We had two new faces at training for our youth triathlon program, last night. Both are eighth graders with cross country experience, though they indicated they ran "shorter" distances (it sounds like 1500m). And they both learned something about themselves in their very first triathlon training session. When the training started, it was only myself and one young man. After a reasonable timeframe for late arrivals, we headed out for a two mile loop. He set a decent pace and we talked about some basics of endurance running. Since our target race is a spring with a 5K run, we focus on runs of between two and four miles. As we finished our first loop, our second new triathlete, the first young lady in the club, showed up. I won't let a transportation mix-up ruin a training session, so after a quick break, it was time for a second loop. As we started, I found out that the furthest she had ever run was the 1500 meters she ran in cross country. We let her set the pace for this two miles, which worked well as the second loop was tough on the boy, who was going beyond his normal training distance. Again, we discussed pacing and form. I try to ensure the kids understand the goals of having fun and finishing strong. We try to keep the pace aerobic so the kids can see the benefits of solid base training over the summer. As we neared the end, the young lady pointed out that without us helping her along, she probably would have stopped "about 30 minutes" back (we had only run for 18 at that point). As we rounded the final turn, I told her she could share with her parents that she had just set a personal best by running farther than she ever before. That was when she pointed out that in cross country, she had never once RAN the entire distance of her race. She had always walked at least some portion of the mile and a quarter races. Yesterday, she ran the entire two miles, and at about 10 minute pace. I did everything possible to let her know how big a victory she had just achieved. It was easy to see she was thrilled on many levels. I'll have to make sure I have a camera at the finish line in August when she completes her first triathlon. She'll have other victories before then, but I think that is the one she'll truly celebrate. To read about similar victories as others pursue their passion, stop by B-Fit B-Day!
There are people in this world with an amazing ability to patiently allow things to develop. They start something in motion, then sit and watch as it changes into something bigger, better, or more impressive over time. Often, that time is years, if not decades. Then there are people like me.
Not that I'm impatient as a rule. Come hang out with me at 3 a.m. sometime and you'll get to see patience in action as I give up sleep because of a child that has some "urgent" need of daddy. But when it comes to plans and personal goals, I'm more of a "right now" kind of person.
That was a key factor behind the path I took to Ironman. Race a sprint against my better judgment. Complete an Olympic distance to prove the first wasn't a fluke. Run a second sprint the week after the Olympic race. Then sign up for Ironman. Why take years to do what can be compressed into 18 months?
Luckily, I'm able to suppress that instinct when looking at improving times. It took nearly seven years to get from that first 5:30 marathon to the four hour mark. And both options for qualifying for Boston involve a lot more time. Continue to train and shave another 35 minutes of my marathon time. Or wait until I age up enough for the qualifying time to be more attainable. They let 75 year olds run Boston, right?
This instinct is something I strive to keep in check. As I work to develop a youth tri team, my "now" side wants to see 20 or 30 kids signing up and completing the program. Each time I schedule a meeting, I want more and more people to attend. Thirty this year, 50 next year. Of course, at that rate of increase, the entire Fox Valley will soon run out of kids who haven't completed a triathlon.
Unreasonable as that sounds, I struggle with the notion that most tri clubs start with a few people, take years to attract more than a couple hundred, and much longer than that to reach a point where more than a few dozen members participate in a given event. Somehow, "average" and "normal" aren't enough for myself. That's another struggle. Accepting that the leaders can only do so much motivating. At some point, the kids have to find the desire inside themselves.
At our first meeting, last night, I had one youth and two parents. One of the parents was there as his daughter was unable to attend. Two of the guys from last year already said they will return, and the younger brother of one of them is also participating. That makes five.
PUt into the proper perspective, one more participant will double the size of the club. It also represents four youth who will train for and race their first triathlon. And whether one, ten, or twenty, we'll be there for the team. I'll overcome any sense of frustration at my own perception that the club is growing "too slowly."
In fact, as I wrote the last paragraph, I thought about gremlins. Perhaps this is just a gremlin I've never faced, before. I've faced and overcome many gremlins in the journey from sloth to marathoner to triathlete to Ironman. They've always been focused on athletic performance. Open water swims, injuries, pace concerns, etc. Perhaps this one is just trying to derail the effort to share the love of triathlon with others.
Bring it on, gremlins! You always provide motivation for improvement. And you always lose.
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This is just a quick note to let everyone know I have not, in fact, fallen off the face of the planet. It's just been a busy and hectic week. Between work, kids, and planning for the second season of the Brigade-Junior Fox triathlon club, I've been buried.
I'm really excited about working with the youth this summer. It really looks like our fledgling program might take off. Last year, we had three guys. This year, we have twice as many girls constantly asking about the program, along with a new bunch of guys. I would love nothing more than having so many kids that we have to figure out a way to fund everything. Putting some of the new features of the club into place has taken up a lot of time on the Internet.
Along that line, if anyone out there has fussed around with Google sites enough to be proficient, please let me know if you can offer some assistance. I'm trying to set up a club site so the kids can look at calendars, notes, etc. The basics were fairly easy, and the calendar is kicking my butt. And with all the single leg press workouts I've been doing, my butt doesn't need any extra kicking.
Last year, the youth tri club had to compete with my Ironman training for attention. This year, a large portion of the energy devoted to Ironman last year will go toward growing this program from a few Brigade youth to a viable community program.
We all know the impact triathlon and other endurance sports can have in our lives. Imagine having that impact in the lives of kids. Some of them will learn the tools to overcome a lifetime of weight challenges. Others might get out from in front of the television and video games they haven't left for years. And some might learn that there is an entire community out there that cares about them.
One small success might break a cycle of perceived failures. That reason alone warrants all the excitement and energy I can muster.
One simple idea and three young kids. That's where it started. Now, it's time to see where it goes with a little nurturing.
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