Run, Maddie, Run!

As some of you know, Maddie joined the school running club this past fall.  The running club meets 1/2 hour before school every Tuesday and Thursday.  The children are given 20 minutes to run laps and collect popsicle sticks for each completed 1/4-mile lap.

We weren't certain if Maddie would enjoy this activity or how long she might continue in the club.  Well running club "season" is over next month and Maddie is still running before school every Tuesday and Thursday.  She has shown great determination and desire as she has steadily improved over the past few months.

Maddie and friends from class stay loose before a race

This was evident recently during an after school "race" event with multiple elementary schools participating.  Maddie started the 1 1/2 mile race quickly, running past several of her kindergarten classmates and soon she disappeared out of sight (the race was around a large loop in a local park).  Tom started walking the race course thinking he would meet Maddie on the course.  Well he didn't get very far when Maddie came running into sight.  She was very tired but was determined to continue running until she crossed the finish line.

Maddie passes the 1-mile mark and sees the finish line in the distance

Maddie enjoys a popsicle after the race

She finished the race much faster than we thought she would and she didn't walk at all (that was her goal)!  We couldn't have been more proud of her.  Now she's looking forward to another after school race in February and another 1 1/2 mile fun run with Dad on a weekend, also in February.  Dad's a little nervous that his 6 year old daughter will embarass him during the race... and Maddie has already said that she won't wait for him if he needs to walk!

Run, Maddie, run!

Maddie Rides Her Two-Wheeler

For months Maddie had been trying to ride her bicycle without training wheels.  Several of her neighborhood friends were already riding two-wheelers so she was determined to learn too.  We first tried in a flat open grassy area but it was too difficult to pedal (but falling didn't hurt).  We next tried on the street where Dad would run behind holding the seat and let go when he thought she was balanced.  That didn't work well either and Maddie took a few hard spills.  She didn't try again for a few months - mostly afraid of falling but also not confident that she would ever ride a bike!

Recently Dad found a simple technique online to teach children how to ride a bike.  We tried it over the long MLK weekend and within one hour (spread over three days) Maddie was riding her bike! 

She's been riding her bike every day this week after school and the riding distance (and duration) is increasing each time she rides.  She is now completely steady when she rides and has mastered starting, stopping, and turning.  There's no more fear - in fact we have a hard time getting her off the bike.  This weekend she wants to go for lots of bike rides with her friends... she's really enjoying her new bicycle and it's fun watching her having so much fun.

See the video below from day #4 (she's even better now).