This weekend was the Freeman Family One Mile Fun Run.
Usually fun runs come with a registration fee of $10-15 a kid. But this one, it was free. Yahoo! Sign us up!
My girls absolutely love doing fun runs and free ones are pretty few and far between. There was just one problem, I was supposed to run 11 miles that morning. I would call myself an early bird but there was NO way in the world I was waking up early enough to run 11 miles, get the girls ready, fed and be there by 7:30. So Friday night I squeezed on my spandex for 11 miles of pavement pounding.
Come Saturday morning I was up, smiling and ready to log one more mile for the weekend with my girls
At some point on our 11 mile run my friend Anna and I joked about how funny it would be if the kids took an "obligatory" pre-race selfie (like we always do). Once the idea was out there we just knew we had to follow through. After a little lesson and some laughing on our part we had this.
#nailedit
Does it get much better than that?! They just started and they are already better at them than I am.
We decided to let the 2 kids, 2 parent situation work its benefit and buddy up. Marissa chose to run with her dad. I must admit, I was a little (or a lot) heart broken. I have such happy memories of the very first fun run I did with her the day before I ran my very first half marathon. Now she is choosing Dad?! You see, she used to always see me as the "runner". Not any more friends. She said "Daddy's faster than you mommy!" *Knife to the heart* Although if I am being honest I must admit over the course of one mile, she is most likely correct.
So I got to run Emily's first fun run with her, which was awesome. She was so excited to run with mommy. She is a self proclaimed "fast runner girl" and boy she took off on me, not wanting to stop for almost half a mile.
We did a whole lot of hand holding along the way too.
Both girls finished strong and received a medal for the accomplishment. I love how excited they get about their medals.
Another great family run in the books
I wish I had more pictures to share but sadly I am still waiting for them to publish the finish line photos from the race. I am sure they will do that about the time this post publishes. But if I waited it would be another month. You know how that situation works, right? Hopefully they will upload them soon and I'll be able to share a few more pictures Friday.
Passing on a healthy lifestyle to our kids is HUGE for us.
Here are some ways we do that in our home.
We lead by example// If I'm not being an active role model for them, who is. The girls are very aware of and supportive of my exercise habits, even though most of my gym hours are logged while they are getting their beauty sleep.
We play with our kids// Bike rides, fun runs, and even the backyard. Playing as a family is awesome.
I kick them out of the house some times// Book reading, playing, coloring and some TV are great but some days I unashamedly make them go play outside. Even if it means locking the screen door to keep them out there. They always seem glad about it in the end.
Teach them how to make healthy nutrition choices young// Each house is different so this isn't a one size fits all subject. But at our house we talk about making good choices with our kids and treats are a treat. They are never to young to learn.
Have you done a fun run with your kids?
How do you encourage a healthy lifestyle in your home?
