It's a Richmond and Family Affair

Running with my kids has been awesome. If you read my first post on here, you will notice that the whole purpose in getting students to do a 5k with me was to improve health and to learn lessons on achieving goals. This has turned out to be so much more.

Each day we go to the neighborhood park to practice, there are always a few people out. There are parents and grandparents with their kids or people sitting outside of their houses seeing us walk by. They are starting to recognize our group that walks to the park from our school during the week. This past week, an older African American gentleman, who was there at the park with his grandchild, came up to be. He said, "I just want you to know that what you are doing with these kids is great. It's a good thing. Please keep doing it."  I didn't realize we were being watched. It felt so good to hear that. In a neighborhood where there is a lot of negativity, this bit of positivity was noticed. 

It was also great today to show up for today's workout and to see one of my students there with his family. His younger siblings were playing in the sand and parents, uncles, and cousins were there. While we were warming up, the boy's uncle asked if he could join in on our stretches. **of course!** Once we got started running, his other uncle joined in with us. His sister started running too! 

Also this first 5k experience, I only extended to my students. Well other students from our school have been showing up at the park. Even though they are not competing, they are showing up to run. We had one boy show up today and he ran the entire time. During the weekday practices, we typically have 2-3 extra kids show up and run. Kids from other classes also have asked about joining.

I think this running thing is going to have a bigger impact down the line. Word is getting out at school and kids are talking about it. Something is brewing in my thoughts, but I'll save it for now and share it another time. All I know right now that us running is good for our neighborhood and our families. Who thought running could make such an impact?