Inspiration -- Putting the Wind Back in Our Kids Sails...

Fishing on the banks of the Cowlitz River in Washington state, just below the barrier dam I once witnessed a scene I've never quite been able to shake. Steelhead fishing is perhaps one of the most obsessive-compulsive sports available. It requires long hours of repeatedly casting a line with a bait or artificial lure while a pencil-lead weight skims the river bottom and telegraphs every little jolt, pebble and quirk of the river bed to the rod tip. The anxious fisherman is attempting at all times to discern whether the tiniest jolt is a sharp hit on a rock or a soft-fleshy thud into the face or head of a lunker steelhead. But then comes the sudden yank and explosive fight that ensues and the monotony gives way to madness and a "Fish On!" --all the prior tedium turns to pure adrenalin.

For such fishermen the normal time-space continuum ceases and they enter a black hole of concentration which sucks every last bit of daylight from their universe. And the sunshine little kids, which the wife sent along, specialize in bringing is the most unwelcome and unwanted of all.

There I was: lined up with 200 feverish men, casting and trying to interpret the unceasing thunk, thunk, tink and thud... of my pencil-weighted lure. And there I was,-- a captive witness to a father hastily caught and reeled back to consciousness by his bored and abandoned children. Hooked by their antics he came up out of the black depths of his concentration, thrashing with anger and drowning in the fresh oxygen of his parental responsibilities. The cursing, the wild gesticulalting arms, the utter contempt he poured out on those two little boys...it withered their orphaned souls and just made my heart ache to see it. (Where is CPS when you really need them?)

Long before this I had determined that anything I would do with my child would have to be fun, whether it was monopoly, or fishing, or...even running. Yes, even running is vunerable to this sort of abuse. It is very easy to go to one of two extremes. On the one hand, we may simply never let our kids in on this sport we enjoy. They're welcome as long as they fit into the baby jogger. And after that they're ignored. Or, we can, as is done with so many sports, try to live vicariously through our children's victories. They will achieve for us what we could never do for ourselves. And so some children's introduction to running is a full forward leap into competition. Fun rarely, if ever, enters into the picture.

A well-respected and oft quoted book has warned, "Fathers, don't take the wind out of your kids sails." It's a timely warning and good advice for runners--fathers or mothers. So many kids on the street these days lack an aerobic capacity of spirit and body. The antidote is found, however, not merely in stopping the leakage, but also in finding significant ways to "inspire" the upcoming generation...to literally "put some wind back in their sails".

This is exactly what a whole bunch of people will be doing in the very near future. Cyber-Up Cafe and others are sponsoring and volunteering to direct the Hafa Pint 1K Kids Fun Run on March 3rd at Ypao Park in Tumon. GRC began this race last year and ran it concurrently with the
Hit Radio 100 Hafa Marathon. The race was a wonderful time for the kids and everyone else involved. My boy, CK, still talks about the experience. He thoroughly enjoyed himself even though he hit the wall half-way through and walked some recovery before finishing.

I've read some articles and am aware of studies that demonstrate how children and youth who are athletically active tend to also excel in academics and life overall. There is something to be said for increasing the aerobic capacity of the heart, it can contribute to an increased capacity of the human spirit. And I suspect it isn't just the activity of running. I am certain that the relationships which develop and the mentoring of coaches, trainers and fellow athletes does much to nourish the heart of the young and inspire a sense of purpose and worth. Kudos to all those of you who have given countless hours involved in coaching our youth!

So, if you're not running the half marathon why not come and enjoy the special sunshine these little "mighty mights" radiate? Even if they're not your kids. Even if you don't have kids. We'll put a little wind in their sails and watch them go. We'll cheer them on, applaud and encourage them at the awards ceremony. We'll ooh and ah at their finisher's T-shirts. Inspire a child--they're the future of the sport...you just might change a life!

In it for the Long Run,

Neil Culbertson, GRC Prez
2-20-01