Two years ago, I was working at a summer day camp where I began talking to a co-worker about programs that we used with our students. I told her that I was a runner and I used the programs through the New York Runner’s Club. In prior years, I was struggling to find programs for my 12:1 special education physical education classes who were lacking motivation and not willing try something new. She suggested this great program that she used with her students with disabilities called Achilles Kids. I was really curious about the program, so that night I did my research on the program. Once I saw the video on YouTube explaining the Achilles Kids Program, I was sold! In the Fall of 2015, I took the plunge and signed up three of my 12:1 classes for the Achilles Kids: Run for Life Program with Karen Lewis. I was so glad I did!

My Journey Using The Achilles Kids Program

My first year with Achilles Kids was a huge success, but it was a challenge to get there. As was the case in years past, the students resisted the change from the regular routine and did not want to run and participate in the program. However, I started to run with them and told them about the different prizes that they would receive if they reached their goals. First, the certificates came in the mail, and for many of these students this would be the first award they had ever received! Soon, there was no more complaining and it was replaced with a motivation that I was so excited to see. They started striving to go a little further every time they came into the gym. Not only did they start to get moving, but they motivated me to start to run again and I started to go after my personal goal of running a marathon. Continue reading →