My personal trainer, Mabeline Howard, has a program at her gym called K.O.C.O. which stands for Knocking Out Childhood Obesity. It's geared toward inner-city kids between the ages of 5 and 16 to teach them about fitness, discipline (through martial arts) and healthy eating habits. They do a variety of activities at the fitness center and meet three times a week. It's a commitment on everyone's part (most notably Mabeline's, but...she'd wave that off). Many of the kids are there on scholarships and participating in this program is a privilege they enjoy.

Mabeline asked me if I'd be willing to teach the kids how to run. I said, "Sure!...I've laid out a program that lots of women have used with success...no problem..it will be fun."

I developed a program where we walk the first couple of nights for 1/2 hour, then start to run for short distances, walk, run, walk, run....you know how it goes.

Last night was my first night and I quickly realized I'm going to need to revise my plan. Teaching kids to run is going to be a whole new ball game. They'll be quickly bored with the run, walk, run, walk thing around Perry Square and...there are different kids with different abilities and quite an age range...so I have to come up with something different.

A running friend suggested I challenge them to relay races -- which could definitely be a fun way to teach them to run. Hmmm....I can see I'll need to get creative and that will be fun (you know I love a challenge). If you have suggestions -- feel free to email me or post a comment below!

The ultimate goal is to have the kids running at least 1 mile continuously by the end of September so that we can participate in the "Run Around Erie" 1-Mile race at Presque Isle on Sept. 28.

After just one night, I have to admit I'm kinda smitten with the kids. They were eager and excited and clamoring for my attention. This is going to be a fun learning adventure -- for all of us.

Here are some photos: