Proud Mama

[Running Mommy]

Just had to share a proud mama story.
Running son is 11 now, and is hitting his annoying pre teen stage in life.
UGH! There are times that I- as well as the guys in the shop- want to kill him.
Well, he redeemed himself this weekend, and I'm one proud mama.

We have a shop mtn bike team this year. Giant helped us so that we could sponsor 8 riders + running hubby and our manager.
Saturday was a race about 60 miles away. Someone had to stay back and man the shop, so my friend Michelle, our mechanic and I stayed. That meant that RS had to play the support role.
Half the team had to ride two loops, which meant a bottle hand off.
I was secretly worried.
I guess he impressed everyone by pulling a table out to the side of the course and setting up everyones bottles. Word is he cheered for and high fived racers as they came through. Everyone was gushing about how good he did, and how they appreciated it.
Next weekend is a 24 hour race on the same course. Once again I will be manning the shop on saturday, so he will need to do support for the team for the first 6 hours. He's already prepping by asking me what they will need him to do, and how to do it.
I told him about timing the riders laps and putting them on the white board. And this week I'll show him the fine art of mixing cytomax, and making sure there is food on the ready.
He's very stoked about supporting the guys.
Ahhh.... Finally!
Now if I can just find a race for him to do support for EVERY week! lol

Oh- and he now wants to race. The series the guys are doing has a kids race, and he thinks he has "the stuff".
But then again if he's racing, who will support the boys? Oh heck. They can figure it out! lol

[crazycanuck]

Cool son ya got there RM!

I'm sure he'll do well as support crew in future races!

Our mtn bike club has kids races included in the normal day's races, do they have that there? They even make a specific track for the young uns

[tprevost]

That is WAY cool Denise!!!! Even better that he wants to RIDE in the races!!! YIPPEEE!!!!

[Mr. Bloom]

Awesome! They surprise you sometimes!

[Crankin]

Well, it was my son who started us down the slippery slope...
He started racing and the rest is history. And he was just a couple of years older than your son.
There is nothing better than an endurance sport to keep those teens out of trouble!

[maillotpois]

Wow - good for him! What a great story.

I think working support can be pretty inspiring for kids. They see the riders, runners, whatever, doing these amazing things and they start to think "Well, I can do that..." and then the groundwork is laid.

[PinkBike]

your story really warmed my heart. allowing him to take ownership in this one area will reap great rewards. you did a good job in trusting him to be responsible.

[Blueberry]

Yay RM!! You totally deserved this! And it's because of the example you've set!

CA

[Grog]

Congratulations!

And please, please, please,
tell HIM (not just us) how proud you are and how happy he's making you.

[Iris616]

That's an awesome story! Even when they are PITA's to us, it's great that they can pull it together and be responsible in the real world!

[Flybye]

I was secretly worried.

That's what we mother's do best!
My son turns 12 on the 23rd of November, so I completely understand both your frustration and your happiness.

[RoadRaven]

With 3 sons who bike and race, and a daughter who commutes, I was thrilled the other day when my just-13year old said he might be more interested in biking than soccer after all...
Probably mountain biking, not road racing, and I can understand that with his brothers and dad all being medallists in road race events... but he is thinking about biking

I understand, RM
Its great, huh?

[KSH]

He wants to race? That's awesome!

That's really nice that he has been helping as well!