A month ago, the Y held a kids’ triathlon. It was for ages 8-14, and I thought my 14 year old son was my only child who could do this thing. I’ve been trying to get him interested in such a thing as a triathlon for years, and he thought it sounded good in theory.

But: he broke his bike and would have to ride his sister’s bike
He was working a corn detasseling job, and we weren’t sure if he’d be available to compete
If he wasn’t working, he didn’t have time to practice so he’d be competitive in the race
and the triathlon was the same day as his uncle’s wedding.

We could have overcome one or two of those obstacles, but all four together were too much. I agonized, but in the end, I decided against putting my son in the triathlon.

When the day actually came, he had to work, and my brother got married, and we threw him a reception, etc.

Our friend’s daughter actually did compete in the triathlon. I was so jealous on so many levels. I mean, where were these kinds of events when we were kids? And, why not an adult triathlon where you swam a 50, rode 2 miles on a bike, and then ran for 1 mile? A piece of cake! Also, her kid did it and my kid didn’t. It was killing me.

I asked my friend’s daughter how it went. She came in last. She wasn’t too happy about that, but she thinks she’ll try it again next year. I think that’s great. And probably the whole point of a triathlon for kids. How much more fit will she be as an adult, having competed in these as a child?

And next year, she will practice first!

I also found out that my friend Stephani, who competed in a triathlon earlier this year, had her children entered in this one. They apparently did really well.