Food & Nutrition
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Parenting Preparedness
Introduction
Running is an exceptional feeling and experience. It combines the joy of freedom, the quickness of wind, the relief of stress, and the welcome burn of active muscles. Those who run know the value of physical activity and its benefits. And running seriously and sincerely can also lead to participating and completing marathons. While few families engage in marathons, those who do can agree upon the sense of achievement, confidence, adventure, and happiness it brings. There is just something about participating in an endurance-challenging competition after preparing for it for months.
While adults and teenagers have more experience in this joy, it is wiser to begin spreading it in childhood. Children rarely like listening to adults and just doing what they say, especially in activities that require consistency and discipline. Either they learn by mimicking or by giving things a try. So how will you encourage your child to participate in marathons? Here’s a quick guide to it with tips.
Tips To Encourage Your Child To Participate In Marathons
1. Include Them In Your Training
Young children do not suddenly develop a love for running one fine day. It needs to be nurtured in them. One way of doing it is by including them in your training. Children feel more inclined to participate if they are already accompanying you. Make sure running and training for marathons seems challenging yet fun to them. This will encourage them to give it a try.
2. Give Them Control
If your kids are getting into running and are beginning to enjoy it, here is a chance to encourage them to try marathons. Start giving them some control over their training and running routes, like choosing their favorite park to run laps in or trying a new nature trail. This will get them more involved and committed to their endeavor.
3. Make Fitness Plans Together
Make fitness plans together with your children as this will teach them how to handle it in the future as well. For example, if they train at school after classes, it will take them 12 laps of the field to hit 5k or 5 kilometers. You can also help plan out their nutritional intake with them, this will also teach them proper sport nutrition.
4. Make Their Marathons A Top Priority
Even if you are very busy, make time for their marathons. Of course, your kid will have school tests and tuition, but if running marathons are a priority for both you and your kid, then balance the daily routine accordingly. Do not miss out on their final days of training and the final day of the marathon as your presence is key to their confidence and success.
5. Train, Train, And Train
It is not possible to build up adequate endurance, both mental and physical, for a marathon without lots of training. If your kid is participating in any upcoming marathon, start training longer. Include lots of warm-ups, breaks, and cool-down exercises, but keep building their stamina and resilience. Also, time your kid’s timing for every lap and race, and help them improve it a little every day.
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6. Encourage Other Sports As Well
Even if your kid is training for a marathon, let them engage in other sports. Known as cross-training, this helps their muscles relax, hones new muscle groups, and improves their stamina, while enhancing heart health. It will also refresh their minds and ensure they do not tire of engaging in the same sport daily.
7. Incorporate Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement works wonders for children, when used wisely. Make weekly and monthly fitness goals for your kids when they are training hard for a marathon. For example, the goal for this week can be improving their running time for each lap by a few seconds or minutes. In this way, kids cross achievable mini milestones in no time and arrive prepared for the final hurdle. If they complete their weekly or monthly goals, praise them and offer rewards or privileges. This will encourage them to repeat the good behavior and train better.
8. Always Support Them
Children are born with natural stamina and energy. It can be nurtured well with love, training, and support. While always encouraging and pushing your kid to be better, remember to keep a balance and not overexert them. Ensure their mental health is optimal and always prioritize their wellbeing over winning or participating. This will end up doubling their appreciation for you and their inclination to participate in marathons.
Conclusion
Running and completing a marathon is no small feat. It takes lots of training, dedication, and sincerity to attain it. But it is not an impossible task. And once your child gets a taste of success and the joy of completing a marathon, their feet will not want to stop running. So, give the above tips a try to encourage your kids to participate in marathons and ace their fitness levels.
The views expressed are that of the expert alone.
