Kids can tri too! (A mom's report)
By Alison Colavecchia
11.26.01 (www.slowtwitch.com)

I had a rare pleasure this year. I watched my daughters complete their first triathlon—watched them find their stride, rise to the occasion and overcome their nervousness. The joy they radiated on learning they could overcome obstacles evoked so many emotions that it's hard to name them all: love, pride, relief…

Our kids have participated in a range of recreational and school sports over the years. If you had asked me which sport my husband and I would watch our children first take on competitively, I would have put my money on hockey, swimming or basketball. These are the sports we do on a weekly basis, and these are the ones I figured they were born hard-wired to do thanks to the parent gene pool.

My involvement in triathlon was always kind of what Mom did, and it never really occurred to me that there could be a spillover effect. Much to my surprise, after I came home with a Kids of Steel pamphlet and left it out, the girls expressed an interest in it. Together we picked a race. The kids had some questions, so they wrote to the race directors, who kindly answered them.

We tried to formulate a bit of a training schedule, but in reality they weren't all that keen to "train" and I wasn't eager to push them. They did, however, enjoy swim time with their friends (which included some lengths), biking as always, and run/walking a few times.

The night before the race, each of the girls acknowledged they were nervous. They asked what would happen if they were really slow. I asked them whether they had been any less proud of me when they’d had to wait soooooo long for me to finish my first few races. Both agreed they were excited to see me finish no matter what. I said it would be the same for Mom and Dad watching them finish—we would be proud no matter what. They were encouraged to remember why they were doing the race—to have fun and check it out, to see if it was something they might want to do again.

On our way to the race, after the kids tunes, I played "our" race song—and have to admit I was more than a little choked up to hear it on the way to one of the THEIR races. We arrived to lots of kids and a well-run race. The girls were patient with the lineups and thrilled with their goody bags. There was a full range of gear present, from bikes with baskets to a few fancier models. (I couldn’t help but notice that the kids with the fancy bikes were not always the fastest!)

Soon enough it was time for their two age groups to make their way to the pool. Off they went, just like in my pool days—no parents, just the kids and the wait for their heat. First out was Francesca, who had an amazing swim. She got to her bike and decided to really make herself comfortable. She put her shorts on, then her helmet—then realized she had to take her helmet off to put her shirt on. Then she put her socks on and was playing with her laces while we watched very patiently, all the while screaming in our heads, GOGOGO. She was totally nonplussed. Finally, about five minutes later, she headed for the bike mount line and fell getting onto her bike. My heart stopped beating for a moment and we held our breath. She climbed back on without a backward glance.

Biking is her thing; she doesn’t like to get left behind. She was back before her older sister started her swim—and fell again at the dismount line. My heart stopped beating for a second time, but she kept going. This time it was a brief stop in T2 and off she went—to walk, swinging her bottle of water. Finally we saw her come around the corner, at which point I could not contain myself anymore. I yelled, "Run to the finish!" and she did, with my husband running alongside of her, on the sidewalk. Just before she reached the finish line, she stopped, lifted her foot as though about to dip it into the Atlantic for the first time, and slowly, deliberately lowered it onto the finish line. I mean right ON the line. She was beaming.

Meanwhile, our eldest, Cara, was about to jump into the water. We watched her climb in and then just as quickly she was out. We knew she'd had a great swim not only because she was one of the first out of the water but also because she was sporting a huge smile. She ran at a good clip out of the pool and into T1, changing methodically and efficiently. Off she went on her bike. Soon enough she was back, still smiling. In no time she was heading out of T2 and onto the run course, only to be stopped by her mother and father insisting she tie her shoelaces. With her dad running alongside screaming great fatherly words of encouragement and me taking pictures, she carried on and out of sight. Soon enough she was back again, and of course we were screaming and cheering. She crossed the finish line looking spent yet pleased. She told us about her cramps and how she had to walk a little to feel better. She was also very hot. I reminded her that she must have done well because she could talk—something she has previously said about me. She, too, was beaming and obviously very proud.

Later, while checking out the results, the girls overheard other parents commenting on their kids' races. They noticed that several were quite critical of their children’s performances, and they remarked that these children had probably tried their best and that it must be sad to have their parents talk about their races that way.

From a results perspective, we had a middle-packer and a back-of-the-packer. More importantly, though, we had two kids who said they had a good time, felt proud of their efforts and thought they had done their best. Both have hung their medals up in their rooms. From my perspective, whether they ever choose to do another triathlon is irrelevant. I was so proud that they had the courage to tri—and that’s what, in my books, counts the most.

Still tri’n

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The Kids Report

Each of the girls was interviewed the evening after their race. Their little brother was also interviewed.

Francesca (age 9)
Did you have fun in your first triathlon?
Yes.

What made you decide to do your first triathlon?
I saw my mom doing them, and they looked pretty easy. I was going with my mom to pick up one of her race kits and one of the people there asked me if I was going to do a Kids of Steel race. This got me to thinking about doing a race.

What would you like to tell other kids about doing a triathlon?
Don’t bring lots of gear. They’re really fun as long as you try and do at least a little training—at least 1-2 swims, bike and run. Don’t have too much gear— if you can, pin your number onto your bathing suit, have your shoes all ready and away you go. You should try one!

What was the best part?
That I knew I could do it and I knew I was going to have fun.

What did you like the least?
Getting cramps on my run.

What did you do about the cramps while you were out there?
It didn’t really feel that good, you have to stop running and walk, you shouldn’t push yourself, you should run and walk a little.

What would you do differently next time?
I wouldn’t bring as much gear, I would use one of those belt things for my number, and I would train more.

What was it like falling?
Hmm, I fell twice but actually if you fall on cement there’s a certain way to fall— try to go sideways, try to land with your arm and knees, then it may prevent you from falling on your stomach, but you should just get back up and go again.

How did you feel about not "winning"?
I didn’t think I would win but I did think I would do well. It didn’t bother me not to win. I still feel pretty good because I finished and that’s all that matters.

Would you like to do another triathlon?
Yes.

Cara (age 11)

Did you have fun in your first triathlon?
Yeah.

What made you decide to do your first triathlon?
My mom said it was fun, and she was right!

What would you like to tell other kids about doing a triathlon?
That they should make the decision about 1-2 months ahead of time. But it’s really fun so if they really want to do it they should go for it and get their parents into it.

What was the best part?
The thing I liked the most was finishing, you know that you completed something.

What did you like the least?
Waiting to start and the run; I got cramps.

What did you do about the cramps while you were out there?
I ran as much as I could and then walked and then ran again."

What would you do differently next time?
Get one of those belts for my number and just wear my bathing suit, unless it was cold. I would also train more ahead of time.

What was it like to go to one of your own races instead of one of your Mom’s?
It was really cool. Instead of cheering mom on, it was the opposite—kinda weird but kinda cool.

How did you feel about not "winning?"
It was OK just to participate and be there and have a try.

Would you like to do another triathlon?
Yes, because it was a lot of fun and it gives you a good feeling; not a lot of kids do triathlons.

Roberto (age 6):

What did you think of the race?
It looked good.

What was good?
That Frankie’s wasn’t that long and Cara’s wasn’t that long, and I liked the swim.

What was the best part of going to the race?
Eating at Wendy’s afterwards and getting a toy.

Would you like to do a triathlon?
Yeah.

How old do you think you’ll be when you do your first one?
Seven.