Sign Up for Kids’ Only Triathlon!
Summer provides the perfect weather to go swimming, bicycling, and even running with your family! Have you noticed any of your kids jockeying to set-up competitions to see “Who can swim the fastest?” or “Who can run the most laps around the house?” If your children qualify as these exercise-enthusiasts, it’s time to sign them up for a kids’ only triathlon!
Kids enjoy exercising when it is under the guise of play: let the fun begin! As Théoden Janes further explains this whole concept in Kids Triathlons: Fun – and Easy as 1, 2, 3, “If the mere mention of the words “kids triathlon” makes you cringe, take a deep breath and relax: Kids triathlons are not designed to push children to their physical limits. In fact, many of these swim-bike-run races are short-distance affairs that require almost no training and are over in 15 to 20 minutes. Flotation devices and training wheels are allowable if kids need them. This accessibility is leading to a surge in the popularity of kids triathlons, according to data from USA Triathlon, the sport’s governing body. As of March 2009, it had nearly 31,000 members ages 17 and younger, up 25 percent from the previous year.” These kids’ triathlons involve the whole family, allowing us all to participate in the event, while cheering on our young athletes! If you are interested in locating a kids’ triathlons in your local area, check out this website for events across the nation.
We all are in awe of those that partake in triathlons, with the sheer endurance that is necessary to complete such a physically-demanding task. Braking down this challenge in a more manageable approach, kids are able to be introduced to this sport at an early age and become inclined to a more active lifestyle. In Greensburg, PA, the Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity 2010 Kids Triathlon is kicking off this Saturday, “The 2010 Kids Triathlon is well under way. Coordinated by Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity, the goal is to introduce the sport of triathlon to children. This event promotes a fun and healthy way for kids to have a feeling of accomplishment and encourage self-esteem. Triathlon is the fastest growing sport in America, especially among kids. It creates an environment for fun competition. It is perfect for active and inactive kids because it challenges them to train in three disciplines; swim – bike – run, involves their parents as support and training partners, and creates a positive atmosphere of both psychological and physical health.” These kids are committed to achieving their goal of crossing that finish line, even in this dire heat!
Registering for a kids’ triathlon is not simply a physical commitment, but a life-altering event! Author John Meyer notes in Lessons in Life’s Priorities at a Kids’ Triathlon, “Saturday’s IronKids Triathlon in Boulder was filled with great kids, interesting stories and heartwarming images, but one in particular is going to stick with me a while. Thomas Jessop, 14, is biking 3,200 miles from California to Florida to benefit the homeless and bring attention to the childhood obesity epidemic. He is doing five triathlons along the way. Jessop lives in a school bus with his brother and father. They lost their house and a $60-million business in 2001 because of the dot.com bust.” The deplorable economic strife this child contends with does not divert his commitment to stay healthy and use his physical endurance to draw attention to those causes closest to his heart. Kids understand the impressionable impact their actions have!
Kids may want to sign up for a triathlon simply because they want to make a difference with their physical contributions. This is clearly illustrated in The Miracles of Mitch Foundation:“The MiracleKids Triathlon is by far the MOMF’s largest fundraiser of the entire year. If not for the hard work of each MiracleKid raising pledges and the generosity of each and every donor, the foundation would not have the funding needed to support cancer families across Minnesota…The past couple of years have hit some families very hard. Imagine how much harder it would be if your family was also treating a child with cancer. That’s exactly what the families that the Miracles of Mitch assists are going through. Some of the cases are worse than others but they all have one thing in common… each is hanging on to the hope that better days are ahead. And every grant given by the MOMF goes a long way in helping keep that hope alive. Whether a grant is to cover the big things – like mortgage payments – or the costs of sending a kid off to have fun at cancer camp for a week, it always makes a difference and reminds families they aren’t alone.” Witnessing kids helping other kids through exercise challenges is paramount!
Keep Kids Fit!
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- Brandy MONTEZ