The training guide said to "jog 1 minute, walk 3 minutes...repeat for 30 minutes". This was written to incoming freshmen that wanted to try out for cross country. To make the team, you had to demonstrate that you could run 3 miles without stopping and if you were not accustomed to running, this is how to start, "jog 1 minute, walk 3 minutes...repeat for 30 minutes".
Some of you might remember that my first attempt to encourage my son to get into shape turned into an embarrassment for me. But not to be deterred, I saw the cross country training guide as a new opportunity.
So when the summer started, I offered to train with my son so he could make the team. I heard him tell his friends repeatedly that he wanted to make the JV Lacrosse team this year as a freshmen in high school. This was going to be tough for him since he really was very much out of shape.
"I hate running. Why would I want to join the cross country team?"
"Michael - you will have little chance to make the Lacrosse team in the shape you are in. If you make the cross country team, you may not be the fastest kid, but you'll get into shape. Let me help train you for 2 weeks. 2 weeks - if you can't stand it after 2 weeks, you can quit."
He reluctantly agreed. The first morning of running was in June, "jog 1 minute, walk 3 minutes"...how hard could that be? It turns out that it almost killed him. It wiped him out the entire day...I had serious doubts if he would make it the two weeks.
Well, two very long months later and an overdose of parental prodding, Michael has made the team. He is not the fastest kid but he did it and although he may not admit it, I know that he feels really great about himself. In a world where we are inclined to find a quick fix and instant gratification, I am so happy that he has learned at least one positive lesson about sacrifice and hard work....and this time, it didn't cost me a Wii!
"I'm happy for my son (and for me)"
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