MAKING YOUR CLASSROOM RUNNING PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL
Winter Running by Pete Saccone
Bookmark by Brittany
What will it be like returning to It's "Funner" to be a Runner? The kids have been away from the program for at least two weeks. I used to wonder if we were going to have to begin all over as we did at the start of school. I found out that is not the case. Unlike at the beginning of the school year, the kids have already experienced success with their running. We simply begin where we left off before we left for our winter break. I tell the kids that we might be a little sore for a few days and the soreness will be gone soon. It always works. Before the end of the first week back the kids are where they were when we left.

The weather is cold during January and February. ( I know what you're thinking. "He doesn't know what cold is!" Actually, I do. I lived in Conn. for many years.) At any rate, it's exciting to see the kids wear sweats etc. When they get to school they are cold! Once we begin our run everyone warms up, the talking and laughing begin and we have a good time. The warm room is very inviting as we return after our 45 minute run. Needless to say, there are some of you who will not be able to run everyday with the snow etc. As I have stated in prior messages, perhaps you can use your gym for running or other aerobic activities.

For those of you who have not begun a running or walking program, please see my prior monthly messages. For those of you who have been running or walking, I hope you are finding success. Perhaps you should review my prior messages also. By now the kids should be feeling very proud of their accomplishments---they should be very excited. Hopefully, you are using the running in classroom activities such as math, science and writing. It's a terrific opportunity to get the kids to see the value of both the running and the academics.

Have you entered the kids in any fun runs? The kids truly love this opportunity. It's not a lot of work and the benefits are enormous. Hopefully, you are giving out certificates and paper shoes for miles run and fun runs completed. These paper awards motivate the kids a lot. Have you asked the parents to run with you? They are a big help when it comes to giving rides to the kids who want to participate in the weekend fun runs.

I hope all is well with your running or walking program. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me for help. saccone@gwise.cajon.k12.ca.us

Happy New Year,

Pete Saccone

The most important thing to remember is that It's "Funner" to be a Runner!!!!


 by Carlye, 11 years old..."Running with Mr. Brant"
(John Brant, author of "A" for Effort, September 2000, Runner's World)


We are very pleased that Pete Saccone will be writing a monthly column on his program It's "Funner" to be a Runner. Please email carol.kids@rodale.com with comments on this column.