what do reading and running have in common?

By: Dr. Shalini Forbis

100 Books…100 Miles…Running Clubs, Oh My!

What’s it all about? My kids’ elementary school has had a book club for years, now.

It’s actually more of a reading program. Based on what grade the child is in, the child reads a certain amount to reach each level and gets a prize for reaching level 4 by the end of the school year. For the younger grades it is 100 books at that grade level (hence 100 book club).

Well, low and behold, this year when the papers came home for 100 book club, a paper came home for 100 mile club. Goals are the same for all ages of kids and level 4 is 100 miles. Each level is 25 miles. Although running is desirable, walking counts! I thought to myself, when I saw this, what a wonderful addition for the school! As a pediatrician, I love that the school is doing something to encourage healthy minds AND healthy, active bodies.

Guess what paper came home next? Running club! Well, my third grader was so excited. This club met for one hour on a weekly basis for 10 weeks. It was led by one mother, with assistance from a small cadre of parents. The goal of the club was to introduce running as a sport, as fitness and for fun. Activities included runs around the school, games that incorporated running as a part of them and even speakers!

This all started when Robin Groves noticed how much the kids loved to run before and after school. Then she saw how much the kids enjoyed field day. She felt it would be nice to have a running program at the school and introduce kids to running early. She did research on how different elementary school running programs worked around the country and tried to find a model that would work here in Southwest Ohio. Of course, a critical factor was the support that she received from the principal of my daughter’s school!

Well, I can tell you that my daughter loved running club! She looked forward to it on a weekly basis.

Kudos to “Running Mom”, Robin Groves, on finding a way to make a difference and share her passion with a new generation of kids! Good luck Robin as you prepare for the Boston Marathon this spring!

Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies – what a combination!

Dr. Forbis a pediatrician in the Children’s Health Clinic at Dayton Children’s and a mother to two girls. As part of the “Dr. Mom Sqaud,” Dr. Forbis blogs about her experiences as both as doctor and a mom and hopes to share insight to other parents on issues related to both parenting and kids health. Learn more about Dr. Forbis.