Get Your Run Club On!

Debbie Drake

Benefits for Children

- Provide regular aerobic exercise

- Increase fitness levels

- Improve academics

- Reduce obesity

- Promote health

- Present healthy outlet for energy

- Offer another playground option

- Give ‘wall flowers’ something to do

- Earn an ‘athletic’ award

- Gain appreciation for lifetime activity

- Practice disciplines of goal setting

- Encouragement: Everyone’s a winner

Benefits for Schools

- Supports physical education

- Increases readiness for learning

- Provides structure to recess

- Reduces playground hassles

- Quiets students

- Good PR for the school

- Easy-to-implement

- No teacher training

- No new equipment

- Does not require class time

Keep it Simple

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

Develop a Game Plan

When- Recess

- Before School

- After School

- During Physical Education

Develop a Game Plan

Calendar- Days per week – minimum of 2

- Number of weeks

- Duration – Fall , winter, spring, summer

- Year-long

Develop a Game Plan

Who- One grade level

- Block of teachers

- Supportive teachers

- One physical education class

Develop a Game Plan

Where- Playground

- Track – oval or on the playground

- Parking lot

- Street

- Sidewalks

Develop a Game Plan

Course Length- As large as possible

- Does not cross itself

- No hidden corners

- Away from athletic fields

- Avoid playground equipment

- Permanent markers

Develop a Game Plan

Supervision- Playground personnel

- Volunteers – background checks

- Teachers

- Students

Develop a Game Plan

Awards- Very important!

- Set specific award levels

- Establish what will be awarded

- How are awards given?

- Use appropriate awards

Keep Score

Cards LapsTakes less of your time Up-to-the-day stats

Students able to see progress Less waiting time for kids

Permanent record Takes more of your time

Stats or not up-to-the-minute Students unable to see progress

Waiting time may be longer No permanent record

Keep Score

Scanners MinutesUp-to-the-minute stats Simple average calculation

Mileage is automatically added Able to credit entire class

Waiting time for the kids? Everyone is average

Unable to see progress Need to translate to miles

Not always accurate

No record if scanner is wrong

Keep Score

Keep Score

Track Progress and Awards- Use the paper forms

- Create your own Excel® sheets

- Might Milers®

- Just Run

- EZ Tally®

EZ Tally® Demonstration

Presentation today at 11:30 in this room.

Create a Support Team

Time to Run

Time to Run

Get Excited- Review the course during P.E.

- Advertise

- Hold an assembly

- Let them run!

Time to Run

A Word of Caution- Overbooked, overstressed, overtrained

- Parent-driven year-round competition

- AAP – kids ages 5-14

- 40% of all sports related injuries

- Sport with highest rate of injury?

Activity Break

Problem Solving

Problem Solving

Rainy Days- Skip those days

- Tack on days at end

- Walk inside

- At home exercise

Problem Solving

Small Playground- Special times/days

- Indoor

- Block off street/parking lot

- At home exercise

Permission Slips– Conducted during school day – probably not

– Question safety of program, may limit

participation

– Before or after school – probably

– Check with your school

Problem Solving

No Teacher Participation– Run it without them

– Hand out awards on the playground

– During Physical Education

– At special assemblies

Problem Solving

Ending the Program Each Day– Problem: kids keep running to stay out of the

classroom

– Double punch 2 minutes before the end

– Give student a big foot or flag

– Must run once the bell sounds

Problem Solving

Mandatory?– But not punitive

– Goals and responsibility – good lesson

– Attainable

Problem Solving

Too Much Standing in Line– Lengthen the course

– Use more than one puncher

– Use students as punchers

– Count by laps using Tally Sticks™

Problem Solving

Age Appropriate Distances- Preschool – no purposeful running

- Ages 5-8: Short bursts. One mile max

- Ages 9-12: Not sole focus. Speed over distance.

- Ages 13-14: No heavy training

- Ages 15-18: Cross training is best

Problem Solving

Not Enough Recess Time- Create a special Mileage Club recess for

individual classes or several classes

together.

- Have the teachers take the students out

for a special recess.

Problem Solving

Students Punch Their Own Cards- Use a unique punch

- Alternate the punches

- Use a stamp or bingo dobber

Problem Solving

Lost Mileage Marker™ Cards- Collect the cards outside

- Not replaced without proof of mileage

- Their responsibility

Problem Solving

- Run club coordinators are the

healthiest people.

- Helps you lose inches and cellulite,

eliminates wrinkles

- Turns your time clock back 10 years.

Coordinator Benefits

Enjoy the Game