Father and Teenage Daughter Go For a Run
My teenage daughter and son and I were on vacation last week visiting family. For us that meant hanging out with cousins and grandparents, going for swims in the pool, hitting the beach for body surfing and boogie boarding.
And eating way too much food. Especially dessert.
Nothing like a father and his teens kicking off summer in new swimsuits at the beach with all that homemade cake, cookies, and ice cream in our bellies. I know, I know, when it comes to family visits, eating dessert goes with the territory. But for this father and teenage daughter who both love sports, we absolutely needed to workout.
A year ago, my daughter and I tried going for a run together. She plays soccer and runs sprints on the track, but my endurance was too much for her. Even when I slowed, she had trouble keeping up. I figure she was only sixteen, and I’ve run and cycled for years and have completed a good number of marathons and centuries. Still, it bothered her that I was in better shape. I’m a dad, after all, and she’s an athletic teen. She only ran with me once.
This time on vacation, she invited me to run hills with her. She had a great track season, and was now seventeen, but I still figured I’d be faster than her at distance.
I was wrong. She kicked my ass on a 4.5-mile run.
Now, before you all get in a hizzy about this (I can already hear the “you go, girl!” cries) – that was day one.
Turns out my old man body recovers more quickly from a long run than her teenage body. On day two, the tables were turned.
I kicked her ass running 5 miles.
Don’t worry, I didn’t gloat. And it didn’t hurt her self-esteem. By day three, we were running again, side by side, a father and his teenage daughter working out, finishing our run in tandem.
Later that afternoon, we hit the beach. While she and her brother body surfed, I took a much needed nap.
Okay, maybe my teen daughter kicked my ass after all…
- A Dad Watches His Daughter
- My Teenage Daughter is a Fast Girl
- Raising Girls is Easy
- Father and Teenage Daughter – What a Dad Needs to Know
- Healthy Diet for Teen Athletes
- Parenting is a Contact Sport
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Comment by Kevin
| June 22nd, 2009
Soooo cool. I hope I’m still in shape to run with my son when he is a teenager.
Comment by Just Me...
| June 22nd, 2009
Ahh.. Watching the ‘changing of the guard’..
Out with the old, in with the new!!!
Draw satisfaction in knowing that you have raised a child for whom fitness is important.. That’s a very good thing.. :)
Comment by Ashley
| June 22nd, 2009
Absolutely wonderful! I love the mental picture of you two running together!!
Ashley´s last blog ..Up, Up and Away!
Comment by MindyMom
| June 22nd, 2009
Aw. It’s great that you could do that together and even made it a bit competitive. It’s good for both of you!
MindyMom´s last blog ..PMS: The Emotional Tourette’s
Comment by katherine.
| June 22nd, 2009
compete much?
I’m with “Just Me”…the guard is changing…smile.
Comment by debra
| June 22nd, 2009
Sounds like a great way to spend time together on vacation!
I’ve started to run with my son, now while I’m still faster and have better endurance. He’s 8, I’m hoping he won’t start beating me for a few more years at least! :)
Comment by Laura
| June 22nd, 2009
Its very cool that she managed to end up doing it WITH you! Much more fun that you kicking her ass!
Ever think that maybe she let you win cos you her dad ;-p
Comment by FJ
| June 22nd, 2009
More parents should do this with their kids and encourage much more outdoor time and doing these activities together. Doesn’t have to be a 5 mile run; it can be a short day hike. Whatever gets the blood flowing and allows the family to breathe in fresh air, soak up some sun, etc.
Comment by vinomom
| June 22nd, 2009
No running on Vacation!! That is awesome though. You both must be in really great shape to run 5 miles. There is NO chance I’d be able to run even a mile straight. Good for both of you!
Comment by The Exception
| June 22nd, 2009
I love this post!!! What a wonderful relationship the two of you have.
Comment by Honey
| June 22nd, 2009
AH, this reminds me (once again) that I need to start working out.
I do have one benefit you don’t – I HATE desserts and anything sweet!
Honey´s last blog ..Get Fit and Improve Your Dating Prospects
Comment by Andrea
| June 22nd, 2009
That’s great that you now have something you can do together (maybe ;) When she doesn’t kick your ass anyway.
Running and cycling are great ways to keep in shape. It’s awesome that your kids seem to like them.
Comment by Kate @ http://lipstickdaily.com
| June 22nd, 2009
*sniff* is there anything better? Great role model, Dad! Way to go!
I am training for my first marathon at age 45. I want my twin 5 year olds to grow up active, and figure the best way to help is to be a good example.
Don’t know if I’ll be able to kick there ass running 5 miles when I’m 55. But I’ll sure give it a try!
Comment by Paula
| June 22nd, 2009
While the two of you sweated I’d have been drinking on the deck & gloating that I’d won by getting back first by staying behind. Cheers, oh sweaty ones!
Comment by Paula
| June 22nd, 2009
OMG 45 with a 5 year old. I’m tired already. Excuse me while I Zzzzzzzzzzzz………….
Comment by CJ
| June 22nd, 2009
These are the stories I love…Reminds me that there are great dads out there. Kudos to you and your kids!!!
Comment by Alicia
| June 22nd, 2009
This really really depressed me, Dave, thanks a lot! I guess I just need to make fitness a priority in my life (its off the radar currently). My 2 year old runs waaaaay ahead of me in stores and out in public, and it takes all the energy I don’t have just to speed-walk several yards behind him just to make sure he doesn’t go get himself kidnapped!
Comment by Kristen
| June 22nd, 2009
Pulease! I could so kick both your asses…I can use my car right? {Sadly if I used my bike I would prob lose} Came over from Stacie’s Madness.
Comment by Paula
| June 22nd, 2009
Dad, -no that’s just too wierd. Sorry.
DAVE (whew, had to look up there for that)
Anyway-
Speaking of fitness, you got me thinking, now I have to figure out how to have my morning kayak with these kids here. Am I going to need to hire a babysitter for the kids I am watching? Egads! What have I done?
Comment by dadshouse
| June 22nd, 2009
Paula – the boys visiting you are 8 and 10, right? Take them with you! They’ll love it.
Kristen – you can use your car if it’s a Bitchin’ Camaro. Otherwise, you gotta run like the rest of us. (Where did the Camaro reference come from? I think I’m spending too much time on Facebook with old high school friends!)
Alicia – sorry to depress! I’ve been running for decades (like Forrest Gump). I will say – a father daughter run is pretty darn awesome, especially with a teenage daughter.
Honey – I actually hate dessert too. But my parents always serve tons of it, and I sort of get sucked in.
Katherine – yes. (Grin)
To all the fathers with teenage daughters – go for a run with them. You’ll love it.
Comment by Abby Carter
| June 22nd, 2009
Reminds me of that “Free to Be You and Me” song (hey I was a kid in the 70s!) about the girl and the boy running neck in neck, him with the hopes of being able to ask her to marry him. In your case a bit oedipal I suppose, but that running scene has always stuck in my mind. Love that kind of equality. I doubt I could even get up a hill ahead of my daughter!
Well done!
Comment by Janet
| June 22nd, 2009
What a cool post! You seem to have such a good relationship with your kids.
My dad was just showing off his biceps this weekend. lol He’s definitely got me beat there!! :)
Comment by krn
| June 22nd, 2009
I bet your daughter will run with her man someday and think back to the times she and her sweet, fit Dad ran together. Awww, good memories created for both of you. Way to go, Dad’s!
My Dad just left our home a few minutes ago. I remember running on the track with him before I ever ran with anyone else– in my new, cute, size 5 “Tiger’s” that he sprung for. I must have been in about third grade when I wore a shoe that size. He’s now 72, healthy and still good looking. That’s what running will do for ya’. :)
Comment by Extreme John
| June 22nd, 2009
Thats a classic story, and it also softens you up for a taste of what reality might bring next year if you have another Father/Daughter run.
Extreme John´s last blog ..Nice Green and Ugly
Comment by Shayne
| June 23rd, 2009
That is so divine. You obviously have a fabulous relationship with your daughter. So, so special.
My new DH and my daughter from my first marriage are starting to cycle together – he is a super fit MTB guy and she’s just learning – but i love the bonding and sense of achievement on her face when she keeps up with him.
and YAY to lots of dessert!
Comment by notasoccermom
| June 23rd, 2009
I love to run, but I am not in the shape I once was… I should have kept up with it but between raising kids, working and attending night school… time just wasnt on my side.
Any advice for a middle aged woman who would like to get back to running?
Comment by dadshouse
| June 23rd, 2009
Running advice – start slow. Don’t try to do too much. Here’s a nice article at Men’s Health, courtesy of Runners World: http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=fitness&category=getting.started&conitem=eb5a99edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____