THIS is what it's all about!!

[Running Mommy]

Hey all-
So tonight I had the chance to help out at our newly formed tri club with the kids clinic.
They are putting on a kids tri at the end of Aug, so they are having clinics to help the kids get ready. They do a full mini tri. 3 laps in the pool (75 m) 2 laps around our lake (about 2.5 miles) and a quarter ( maybe a bit more) mile run. We had about 15 kids ranging from 6-14. A couple of the little girls were so freaking CUTE! They're like little pixies. Of course there are some fasty pants hot shots, but most kids were just there to have fun.
It was 104 when they started, so it was rough on them, but they all did great.
It was just SOO FREAKING COOL to see these kids enjoying the sport just like I do.
Now I know your thinking "is YOUR son doing it??''... Well maybe. He was adamant that he wasn't, but dad put the hammer on him today and now I think he might. We will see how he does with the swimming.

[Veronica]

Geez... why can't adult tris have just a quarter mile run?

V.

[rocknrollgirl]

I would love to do something like that. We have NOTHING in my area as far as clubs. It would be very cool.

[Tri Girl]

How cute!!!! I've volunteered at 2 kids tris and they are the funniest and most adorable thing ever!! They're out there suffering to the same extent that I am when I'm doing one- and it's great to see them overcome their obstacles and see the joy on their faces when they finish. Awesome that you got to help out and be a part of it.
It IS what it's all about- they'll be the future of triathlon in 10-20 years.

[Lise]

Geez... why can't adult tris have just a quarter mile run?

V.

I'm with V! Let's see....my ideal triathlon...3 lap swim, 30 mile ride, 1/4 mile run...yep, that's about right!

Thanks for telling us about it, RM! It sounds wonderful. L.

[Crankin]

Sounds good to me, Lise! I know several people who have begged me to do a sprint tri when they see me ride. Uh, let's see: I hate swimming and am scared to death to swim where I can't put my feet down or get to the edge of the pool. I wear contacts and haven't found a pair of goggles that fit right for my teeny head. And then there's the running. I started running about 4 years ago and was working up slowly to 10K. I am very slow, about a 10 min. mile. Then I pulled my groin and now every time I try running it hurts. it also hurts when I x country ski. Plus, now that I live on a hill and every time I run down or up many parts of my body hurt. I would love to be able to run as cross training and for my osteopeinia, but it's not going to happen...
But I could do 1/4 a mile!

[Ladyrunner]

That's awesome that they do that for kids!!

[Running Mommy]

Running son has AGREED to race!!

Running hubby took him to the lap pool tonight and he did 4 laps. He only has to do 3 in the race, so he has an extra shot of confidence.

I was BANNED from going with tonight... Lets just say I'm not a touchy feely mom, and running hubby didn't want me jumping in and ruining things.
It was for the best- BELIEVE ME!
BUT, running son wants me to take him Wednesday night, and then we will go to the clinic on Thursday for him to check it out. I will do my best to behave myself. I don't want to go off ruining things! lol

I'm SOOO stoked! My kid is going to be a TRIATHLETE!!! WHOO HOO!!!!!

FINALLY! Sheesh, I thought I was NEVER gonna get him over to the dark side... Must be the fact that other kids at his school are going to do it.

[Wahine]

That's really cool RM!! Have fun with RS!!

RnR -- There was no tri club here in the Gorge until we started one, me and 3 friends, now in just 3 months we've had as many as 15 people out on one night to do our mini tri workout! We even have a kids night and it's a blast.

[Lise]

RM, that's great! Surely it's cuz the other kids are doing it. If it were because *you* did it, you'd have to wait until he was, oh, say, 32! We're all (secretly) cheering for him!

[kylerboys]

They had a kids tri the night before my tri last weekend (200yds pool swim, 1/2 bike, 1/2 run). My older four boys did it and it was so FUN!! They aren't really strong swimmers, but they did it (well, except for the 4yo who did a run through the kiddie pool)! I ran my butt off trying in the transition area (dh was at a work bbq), but it was so worth it to see them cross the finish line! You are right, THIS is what its all about . . . sharing something you love with your kids.

[silver]

Cool, Cool, Cool! We're just 6 months into our newly formed Tri team and it's been great! we want to do a kids tri but are unsure about the best logistics. I'd love to hear more about what you are doing.

We put on a short 1/4 mile kids run after our tri yesterday (while we were waiting for results and awards) and it was greta but we want to do the whole thing.

So glad to hear your son is going to do it. How old is he? I understand the not being a touchy feely mom. I try my best, but I've noticed that my son actually seems to prefer riding with Mr.

[Tri Girl]

Yippee- "duh duh duh...another one bites the dust" (and biting the dust is falling into triathlon- not that he's going to fall and literally bite the dust ).

Glad he's on board- whether it's you or friends from school- he's into it. And we all know that moms and dads know nothing- so if friends suggest it- it MUST be the thing to do.