exercising with children

Run a 5k with a 6-year old? Great idea! Remember that this is their race, not yours. Run at their speed. If they need a break, take a break. If they need a snack, give them one. And be ready to carry them at any time. If I can carry a 10 year old on my back through a 10k you can carry a 6 year old through 5k. If you can't, then don't run the race.

I work out with my kids, now 12-years old, almost every day. They frequently bug me to workout more with them. I will share with you my rules of thumb:

1) Child safety is job one. You need to think as if you have child safety written in big bold letters across your forehead. Everything you do needs to be considered in light of safety. This requirement is not flexible.
2) Meet them on their turf. Select or modify the exercise so that it is developmentally accessible to them. For example, little kids need frequent breaks and snacks.
3) Make it fun. Kids learn when they are having fun. For a 2-year old this may involve letting them be 'the monster' and chasing you around a field. For a 4-year old it may involve thunderous applause every time they catch a ball. For a 12-year old it may involve handing them a quarter every time they beat you at wind sprints (let them). And so on. Most kids care far less about winning than having fun. Who cares if you win the game if you turn the sport into aversion therapy? If you make exercise fun they will love you for it and learn to enjoy exercise their whole lives.
4) Give them unconditional love and support, and never hold your love for them hostage to their performance. Children may be afraid of trying new things or have issues of self-confidence. Children worry that they'll disappoint you or that they'll lose your love if they don't perform well. Put yourself in the position of soothing rather than exacerbating their fears.
5) Positive coaching. Use 'the sandwich technique' when coaching. If you need to make a suggestion, such as, "It might help if you face in the direction of the ball when playing soccer," make sure to surround it with three positive statements, e.g., "You are really enjoying yourself out here," or "My, but you have picked a huge pile of grass...you must be very proud." It may sound silly, but the efficacy of the sandwich technique is supported by a huge amount of empirical data holds true all the way up to Olympic champions.
6) Set an example. Children are relentless observers and will learn as much from what you do as what you say. Make sure to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Try to get yourself in shape. You don't have to be in great shape, but they need to see you try.

I don't see the problem to taking you kid with you to something that's appropriate and beneficial for them ..
It's a good example for them. I'd take her.

I run with my nieces and nephews all the time. Do be aware that you might have to scale back or turn around early. Just consider it your warm up or bonus run.

If your daughter is 6 then no offense she probably has way more energy than you ever could, and running a 5k will seem like a walk in the park to her.

I would go out with her first and see where she's at. My 5 year old has the most energy I've ever seen, is extremely athletic, but at his age has a hard time running 4 blocks straight.

That's awesome! I have a friend whose daughter rides her bike with her while she runs but I'm sure she'd be open to having her run right alongside her.

Running is ok. I run with my 3 year old.

Yoga, maybe not so much..

i ran a 10k race last fall, and there was a little girl (probably 5) running the 5 k with her dad. It was adorable. No judgment. You're teaching her good habits!

I have a 6 year old, almost 7 year old. he has "run" 4 5k's with me..and a couple kid runs. The first one we walked most of it, the second we ran a little bit more, the third we ran intervals ( ran 1 min walked 30 seconds) the 4th we ran almost the whole thing. Now I won't take him on one of my "actual runs" as I have to slow down, or take more walking breaks than I would like. So on days that I run twice, I will take him on my shorter/slower run. We have also discovered he can ride his bike 4 miles before his "butt hurts" So that is a great option also. I have a lake close to my house that is 4 miles around (on a trail) so he will ride his bike and I will run. he just has to stop every once in awhile so i can catch up

I do one mile fun runs with my 3 year old...I'm sure he'll be blowing my doors off in 5K races when he's 6. My excuse will be that I triathlon so don't have the time to dedicate just to running...LOL

What? Your 3 year old can run a mile? Need video proof of this.

LOL...he runs, he walks...he runs some more, he fall down, etc. He's excited for August 'cuz mommy and daddy are doing the Dirty Dash and he gets to do the 1 mile Piglet Plunge afterwards.

Saw this inspiring family at the park, six kids, mom and dad all out for a run together. The smallest was in a jogging stroller. They looked so happy and healthy. I say just do it!

My 6 and 7 year old step-sons ride their bikes with me as I jog. They'll go ahead of me (still always in my view) then turn around and come back, go ahead of me and come back, etc. It works out well!

I see no problem with her jogging along side you, unless she will hold you back! Then just have her ride

To be honest I think you're setting a brilliant example to her and can only encourage her to be fit and healthy!