At the beginning of 2010 I set a goal to complete my first triathlon and to run two half-marathons. (I like to do my marathons one half at a time.) And while I was setting goals, I decided to go for breaking my personal record of running 13.1 miles in 2:05:02. This year I will break the 2-hour mark.
Do I really think life is going to simply unfold just the way I plan it? You would think by now that I would know better than that.
Here’s what happened…
My 11-year-old nephew Alex joined a Run Club. He began running three days a week after school with trainer Kasey Payzant and her club, which includes about twenty-five kids, ages six to eighteen. Then… my 13-year-old daughter Leah joined. Most of the parents drop their kids off to run for an hour, and pick their kids up later. That’s fine for most parents, especially since the Run Club is geared toward kids, but my husband Aaron and I like to do things a little different so we asked if “big kids” like us, could join too.
By the time we joined, many of the kids in Run Club had already committed to running the Salt Lake City Half-Marathon in April. Aaron and I were already registered. Last year, Aaron and I ran two half-marathons and we crossed the finish line before our two daughters, sleeping soundly at home, had even woken up. Come to think of it, we go to the gym when our kids are at school. Aaron and I often hit the ski slopes right after the bus picks up our youngest, Lucy, for school in the morning. My kids haven’t seen and may not even know about most of the physical activity and training that goes on in their parents’ lives!
And then… Kasey, our trainer, did something I had never thought to do. She asked Leah if she would like to run the Salt Lake City Half-Marathon too. Leah said, “Yes!” and she was excited about it. I was a little shocked! I don’t think I had run more than a mile until I was an adult. Leah eagerly jumped into the training schedule and so far, every week we have been running together in snow, wind or rain. The Run Club motto for this year is “I can be content in any situation.” That goes for running 8 laps to reach 4 miles (*boring*) or running through hilly neighborhoods with snow catching on your eyelashes which is kind of cool and distracting.
My first race was a full marathon and I had trained for it by following a book. But as for my half-marathons… well, I didn’t really train for them. I had been doing cardio and strength training three times a week, but I wasn’t following a program to build miles. (I don’t recommend you follow the Rachel Coleman Half-Marathon-Lack-of-Training Plan.) But once we joined Run Club, we had a real, live trainer! She has been working with kids for over ten years, helping them strengthen and condition for races.
So, now we run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Friday we have our long run. Leah’s cheeks are red, her hair is damp and every time she completes her mileage she stops to go through her stretching routine and says, “Wow! I just ran ___ (4, 5, 6, 7) miles. I am so proud of myself!”
What an experience at age thirteen to know that you can run for an hour straight. You can run 7 miles. You can run it with a smile. Your body is strong! I am so proud of Leah!
But when Leah decided to register and join us for the upcoming race, I had to take another look at my 2010 goals. Would I rather break my personal time record… or would I rather cross the finish line with my 13-year-old daughter?
Aaron typically completes the assigned miles first. I finish about 10 minutes behind him. Alex and Leah finish about 10 minutes behind me. It’s been going this way, week after week. If I run with Leah, I will not likely break my personal record, but I will share a moment, unlike any other with my daughter.
A few weeks ago while we were running Leah said, “Mom, I know there will be a lot of people in the race, so how will I find you and Dad when I finish?” I told her, “You won’t have to look far, Leah. I’ll be right there with you. We can even hold hands as we cross the finish line.”
If Leah wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of holding hands with her mom, she didn’t let on. For all I know, she was thinking, “Hold my hand? Why don’t you just run your own pace and break your personal record? Oh, well. If it will make my mom happy… I’ll hold her hand.”
RACHEL COLEMAN is a runner, hiker, skier and super-mom. While her most important job is being a mom, she also has a successful career as a singer-songwriter and is the co-creator and host of Signing Time, an Emmy nominated television and DVD series….{more}
Rachel – Awesome! I am currently ‘training’ for my first 1/2 and after my long run yesterday, my 6-year old asked if I would take him out for a run. I couldn’t say no. Off we went….
I am looking forward to crossing the finish line with him in his first fun run in May.
I loved reading about your kids and how you have adjusted your goal. I would have done the same thing, without a second thought.
(I do hope that she will let you hold her hand!)
Thanks for the inspiration!
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oh, that is just too dang cool. I love that your daughter is excited to run the half and i LOVE your new goal to hold hands at the end. That is just really the best. I hope to do the same with my daughter when she’s older;-) thanks for sharing your story.
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Great article! I think it’s terrific that you are going to do the 1/2 as a family… and agree that crossing the finish line with your daughter is worth more (in memories) than breaking the 2 hr mark. Maybe in the next year or two, you’ll do it together! :)
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Loved reading this. How inspriring that your daughter runs…that is so exciting. I have finished 2 halfs with my mom and a sprint tri with my dad. Love making those memories with the 2 of them.
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I LOVE THIS!!! Rachel that is awesome! Even though you may not be reaching your ;ersonal goal, you will be making a WONDERFUL life long memory for Leah. That is so wonderful. I wish we had run clubs here in NM. :( Good for you girl! And congrats to Leah for all her accom;lishments!
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What a wonderful story, and I can just see the sparkle in Leah’s eyes as she’s running and training with Rachel! Awesome couple of young ladies!
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Last summer I trained with my seven-years old daughter to run a mile. This year, I will ask her if she wants to do a little more… She’s 8 now. it’s so nice to share this experience with your daughter. I have three boys and one girl, and it’s like our little moment together apart from the testosterone!
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Hi there, Rachel!
Yet another wonderfully inspiring story that reaches us all here, thank you so much!!! There’s nothing better than participating in sports with family members alike. Wow, Leah and Alex show us what we can be inspired by–examplel! You have much to be proud of and we all applause you for your efforts, enthusiasm and energy of everything possible backed by will and determination to do so. Really, thank you for sharing. :)
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Love this! I have two young girl that often ride in the jog stroller on my runs. I day dream of the day that they might want to run with me. I am expecting my third child in a few weeks and haven’t been running since 22 weeks pregnant. My four year old has been asking me if we can go to that park for a run… I love that she misses it! btw, we love baby signing time!
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Rachel, you are always an inspiration!
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Rachel,
I love your story..it brought tears to my eyes!!! What a great idea..a running club. I wish that my children’s school had that. Occasionally my 10 year old son will ride his bike along side of me while I am running..and that feels GREAT. I wish he would run with me! What an amazing mom you are. How wonderful it must feel to share something so special with your children!
Thanks for sharing you story.
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Rachel,
I enjoyed your story. My three daughters are training for their first half. Although not running, I will be there watching and cheering them at the end. When you cross with your daughter and take her hand, remember, someday she may run faster than you and she too will choose to slow down and take your hand. That is the wonderful bond I have with my daughters, and I hope everyone is so fortunate to share the love that we are so blessed to share. Good Luck in the race!
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Hi Joyce,
Wow, beautifully said…thank you for sharing. May all three of your daughters carry the memories of your heartfelt words across every finishline well into their adult years to come.
Many wishes of strength and endless joy in all upcoming running events! :)
~Catherine!
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Rachel,
Your run with your daughter will be so memorable; you’re so lucky! I’m working on my daughters (14 and 12) to take a leg or 2 in a triathlon, so far to no avail. I hope that some day we’ll be able to cross a finish line together. You’re setting a great life long example and creating unbelievable memories.
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As many of you know I have two daughters, Leah is the oldest and she is pictured above. Our youngest, Lucy can not run. Lucy is nine years old and she can’t even walk or crawl. She has spina bifida and cerebral palsy. Lucy has told me many times that she “wants to run a half-marathon too.” (What to do???)
Each time I have registered for a race I have read the rules carefully to see if a wheelchair or a stroller might be allowed. Each time the rules clearly state those things are NOT allowed.
THIS time, I called the Race Director and asked them to please make an exception. I hadn’t heard anything when I posted this article.
But… two days after posting this article, I got the news.
On April 17, 2010 Aaron, Rachel, Leah and Lucy Coleman will all participate in the Salt Lake City Half-Marathon! I registered Lucy so she will have a race number and finishers medal. When I told Lucy the good news she put out her arms to hug me, had tears in her eyes and said, “I am going to get a medal!”
…Run With Your Life…
~Rachel
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Wow, great and exciting news, Rachel, that you all may participate in the race as a family in Salt Lake!
And what a special moment for both you and Lucy to share in something triumphant. I commend you on perservering along with your asking ability. That says so much to all of us here in the initial attempt to ask and seeing the doors open when doing so!!! :)
Our children have a wonderful way of bringing out the best in us. Something I am ever grateful of.
I’d love to see some pictures and a story, perhaps? after the race! I’m sure the feeling is mutual here among other readers/bloggers at Athleta.
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Oh Rachel… I’m crying as I read your comment about being able to register Lucy for the race. After reading your last article a little over a month ago I bought running shoes and an IPod and started running. Very much like you, I have never been fond of running. However, your post really inspired me as I too have a special needs daughter that may never walk or run. I’ve since ran a 5K, 10K, and I’ll run my first 10 Miler this weekend. Thanks for the encouragement and good luck in the Salt Lake City Half Marathon!
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I am so happy to hear that Lucy is “running” the half-marathon with you. Good luck, Lucy-Girl. You are my Hero, did you know that? Rachel, congratulations on being bold and asking for what you want. You got it, and touched and inspired all of us in the process. Good luck with your training!
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Wow. you are truly blessed. please post pictures after the big day! i am wiping my tears as i write. i too have 3 beautiful little girls and you have inspired me. i think there can be nothing better than to raise your children with a lifelong love of fitness (i wish i had been) and to truly understand their bodies and what they are capable off. and to share it with them is icing on the cake! i have some work to do but i now know it can be accomplished. good luck to you and your family.
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Is tarted running with my 15 year old daughter, who also happens to be named Leah, and I would love for us to either run the half or full marathon here in Phoenix next January. I know that is a long ways to go, but all the more time for us to become prepared. I love the time we spend next to one another on the treadmills, and I wouldn’t trade this time for anything!
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