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Week 56: Just When You Think the Kids are Never Listening...

With a few weeks to think after the race, many things have become more clear.

I was upset in the moment, because I didn’t get what I wanted. I wanted to reach the finish line. In some measure, it was vanity that propelled me forward and vanity that made it sting after failure.

There are two sides to every story I guess.

I’ve stopped beating myself up about it. While there were many things I could have controlled leading up to the event, there were many things outside of my control as well. I’ve accepted this, and realized maybe luck plays a bigger role than I give it credit for.

On the other hand, getting back up after being knocked down can pay other dividends. My oldest son’s soccer team lost in the playoffs in a tough game that went into overtime. He was crying after the game and upset about losing.

He then said, “It’s okay. We can try again next year. I’ll practice and get better, and we’ll win next time.”

Chills went down my spine as he said this. I basically heard the same words that came out of my mouth after bitter disappointment from a few weeks ago.

We think our kids aren’t listening to us. We think they aren’t paying attention. They sure as heck are.

It made me proud as a father and put a whole new spin on both what I accomplished this year, and also what I didn’t…

And with that I’m ready to go into the offseason with a clear heart and clear conscience.

The offseason. A glorious thing.

The mental and physical respites are much needed. It’s already paying benefits.

I ran once last week. I walked the kids to and from school every day. I went disc golfing. I did core work and some light weights and stretching.

I didn’t watch a single minute of content about running. I didn’t read about running. I didn’t listen to any podcasts about running. I didn’t think about running.

It was fantastic.

I watched football. And made chili. And took a day off work to hang with my kids who were both out on Columbus Day.

Speaking of that…

Philosophical Dad Stuff

Earlier this week, both my kids were off school for the end of the quarter and Columbus Day. I am fortunate to be able to take the day off work and spend it with them.

We planned a bunch of activities and got up excited on Monday.

We went to the Air Force museum, we saw amazing things in aviation history, we ate astronaut ice cream. We went to the Halloween store and bought (even more) spooky decorations. We spent the afternoon lounging and snuggling on the couch.

It was the type of day that was well worth taking off work.

And they’re fleeting.

One day, not too long from now, my kids will not think I am cool. They will not want to spend their day off school with me.

These days are few, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

I try to remind myself of these things as often as I can. And Monday was a great example of temporal nature of things.

I soaked it in while I could. I hugged my kids tight. And went to bed a contented man that night.

“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” -John Bowring

Live triumphantly. See you next week.