Why It Is Important to Engage Our Kids Into Running?

"Runners train not to be perfect, they train to tolerate discomfort because if they can't adapt they'll die, if they can't adjust they'll lose" - Eddie Pinero

Before we start here is a short funny clip of kids having the best time of their lives on a short indoor race. credit to pee aay aay's YouTube Channel.

Why did I write this article?

As a runner I have first hand experience or you may call it first hand encounter of real running events, may it be big running events such as Milo Marathon, 7/11 Runs or local small fun runs for a cause. And since I started running in January 2017, I have seen a significant increase in numbers of people who are getting interested in running. I have noticed that people of all ages are now becoming interested and eager to create their own records and beat their own PR (Personal Records) in running. What really caught my attention is this huge number of kids from age 15 down to age 8, were there warming up with their guardians and excited to run the race categories that they have signed up for, so I decided to write an article about the benefits they can get by doing and starting early in running. I believe we all know the benefits and advantages that our kids can get from being involved in running but to further give you more insights on these things, below I listed some of the most important things they can get from this very competitive physical activity.

they can not wait any longer for the gun to start

1. An Athlete Attitude

This is I think one of the most valuable benefits they can get from running. Mainly discipline and a positive attitude which are all vital qualities to possess in any aspect of life. We know runners and athletes have commitments such as setting an early alarm in the morning to start early to train or to work out. We know how significantly big a coach’s influence for them to stay focus, motivated in getting those victories and positively handling defeats and misses. When people who are engaged into sports like running, they go through certain processes, a plan or routine, from diet to work outs to endless training and cross training and all throughout these processes they develop an attitude that most of the time wins over negativeness. I give "sportsmanship" as a good example.

the gun just started for these kids running the 1 kilometer category

2. A Lifestyle That is Healthy and Thankful

Obviously if kids do more physical activities that running requires them to do like strength and endurance training, the chances of being obese and unhealthy is next below zero. Imagine better blood circulation, imagine fruits and vegetables diet. If you see them eating high protein and high carbohydrates food do not worry, they will definitely crave for those kinds of food to fuel them for their races and performances. They will be drinking lots of water and breathing lots of clean air during training that will clean and clear their lungs. I mean it is really needless to enumerate the benefits of clean water and fresh air to our body. Last but not the least since they are committed they will be obliged to sleep early for them to wake up early for the next day training. They will surely catch up, rest and recover, get that sound sleep at night cause their body got tired because of that long day that is full of school and running activities. I am telling you it is pleasing and you will get that peaceful feeling when you see your kids having good sound sleep at night. Running plus healthy food is equal to a challenge-ready kid.

Eco - friendly run in Kalayaan Laguna

3. Healthy Mind and Mental Toughness

This is for me the most important benefit they can get from running and it is applicable to any kind of challenges they may face outside of sports. Let us say they may not become a national athlete or an Olympian like Eliud Kipchoge, Mo Farah, Marion Jones, Alice Chelangat, Mary Joy Tabal, Usain Bolt, Galen Rupp and all the good names in the world of running. They may not be known and rich like them but one thing is for sure they will have that mental toughness that they will develop to use in times of defeat and upsets and challenges whether it is in school in their future careers in life and love. Like us they will surely get to the point of their lives when they will feel down and out specially in depressing situation, mental toughness and healthy thinking will help them overcome the situation and rule supreme over them.

Eco - friendly run in Kalayaan Laguna

Parents' Role and Impact

As parents, if you are there, next to them supporting them cheering for them from training to actual competition you develop a special kind of relationship with them not just a parent but someone who is there willing to congratulate, someone who will motivate and someone who will not give up on them win or lose. I hope I was able to give you the most important things that your kids can acquire through running, I also hope that I was able to inspire you to engage them into not just running but also in other sports because any kind of sports have the same positive impact to us and to our children.

Give your kids the opportunity to develop that will and spirit to win by engaging them to running or to any sports that they are passionate about. Remember that slogan from big brand of energy drinks “great things start from small beginnings”, it sure is.

Sending them to schools that support and develop talents and sports is like giving them a bright future, secured future that is away and far from all the bad elements of our society such as illegal drugs and unlawful doings. We want to see them live a healthy and safe secured life whilst we are still with them. Kids who grew up in goods and guided will raise their own kids in goods and guide their own kids to be good and this is how we build a strong and good nation.

I invite you to visit other articles that I have published here and see if you can get some take away, I promise to come up with more informative, motivating and inspiring articles that we can all apply in our day to day encounter.

Good bless you, thank you for reading. For your opinion and suggestions do not hesitate to put them on the comment section below and if you think this article is worth sharing please do so. Thank you again.

post run family bonding

"I run to discover magic and guess what? In about all this time I have learned that Magic happens when you don't give up!" - Anonymous