My wife and The Big One ran the Frigid Five miler this morning at a nearby park. I stayed home to rest my knee and because I have a nasty head cold that won't go away.
If you look to the right and down a bit you'll see my time from the Frigid Five last year. It was 39:01. I was coming off an injury at the time but I was still pretty happy with that and I don't think I could have done much better this year. I tell you this only because, well, you see....
The Big One ran a 38:12!!
He hasn't trained since Cross Country finished last fall and he went out and beat my time! I'm torn. On one hand I'm extremely proud and excited for him. He has a lot of natural talent and I can't wait to see what he can do once he starts training for track this Spring. I'm also excited that I have a new speedwork partner that I can use and abuse in the next few weeks.
On the other hand, I'm not sure I'm ready for my baby to be beating his old man at the one thing his old man holds near and dear. I've never been good at anything and I've always worried that he'd be embarrassed that his dad was just a average, normal, screw-up while his friends dad's were athletic and stand-outs at some sport. I take a lot of pride in my running and was hoping that would be the one thing I could keep ahead of him in and therefore keep some dignity in his eyes.
Then again, I knew this day would come. It happens to all fathers I guess. That balance between pride in your offspring and your own self esteem is just another challenge that we face while attempting to raise a kid. I guess if I had to pick one person in the world I would be OK with kicking my arse, it'd be him. He's not doing or dealing drugs, he hasn't committed mass murder, he doesn't have tattoos all over his body (yet), and he's generally a better person at heart than I am so it's the least I can do to put my own ego aside and be happy for him that he's easily out-pacing his pops. Yea, I'm OK with that.
With that said, he's not getting a free pass. Dad will train harder and make him earn this little feather in his cap. No freebies here! He may be naturally faster, but I have racing experience and that will balance the field.
At least for a little while.....
Thanks for listening.
3 comments:
Hey Willie,
I am very glad for you that your son did so well. I know you are proud of him.
And do you know how proud he probably is of you that you get out there and do as much running, swimming and biking as you do? Do you know how many other parents DON'T do all of that?!
And by the way, I don't know how old your older son is, but it's normal for them to kick our asses - I can't tell you how many 10 year olds beat me every year! :-)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Ok, is it bad that this made me laugh out loud? The age old battle between the father and son. So Biblical.
Be proud of your genetics. Your DNA is why he has natural running talent. Your days of beating him are darn near over, so you can cling to that.
*snicker*
It is wrong for me to laugh. I'll stop.
A definite milestone! How much fun that you both have each other to compete with - in a friendly way. Have fun with that this Spring - and keep him on his toes!
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