IBRD stunner!

IBRD Stunner!
By JosephTree


I had no plan to connect with my BF brethren this IBRD. Life has been way too...rich, let's say, and I am just happy to get out running on some sort of regular basis.

Then last week my son, 14 years and 11 months old, comes home from school telling me that he'd run a mile, his first, in gym and that he enjoyed the experience. Furthermore, he wanted me to help him learn to run. I was shocked and delighted, but didn't want to snuff the tender flame with too much enthusiasm, so I just gave him my warm appreciation and said we could go out "soon." He slept in on Saturday as I went out for an early 6 miles, but told me he REALLY wanted to go for a run on Sunday, as long as I got him up early enough that he could be sure no one would see us. (!?)

So, there we were at 07:00 on Sunday. He asked for shorts and I gave him an old pair of mine that I never wear, traditional poofy running shorts. He said that he felt naked in them, and asked for a pair like I run in - lycra, mid-thigh. Then he said that he wanted to do it BF so he could focus on learning to run properly, with good form. I almost started crying. Apparently, all the comments about other runners I've been making as we see them on the trails and roads haven't just been blowing out the windows. He's been listening!

We ran from our front door and down the street about a quarter mile and back. He asked me to critique his form and I told him he had to run in front of me. What a sight for a father! My lad!

That was my IBRD event, and I cannot imagine a better!
 
I started running in May, 2010, BF from the first steps. I've since gotten the hang of running in VFF Bikilas if conditions warrant for weather, terrain, or for a race. [I]Flash!: I just got myself a pair of VFF Spyridons for rougher terrain and...
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So sweet, I had to copy it to the home page. :barefoot:
 
I still fondly remember the first time my youngest daughter asked me if she could run barefoot with me. We ran through a park and she was totally astounded by the feedback of her soles. Comments as to the diffferent textures and temperatures of the grass as she was running in and out of shaded areas. She had discoverd a whole new world that she did not even know existed.
 
I think they like seeing us acting like kids again. Give us a water puddle, right?
 
Got to feel great when stuff like that happens....kids thinking what Dad's doing is cool. It does happen!
 
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Great story JT! How did he like it? is he going to continue running with you?
 
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Great story JT! How did he like it? is he going to continue running with you?

He liked it a lot, he said, and, yes, he'll run with me as long as I can get him out early or late enough so he's sure nobody sees him running.
 
He liked it a lot, he said, and, yes, he'll run with me as long as I can get him out early or late enough so he's sure nobody sees him running.

Funny. Even as an adult, I sometimes think about the time of day when I go running because I wonder who will see me. Though I waver between avoiding people (by running at sunrise), or being in-their-face (and going mid-day, if I can). On adventurous days, I'll even go on neighborhood errands barefooted. I live near a commercial district of Oakland so there are usually people around and about when I go out running. My friends and neighbors have gotten used to seeing me barefoot when the weather is cooler, covered from the ankles and up - gloves and a cap, wondering why I tolerate cold feet when the rest of me is trying to stay warm!
 
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Separated with 4 kids here (same mother, I'm father). I don't run bf, dunno if that's my goal - yet - but do run minimalistic (zemgear). I run with all the children, ages 4-10, and been doing so since August 2015 (haven't been running much longer myself). I recognize the "problem" of being odd, my 9 yo girl feels she's weird (even from her mother!) and has stopped liking it. We're struggling a little to see if she'll like it again. The oldest, girl, has been reading Born to Run and has been asking to run bf. The snow and ice has stopped me from ok-ing it, I've told her she can when it's gone.
This last Saturday we went for a 5-mile run (city park). Almost snow and ice free, temp was 1 C (33 F). After 1 1/4 mile I told her she could take her shoes off if she wanted, she did instantly :). Half a mile later the 9 yo asked if she could take her shoes off. Ok. A little later the boys asked the same. Ok. The youngest ran 2 miles bf before wanting to put shoes back on - gravel on asphalt was tough on his feet. The others ran the rest bf. And the "negative" 9 yo was very happy about running, again. Finally :). Hopefully she'll keep that feeling.
So JosephTree: keep it up :). He'll get past the feeling of being odd, eventually. Maybe he has schoolmates who run and want to join?