On Saturday the program I run each summer, the ACHIEVE Kids Triathlon program at the Waterbury, CT YMCA, ended with the triathlon. For six weeks we had trained 30 kids ages 9-14, every morning (Monday through Friday), to swim, bike and run. They did not have to spend their summer learning to swim, learning to bike, swimming laps upon laps in the pool and the lake, biking up long, steep hills while avoiding traffic, running round the track or through the downtown streets or through the woods. They did not have to do yoga three times per week, or listen to my daily coach's talks about the importance of manners, of listening to our bodies, of listening to our mentors, teachers and parents, of choosing our friends wisely. They did not have to pay attention when I emphasized the reality that every little choice we make adds up in the long run, and that water is the best beverage when thirsty, and that the fewest number of ingredients on a label, the better the food (in fact, no label is the best).
These kids had every excuse under the sun to not be in this demanding, transformative program. Take your pick:
- I'm obese
- I prefer to watch TV or play video games
- I would rather sing than sweat
- I come from broken home and I'm angry at the world
- I have sensory issues and lie somewhere on the autism spectrum
- I decided a few years ago "I'm not athletic because I'm not into competitive team sports - because I suck at them"
- I don't have a bike/bathing suite/goggles
- I'm afraid of lakes
- I've always been bullied and don't really like myself
And yet every one of these kids put in the training. Some fell but got right up. Some made me wonder if I am actually a mediocre coach because they clearly would rather be somewhere else. Some days I wondered if I've lost my mind, spending 6 weeks of my summer (for the 4th year in a row) cajoling, admonishing, reiterating - instead of having those "lazy days of summer" with my own 2 kids that I keep hearing about via my friends' Facebook statuses.
But then, like in the previous 3 years, the magic happens. Kids start dropping time on their swim and run trials. Their parents come and ask me what this "quinoa" thing is that their child said I recommended instead of pasta or rice. Beginner swimmers are doing a lap without stopping, with their face in the water and side-breathing.
Saturday's race was a display of what commitment, consistency, mind over matter, belief can do. The smiles on the kids' faces as they conquered one challenge after the other, with their emotional family members as witnesses, reminded me that I'm not insane and that while I do have my mediocre days, I'm an OK coach.
Watch this footage of the race, and then ask yourself: What are my excuses? Because that's all they are. Write them down. Comment with them here or email me at snavas@sbcglobal.net and I will make sure I address them in upcoming blog entries. For now, I hope you will be inspired by these young, fierce warriors:
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/litchfield_cty/Youth-triathletes-compete-in-Watertown#.Uf2HqGS9Kc0
Also, if you'd like to see a segment regarding the training, here you go:
http://foxct.com/2013/07/30/achieve-youth-triathlon-program/
Stay tuned - much more inspiration to come!
Thanks,
Susanne
