Reflections on IMLP from an 8 yr old

The other day my son and I were shopping at a local supermarket. It started to really pour. As we prepared to leave we noticed a woman pull her car to the front and pick up her two young sons. My 8 year old son remarked that he should have had me do that for him. In my best sarcastic father of the year voice I said, "Why? Are you made of sugar? A little rain isn't gonna hurt you. We don't do that." And with that we walked to my truck and loaded the groceries. As we started to leave my son said,"It's kinda like, you know, your race. But you couldn't stop, you didn't stop, you didn't quit." I turned to him and realized right then and there that he understood, he really got it. Even though while I was soaking wet and trudging through the ADAKS while he was darting in and out of the Golden Arrow with numerous dips in the heated pool he understood what this insanity is all about. In a family where his mother earned her M Dot two years ago and mine was in serious jeopardy after a partially torn calf during a training run, our 8 year old son was able to understand the meaning of never quit. Although I never imagined I would compete in, much less complete an Ironman, my Father instilled in me the never give up attitude and hopefully through one day on craziness I have passed that on to my son. Just thought I'd share this one with all those of you who we now call the" Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the rain- LP 2008" .