Kick-Ass Run for my Teen Daughter
My daughter’s high school cross country team is one of the best in the area, and my daughter is lucky enough to be running with them this year. She’s played soccer for ages, and run track for years, so she’s in great shape. But her cross country team workouts are on killer hills, and she sometimes comes home practically dead. (She won’t be embarrassed by me writing that. If she wasn’t half-dead from a workout, her coach would give her grief!)
I’ve done my share of distance running, with seven completed marathons under my belt. I still run a few days a week (though cycling is more my sport), and I still do hill workouts, so I know full well the pain they bring.
Last week I was out running a nearby hilly area when I came across a high school team out training. I looked for my daughter! Or for anyone I might recognize. The team is big, so I don’t know everyone. I finally stopped a group of three girls and asked them what school they were from.
It was my daughter’s rival high school, getting a workout in!
Let me just say, without exaggerating a single bit, there sure were a lot of kids dogging it. By that I mean they were flat out walking, instead of running those hills.
Think a middle aged man with a high school daughter could teach them a lesson or two?
I ran by three boys who were walking and chatting and joking. “Race you to the top,” I said.
Talk about throwing down the gauntlet. They started running. I kept waiting for them to pass me. I could hear them talking, but we were headed up a pretty steep hill. Halfway up, they stopped talking. I only heard their footsteps. No way they were going to pass me.
By the time I crowned the top of the hill, only one of those kids was even keeping up. I turned and gave him the kind of stare Lance Armstrong might give a rival in the Alps of France.
And then I remembered, I’ve been running for years. I’ve run seven marathons! I may be old, but there’s no way some kid like that would kick my ass on a hill, especially if he was finishing a long run.
I nodded in the way that runners and cyclists nod to each other in greeting. A show of respect.
He nodded back.
But I still told my daughter I kicked ass on her rivals up that hill.
- My Teen Daughter is a Fast Girl
- A Father Watches His Daughter
- Shirtless Runner
- Ripped Abs
- Father and Teen Daughter Go For a Run
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Comment by justrun
| October 9th, 2009
I run the same trail that the college cross country team, several high school cross country teams, and the Air Force Academy cross country team run. It’s a constant reminder that some people are simply made to run, while others just pretend they are (me). I’ve never once felt the urge to “race” any of them. Then again, I’m not a guy… :)
justrun´s last blog ..The story of how a single sunset may get a person through an entire winter
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| October 9th, 2009
I’m a horrible runner. Kudos to you (and your daughter), because that shiz IS painful.
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..For Lola
Comment by Me Thinks
| October 9th, 2009
I run but not long distances. Ironically, I got more into running when I went on a “hash run” which is so fun, try to follow the trail left by the leaders and has beer stops on the way. Uber fun! Its hilly here so I know they can be killer when you are not used to the uphills.
Its good to have a little something to brag to your kids about :)
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| October 9th, 2009
Let’s hear it for persistence and competitiveness with class! Not to mention the great example adults can make for our kids. Well done.
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans…
Comment by debra
| October 9th, 2009
I get more joy than I should when the high school teams show up for weekend runs when I’m doing a long training run. They blow past me at mile 3, many are walking by mile 5, and are keeled over in the bushes as I pass them at mile 7; half way through my run, and the physical end of theirs! yeah, a little competive!
Comment by Senorita
| October 9th, 2009
Hahaha ! That’s awesome !
Just curious, is she going to run in college ? I read somewhere that teen atheletes that stop working out so hard go through a hard time and gain weight because they still eat a lot, but don’t work out as much.
I can’t imagine that happening to your children with you as their dad. If that were me, I would hate it to have my dad taunt me about kicking my ass in running. That alone would motivate me to stay in shape.
Senorita´s last blog ..What I Think and What I Thank……..
Comment by Mindy/Single Mom Says...
| October 9th, 2009
Way to go David! You’d never find me trying to outrun anyone – it hasn’t been my thing since Jr. High but good for you and your daughter.
Mindy/Single Mom Says…´s last blog ..Single Mom’s Open Letter to President Obama
Comment by Amanda
| October 11th, 2009
I just started running again only a few days ago! It feels so amazing to get out there and just do it. I wish I never stopped and I am so happy I am back on this kick.
Plus running when the leaves are falling and the air is crisp puts me in an awesome mood.
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Comment by Sandy
| October 11th, 2009
Good for you and your daughter! What’s OLD anyway?
Sandy´s last blog ..Adopt-A-Family Program
Comment by dr err
| October 11th, 2009
heh.
i love this. i’m 34 and love that i am both in better shape than i was when i was 18 and most 18 year olds. one of my best runs was watching a local ROTC squad try to keep up with me for any distance. they didn’t know i already had many, many miles on my shoes that day.
good for you!
dr err´s last blog ..Just Laugh
Comment by Danielle
| October 12th, 2009
I am so jealous of you. I want to be able to run like that. I did however just run my first 5k. Don’t make fun!!
Danielle´s last blog ..Things that make me go Hmmmm
Comment by Keith Wilcox
| October 12th, 2009
I won the New England Championships two years in a row in 1992 an 93. I got a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma for track. I’m with you, I might be old, but no way are a bunch of high school kids ever going to beat me! :-) My pride couldn’t take it!
Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..Life Saving Fitness