and biking) “not a sport”, but every once in a while he’ll want to go run with me…and then I jump on it.
Kate recently posted..I miss me
Your running partner is adorable!
My Ella doesn’t enjoy running, but I made her finish out the season once she signed up for cross country. She actually has a very nice, steady pace. Not speedy but she goes on and on.
Hank enjoys running and is a happy mid pack guy. I’m just glad they like to be active.
My 5 y/o… the last meet I looked onto the course and found him skipping and picking up interesting rocks, etc. goofy kid…
And Hank loves his Merrells too! They’re practically bomb-proof as he has definitely put his through a lot!
Tracy recently posted..Frosty camping with the Boy Scouts
She is adorable, what a pretty smile!
I got one of the 3 to run….totally missed the “run together” stage as he went from slogging through a 5K to running them in the 17′s. Um, I WISH I could run in the 17′s but um…no. He also seems to want to talk about running NON-STOP! Never in my life would I tire of running talk but geeeeeez!!! Now I know how my non-running friends feel when they’re around me!
Jill recently posted..Pilates for Dummies
yes! my boys love to do the kids races!
my 7 yrs old is now asking to run a 5k!
they get upset when I do races that dont offer kids race
Caroline recently posted..Coming up soon to a blog near you
I don’t have kids or even plan to have kids, but the guys I coach are my kids, so I love to see them do well. and it’s not about winning races, it’s about improving.
Coach Dion recently posted..LANDMARKS HALF 2011
That’s so awesome! Some of the best times I’ve had running were with my wife and daughter! It’s so cool to be able to share that. Have a great week!
That’s so awesome. My son who is thirteen has recently expressed the desire to start running with me. He also said he wants to do a race so we are going to start out with the 2 mile Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. He’s so goal oriented like me I love it.
I want to get some arm warmers…they sound perfect.
runningtobeskinny.com
Jessica Washburn recently posted..My First 10K…
My little one… oh, wait, at 16 he is not so little anymore… anyway, he used to run with me and I thought he enjoyed it enough to become a runner. He still runs but this is NOT his passion. Guess what is… hiking. I wonder where he got that from?
How cute is she!! Love the minimalist shoes : ) I don’t think L will be a runner, but E did say recently that she’s going to run a marathon some day!
Molly recently posted..Time Flies…..a Shutterfly Giveaway!
My 15 yr old runs cross country and track. My 14 yr old would rather have her eyes sown the carpet then run.. My other 3 like doing small races, like a half mile.
Mamarunsbarefoot recently posted..What it Use to Feel Like
how awesome!! Yes, we all totally want fit and active kids!! Congrats to you, because it looks like she’s taking right after her super-inspiring Momma
marissa recently posted..Inspire Me! Series-Week 1
It must be a great feeling to see your children following in your footsteps… literally! I would definitely hope to have the opportunity to share my passion with future children. Bonus that it keeps them healthy & active!
marlene recently posted..Miscellaneous Monday
love this. keep passing it on!
katie recently posted..trying to breathe…
I pushed my kids for a little bit, but now I’m kind of hanging back and seeing where their interests lie.
Kovas recently posted..Saucy Mama Product Review
This is so awesome. I love that
I used to run with my dad ALL the time when I was in middle school and leading into HS, before a volleyball accident that ended his running career forever 
But those were some of the fondest memories I have! You daughter surely won’t forget these times with you. Good job, mom! Inspiring healthy and active lifestyles is probably the most important gift you can give your child (I think!).
Just Run With It recently posted..A Hungarian Family Feast
i kid you not that is one of the things I dream about for if we do have kids!
Amanda – RunToTheFinish recently posted..Workouts and Goals: Nov 14
I don’t have kids but LOVE to hear about active kids. I still hold out hope my nephews will be interested in running…especially since after my last race they asked if I won. (again).
Love…
Laura recently posted..Four for Friday – the resting up edition
I love this!!! I try to be active every day with my daughter. Some days we even run laps in the house!!! I’m enjoying her love of running now and I pray that it will be something we can share throughout our lives!
Fancy Nancy recently posted..Monday Motivation
I sit around and think about this quite often
BDD recently posted..Weekly Ramblings
My 8 year old has done a few races so far, the longest a 3K. I’m not sure if there will be a passion or not, but she seems to like it so far. Hopefully she does like it, it’s a great activity we can do together. We’ll see. Staying active is the most important thing
Robin Brunet recently posted..Amazing
I don’t have kids – that way they will never be faster than me.
Jamoosh recently posted..Decisions
While I don’t have any of my own, I’m trying to plant the seed early in my 16 month old nephew? Too early? I don’t think so?!
I love hearing about your daughter running! We’ve been grooming our grandson for his first race in April!! He prefers to wear running shorts and running pants everywhere so I think we’re off to a good start!
Cute pictures:) .
That’s so fun that she wants to run with you! My youngest may be the one most interested in running. But he’s only 6 so we’ll see. But ever since he was 3 and saw Spirit of the Marathon, he’s said he’s going to run a marathon with me one day.
Jen recently posted..Why do we keep running?
I would love to someday share this sport with my baby!
Thankfully I have awhile to get back into training before baby starts running, which will be sooner than I know it!
Vanessa (@IsleStyleLiving) recently posted..The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
My daughter (6) loves to run and has a gorgeous natural stride, but she’s even better at baseball (doing softball this year- she really wants to). That’s not just us talking, either. She was “called up” to play at a higher level in a couple games this past spring and did well as a 5-6 y/o with 7-8 y/olds. My son (7)? Says he loves to run, has a stride that is painful to watch but he also LOVES baseball and will probably play first base or catcher (guess you can guess what kind of runner he really is…). They did a couple races this past year and will probably do more as they really do seem to enjoy it!
RunningMoose recently posted..Revised Race list
Very cool!!! When/if I have kiddos, I hope they run with me!
Kim recently posted..Hot Chocolate 15K 2011