Did you
know it's recommended that youth between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in 60
minutes or more of physical activity every day? Unfortunately, only one in
three kids do. Atlanta Track Club is committed to building a more-active and
healthy Atlanta and to developing a foundation for the future of runners and
walkers by offering opportunities for youth to engage in regular physical
activity through our events and programs. Check out some tips below for getting
your kid to the starting line
1. Make It Fun
For many people, young and old, running gets a
bad rap because their only exposure to the sport has been negative (think PE
fitness tests). So, for your child, don't force running but instead make it fun! The key can be to distract
kids from the fact that they are actually running by introducing the activity
in the form of a game. "Sharks & Minnows," any form of tag, "Red Light,
Green Light," you name it - your kids will be having so much fun they won't
even realize how much they are running!
2. Do It With Friends
It can be challenging to play a game by
yourself, right? While running is an activity you can do on your own, it is far
more fun with friends. Introducing your child to any form of physical activity
in a team-oriented environment can be a great opportunity for them to learn,
grow and bond with others through movement and exercise. This can be an
afterschool sports activity, a fitness group at your local community center, or
through a program like Atlanta Track Club's Youth
Team.
3. Set A Goal
Another way to make running feel more
rewarding and exciting is to be working toward a goal every time you go out and
exercise. While goal setting is something we often do as adults, it applies to
kids, too. The goal can be big or small, based on time, distance or frequency -
but whatever it is, a goal gives kids something to focus on. In our Kilometer
Kids program, we teach kids about S.A.M. goals (think S.M.A.R.T.
goals but simplified). The Specific, Achievable, Measurable goal for every
Kilometer Kid is to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles over the course of the 10-week
season, depending on how many times their team practices each week. Coaches
help to track mileage every practice and hand out incentive prizes at important
mileage markers along the way to help kids stay on track. Setting tangible
goals that they can measure and aspire to makes running a more enjoyable
activity and teaches kids great skills they can use in all aspects of their
lives.
4. Run A Race
Goal setting can be great practice to get you
to race day! If you've ever participated in a running race, you know there is
something different about that race-day energy. That feeling of adrenaline as
you approach the start line, the high you feel when people are cheering your
name as you run by - this is something your child can experience, too.
Participating in a race versus just going out for a run carries a very
different vibe. Share the experience of running
a race with your child so they can see and feel the community, camaraderie
and competition the sport has to offer.
5. Go Somewhere New
Part of the fun of running a race is that they
often occur in some pretty iconic spots - here at Atlanta Track Club, we host
races at Centennial Olympic Park, at many of the city's major sports stadiums
and arenas and, of course, shut down Peachtree Street on July 4th. But running
in cool places doesn't have to be reserved for races. Here in Atlanta, we're
incredibly lucky to have so many beautiful places to run. Sometimes, getting
outdoors beyond your own front yard can make exercise a little more exciting.
From the miles of trails on the Atlanta Beltline to Piedmont Park to Stone
Mountain and beyond, Atlanta has a lot of options for you and your family to
get out and explore exercise with a new view.
BONUS
TIP: Participating in an Atlanta Track Club youth event or program is a great
way for your child to have fun, make friends, set goals, run races and explore
the city.
Atlanta Track Club has tons of youth events
and programs that your child can participate in. Check out our
website for the full youth event and program calendar. Our next
event will be the 2023 Publix Atlanta Kids Marathon on February
25.The event will feature a 5K, 3K and 50-meter dash, as well as a Track &
Field Zone that includes an obstacle course. Held in
conjunction with the 2023 Atlanta Marathon Weekend, this festival of races
gives kids the chance to get out, get active and become part of Running City
USA. and an activity could become a key part of the rest of their lives.
