Monday, May 25, 2009

Beer by 9:00 a.m.

Wow, thanks for all the great feedback regarding the subject of kids and racing. Most of you supported it as long as the kids were on board. I thought Chris from seechrisyrun.com made an excellent point, and one to think about:

I ran as a kid - started when I was 11 or 12, and eventually developed stress fractures in both of my tibias as well as knee problems. My parents were advised to watch my mileage until my growth plates closed. Also? I burnt out for a few years in my late teens. I think it's just balance with your kids. The cool thing about running is they can take it into their adulthood. I wanted to run a marathon when I was about 14 and my parents said no, as did my doctor. Too many miles for a still growing kid. I'd just keep it in perspective for them.


I definitely think one of the risks of starting early is burn out and risk of injury. When did you start running? Are you glad you started when you did?


So the results are in. Drum roll please!!




Emma (8 years old) with dad: 1:23. She ran the whole thing which shocked the *&!@ out of me. I never saw that one coming. She was so pleased with herself and loved every minute of it. She said she can't wait until next year. WTF?


Sam (11 years old) with mom: 59:21!!! His goal was to make it in under an hour. And he just did that. We kept a decent pace most of the way, but he started to tire around mile five. That's when my annoying pep talk kicked in. I knew if we were going to make it in under an hour, we were going to have to pick it up. I kept telling him that he only had about ten more minutes then he could rest for the day. That if he quit or slowed down, he might be mad at himself. That it would be worth it in the end. That how he felt was how crappy I felt at the end of my marathon, but to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. And he pulled it out. He was so psyched. So proud. So glad he stayed in there. And he said at the end, "I wouldn't have done that if you hadn't been there." It was quite a mother/son moment, I tell ya.


Then it was beer and soda all around. Sometimes it's good to have low expectations. You can only go up from there.

18 comments:

  1. What an awesome day for the whole family. Congrats to your kiddos - they both did awesome! I think it's great that you're encouraging your kids to be active and bonus that you can all do it together!

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  2. Congratulations to all of you! Sounds like you're parenting through the race situation perfectly. Tell Emma and Sam they should both feel very proud of themselves. Nothing like beer for breakfast...

    PS: Thank you for the link. You're nice. :-)

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  3. Wow! Your kids are going to be runners! Sounds like a fun time. I need to sign up for that next year. I keep saying I'm going to do it, but I never do....

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  4. So let me get this straight - the kids perform and you get the reward (beer)... Please don't be Dina Lohan, please don't be Dina Lohan, please don't be Dina Lohan...

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  5. IF your kids have potentials to become a runner then you are on the right track now! Start training them! Goodluck! ; )

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  6. Your kids did an awesome job! How special that you were able to do this together as a family. I am sure that the will remember that forever.

    Congratulations!

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  7. Wow congrats to your kids. Those are times I would be proud of! How fun!

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  8. They did GREAT!!! It must feel good to be that proud of yourself at a young age :) I love it!
    It's definitely something they will always remember. I was always running for soccer, but never "started running" until about my senior year of high school. But it clicks at different ages, if they're into it that's awesome. :)

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  9. Way to go fam!

    I wish I ran as a kid. But I was more the bookworm, nerd type. I dreaded the mile run day at school, and it was took me at least 13 minutes because I would walk most of the way.

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  10. Now that is a wonderful family weekend! Great job by all of you!

    As far as the Tucson Marathon goes, it can be a fast course because of the downhill, but it is also a race that will really pound your legs into hamburger. It was my first marathon and I'll never do that one again. It took me far too long to recover after it. The is a reason that none of the elite marathon runners ever do the race. That said, it is well organized.

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  11. I like the way you think. Beer + Can only go up from there = awesome! Just found your blog, I think it's great!

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  12. Congrats gang!!!! I do think there's a lot to Chris' comment. I've noticed that masters runners are often guys who take up running late and still have a passion for it. A lot of really talented guys who go all out in HS/college don't do it much afterward. Some people actually subscribe to the notion that everyone has about 5-10 years of really laying it on the line before they are physically and/or mentally done. That's been about right for me and I know a lot of others that have had a similar experience.

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  13. I agree that Chrissy made an excellent point. If your kids love running, why not let them. But, definitely check with the Pediatrician you trust for their wise advice.

    How fun that you all did this together as a family! I'm going to remember the pep talk you gave your son when I'm running on June 7th, and I'm about to poop out. :)

    I moved to San Diego when I was 20. I met a friend, Tracy, who was a runner. She talked me into training for a 10K and running it with her. After several years, my knees couldn't take running anymore, but I continued other forms of cardio. Just within the last few years I've started running again and my knees feel fine. I love it!!!

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  14. For the record, I TOTALLY knew your daughter would do it. :o)

    What a great family day of racing!

    And to answer your question, my first race was in elementary school. I even dug out some pics. :o)

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  15. Congrats to your family!! How fun for all of you to be running together. I hope they keep it up, and I think the idea of balance is best. No need to push them to be the youngest kid to run a marathon!

    I started running on my seventh grade cross country team, so I was 13. Haven't stopped since!

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  16. sooo fun! what a great day for the whole family :)

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  17. That's so cool that you did this with your family. If I have kids, I hope to get them involved in running too, but as Chris said, with a careful watch!

    I started in middle school, but hated track so didn't pick it back up until college.

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