My son ran with me. It was our first event we’ve ever done together and I think he liked it. I’ll cover a few things I learned along the way to make the experience even more enjoyable. It was definitely an unforgettable moment. I hope you experience the same.
It’s not a Race
Running around the house with a toddler is probably not uncommon. Running with a toddler for a distance in a somewhat organized event is probably much more rare. My son decided he really wanted to race with me. As long as the doctor gave us the green light, I felt comfortable. Here are a few things to be prepared for for the big day:
- It’s not a Race – you are allowed to time the event and wear your running watch, but forget anything else about time. Your kid will decide when to run, walk, be carried, or go home (Be prepared to carry them or leave the route). You will finish whenever you finish. It doesn’t matter if you are with a bunch of other toddlers or an elderly women just trying to get her exercise in.
- Enjoy It – look around and explore the route with your kid. Ask your kid about things around them, how they are feeling, and just be in the moment. The race will be a very short distance and will go by in the blink of an eye.
- Be a Kid with your Kid – if the race is themed, requires costumes, or there are events targeted to kids, be prepared to take part in anything before and after. The race is most likely secondary to everything else for your kid. We stayed at the event hours after the event. It was a blast!
- Show your Support – encourage and support your kid. Get your family to come out and cheer your kid on. Any kind of motivation could go a long way to a feeling of accomplishment. It’s a great, positive feeling that could last after the event.
- Stay Motivated – use this opportunity to both motivate yourself and your kid. An event like this can give you a reason to head out and run in the rain or cold. It can also give your kid experience trying an athletic activity. Your kid doesn’t need to like running, but trying something new is key.
My Son Ran with Me and I won’t Forget it
My son didn’t run the entire race, and probably only got about half way through it before he ran out of energy. I ended up carrying him most of the second half. Along our journey, we talked about the trees, trucks, funny runners in costumes, and if there was ice cream at the finish line. Making your kid feel special can go a long way. My son ran with me and it was something I will never forget. I hope you have a similar experience too, regardless if your kid ever decides to run again. I think mine will.