Getting into shape

[jim]

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[lukethedrifter]

My daughter ran xc because I told her she had to do some kind of physical activity, anything. Coulda been dancing, wrestling, yoga at the Y, I didn't care just something. So she picks xc initially - no "skills" involved. Then it dawned on her that it would mean she was actually going to have to run long distances so she started scrambling looking for something else.
This is summer before freshman year. She comes to me with, "I'm gonna run track instead" and I said "You still think I'm an idiot apparently", track being a spring sport of course. So then she decides it will be volleyball which she did play 1 or 2 very noncompetitive seasons a few years back. I warned her that the girls who play volleyball have been playing for years and on club teams, that she was going to have to work her ass off just to make the team. I find a week long camp right around the corner so she can get an idea where she stands. Nope. Not interested. So I make her go to the vball open gym and of course she comes out crying. I asked her what she expected? I guess it wasn't a face full of volleyball and some catty comments.
Back to cross country she went. I wish this story had a happier ending. I had to tell her to quit running like Tim Conway's old man character on the Carol Burnett show; that she came from a family of some pretty good athletes, male and female, but if she were one it was sort of sad that we weren't ever going to find out.

[lukethedrifter]

Agree w jim. And I'm certain he enjoyed it more than I but I found it nice watching kids run fast.

[jim]

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[lukethedrifter]

I still don't feel comfortable referring to her gait as running. To her credit she went back out for a second season without complaint. But she did tell me she does not want to continue this fall.
What I should have told her is if she can run a sub 22 5k she could quit. I would really like for her to learn how to push herself physically.
Thankfully she has learned to do that as a student.

[Freed Roger]

A series of things changed her view on running. The kid crashed and burned at XC at Sioux Passage County Park a couple years ago- can't believe that hill.

She came out with a sore knee so she couldn't do like when HBP in baseball, get right back in the box. the track events, she didn't care for it and I was glad for it.

We'll definitely stay fair weathered on the running. But if she can get motivated thru 1/2 hour hill work on stationary bike ride (it about does me in)with the 24 hr news channel prez clown car blamming at her she can run.

Will get her some new kicks and maybe get her to try out the Alpine Shop races at Castewood in May.

[lukethedrifter]

I don't know which way it works - I always thought there was something in the noggin already to be able to have that self-discipline, but either way.

Yeah, it is sort of circular logic. I think it (exercise) helps kids/people be smarter, but sometimes they have to be smart enough to want to exercise in the first place. Maybe it's partly why the kids/people that don't partake, tend to get caught in such a downward spiral.

All I know is, when the kid is healthier, she does better in school. Ever since her exercise kick - happier, better school-work habits, likes being more self-sufficient, more confident.

Anyway, here's a Ted talk bit about the Three Things You Can Do to Grow More Brain Cells:

[SHOW]

Learning
Sex
Running

I made sure my wife saw the article, at risk that she'd tell me to run more and pick up a second language.

I'm glad there was text. I was set to send that Ted talk to my teenage daughter.

[jim]

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[Jocephus]

[jim]

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