They’re not called the horror-days for nothing. And while many of us are heading to the bach, crib or campground to wind down after a hectic year, for parents the suggestion of a stress-free break is simply scream-worthy.
Avoid the screens, save your sanity and get them running (instead of running rings around you) by creating a challenge that gets their steps and confidence up.
Gold-medal winning Para shot-putter Lisa Adams (yes, from that Adams family) has teamed up with the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon and recommends challenging your tamariki with a personal goal for the hols.
Here are her top tips for getting it done:
- Have fun!
The Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is a rite of passage for Kiwi kids. They’ve been running for more than 30 years, and the reason kids keep coming back? They’re loads of fun! Have fun while you train. Turn your training into a game or plan to train with friends or your family – it’s a lot more fun when everyone is involved and will help keep you motivated.
- Get a good night’s sleep every night
Getting enough sleep is one important thing you need to do, especially if you are doing more physical activity than you are used to. Sleep gives your body time to recover, conserve energy, and repair and build up the muscles worked during exercise.
- Set mini goals to get to your end goal
It’s a good idea to set a goal before you start a big or new challenge like the TRYathlon. Your goal may be to complete the entire TRYathlon without stopping. Whatever your goal is, write it down and work out the steps that are going to get you there.
- Just give it a go
It doesn’t matter how you do, as long as you try!
- Eat a nutritious breakfast
Make sure you’re fuelling your body with the good stuff every morning, especially before you train and on TRYathlon day. Wholegrains and milk are great fuel to help you be active – add some fruit for a delicious and nutritious brekkie.
- Make sure you eat fruit and veggies every day
Healthy eating will help make sure that you have the energy you need to train. Fruit and veggies have lots of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to grow and be strong and healthy.
- Practice with friends and family
Training together with your friends and family can make it much more fun. My sister Valerie (you might know her as Dame Valerie Adams) is my coach and she helps me to be the best I can be, while having loads of fun.
- Drink lots of water throughout each day
Your body needs fluids to work well, so prep a water bottle and sip on it all day and heaps more while you train.
- Make sure your shoes are tied up well and they’re supportive
Check your footwear before you start running and cycling to make sure they’re safe and comfortable.
- Wear sunscreen if you’re training outdoors
Slip, slop, slap and wrap!
And a bonus tip for parents and caregivers:
Try and make training as much fun as possible and build your child’s fitness level to the point they can cover the distance of the swim, bike and run comfortably. Come up with some creative ways to get active. Running around with friends or biking together as a family still counts.
Beginning in 1992 with just 500 entrants, the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is now the biggest triathlon series in the world for kids aged under 16 with more than 460,000 kids taking part across three decades.
Entries are open now for 2023 events across the country. More information can be found at https://tryathlon.co.nz/ and https://trychallenge.co.nz/
2023 dates:
Central East Auckland Sun 12 Feb 2023 9:00am Point England Reserve, Point England
Hastings Wed 15 Feb 2023 10:00am Mitre 10 Sports Park, Hawke’s Bay
Christchurch (AM) Sun 26 Feb 2023 9:00am Jellie Park, Burnside
Christchurch (PM) Sun 26 Feb 2023 1.45pm Jellie Park, Burnside
Dunedin Sun 5 Mar 2023 9:00am Taieri College, Mosgiel
Nelson Sun 12 Mar 2023 9:00am Tahunanui Beach Reserve, Nelson
Wellington Sun 19 Mar 2023 9:00am Kilbirnie Park, Kilbirnie
Palmerston North Tue 21 Mar 2023 10:00am Ongley Park, West End
New Plymouth Thu 30 Mar 2023 10:00am Ngamotu Beach Reserve, New Plymouth
