In this age of kids and their video games, vaping, multiple devices, and tons of other distractions from life, it’s nice to know that some parents see a better pathway for their offspring. For many youngsters, the pathway to maturity comes with blood, sweat and sometimes a few tears. It’s a competitive world, both against others and yourself. But it’s a world that teaches endurance, competence, confidence, loss, and unbelievable success (if only in one’s own mind.) The world of sports and exercise, both team and individual, is a great teacher of life skills.
For me personally, it began long before Brian and Melanie were born. I
started running around age twenty-one and never stopped until forty-seven years
later. Both kids grew up watching me run, ride, stumble, struggle, and plod
along in various bike and foot races. Even the Mid-Winter Fest run in Apple
Valley at 10 above zero wasn’t enough to hinder my running.
Soon enough, both kids were in road races themselves. In school, they were involved in track, gymnastics, and wrestling. It didn’t stop there.
Brian and I did the TRAM (The Ride Across Minnesota) which is a ride
from the western border of Minnesota to the opposite eastern edge. In college, Brian got involved in
intermural sports and Melanie began distance running on her own. In turn, they
got their own children involved in various athletics very early on.
The first major competitive events were kid’s triathlons both in
Minnesota and California. Pretty soon, that evolved into competitive swimming
and skiing for the Colorado kids. They were doing black diamonds before the age
of five.
Over time, all five of the grandchildren became involved in a plethora
of sporting activities which included: Soccer, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Hockey,
Tennis, Skiing, Track, Rock-Climbing, Golf and probably a couple of others I
missed.
Then, a couple of years ago, Brian and Melanie completed the Cactus to Clouds Mountain trek.
Also known as the Skyline Trail, Cactus to Clouds has the greatest elevation gain of any trail in the Continental United States. It climbs 8,000 feet in the first 12 miles from the desert floor to Long Valley, then joins with the main trail to gain another 2,600 feet to the summit of San Jacinto Mountain.
It took Brian and Melanie more than ten hours to completed the climb. I
was exhausted just looking at their pictures.
Brian and Melanie have also done the Pikes Peak Run a couple of times. The
Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon is a trail running competition that begins at
the base of Pikes Peak, in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and climbs over 7,815
feet to the top of the 14,115-foot peak.
Brian and several friends just completed the
Kokopelli Relay Race in Utah. It’s described as:
‘The Kokopelli Relay is THE most challenging
cycling relay in Utah! Cycling from Moab to St. George. Riding through ~530
miles of majestic beauty. It is a ride that invokes a sense of awe and
appreciation for the incredible natural imagery that surrounds us.’ I think his
photos of the trip say it all.
Then this September, Melanie and two friends completed a rim-to-rim
hike of the Grand Canyon. The official web site tells it all:
“There’s no question about it, the rim-to-rim hike in Grand
Canyon National Park is a classic bucket list adventure. But it’s no stroll
through the park, that’s for sure. Being unprepared can have catastrophic
results. However, when you’ve trained properly, have the right gear, and know
what to expect, it can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.”
- Recommended Route:
North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail
- Length: 24 miles
(one-way)
- Level: Strenuous
- Best Time to Go: May –
October
So, what began for me so many years ago as a simple run around the block has morphed into three generations of pushing pedal to the metal, straining already aching bodies and feeling the deep, deep satisfaction of a run completed, trail hiked or exercise completed. From what I can see of my grandchildren’s enthusiasm for their chosen endeavors, I think it’s going to be a lifetime occurrence for them.
If you feel what I do in my heart about these endeavors, you get it. If
you have to ask why; you wouldn’t understand…and I can’t explain it.
