How do you connect with your family?  Today’s photo prompt was connect – and as usual a few ideas came to mind but I decided to go with family.  A couple years ago we all REALLY connected –  everyone got together, and went tubing for a few hours – with all of our tubes tied together.  This picture is about a quarter of the total.

I connect with my daughter usually doing things like watching Supernatural and Walking Dead (Do I get an awesome mom of the year award for that?) or hysterical videos she is always showing me of things like this. Strangely addictive.  You’re welcome.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diU70KshcjA?rel=0]

Then there’s my son’s, our biggest thing right now is Tae Kwon Doe, but there’s also the occasional Mine Craft session.  I’ll spare you a photo.  🙂

I swap seeds and gardening photos with one of my nieces, talk dinosaurs and super heroes with my littlest nephews, everyone has their own thing!

How about you, is there any particular way you connect with your family? Do you find yourself doing completely different things with everyone in the family?

Ever promise to do something without actually thinking about what it would actually entail? Me too!  I’m just guessing everyone has because it makes me feel better about me.

Unfortunately I believe that people who don’t keep their word are horrible, horrible people (unless they’re saying they won’t cheat at pool) so here I am.

I told my mom and my younger two that if they did the Couch to 5k I’d do it with them.  Sounds reasonable, right? But how do I keep up MY running if I’m also running with them? Granted I’m nothing like a serious runner anyways, but still.  I like to keep up my inflated view of my being a runner and running 1 minute at a time just doesn’t fit the bill.

c25k (Photo credit: jbj)

So I figured out a way for it to benefit all of us.   I run/walk with them but during the run I set my metronome to 180 and keep up with it while lifting my knees up to as close to waist high as I can and guess what?  The end of that one minute can’t come soon enough. This week it’s thrown my off my schedule but starting the next run I’ll  run by myself afterwards just to make sure I’m keeping up the couple of miles I usually run.

I’m not sure how this is going to work as they move through the program but I’m sure it’ll be interesting and I’m sure I’m not going to be the one to say no!  Maybe this is the kick I need to finally start running further than a 5K? Only time will tell….

Did you start running with the Couch to 5K? Have you ever tried to influence others to get up and start running (or doing something else fun off the couch)?

My youngest son has been toying with the idea of running  for a while, probably since he started middle school last year.  He runs on the track in gym and periodically he just gets the bug and wants to run with me. Although this urge to run keeps coming back it never lasts long, and that’s partly my fault for not encouraging him as much as I should.

Last year I told the kids we’d probably do The Color Run but it was in December and with the holidays and all we just never did it.  This year?

This year The Color Run is going to hit Clearwater January 26th, totally do-able!  Even my (also middle school) daughter who has little if any interest in running is excited about running this one.  I’m going to do my best to convince them both that they want to start the Couch to 5K soon to get ready for it.  But if they don’t it doesn’t matter a bit, this run is all about having fun.  Which of course is the best reason to do anything.

“We call The Color Run the ‘happiest 5K on the planet’ because our events bring together friends and family in a unique, healthy, and fun environment,” said Travis Snyder, founder of The Color Run. “Our only rules are that people wear white and prepare to be covered in color at the finish!”

I can get behind that! Except for I don’t actually own anything white due to spaghetti sauce and salsa, so I’ll have to rectify that.

Do you want in? Um, they say it’s the happiest 5K on the planet, of course you do!  On top of all the fun you also get t-shirt, headband, tattoo, and a color packet when you go to pick up your race bib.You can use the code Color5Off for a $5 discount to sign up for a run in any city and if you sign up as part of a team of 4 or more you get an additional $5 off per person. Sweet!  Just don’t forget to use the code when you register, they won’t apply it after the fact.

Another cool thing is kids 5 and under get to participate for free!  Of course they don’t get the swag but who cares? If they need the t-shirt you can get them one here!  I have a 4 year old nephew who’s favorite thing in the world (besides fighting monsters of course) is racing people around the neighborhood. I am hoping he can come with me, he’d have a blast!  Just don’t forget that 5k = 3.1 miles so if you bring a wee one be prepared to get an extra arm workout if you need to do some carrying!

You can check out The Color Run’s site for more information and to sign up.

Disclosure: I have received two free race entries in exchange for posting about The Color Run.