Family Fitness, Fun
A few years ago I had gotten into the habit of running every morning. I would wake early in the morning, and run about two-and-a-half–miles each day. The older children would ask me if they could go. And sometimes they would actually get up at 4:30 a.m. to join me. It was a little rough because they would need to stop along the way, and I did not like to stop.
Well, as we all do, I got out of the habit. Actually, my running shoes wore out and my back began to hurt, so I stopped until I could afford a new pair of shoes. Now, two years later, a new pair of running shoes came into the thrift store and I am back in the running!
I decided that Thursday night was going to be my night of return to pain and suffering, so I stretched, got my mind in the game, and took off. The kids wanted to come, but it was late, dark, and probably not the best idea.
Truth is, I didn’t want the children to see their “hero father” gasping for every breath with panic and pain as I tried to beat my ageing body back into shape; it’s an ugly process, and as a father, I feel it necessary to protect my children from life’s dark moments!
The run was tough, almost fatal, but worth it. When I got home I realized that I needed to figure out a way to include the children in this activity of mine. I also realized that beginning an exercise program with them would be highly beneficial for us all.
There is a fantastic running track behind the old high school, something that I almost forgot about, and I figured that we could all go there for this family exercise time; besides, it’s fenced in and a safe place to bring the puppy as well!
So here we go; Sunday night I and the four older kids began to stretch for our night at the track. Cheryl and the twins decided to sit this one out because it was late and dark. We began with stretching as a group. I showed the crew all of the most painful stretches I knew, well, they were painful for some of us.
Some freaks like Julieann felt no pain at all. I was all like…“go slow with this one because it really burns,” and Julieann was all like…“I don’t feel anything at all,” and I was all like…“shut up man!”
The only thing about stretching with the children that was therapeutic for me was the fact that my son was in as much pain as I was, and he is 14. In fact…I got closer to touching my toes than he did! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I, Jason Parr, 39 years of age, can reach my toes better than my much younger son…at least I still have that going for me!
After the stretching, we drove out to the track, and had an awesome time together. I was able to run my two miles, while the other guys ran and walked together.
We decided that it would be awesome for the whole family to begin going together every night after dinner. When we got home, I talked it over with Cheryl, and wholla!; we now have a new family activity that we are all very stoked about.
Yesterday we all went out to the track together, and it was awesome. The fun part was all of us stretching together in the living room. Everyone takes the whole thing so serious. You should see the twins in there with us; they are so into it. They get this serious look on their faces and try real hard to get the form right.
Even though I know they are not feeling any pain, mainly because their bodies are still real loose; they look at me and grimace, while making noises that would suggest that they are really feeling the burn. I think they do this just to make me feel better!
Julieann and Mackenzie, on the other hand, take great joy in announcing that they cannot understand why Cheryl, Christian, and I are in so much pain. At one point I was doing the whole stretching the inside of my legs thing, you know, with my legs spread apart as though I was going to do a split, and I did not get very far down at all. That was when Mackenzie just flops down into a full split, something I have never seen her do before, and she looks up at me and says…“huh, look at that, I can do a split!”
Oh yeah, well… huh, look at that, I can drive, and stay up late, and eat whatever I want to, and I’m taller, and I…well I can drive!
We all went out to the track, some ran, and some walked. It was fantastic to be together as a family; and it felt great to know that I was leading my family into a habit of exercise. This is something that is incredibly important to do, especially since obesity is so rampant in our southern culture.
So now, every night we will be out at the track in the evenings around 6:30 p.m. just being a family, and enjoying the time together as we stay fit.
If you and your family would like to join us you are more than welcome; maybe together, as Jasper County families, we can all get into better shape. As for me…one day I hope to do a split!
Jason, father of six