Get the whole household on the right track
THERE IS no better way to train for something than with your loved ones. Families spend time together swimming, at the cinema or at soft play, but why not lace up your trainers and enjoy the great outdoors together? Running and walking are activities which can involve the whole family. Unlike many other sports, these activities suit all fitness levels, ages and abilities and they do not require an expensive gym membership. Starting out is simple. You can run to the end of the street or round the block — you don’t need to run a marathon on your first outing together.
Neil Taylor, Maccabi GB’s head of sport, suggests beginning with: “a combination of running and walking, which will increase your stamina. You could try running for two minutes at a pace where you can hold a conversation and then walk for a minute to recover. Repeat this for a total of 20 minutes and you will all feel like you are not only working hard but you have achieved something in the process.
“Once you have been running for a month or two, you might want to challenge each other a little more. This might mean leaving the pavements around your house or the local park and finding nature trails. Exploring and running go hand in hand, so map out a route and set out together on an adventure.
“There is plenty of advice out there to help anyone start running. For Running in the family: tall or tiny, we can all enjoy the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run
example, the NHS has a handy ‘couch to 5K’ plan, which many seasoned runners have used to begin with.”
Set yourselves a goal by running with others in a race or fun run. On Sunday June 23 the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run is taking place at Allianz Park in north west London.
The sheer energy of running together as a community, for the community, will no doubt motivate you to get active. That is what has made the event
a must-attend family fun day out for the last 12 years.
Last year, there were an incredible 6,500 participants and £2 million has been raised since 2006 for the community. You can choose your running distance — 1K, 5K, 5K walk or 10K — and the really adventurous can combine the three distances into a tri-run.
Plus, this year if you are looking for something extra special, a new “colour run” element will enhance the spirit
of the day and will give runners the opportunity to add to their fundraising and fitness experience.
There is a range of good causes to support and, whichever you choose to run for, you can be sure you will boost your fitness, enjoy a fun day out and do something positive for yourself and your community.
For more details on how to sign up, see communityfunrun.org