I don't even know if I consider this controversy since the answer is SO blatantly obvious to me, but to each their own.
Look alllllll the way over to the left-hand side of the group. See that little pumpkin in the blue sports bra and black shorts? That's 12 year-old Kaytlynn Welsch.
We've all seen kids at 5k's and I've even seen a few run 10k's. They seem to come zipping by you and I've always thought it was pretty commendable that they were able to run those distances (and quite well) at such a young age. Apparently, Kaytlynn and her younger sister Heather (who is 10) have competed in more than 160 endurance races (combined) in the past two years. While that number is impressive by itself, both of the girls have managed to keep good grades in school.
Now that's what I'm talking about.
But of course there are people out there who think this is some form of cruel and unusual punishment (even though the girls express their love for the sport) and feel as though their parents should be ashamed. In a world of Honey Boo Boo's and teen moms - why are THESE TWO the ones being criticized?
Aside from my career, I also teach dance to middle & highschool aged girls. You could say I am slightly obsessed with ensuring that the younger generation does not slip into a fast food-driven, tv obsessed way of life. These young athletes should be an absolute inspiration not only to their peers, but to the folks decades older than them who take more pride in their Twitter follower count than they do their BMI.
How is this any more dangerous than people who enroll their 10 year old kids in contact sports like football and hockey? For the record, I don't think anything is wrong with those sports either, but it's very rare that you see headline articles on Yahoo criticizing THOSE parents. No, you don't see 10 and 12 year old kids that can run marathons very often. Just because these two have done something many adults, let alone children, will never achieve in their lifetime should not put them at the front of the line for criticism. If anything, it should be inspiring. Their parents don't put them up to it, but they also don't let them quit something they've already started either. As an adult who grew up under those exact rules, Kaytlynn and Heather will thank their parents for instilling that sense of responsibility in them one day.
Kaytlynn told the New York Times that she enjoys running and can go "on and on without getting tired". While she couldn't pinpoint EXACTLY what made running so fun, she did say that it makes a "purpose in her life". Whether you're a runner or not, it's hard not to respect a kid who has found something they love to do and will do anything to do it. Even if it means backlash from people they've never met.
Keep running, Kaytlynn & Heather -
Kelli
