Elly has created some Top Tips for Running with Kids for The Grand AppealÂ
Elly supports The Grand Appeal and does a number of fundraising activities and events each year.
The Grand Appeal noticed their news feed was full of idyllic looking scenes of families exercising together and
spending quality time outdoors. It looks wonderful and there’s no doubt it’s an extremely effective way to
bring some calm to the household. But how does it work in reality?
The Grand Appeal had some questions following the boom in popularity in recent months of family exercise thanks to the pandemic and personalities such as Joe Wicks, but what happens when you want to bring your own child along for your daily run? How do you know how far to push them or to keep them entertained? And how do you make sure you are still getting enough exercise?
They knew one person who would have all the answers, their wonderful fundraiser and our Head Coach Elly.
Elly’s Top Tips
- One of the biggest factors in encouraging kids to be active has to be is seeing their parents not only
doing it themselves and but also enjoying it! I know that this may sometimes be a challenge, but by
making it seem like an everyday thing it won’t seem like a chore to them. My two little girls
think going for a run is normal and they always see me return from one happy. - Following groups such as This Mum Runs is so useful. They encourage mums to be active and to
run whatever size or shape you are. Their emphasis on the fact that you don’t have to be an
amazing runner to be a runner is brilliant. I hear The Grand Appeal is creating their own Facebook
running group soon, which I’ll definitely be joining. - Be excited about your run and make sure it is a manageable distance for you BOTH. The more fun
you have, the more fun your child will have. - Remember, walking is okay. I always find encouraging my children to not give up is much more
beneficial, because the sense of achievement they will get from completing something hard will be
brilliant for their self- confidence. So, let them take as long as they want but do try and finish. - Put music on – we play my daughters favourite: Shakira, Frozen or Barbie on my phone and we sing
as we go. - Pick a theme. One of our runs was around Halloween so my daughter asked to dress up in her
witch Halloween outfit – which made it extra special. - My 3-year-old also sometimes joins us and we attach challenges to the next tree or the next post to
keep the motivation going. You could do this with any age – try having little goals along the way. - Make it a day out by going for a run and then getting a hot chocolate somewhere near your run.
This will also help them to see running as a treat. - Pick different locations so it feels like a trip out! When there are things to see they will be distracted
by how far they’ve run. - My daughter is a bit competitive. She actually enjoys running with my phone and watching the
numbers go up on Strava until she had done the mile.
We wanted to thank The Grand Appeal for asking Elly these questions as we hope this helps get more families outside and exercising together.
More about The Grand Appeal
The Grand Appeal supports Bristol Children’s Hospital by funding pioneering, life-saving equipment and research.
From the very moment a child or young adult enters Bristol Children’s Hospital, The Grand Appeal is here for them. They are there for the families too, who find themselves – often unexpectedly – in one of the scariest situations a parent or carer can go through.
To support, raise money or to find out more about fundraising please visit The Grand Appeal Website.
