The Things We Do For Love
03-07-15, 10:53 PM
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The Things We Do For Love
About six months ago, my 20 year old daughter entered a pilot fitness and wellness program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It's not so much that she needed it. She is about as fit and athletically accomplished as any young woman with Down syndrome could be. For her, this was a step in gaining skills that she could use to inspire and train others.
So, when it came time to set goals, she said: "I'd like to do a triathlon."
Gee, I thought. It might be cool to do this with her, if she wants the company.
So, tomorrow is the day for our 55 minute, indoor triathlon. Despite the best of intentions, I managed to get only one lap swim in (my first since 1975), 4 runs, but lots of bike rides.
This is going to be interesting to say the least.
So, when it came time to set goals, she said: "I'd like to do a triathlon."
Gee, I thought. It might be cool to do this with her, if she wants the company.
So, tomorrow is the day for our 55 minute, indoor triathlon. Despite the best of intentions, I managed to get only one lap swim in (my first since 1975), 4 runs, but lots of bike rides.
This is going to be interesting to say the least.
03-08-15, 02:55 AM
#2
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Should be: "The Neat, Cool Things We do for Love" thread.
Atta' Boy, Dad. I have a son with some extra needs and wish I could get him involved with the likes of what you're doing today.
Encourage her, support her and it sounds like a possible podium visit. You go, fella'...best of luck and the best of times to you both.
Atta' Boy, Dad. I have a son with some extra needs and wish I could get him involved with the likes of what you're doing today.
Encourage her, support her and it sounds like a possible podium visit. You go, fella'...best of luck and the best of times to you both.
03-08-15, 05:53 AM
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Excellent. Does she do Special Olympics?
03-08-15, 05:46 PM
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She's a Special Olympics alpine skiing and cycling state champ, swam on her high school swim team, and has been working out in some fashion five or six days a week since announcing the triathlon goal.
We had an awesome time this morning--the fact I didn't drown met my goal for the day. We're already looking for the next one.
We had an awesome time this morning--the fact I didn't drown met my goal for the day. We're already looking for the next one.
03-08-15, 06:08 PM
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Sounds like the great things Dad's do for their daughters, good on you. Please let us know how the Tri goes for both of you, pics would be nice if any are taken, too.
Bill
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
03-08-15, 06:25 PM
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Awesome!
03-09-15, 08:11 AM
#8
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This is a great story of love. It will be a good experience for both of you.
03-09-15, 09:47 AM
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Thanks to all for the positive reaction to this. Below is a Beauty and the Beast shot, taken before the start.
In the for what it's worth category, I'm putting this down as one of the best days ever.
For the swim, my biggest worry, we got to go in the same lane, and my daughter's freestyle paced my one armed breast stroke just about perfectly. Then she started doing the fly, because she's a show off, and I nudged her by a lap.
On to the bikes (personal bikes on trainer) where she crushed it, one of the top 25 in the event. Both of us struggled a bit in transition, and I felt it was more important to get her started, so I was a bit late in launching. That, along with not knowing that the set-up on the trainer favored a bigger gear grind, probably cost me the overall win for the day (2nd bike, 4th overall).
For the run, we stayed together, and she came in with nothing left in the tank.
She finished inside the top half of all the participants, but most impressive and gratifying to me was the way the organizers, staff, and other competitors embraced her participation and the way it added to the event.
Totally cool.
In the for what it's worth category, I'm putting this down as one of the best days ever.
For the swim, my biggest worry, we got to go in the same lane, and my daughter's freestyle paced my one armed breast stroke just about perfectly. Then she started doing the fly, because she's a show off, and I nudged her by a lap.
On to the bikes (personal bikes on trainer) where she crushed it, one of the top 25 in the event. Both of us struggled a bit in transition, and I felt it was more important to get her started, so I was a bit late in launching. That, along with not knowing that the set-up on the trainer favored a bigger gear grind, probably cost me the overall win for the day (2nd bike, 4th overall).
For the run, we stayed together, and she came in with nothing left in the tank.
She finished inside the top half of all the participants, but most impressive and gratifying to me was the way the organizers, staff, and other competitors embraced her participation and the way it added to the event.
Totally cool.
Last edited by tigat; 03-09-15 at 06:29 PM. Reason: clarity
03-09-15, 10:11 AM
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
03-09-15, 12:33 PM
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You get my vote for Dad of the Year.
Post pictures.
Post pictures.
03-09-15, 12:37 PM
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Right On!
03-09-15, 05:09 PM
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Outstanding outcome for both of you, well done!
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
03-10-15, 05:43 AM
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Thanks for sharing this story. You've brightened my day. Way to go!
03-10-15, 01:43 PM
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Should be: "The Neat, Cool Things We do for Love" thread.
Atta' Boy, Dad. I have a son with some extra needs and wish I could get him involved with the likes of what you're doing today.
Encourage her, support her and it sounds like a possible podium visit. You go, fella'...best of luck and the best of times to you both.
Atta' Boy, Dad. I have a son with some extra needs and wish I could get him involved with the likes of what you're doing today.
Encourage her, support her and it sounds like a possible podium visit. You go, fella'...best of luck and the best of times to you both.
Best regards
03-11-15, 08:06 AM
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You two made my day as well! Congratulations to both of you: swim/bike/run on!
03-11-15, 10:10 AM
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I'm going to do a charity metric century in a couple of months with the daughter unit. We're going to train her up by commuting to work together a couple of days a week.
The twist is, I think she's doing it for me, rather than the other way around.
The twist is, I think she's doing it for me, rather than the other way around.
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03-12-15, 08:56 PM
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Awesome!
03-13-15, 06:57 AM
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This was a really nice thing to read first thing this morning. Way to go, it's always nice to hear about a father doing these sorts of things with his daughter and keeping her pace rather than pushing her harder. You're a good dad!