Starting a kid’s running club was not something I came up with spur of the moment. It actually was an idea long before I had kids when I was a newbie runner. Before we had children I worked part time at a Christian school in an after school care program. In the spring I would watch the Girls On The Run club practice in the soccer field. I desperately wanted to be an assistant coach, but I had to work during the hours they practiced.
Maybe one day I can coach Girls On the Run (I was thrilled to find out some of the schools in our area started clubs) but right now my children are all too young to participate.
I read articles on kids and running and talked to a friend whose kids began competing at young ages. I have access to a large parking lot and a nearby park. My kids like to be outside. Why not start my own?
I grew up in a neighborhood where we naturally ran around the playground and one another’s yards. We put together our own spur of the moment track meets. There are not many children in our neighborhood and very few parents let their children run loose anymore like we did.
I envisioned starting some type of community center (another one of my big ideas…I know) as we have a couple empty houses and businesses within a stone’s throw of our church (which is next door to our house). I do not have the resources, time, and expertise to start something like this at this point in my life. Maybe one day. For now I want my own home to be a place where community can be established such as kids running together. A small pocket sized community center.
Other than running a 5K with my oldest last December, I have little experience teaching kids about running. Even though I have been running off and on since 2000, I only recently started running with people who have a greater understanding of form, pacing, training plans, etc. I tell people I am more youth leader than teacher. I do not see myself ever teaching PE. Granted, I did not really like PE as a kid. My running club has been much trial and error…and learning as I go.
The fact my kids are enjoying it (as well as some of the other kids who have attended) makes me smile. Because honestly I am really enjoying it too. I do not know if it will grow into something bigger in the future or remain like this. Perhaps I could start a Girls on the Run club at my kid’s school. Or be an assistant coach for junior high track when my kids reach that age. Whatever the case, I have a passion for running. What a joy and honor it is to share it with my own kids and my friend’s kids.
