Sometimes It Is Just for Fun
I’ve done it before. I’ve signed up for events that have taken weeks of training to prepare. I’m not talking about marathons here. I’m more of a 5K girl. However, I find running to be quite difficult despite my love of spinning class and the elliptical. Sometimes those 5Ks do take weeks of training for me!
These events can be challenging and rewarding. They improve my fitness and give me a sense of accomplishment both from helping a cause and from meeting a fitness goal.
Well, this week I signed up for an event that won’t take any training at all and I am very excited about it for different reasons.
I visit my hometown a lot, but the time often doesn’t coincide with any charity events nearby. Things will change this year because the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run/Walk will take place the first Saturday I am home.
I just registered the Frosty Prancers which will consist of me, my mom and my sister-in-law so far. This brings me to my point.
Participating in events for charity can be a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family. In my case, I sometimes run and do more intense exercise, but most of my family isn’t into that at all. Health yes, but walking is the preferred activity. I admit I like it a lot too.
So we aren’t going to worry about our time, getting in a good workout or sprinting to the finish. We are going to enjoy spending time together and walk for a good cause. This is actually the first time we’ve done an event like this as a family. I hope we can make it a tradition, but with personal schedules as they are I am definitely thankful for this one opportunity.
Don’t get me wrong. If you have family or friends that share similar routines and goals, the training itself can serve as time together. For me, I have a husband who likes to run extended distances and I have family and friends who enjoy walking. I fall somewhere in between the two. Taking a step back and enjoying a fitness event for the togetherness part and not the hardcore exercise part can be equally rewarding.
While there is no doubt that those challenging events we train for are fun, sometimes it is nice to do an event just for fun, no training involved.
Do the charity events you participate in allow you to spend time with the special people in your life?
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