What Parents Should Say as Their Kids Perform

By Tim Elmore

In my work at Growing Leaders, we enjoy the privilege of serving numerous NCAA and professional sports teams each year. After meeting with hundreds of coaches and athletes, I noticed an issue kept surfacing in our conversations. Both the student-athlete and the coach were trying to solve the same problem.  What was that problem?

The parents of the student-athletes.

You may or may not believe this, but even in Division One athletics, parents stay engaged with their child’s sport, often at the same level they did through their growing up years. Moms will call coaches and advise them on how to encourage their daughter or son. Dads will call coaches and ask why their kid isn’t getting more playing time. Parents will call strength and conditioning coaches and inquire what they’re doing about their child’s torn ligament. Each of these calls is understandable. After all, no one has more at stake than the parent of a performer. They love their child, they’ve invested in their child and they want to see a “return on their investment.” Some athletes refer to their mom as their P.A. (personal assistant) or their agent. I know a mother who watches her collegiate daughter’s gymnastics practice behind the glass, all the while, calling and leaving voicemails for the coach on what should be done for her little girl. I even know sets of parents who moved into a condo across the street from their freshman athlete’s university. They didn’t want to miss a thing, and they certainly didn’t want to neglect to provide direction. I understand this. I am a father of two kids myself.

What we parents may not recognize is the pressure and angst this kind of involvement applies. May I tell you what student-athletes are telling me?

1. I love my mom, but when she does this, I get the feeling she doesn’t trust me.
2. My parents are great, but I feel like I have multiple coaches telling me what to do and I get stressed out over it.
3. I’m getting blackballed by my teammates because my mother keeps texting me and my coach, to give suggestions. I wish she would chill.
4. I feel like I’m never quite good enough; I can never fully please my parents.

Moving From Supervisor to Consultant

According to years of research on athletes, I believe parents have a more productive impact on their kids by making a change in their style. When our kids were younger, we played the role of supervisor. We were right there on top of the issues. And we should be—they were young and needed our support. As they age, parents must move to the role of consultant. We’re still involved, still supportive, but we allow our kids to grow up and self-regulate. When we fail to do this—we can actually stunt their growth. It’s a bit like teaching our kids to ride a bike. Remember this process?  First, we gave them a tricycle. The three wheels made it almost impossible for them to fall off, and they got used to peddling a vehicle. Then, they moved to a bicycle. It was bigger and had only two wheels. A little more scary. So we initiated them on that bike with training wheels. That prevented bad accidents. Eventually, however, we took the training wheels off, and our involvement became a tender balance of two ingredients: support and letting go. Did you catch that? Support and letting go.

What We Should Say When Our Kids Perform

The most liberating words parents can speak to their student-athletes are quite simple. Based on psychological research, the three healthiest statements moms and dads can make as they perform are:

Before the Competition:                                    After the competition:

1. Have fun.                                                    1. Did you have fun?
2. Play hard.                                                    2. I’m proud of you.
3. I love you.                                                    3. I love you.

Six Simple Words…

For years, I wondered what the student-athlete would say about this issue. After decades of work with athletes, Bruce E. Brown and Rob Miller found out. They suggest six simple words parents can express that produce the most positive results in their performing children. After interacting with students, they report:

College athletes were asked what their parents said that made them feel great, that amplified their joy during and after a ballgame. Their overwhelming response:

“I love to watch you play.”

That’s it. Those six words. How interesting. How liberating to the parent. How empowering to the student-athlete. No pressure. No correction. No judgment. (That’s the coach’s job). Just pure love of their child using their gift in competition.

When I learned this, I reflected on the years my own kids competed in sports, recitals, theatrical plays, and practices. Far too often, I wanted to play a role that added more stress to their life. Instead, I now realize—I just need to love them. And to love watching them play.

From a parent’s view—this is the best way to cultivate an emotionally healthy kid

– See more at: http://growingleaders.com/blog/what-parents-should-say-as-their-kids-perform/#sthash.R2u0etVy.dpuf

Limassol Marathon 2013

Limassol Marathon GSO is the official marathon of our country, accredited by the international federations of AIMS and IAAF. We are particularly proud of the fact that our Marathon is a lot more than an athletic event of international standards and mass participation. It is primarily an indication of the power of the human will and soul. It is a source of values, social awareness and solidarity. It is a celebration of joy and a celebration of friendship.

Our events include a Marathon, Half Marathon, Health Race, Corporate Race and a Children / Student Race. The flat traffic-free route is ideal for all runners and participants to achieve their personal best. Our slogan ‘Run along the Waves’ represents the true experience of our event’s participants running along the beautiful Limassol coastline.

Limassol is the second largest city of Cyprus and the capital of nightlife and hospitality. Molos area on the sea front is the start and finish point of the Marathon, scenic combination of the busy city of Limassol and the Mediterranean sea. Imagine the fantastic route, the great beaches, the breathtaking trails combined with the well known hospitality of our people and the mild weather.

Let us meet on the 24th March 2013. We look forward to welcoming you!

For more informations and registrations click here

Olympic Marathon Trials Runner Johanna Olson Dies of Brain Cancer

Olson, 33, was first diagnosed while in college.

By

Peter Gambaccini;

Image by

Photo Run

Published

January 04, 2013

Johanna Olson, a former NCAA Division III cross country champion and two-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, has died at age 33 after a 15-year battle with recurring brain cancer.

A Minnesota native who was the seventh woman in the 2003 Twin Cities Marathon in 2:43:27, Olson attended Luther College in Iowa and later lived in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Bend, Oregon. She had her most recent diagnosis of a brain tumor in July 2012 but chose to do last October’s Twin Cities Marathon with family members while “ralking” (her term), a combination of running and walking. She finished in 5:09:54.

Olson called running “my center” and told the Star Tribune in October, “Truly, I love running. It’s who I am. It’s a part of me. Even if I can only run for 10 minutes, I feel whole and happy. And if everything else is falling to pieces, I go for a run, and I feel like things are going to be okay.”

As the SaveJohannasBrain website tells us, Olson began running at age eight, starred at Wadena Deer Creek High School in Minnesota, and went on to Luther College, where she was an Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference cross country runner-up as a freshman in 1997 before first being diagnosed for the first time with a brain tumor. That was removed surgically; when another tumor appeared in 1998, it was treated with a course of radiation.

Beyond that point, her progress was remarkable. In 2000, Olson won her conference cross country crown, and she was a U.S. Olympic Marathon trials qualifier in 2004 (45th place) and 2008 (46th place). Later, she obtained a masters degree in exercise and sports science from Oregon State.

But cancer returned and another surgery was needed in July 2009. Another surgery to remove a tumor took place in September 2011. Still another tumor was detected in July of last year.

After that last tumor was detected, Olson decided to run last year’s Twin Cities race. She told USATF, “I knew I needed a goal. I called and asked my mom if I could get an entry into the Twin Cities Marathon would she do it with me. Thinking it wouldn’t happen she said she would. I was able to get an entry and I called her back and she was like, ‘What?’ Then she said my dad wanted to do it too.” Her 5:09:54 ranks as at least as much of an achievement as her 2:43:27.

Quantum Nicosia Marathon, Cyprus

On Sunday, December 9, 2012, the 3rd Quantum Nicosia Marathon will be held, the most important international, social, cultural, sporting event that is hosted in the streets of Nicosia.

The Quantum Nicosia Marathon, is organized by the “Athanasios Ktorides” Foundation and the Nicosia Municipality, and runners from around the world will participate. It is supported by the Ministry of Education, the Cyprus Sports Organisation, the Cyprus Amateur Athletic Association, the Cyprus Olympic Committee and other institutional bodies, and has already been recorded down in history as a monumental success.

This year we will have the great honour to host, for the first time in the sporting history of Cyprus, the “Marathon Flame”, with the cooperation of the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association and the Organising Committee of the Athens Classic Marathon.

The 3rd Nicosia Marathon enters its final straight and invites you to participate.

Runner? Spectator? Volunteer?

The Marathon honours you and welcomes you to this great celebration of Friendship and Will.

For registration visit Nicosia Marathon

CYPRUS APHRODITE HALF MARATHON

Sunday ,November 25,2012

The Cyprus Aphrodite Half Marathon  and 5Km Fun Run are organised by the Cyprus Health Runners Club and are supported by the Cyprus Sport Organisation. They are held  in Paphos, a historic seaside town and popular holiday resort, the legendary birthplace of goddess Aphrodite. The Half Marathon  starts at 10.05 and the Fun Run at 10.00. The courses are fast and undulating. They take the runners along the coast and are clearly marked at every km. The start and the finish is the YEROSKIPOU MUNICIPAL  Sports Centre( start/finish point ). The Organisers provide full medical back up. There is a time limit of  3 hours for the Half Marathon. All runners must be at least 16 years old on the day of the event. There is no age or time limit for the Fun Run .

 HALF MARATHON

MEN/WOMEN: 16-29 years, 30-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, over 70

WheelchairOne category

Fun Run

One category for men, one category for women

 

TROPHIES

Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 men and women to finish overall and also, to the first 3 in each category of Half Marathon. A T-shirt, medal and a certificate will be awarded to every finisher.

KEO, one of the event’s main sponsors will provide refreshments prior, during and after the events.

A Pasta Party will be organised at 19.00 hours on Saturday 24th, at the athena beach hotel. Nutritious food will be served suitable for the eve of an important race. Tickets, available at €15.00, to be sent with the entry fee.

A Gala Dinner will be held at 20.00 hours on Sunday 25th,at the athena beach hotel . During the Dinner the cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Entertainment will be provided with live Greek music, song and dance. Tickets, available at €20.00 , to be sent with the entry fee.

Tickets for both the Pasta Party and the Gala Dinner will be given with the collection of race numbers.

APPLICATION FORMS: (click here for online registration)

Must be received by 15 November 2012.

ENTRY FEES:

Overseas Runners:         Half Marathon €35.00               Fun Run €17.00
Cyprus Residents  :         Half Marathon €15.00                  Fun Run €10.00

All runners must collect their race number from 18:00 – 22:00 on Friday 23rd and from 10:00 – 17:00 on Saturday 24th, prior to the race, from the Organisers’ Desk at the athena beach hotel .

 Uncollected numbers may be claimed at the Start of each race.

Travelling:

 

For further info:

Cyprus Health Runners Club

P. O. Box 28167

2091 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus

Tel/Fax: 00 357-22420559

e-mail: runclub@cytanet.com.cy

New York City Marathon canceled

By Bostonglobe

The race could have been held. The 26.2-mile course was clear from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Central Park, where the finish line had been painted in the traditional blue and orange. The elite runners had arrived and were ready to answer the gun on Sunday morning and nearly 50,000 recreational runners were expected to join them.

But as opposition from politicians, citizens, and even runners themselves continued to build late Friday afternoon, City Hall and event organizers concluded that the New York City Marathon, which had been staged annually since 1970, should not be held while the metropolitan area still was struggling to come back to life after Monday’s watery devastation by Hurricane Sandy.

“While holding the race would not require diverting resources from the recovery effort, it is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg and race director Mary Wittenberg said in a joint statement. “The marathon has always brought our city together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination. We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants and so have decided to cancel it.”

The decision came only a few hours after Bloomberg had reaffirmed his earlier declaration that the race should be held as scheduled, saying that the city “has to show that we are here and we are going to recover.” But as the outcry intensified, he and Wittenberg concluded that cancellation was their only option after organizers had decided that running a substitute race over the final 10 miles of the course from the Queensboro Bridge was impractical.

“We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event — even one as meaningful as this — to distract attention away from all the critically important work that is being done to recover from the storm and get our city back on track,” they said in their statement.

The mayor and the New York Road Runners had believed that holding the marathon would have provided a psychological restorative for the battered city, much as the event did 11 years ago when residents still were dealing with the shock and grief of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers that killed nearly 3,000 people and destroyed a large section of lower Manhattan. “If you go back to 9/11,” said Bloomberg, “Rudy [Giuliani] made the right decision in those days to run the marathon and pull people together.”

The organizers, who pledged $1 million toward a storm relief fund in addition to $1.5 million from the Rudin family foundations and race sponsor ING, had labeled the event “The Race To Recover.”

“There’s something that can lift the spirit of this city as New Yorkers see that what we all know is the greatest day in the life of a city, the New York City Marathon, is going to go on,” NYRR chairman George Hirsch had said.

In addition to the anticipated emotional uplift, the marathon was expected to provide an estimated $340 million boost to a New York economy that is reckoned to have lost many times that figure after power was knocked out and the transportation network shut down. Many of those dollars would have been spent by the out-of-town competitors. An estimated 40,000 of them already had arrived on Friday and were dealing with a variety of logistical challenges in a city still plagued with power outages, inoperable subways, and snarled traffic.

Cambridge resident Kevin Bolger had reserved a room in Tribeca to be near the ferry to Staten Island. Because the hotel was without electricity Bolger had switched to a midtown hotel, but would have had to check out on Saturday.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do at the moment,” he said Friday morning.

Race organizers had guaranteed entry next year to all runners who withdrew by Saturday. It was unclear whether participants would have fees refunded or receive any reimbursement for travel expenses.

“We have a lot to work through,” said Wittenberg.

Canton resident Amy Hopkins had planned on staying with friends in Staten Island after taking the train from Connecticut, then decided to defer her entry until next year.

“The logistics were just way too crazy,” said Hopkins, who’ll run instead in Sunday’s Manchester City Marathon in New Hampshire. “I’m bummed about it, but that’s the best decision for me,” she said. “I didn’t necessarily support the decision to have the [New York City] marathon this weekend. The restoration really needs to happen.”

That was the argument made by a growing number of critics who said that the race should not be run while the five boroughs still were dealing with the death and debris caused by a historic superstorm and needed the police and sanitation workers that would have been diverted to the marathon.

Staten Island, where the race begins at the bridge’s toll plaza, suffered the most damage of any of the city’s neighborhoods and still was in disarray.

“What we have here is terrible, a disaster,” borough president James Molinaro said on Wednesday. “If they want to race, let them race with themselves. This is no time for a parade. A marathon is a parade.”

The New York race, with a $600,000 purse for the planet’s elite male and female racers, is the culmination of the annual World Marathon Majors series, which pays a $500,000 bonus to the runners with the most points over a two-year span. It also is the city’s largest outdoor spectator event, with an estimated 2 million people lining the streets. But with many of those spectators more concerned with restoring their lives to normalcy amid a sodden city, the marathon had become a diminished diversion.

“This is what we need to do,” Wittenberg said after the cancellation was announced, “and the right thing at this time.”

First woman at Boston Marathon

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston marathon. After realizing that a woman was running, race organizer Jock Semple went after Switzer shouting, “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers.” However, Switzer’s boyfriend and other male runners provided a protective shield during the entire marathon.The photographs taken of the incident made world headlines, and Kathrine later won the NYC marathon with a time of 3:07:29.

The Perfect Runner, Official Trailer

I live in Cyprus, a small European country next to Israel, Greece and Egypt. Right now i am so envy of Canadians, who can watch this TV show. If someone finds out how is it possible for me to watch it online, please please please let me know on the comments area. Here is a description of the show and a small trailer:

How did our ancestors survive the shift from trees to land, and evolve to dominate the planet? The answer lies in a remarkable ability we evolved far earlier than our powerful brains: humans are nature’s perfect endurance runners. Gemini-winning anthropologist Niobe Thompson (Inuit Odyssey, 2009; Code Breakers, 2011) takes a journey of personal discovery back in evolutionary time, in conversation with leading evolutionary biologists and immersed in cultures whose survival still depends on endurance running. From the highlands of Ethiopia, to the most remote place in Arctic Siberia, to the world’s toughest ultramarathon in the Canadian Rockies, The Perfect Runner weaves cutting-edge science with gripping adventure, and leaves the viewer with a new and inspiring understanding of our common evolutionary inheritance as the running ape.

Canada 2012, 45 mins. HD, Dir: Niobe Thompson, Clearwater Documentary Inc.

The Perfect Runner will have its first broadcast in Canada on March 15th 2012, at 8pm on CBC TV’s The Nature of Things, Canada’s blue-chip nature and science strand and the longest running program on Canadian television. Broadcast to follow on ARTE in German and French in September 2012.

18 March 2012 – Cyprus Marathon. Run Along the Waves!

Message from the organizing committee

Dear friends, welcome to our webpage!

 

 

Limassol Marathon GSO is the official marathon of our country, accredited by the international federations of AIMS and IAAF. We are particularly proud of the fact that our Marathon is a lot more than an athletic event of international standards and mass participation. It is primarily an indication of the power of the human will and soul. It is a source of values, social awareness and solidarity. It is a celebration of joy and a celebration of friendship.

 

Our events include a Marathon, Half Marathon, Health Race, Corporate Race, Student Race and a Charity Run / Walk. The traffic free straight, fast and flat route is ideal for all runners and participants to achieve a personal best and our slogan ‘Run along the Waves reflects the true picture.

 

Limassol is the second largest city of Cyprus and the capital of vitality and hospitality. Molos area on the sea front is the start and finish point, a beautiful spot which smiles back to the smile offered by the sea! Imagine the fantastic route, the great beaches, the breathtaking trails combined with the well known hospitality of our people and the mild weather.

 

Let us meet on the 18th March 2012. We look forward to welcome you!

Race Information

Join one of the bellow races and give your self the chance to Run Along the Waves.
Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Health Race, 5K Corporate Race, Charity Walk/Run and Kids Fun Run

 

Marathon

 

Participation fee: €50.00
Microchip timing
Day of Event: 18th March 2012
Start: Molos, Limassol
Finish: Molos, Limassol
Read More

 

 

Half Marathon

 

Participation fee: €35.00
Microchip timing
Day of Event: 18th March 2012
Start: Molos, Limassol
Finish: Molos, Limassol
Read More

 

 

10K Health Race

 

Participation fee: €20.00
Microchip timing
Day of Event: 18th March 2012
Start: Molos, Limassol
Finish: Molos, Limassol
Read More

 

 

5K PwC Corporate Race

 

Participation fee: €150.00 (Per Company)
Day of Event: 18th March 2012
Start: Molos, Limassol
Finish: Molos, Limassol
Read More

 

 

1K Student Race

 

Age restriction: From 6 to 16 years old. A parent / guardian signature is required.
Participation fee: Free!
Day of Event: 18th March 2012
Start: Molos, Limassol
Finish: Molos, Limassol

The Ironman Marathon

By Triathlete Europe