It's a typical afternoon in kindergarten classroom 004. Rest and relaxation is over, snack is quickly being consumed and 24 energetic little bodies are ready for what is next. Chaun and Sam grab their jackets from their lockers; Kristen, Meyda and Jonas are doing jumping jacks on the green carpet; a group of 5 kids are in the corner doing stretches while Hassan asks if he can get the stopwatch.

"Is everyone ready to go?" The response is a resounding chorus of "YES," from one and all. Out the door and into the early winter sunshine that characterizes November afternoons in Minnesota. They move as a group towards the field.

"Who's going to lead the warm up today?" Devin, Andrew and Courtney quickly fill this role.... each choosing their own activity. The class eagerly follows along with the toe touches, jumping and bending that is their warm up.

"How long should we run for fun today?" After suggestions and negotiations they settle on 6 minutes. Hassan starts the stop watch, hangs it on the gate and....THEY'RE OFF!!

INSPIRATION
Running and teaching have been a part of my life for many years and I can't imagine one without the other. My school is an urban elementary school in St. Paul, Minnesota; progressive, public school with a philosophy that emphasizes Multiple Intelligences, the different ways we can be smart (Gardner, 1983). Interpersonal and musical smarts are as valued as math and reading smarts. There is a place for the child who loves to explore science, sing a song, paint a picture and for the child who just wants to move. This was the foundation for my inspiration, a way to bring together two of my passions... teaching and running.

VISION
What I hoped to do was share my passion for running with my kindergartners and their families. I wanted others to feel the energy, excitement and fitness that running gives me. Our classroom is a community, a family that works and plays together. I wanted to further build our classroom community by having this shared experience of running. Starting small and dreaming big, I began.

RESEARCH
If you've ever been a salesperson you know that you need to know your audience, your market. My audience was twofold, kids and their parents. What convinces kids to participate wouldn't necessarily convince parents that this is a good idea.

"Play is the purest, the most spiritual product of man...... it produces, therefore, joy, freedom, satisfaction.... peace with the world." (Froebel, 1885). Friederich Froebel, the creator of kindergarten, sums it up well! Running and playing are as natural to young children as breathing. I didn't need to convince them to join me, they were on board and ready to run from the word go!

Next, I shared with families current brain research that supports the idea of increased physical activity being connected to increased mental alertness (Jensen, 1995). We talked about the decrease of time spent in traditional physical education classes and the growing problem of childhood obesity (Jibrin, 1999). I talked about building community and how a shared activity can do that. I pointed out the individuality running allows; fast, slow, sprint, walk, together and alone.... running is accessible to all. Grab your shoes, walk out the door and go!!!!

IMPACT
Three years have flown by since I first had my dream of bringing together teaching and running. Fitness and movement are an integrated part of each day in our classroom. My kids look forward to Kids Club Run in the afternoon and will prioritize it over just about everything else that comes our way!

Parents tell me stories of how their five year old motivated and inspired them to begin a family fitness time. I know families who have started running and walking together. Some parents show their support by encouraging their child to do something they enjoy. There are parents who have come into our classroom just to see that 15 minute segment of our day. They watch as the kids write and draw pictures in their running journal. We write in them daily. We count our minutes of running, list the running games we play and draw or write about how our running made us feel. Everyone has their own journal and they are filled with smiling faces, bodies in motion and words about how running makes them feel. Words like... "running makes me feel strong", "I feel full of energy and muscles", "When I run I feel..... happy, fast, good, excited, like I'm doing my best".

Three years have passed and my vision is changing, my dreams are on a larger scale. This spring I'll organize and direct our schools' second annual Family Fun Run. The inaugural year was complete with music, an announcer, t-shirts designed by the kids, finisher ribbons for all and a family picnic. It >was a huge success! Last year we had nearly 200 participants and this year I'm hoping for 300. Families, neighbors, teachers, and friends all celebrating fitness and building our community through running and the children we love. Starting small, dreaming big and looking to the future as an educator and a runner. Who could ask for more?

Bibliography
Gardner, Howard. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.

Jensen, Eric. (1995). The Learning Brain. San Diego, CA. Turning Point Publishing.

Jibrin, J. (1999, September). A Parent's Guide to Fit Kids. American Health. pp. 96 - 100

The Crew