Our New Trend In Family Fitness, The 5K!

After Bobby graduated dental school at New York University, he became an officer in The United States Navy.  He definitely had his share of boot camp training before deploying to Afghanistan.  I have always been proud of my husband as he was one of only a few that were given this Navy scholarship to attend dental school.

While serving at our first duty station in North Carolina, my husband picked up a love of running.  It started with a few 5k’s, then when we PCS’D (permanent change of station in the military) to San Diego it was a few halves, and before you knew it he was running The New York City Marathon.  I was officially living with a man who wouldn’t stop running.  I had my own personal Forest Gump! (Where were you Bobby? I was RUUUUNNNNNING!)

Recently, I too started my new fitness and health journey.  “Sit less, move more, and exercise.” It’s these exact words, New York Times best-selling author, Jorge Cruise said that has resonated with me.  My journey with Jorge has definitely kickstarted my need to be constant with both my fitness endeavors and eating habits.  However, I find it challenging with all my kids going in four different directions from lacrosse, to swimming to dancing, and even crawling.  As a mom of 4 multi-directional children, how can I balance everyone’s individual activities and still enjoy exercise as a family unit?

Hello 5K

When we returned from Cabo this last week, Bobby, unbeknownst to me signed us all up for our first 5K.  I was a little scared because you are lucky if I could run a few blocks without stopping.  Running has always been my husbands thing, not so much mine.  However, I dug deep and channeled my inner Gabby Reece and found this new burst of energy.  I was officially ready to conquer the challenge with four kids in tow.

The 5K is definitely the way to go to get your family moving.  The kids were stoked when we checked into our very first race at the headquarters at Seaport Village located in the heart of San Diego.  There were so many families in line that I too felt a sense of relief.  My real goal was to get my kids to fall in love with racing as a family and make fitness a life-long habit.

The Color Run

The Color Run, which is said to be the “Happiest 5k on the Planet,” has been going on for the past five years.  It’s meant to promote healthiness and happiness by bringing the community together.  The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed event where thousands of participants, or “Color Runners”, are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. There’s only two rules to this fun run: Wear white and get plastered in color.

While you are smiling and running or even walking this epic course, you are bathed in a tropical array of colors and delicious island scents as you pass through the shade of palm trees, arches, and island-style music. For me, when I finally got to the end, I was reliving my prom at the Palladium in New York City.  It was a complete rave.  I was jumping, dancing and high-fiving every person that passed me.  Who needs a glow stick when we were all glowing in color and radiating from the happy energy.  They called this dance fest, Rainbow Beach, an interactive island featuring music, dancing, and unique photo opportunities.   This massive colorful throw down was the ultimate ending to an awesome family experience.

As a participant of The Color Run, we received a limited-edition Tropicolor race shirt, finisher’s medal on a floral-printed ribbon, embroidered headband, and fun temporary tattoos.  It doesn’t matter if it’s your first experience with The Color Run or you’ve been joining in for years, the Tropicolor World Tour will be the most memorable 5k of your life. I can assure you the Schaffer family had a blast and will be doing this for years to come.  Daddy already signed us up for our next “family” race.  Can’t wait to see what’s next up his sleeve.

Thank you Color Run for getting our family motivated to complete such a colorful happy-dance inspired course.  Our party of 6 obviously runs the gamut with fitness abilities, but were able to accomplish this goal as a family unit, cheering each other on .  The dance party at the end was extremely Schaffer-esque and we seriously can’t wait for the next one.

For more information on when The Color Run is coming to your town click HERE.  I also suggest you follow their Facebook page for more info.  In the meantime, tell me your fitness stories with your family.  Comment below!  (Enjoy our Snap Chat live from our experience.  It’s worth it to see the dance party at the end )