As some of you may know, when I’m not nannying, travelling or writing, I like to spend hours of my day running back to where I started!

26th Mile of Dublin Marathon October 2018

I’ve just finished my third marathon. I’ve completed London, Dublin and Paris within one year!

Not only that, I have become a guide runner where I support visually impaired runners fulfil their running wishes. It’s a bit like nannying, where I put their needs before mine and support them.

Guiding Mark Rogerson in the Big Half (March 2018)

This blog will have two parts. The first will talk about running and the second will delve into RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) and how we can help children with activities.

Running

Running is my passion! And I wish I had been introduced to it as a child.

When I was at the end of primary school, we lived three quarters of a mile away along a loooong road called Booth Road, from Waterfoot to Stacksteads. To make it quicker, my Dad told me to run a lamppost, walk a lamppost and skip a lamppost! You could do this on your walk to school or even just to the library or shop!

Jeffing is where you run, walk, run. A method coined by Jeff Galloway. With your children, get them to count to 10 as they run, count to 20 as they walk etc as they get better at counting and/or running, you can switch the numbers round or increase them!

parkrun

parkrun has junior 2km events on a Sunday for 4-14 year olds all across the country.

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/juniorevents/

Alternatively, make it a family event on a Saturday. Prams are allowed on most routes for their 5km events.

To make running even more exciting, (and totally why I do it) look out for official events that children can take part in for a MEDAL!

https://www.greatrun.org/events/family-events

More to Books…

When researching for this topic, it really saddens me that there are no books solely about running. There really is a gap in the market. There are books just about cycling or just about boxing or just about swimming. Obviously, I am bias as running is my life! But there are enough inspirational runners out there to inspire your little ones.

To find out all about Cathy Freeman and other amazing sports women, take a look at this book.

For amazing runners such as Usain Bolt and Kipchoge Keino, take a look at this one:

I have ran many races with Mo Farah, but I always let him win!

RNIB- Royal National Institute for the Blind

In London, on Saturday the 11th of May, there is a unique race where you can raise money and run like a Guide Runner. If your child is 8 or over, accompanied by an adult, they can take part. Be sure to sign up before the 26th of April with the code DASH50 to get 50% off.

https://www.rnib.org.uk/double-dash

Make it a family day out and take the little ones to cheer you on. They can make signs and cheer boards for you to read along the way. The best one I’ve seen is a “Tap this to go faster” board!

Talking Books

Imagine not being able to see all the page when you’re reading. RNIB have talking books. You could sponsor one today.

https://www.rnib.org.uk/talking-books-service

Take out audio books from the library or download them to hear what it feels like. Maybe start using audiobooks if you take the car on a school run!

Braille and Moon

Braille and Moon are alphabet systems for visually impaired learners. If you are a teacher or Nursery nurse, RNIB have free education packs with lessons and resources available to download. But even as a parent or a nanny, I would encourage you to use these resources.

https://www.rnib.org.uk/braille-and-moon-–-tactile-codes-learning-braille/braille-resources-schools

There was an amazing Nanny on The Nanny Collaborative who looked after a visually impaired child. She used icing to make a massage on his Birthday Cake. Explore Braille with your children.

Share a picture of a run with your child.

Love Kat x