Run, ran, had run

Hello, friends.

It’s a been a little while since we caught up. How was your summer?

Our family was pretty active this June and July. We had track meets for my youngest, camps for both, junior golf coaching, and plenty of Calm Capital business. Oh, and a fantastic golf trip to England (which I’ll write about another time).

My youngest, Matthew, likes to run. He’s the only one in the family who does. I don’t mind (running) it if there’s a ball involved. My wife would rather do anything else. And my oldest, although naturally talented at it, prefers to “had run” than “to run” or “running.”

After running cross-country last fall, Matthew fell in love with it. Running is the first athletic activity he’s taken part in that no one has to tell him to train. He just goes.

This summer he joined a track club, having never completed a lap, and ran the 800m and 400m. He competed and improved enough to make it through the district qualifier in both events, but missed qualifying to compete in the 800m at the Junior Olympics by seven hundredths of a second. So close.

The most exciting part is he’s found something he’s self-motivated to pursue. Perhaps running becomes a lifelong endeavor. It doesn’t matter. Right now he desires to improve and is building lifelong mental toughness.

Performance coach Rob Bell says:

Passion and confidence are the most important attributes in our children’s development of mental toughness because it will become difficult at times. If they only play to please their parents or coach, for a scholarship or for pats on the back, it won’t be enough.

Seen, heard, or read anything interesting? Anything you’re digging right now?

I posted a short personal story about my first attempt at getting into the gym during college. It didn’t go as planned.

Read: I Blame Tiger Woods

Been great catching up.

Talk soon,

David