FamilyTraditions
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The kids ask the same thing at
the end of every event: Can
we do this again next year?
Getting Fit — for a Cause
Our family KJ Dell’Antonia and Rob Seelig of Hanover, New Hampshire, and our kids, Sam, age 8, Lily, 5, and Wyatt, 3
Our tradition:
Every year, we participate in several of the runs and
bike-a-thons that take place in our area. We do a cure for
cancer ride in July, join our community’s fun run (which
supports recreation programs) in August, and ride again
to support our local trails association in September. We
love these outdoor events, which are all about getting
active and having a great time together.
On the big day:
We usually invite friends to take part too, so the kids can’t
wait to find their pals at the starting line. During the race, we
all talk and cheer each other on. The little ones get a ton of
encouragement from other racers and from volunteers. The
camaraderie is great — and you know your kid isn’t working
too hard if he can chat with a buddy for ten straight miles!
How we got started:
Three years ago, we teamed up with a few other families to
bike the Prouty, a local cancer ride, with our older kids on
trailer bikes. Everyone had such a
fun time and felt so good about
supporting a worthy cause that we
started looking for other events.
Our road-tested tips:
For an energy boost, we pack an assortment of small
candies, such as Starbursts and gummy bears. We always
stop at a water station if someone wants a drink. We also
have a driver on call, in case anyone needs to bow out
early (so far no one has).
How we gear up:
We solicit pledges (Grandma has
been a trusty donor!) and begin
training about six weeks in
advance. We usually hit the trail
once or twice a week, both as a family and one-on-one
with the kids. We start with short walks, runs, or rides, then
work up to the distance we’ll cover on race day. Sometimes
we pack a picnic lunch to eat at the turnaround point of a
ride, or pedal to a fun spot, such as the ice cream shop. We
also create a family chart and reward the kids with a gold
star for each mile they log before the event.
Crossing the finish line:
The kids really root for one other to finish, and when they
do, we celebrate! The race organizers usually provide treats
and music, and we make a point of staying for the party.
This is the moment the kids will remember, so we never
hurry off.
Why we love it:
Sam: I like it because nobody’s trying to get a medal or
win — we’re just out there riding or running.
Wyatt: I like when you bring candy. Can you bring
candy again next time?
KJ: Someone else takes care of the planning. We just
show up and have fun.
