My Teen Running Coach... 

About 4 years ago I trained for my first half marathon. At the time, the boys were 11 and 15 years old. As a single mom, this was the first time I felt a little freedom!   I was really slow at first and I would come home really tired but I always felt like I had accomplished something most people at 46 didn't do... run a mile for fun.   The boys were always  full of advice since they had been running track since 1st grade, they were experts...  

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Here's a few tidbits I'll never forget:  "Mom, you would go faster if you lose some weight. ",  "Dad (my ex) says you should.... " (they lost me at Dad), and my all time favorite  "Just run faster!"  
Sure, perfect, I'll just run faster... I was a sprinter / hurdler in high school, a long time ago. I was determined.. I'll show them, I ran with plantars, knee pain, breathing issues but still did 10-20 miles a week and a half marathon almost every month. 

4 years later, I think I earned a little respect, I am on a running streak, I run every day for a minimum of 1 mile (usually with my wonderful husband) on roads, sidewalk, and my favorite dirt trails. The boys can't believe I'm on day 95 with over 250 miles.   I am leading  by example... showing them how determination and perseverance can help you reach your goals!  So when the day came for the family 5k on Memorial Day we all took off together. There was no way I could keep up with them, they looked like jack rabbits weaving around the crowded start area. I finally saw them at the finish hanging out under a tree, kinda smiling at me funny as I came up to them.  I said let's go look at the results... my oldest took 1st (surprised him) and the others took 4th in their age groups but I placed 3rd in my age group of 50 - 55 for the first time in a big race!  I got so much encouragement from the boys I was smiling all day...   It took 4 years and miles of training but eventually I just ran faster. ​