Sports have so many teachable moments about life. Sports can be scary, there are winners and losers, there are times when things do not work out as planned and others when things go great. Those are all important lessons to learn and we should not shelter our children from them. They need to be exposed to those realities.
We rely on our amazing parents in so many ways (thank you finish line workers, drivers, pasta feeders, etc!!) But most importantly, we rely on you to provide proper direction and enthusiasm, to make sure your kids are committed, and to make sure there are proper nutrition choices in your home.
Athletes put enough pressure on themselves through their own expectations, so it is best to just be there for them, support them, as opposed to putting your own expectations on them. Avoid comparing your child to another; instead, compare themselves to themselves over time, looking for personal growth -- the ultimate measuring stick.Athletes almost universally perform better when they are left alone with their thoughts and just offered some positive encouragement.Be patient, be truthful, be honest, and be encouraging. Cultivate and nurture their commitment and interest in this awesome sport. Encourage them to communicate with us about nagging injuries, tired legs, expectations, anything! And finally, while it sounds simple, remember, let the coach be the coach. :)
What about running shoes?
We know times are tough financially, but investing in your children’s running shoes can make a big difference. Your child should only run with top quality running shoes. Do not let them run in tennis shoes, basketball shoes, cross trainers, etc. Excellent running shoes are an investment against injury, and one of the only major expenses you will make for this sport. Remember: shoes are replaceable; feet are not (well they are, but that is very expensive and painful!)
High quality shoes sell for about $100-$130. Go to a running specialty store to get fitted. Heart and Sole offers a discount if you mention your child runs for SRHS! Runners who want the fastest times possible have a pair of spikes too, which are much lighter and therefore faster.
Good running shoes generally wear out between 400-500 miles, and dead shoes can cause injuries by not providing proper support and cushioning. Running shoes should be replaced a minimum of every six months, if runners are training consistently, or sooner if necessary. Optimally, buying two pairs of running shoes at the beginning of a season and alternating them every other day will extend the life of each shoe and reduce the financial impact for you in the long run (no pun intended). Like runners, shoes need recovery too, and alternating pairs will elongate the life of the shoes you invest in.
