Kidzui Blog

My husband discovered his love of triathlons a few years ago and has since built up to Ironman status. So it comes as no surprise that our son, who’s nearly three, is just as active. He seriously sprinted a mile down the beach this weekend and loved every second of it.

Although our little guy is too young for races, I know it won’t be long until he will want to hit the track with Daddy. We think it’s important to keep him active but it’s even more important to keep it fun. Because that’s what it’s all about, right? Swimming, biking, and running is fun for kids. Why not encourage it?

Maybe your kids are already triathletes and don’t even know it. Let’s just say they spend some time swimming in the pool, and then hop on their bikes to ride to the park, and run around playing tag. Hmmmm…sounds like a triathlon to me. If your kids love to swim, bike and run, you may want to check out a race in your area and let them see what it’s all about. Once they see the other kids having a blast (and getting medals) they may want to sign up for the next race.

Perhaps your daughter loves to bike and run but she’s not a strong swimmer. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, put her in a swimming class. Or form a team with her friends and they can each complete one leg of the race.

If you’re interested in learning more about races in your area, visit TriFind to find a list of kids triathlons in your state.

Next help your child find a race that is age-appropriate. For example, USA Triathlon recommends that kids under 12 years old participate in a race that has a pool swim, a bike course closed to traffic, and extra volunteer support. USA Triathlon also has a distance chart to help you determine the appropriate race distance for your child by age range.

Remember, the goal is to keep it fun so your kids will develop a life-long passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Plus, they will have a deeper appreciation for sportsmanship and teamwork.

Share your story! Does your child participate in races? How young were they when they started? What is their favorite event? How do you keep it fun for your kids?

Enjoy!

Tara
KidZui Mom