This week instead of running at a 8 to 9 minute mile pace I've slowed way down, gone outside and run for something much more important. On Sunday November 18th the Downtown Giants have 3 teams in the Metro Division Championships - one of the three teams just happens to be mine! American Youth Football has a 134 pound weight limit for their Pee Wee teams. 4 of my players are right on the verge of not making weight, and won't be allowed to play if they are over at the weigh in.
I was a fat kid, well let me restate that I was a big kid who always struggled to make weight for Pop Warner football. For the better part of August I would eat nothing but fruit and "turkey roll ups" as my Mom cleverly called them (just turkey cold cuts rolled up with cheese) to drop drown to the weight limit. When I found out some of my kids were a bit over the limit I didn't want them to go through the absolute hell that I had to endure to play youth football.
I initially e-mailed the parents and told them that as a kid I visited nutritionist after nutritionist and now as a triathlete and type 1 diabetic nutrition has always been a staple in my life. That I wanted their sons to lose the weight in a healthy way and that their long term health is way more important than playing in a game (Championship or not). So over the past few weeks my players have been on a diet I outlined for them and this week we started to run together. Last night I took 3 players with me on an hour long run leaving from Grand & Essex St. going all the way past the South Street Seaport - about 4.5 miles.
The fact that these kids are willing to give up their evening to run with me (one isn't over the limit he just wanted to go out with us) means the world to me. Although I've run only 8 or 9 miles this week when I should have finished 12 to 15 - these miles have been the most special of my training. More important than any triathlon, than any game I coach is getting these kids to understand the commitment and dedication necessary for success - our goal as an organization is to make our players "winners in life". The fact that these players are this committed to their team and willing to sacrifice their nights for it proves to me they already are.
6 comments:
Awww :)
It was so cute seeing them all run up! They had the biggest grins on their faces and you could tell they just loved getting out there to run with their coach. Probably a big change from you making them do sprints!
DWB - remember I do the sprints with them! Heck you saw the bruise on my arm last night from letting them tackle me (god it would be nice to have more than 14 kids on my roster!)
The fact that you can get children of this generation out of their homes and moving is great! Keep them healthy now & they might ward off Type 2 later! It's wonderful that they are willing to do that for you. They must have a great deal of respect for you! Good work.
I agree with Cara. Although I should probably be exercising more than I do.
By the way at least you can leave that type 2 idiot at work. I live with one who checks his blood sugar once a day, and I doubt he even knows what a carbohydrate is.
You sound like an awesome coach.
I remember boys on the wrestling team in my grade during middle school who'd wear plastic trash bags underneath sweat suits all day in order to drop down to the next weight class for a match. And then at lunch, they'd just eat a salad.
All coaches should have your mentality and dedication to the well being of those little guys.
Ed, That is a great share--thanks for letting us know about your boys. How great that they ran with you and that you are working with them, showing them how much you care and setting such a good example. They are lucky to have you, and vice-versa, I think. BTW, did you test your bg in front of them while running? :)
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