Our 2K Family Fun Run 

About four weeks ago, my wife asked me if I was interested in doing a 2K family fun run with our five year old twin girls.

Over the last few years my wife has started running a few times a week, and has recently completed a 5K and 10K run. I have to admit I am so proud of her and a little bit in awe of her. It takes a lot dedication and determination. Thankfully my wife is the sort of person who has that in abundance.

So when she asked me I very casually said yes that will be great, why not! This, of course is taking into account that I jump in the car to go to the corner shop! I don’t walk ever really so, run? Well, I can’t remember the last time I did that so this could actually be a disaster!

We were up at our usual 6am so that’s a long time before the start of our race. Four hours to be exact. Plenty of time for the nerves to set in and bottle it, haha! No chance of me being allowed to do that!

We arrived with about 50 minutes to spare. Plenty of time for nerves to move into overdrive. The start time came around very quickly and we were ushered to the starting line. The girls in fairness were raring to go, daddy not so much! There was a countdown from 10 and then we were off!

My pace would probably be considered as slow to stopping completely. I was ok to begin with then about halfway through the first kilometre I actually started aching and realised that I really had not run for a long time! I looked down and saw my beautiful five year old twins running with so much energy and determination that I reaslised I needed to power through. Which I did of course, I couldn’t let the team down.

We were never going to win the race, I wish. But yesterday’s race taught me so many lessons.

1. I never reaslised how unfit I am and seriously need to do something about that.

2. Teaching my children important lessons, especially about leading a healthy lifestyle which is something I really need to start doing. Our children learn by example and this lesson is such an important one, but I feel I’m failing miserably at the moment. Time for a change I know.

3. Family time is so important. It’s what bonds you to your children forever so that you are able to do things together and enjoy each other’s company and the earlier this is done in their lives the bond I feel stays forever. What better way than a family fun run together. It was a beautiful feeling holding hands and running as a complete and loving unit.

We took about 20 minutes to complete the race and the girls got to high five a couple of policemen along the way which they loved! The feeling as we approached the finishing line actually was really magical! We all got a medal. Money was raised for charity and our girls had a real feeling of achievement. As it happens I felt I really had achieved something to.

I wouldn’t hesitate to do another fun run. In fact we are already talking about which one we can do next!

Yesterday was without doubt one of the best things I have ever done. I would recommend it as great fun, but also a brilliant way of family time, and having a fun day with your children.

Yesterday’s 2K fun run had over 1000 people running, with children of all ages and it was fantastic to watch all these young people being involved in sport. Running is a fantastic way of leading a healthy lifestyle.

Have you done a family fun run? Would love to know your thoughts.