Runner's World, You can do Better.

Reposted from http://happyhealthyvillage.com

My family and I just participated in the  Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival in Newton, MA .  My youngest daughter (age 6), ran the kids race and I ran the half. (I’ll do it again next year!).  I have often used running as an amazing vehicle to teach my kids about goal setting, hard work, perseverance, resilience and fun. Runners learn that not all days are good days and sometimes the best we can do is simply show up and take what the road gives us. That is one of the amazing gifts of running.

Runner’s World has been a part of my life for many years and my children are used to seeing the magazine on the coffee table. I read it cover–to-cover and find that it has the right balance of humor and strong content. This is a magazine for runners – not male or female runners – but runners.

So imagine my surprise when I heard the announcer of the kids’ race (age 6-8) say the following into the loud speaker,

“Don’t let yourself get passed by a girl”.

As he said this I saw many parents’ heads turn (including my own). What?! I realize that this could have been a momentary lapse of judgment on behalf of the announcer, but words have impact. Here is what his words said.

• To the boy who was being passed – He was shamed for being passed by the opposite gender and taught that girls are less than him.
• To the girl who passed the boy – Her victory in  is diminished and she is taught that she is less than the boy, despite beating him to the finish.
• To those watching the race – They are taught that gender inequality is still alive and well.

I cannot shield my children from the biases of people like that announcer.  But I can make it my job to make my voice heard on behalf of the boys and girls growing up today.

A CALL TO ACTION FOR ALL OF US… INCLUDING RUNNER’S WORLD MAGAZINE

• Embrace diversity. Focus on the fact that runners come in all shapes and sizes and can be male or female. What matters is doing your best and putting one foot in front of the other.
• View running as an amazing teaching opportunity.  There are so many valuable life lessons to be learned through running.
• Stop shaming children publicly during a race. This will not result in building healthier, stronger kids. This should not happen, ever.
• Teach children about the concept of personal best. There is only one first place finisher, but all can be winners if they did their personal best.
• Screen and prep your announcers better next time. Please, don’t use that guy again.

• Parents- Siblings - Runners- FriendsWe have a responsibility to this generation as well.
  

  When we see inequity – we call it out.

  When our children are exposed to inequity we don’t stick our heads in the sand.

We hold others accountable and we work to be a part of the solution.

We model hard work, perseverance, commitment and personal best – in all things in life.

We teach our children that the world may not always be fair, but that they can use their voice and actions to make it a better place.