I am continually amazed at my children. This time I will dote on Zachary! He has run a different distances. 100m dash,1500m in track, X-Country, a 5k Fun Run and anything in between. Already a proud Dad.
So this year when I decided to start training for my first Triathlon over in Southold after thinking I was never going to run again after messing my back up last year. I was looking for some training seminars and found the Tobay Triathlon. As I flipped through the brochure for the race, I noticed they had a Junior Tri.
I asked Zachary, if he wanted to do a Triathlon. He said, "Sure! What is it?" :)
I knew he could swim, because we made sure he learned to swim after almost drowning in my friends pool, and biking came easy. So I thought this was a great opportunity for him to experience an event like this.
The race directors of the event also had training sessions each Saturday before the race. That was a great opportunity to get the lay of the land with the course and transitions. Personally, I love exploring new courses and I do my best to avoid training on the same roads. While I know it's important to review the course. I personally love seeing something new! Anyway, as a kid, knowing where things will be helps build confidence.
The day of the race, the waters were calm and the event was very organized. They separated the age groups in to 3. And had the 12-13 start first, 10-11 next, and lastly 8-9 year olds. The directors also made sure that each age group was finished before the next age group started. They made the kids feel special during the race. Also dividing it up like that help alleviate the congestion and confusion that would have happened if all the kids were racing at the same time.
Some of the kids were veterans of doing Triathlons, others looked like they did not even train as I watched several parents and kids looking confused mounting their bikes in the transition area. While my family is new to the sport, we had some education and was happy to share some advice, because of safety.
I noticed my son sort of zone out before the race. Something I sort of do as well. I know I am not going to win any awards, but being in a crowd of hundreds or thousands always gets the butterflies floating in the belly.
What was interesting, some parents looked anxious as well, which probably transferred to their kids. Unfortunately, I witnessed some critical parents as well. I hate being judgmental and the day should be filled with fun and enjoyment. This is a long term lifestyle, and is it really that important that they remember their baby powder? We are here to be part of their lives. If it's not fun for you, do you believe by criticizing them for probably something simple will make them love the sport. Our job is to inspire, motivate, mold and assist them in being Awesome Humans, and it starts with us Being Awesomely Awesome.
At the end, whenever you berated them. It does not compare to that last hug many years from now.
They are not mini version of you. You are part of their journey as they are part of yours. Make the most of it!
Let me get back to the race... At the end it was a great day! In my heart and I am not pushing, we will be doing an Ironman together :)
