Just One Marathon

Everyone's a Critic

So I’m explaining to my teen-aged boys that I’ve listed the highlights (and possibly the low points) of my running year on my blog. I mention that running the half-marathon with my 16-year old was one of the high points.

“And was the fact that he beat you one of the low points?” my 13-year old asks innocently. Uh, thanks, hun. I’d forgotten about that. You’re grounded.

I only forgave him because this is the bed he slept on at the friendly-but-shabby hotel we stayed in when I ran the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY:

 

Smells Like Teen Inspiration

I was poking around the house last week, engaging in two of my favourite pre-run rituals: bitching and complaining.

 

After my usual slow start, I was dressed and ready to go, but dragging my butt around the house, finding excuses not to get out the door. My two adolescent sons were still in their pyjamas, enjoying the no-time-limit computer free-for-all that we usually allow on the first few days of summer vacation. I paused by the door of the computer room, envying their leisure and sighed, “I just don’t feel like going for a run right now.”

 

My 15-year old son put his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eye and offered these words of encouragement:

 

“Suck it up, princess.”

 

There was a pause, and we both burst out laughing. Then I headed out the door, feeling strangely rejuvenated.