Cross-training with my children. Or is it cross-playing?

Cross-training with my children. Or is it cross-playing?

Semantics.

Can children cross-train? Or  are  — cycling, swimming, lobbing rocks at each other (mutation of the shot put) just — child’s play.

Instead of running, we went to the pool today.

I didn’t make my early swim workout with the girls. So riding by the pool on way to school this morning, I ventured a “Do you want to go swimming after school” to my daughter.

“YES.”

A much more enthusiastic response than to “Do you want to go run two miles?’

When they got home this afternoon…I wasn’t feeling so enthusiastic. But they wanted to swim.

So we gathered our stuff together and raced up to pool to get in a little workout before they closed.

I saw the Aquatic Center’s director, Andy Dunstun’s, truck in lot.

“Andy’s here,”

“Oh no….let’s go home,” they chimed.

Andy has certain rules and seems my children need to be reminded of the rules every now and then.

“He’s nice,” I say. “He’s never bitten me.”

You can tell,

a) I wasn’t so sure about the swim at this point. And,

b) It had been rough week.

“See, he’s very tame when you get to know him.”

“Just don’t make any sudden moves with the life preservers,” I warned. Unless of course, there is a life in need of preservation.

They weren’t so sure but figured it was worth the risk and ran for the pool.

Here’s a tip:  Community pools or club pools with lifeguards are a mom’s best friend. You can get in the water, paddle away and the guard keeps an eye on your kids.

I stopped my workout early and asked them to swim to me. Then they swam a few gasping laps on their own.

Swimming a mile is a lot tougher than running one.

For kids and adults alike.

Take advantage of your local pools to cross-train. Or cross-play.

And just think.

They’ve already had their bath for tonight.

Double Woo.

That in itself is worth the two dollars.

Do your children swim for exercise or better yet, on a swim team?