I decided to take the boys out for a jog yesterday late afternoon. Its probably our first time! Well, Calvin has recently participated in his school cross country run and he still seems to be filled with enthusiasm about running. To keep up with that enthusiasm, I decide to jog with him. Of course Mr A wanted to tag along although he had no idea what jogging was!
Athan thought it was a race and so he ran as fast as he could. He got tired after a short time and decided to take a rest. Mr Calvin was obviously not happy about this because when Athan stopped, I had to stop and so did he. Athan caught on to the idea of jogging eventually and with some encouragement, he kept going. However, he was too slow and could not keep up. He took way too many breaks in between. How should one encourage a 4-year-old to keep jogging and not give up? I really wasn’t very good at doing that there and then, but I did tell him he had to go on. And so he requested to hold hands with me while we jogged. 🙂 How nice. Well, this clever little thing knew that if I held hand with him, he would not be left behind! But I also knew that if I jogged with him hand in hand, it is less likely for him to give up. I could only urge Calvint o be patient with his little brother.
It worked well. Along the way, in fact the whole way, Athan was talking non stop. He is a real chatter box, I kid you not. He told me little stories that he made up as well as about all the things that he saw along the way. He has something to say about everything. At times, I only said “uh huh” and he actually asked me what I meant by “uh huh”! He wanted me to listen to him and answer appropriately, not just say “uh huh”. Demanding or not? I am not sure if I have shared in this space before that Athan loves to talk. He really does. The father reckons that he takes after me. 🙂
Anyhow, we managed to *slow* jog all the way with Calvin in the lead. I have to say I am proud of my little boy who did not give up. I also have to say that Calvin can really run. I honestly think that if it were only me and him jogging, he could easily surpass me. Truth is, I am so unfit now. Guess I better get my act together and start exercising.
On another note: Calvin did not come in first, second or third at his school cross-country run. He came in 5th. He told me that he fell down at some point as the grass was very slippery but he quickly stood up and ran again. He was so adamant that if he did not fall, he could come in second. I took the chance to let him know what I thought. I told him I was very proud of him at the fact that he did not stop despite the fall nor did he give up even when he felt so tired at one point. I also told him that it is more important that he did not give up as compared with coming in first. I think he got the point. He was happy that his effort has gained some points for his faction (he is in the green team). He may be in Year 1, but this little man can be very competitive. He always want to win. The school sports day is coming up in a few weeks’ time and he has been telling me about the training at school and how fast he can run and who he can and cannot beat at running races …. He wanted me to go watch him run — so badly. I guess I better make time to go watch my boy run.