Proud Dad

Ahhh kids, can't kill 'em, can't leave them in the garage to form a new civilisation and leave you alone. However, when they start showing interest in a hobby you can (sort of) help them with it makes that interest massively more rewarding.

My oldest sproglet does have an occasional passable interest in running as I've said before as she likes medals and participation medals are still medals. However, she is also starting to want to do better, which has opened up the opportunity of late for me to push her a little further.

A couple of weeks ago she ran the furthest she's ever been, over 2 miles and she was fine. Probably could have gone a little faster even. So I thought it was time to see if she'd be up for one of her own milestones.. her first 5k (distance, not a race, I'm not going to torture her in public).

So on a cold Saturday afternoon, Brynbach parkrun already behind me, Gracie and I were stood behind Merthyr leisure center, her clad in a brand new (almost bribery) bright pink running jacket, geared up with my old Garmin Forerunner 15 watch, unprepared for the distance ahead (as I hadn't told her)!

My hat... my head was cold...

We set off using roughly the proposed Merthyr Parkrun route, we started off well, no complaints for... 300 yards. But all manageable, correct a bit of posture, balance her pace a bit, fine.  Then we complete the first section and I drop the 5k bombshell... minor tantrum, but after some reassurances she could do it... we're away. After that, a couple of brief walks, a bit more reassurance, she was golden!

The increase in determination when she could see the finish (bench) was borderline heartwarming (any warming was welcome at the time) and the despair when I stopped a further 20 yards passed (rounding distance) as she thought we were going on further was... I felt bad.

Proud of my girl today. I'm very confident she can now do herself proud in the junior races coming up!

A family affair

As well as a half arsed pretend runner, I am other things. Such as a husband, an employee and a father to 2 adorable children. Yes I am obliged to say that but it's still true. I'm also obliged to say that.

Now back when I were a lad, you know in the 50s... I wasn't sporty particularly. I liked computers and Star Trek and I was most of the way to a stereotypical nerd. (Yes I know Star Trek didn't exist in the 50s). This was a shame as apart from playing football in school a bit and PE lessons, my ass got no exercise.

Eventually I turned into a... robust individual. Fat fatty fat fat. FAAAAAAT. Fat

Nowadays I'm still fat fatty fat fat, but not to the same kind of degree. Ideally, rather than let the next generation repeat the pattern, I'd like to encourage them to be active. Bribery is a good way to do this and kids like medals!

As a result it's been quite easy to get the kiddies interested in a few junior and family races. My youngest even got a 3rd place medal in the youngest race in the Loop 10k lasy year (Wasn't 10k obvs...) Got to be said it adds something when getting them involved. You know there are benefits for them, they'll be fitter, happier, more productive healthier and stronger. You know they'll (mostly) enjoy the experience and it also creates something you can do together.

None of these are bad things.

Occasionally the family run is immediately (and I mean immediately) before the main race (Cardiff 10k this year I ran 2k with the daughter, peed and ran to the start line for the 10k! Similar in Swansea before).

It's my intention to ship them out to the great institution that is parkrun (well junior parkrun)  soon too.

The kiddies will be making their respective debuts in Merthyr this year in the junior races and I'm quite looking forward to it! Momentarily then I'll be off on a tricky half marathon!