A Hero, Fallen

13
Aug
2010
By

Let me tell you right now that today’s post has absolutely nothing to do with cycling.  I’ve had a few close calls in the past, but for the first time…after doing cycling blogs for the past six months, I’m deviating from what this blog is all about.

The reason?  Because I am way overdue to write about a little girl who means so very much to me.  I’ve already posted about her Mom, her younger Brother, and her baby Brother…..now it’s your turn Kassidy.

You entered my life when you were two years old.  Such a clear talker for your age, and it was so cute to hear you call me Darryl. But before too long, that all changed…and from then on you have known me simply as, Dad. You’ve experienced so much with me, and as I look back over these past 9 years it seems as if you should be at least 16 with all that we’ve done. But you’re only 11….what do I mean, only?  I can’t believe my little girl is soon to be a teenager….how did time pass so quickly?

I can remember back to the time when you were around six or seven.  There was a string of time when you often referred to me as your hero…..and I’m pretty sure you even wrote about it a time or two.  Wow, you really looked up to me didn’t you?  But then Brother #1 came along and I know that as soon as that happened, I stopped providing you with the attention you deserved.  Now with Brother #2 here, I doubt I am doing any better.  But every single day I think about how I used to be your hero.  Such an acclaimed honor, and I let it slip.

You have spent the past 8 days away from us…out of town visiting your Aunt, and I miss you very much.  Aunt Loretta says she reads this blog every day, so I hope she calls you over to read this from her computer (I’ve got my eyes on you, Loretta :) ).  This post is all about you, and it makes me feel great to get this out into the cyber world.

When you get back home later today, and as we move forward in all the adventures that lie ahead for our family….I am going to fight to win back my hero status.  I Love You, Kassidy.

My Daughter, Kassidy will soon be a regular contributor at Loving the Bike.  She is a brilliant writer and will be providing posts about cycling from the perspective of an eleven year old girl.  I can’t wait to have you on the team, baby girl.

Enjoy Your Ride

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  • http://www.reasons2ride.com/ Joel Phillips

    So basically what you are saying here is you want to give more of yourself, hmmm…The true spirit of the Holliday Season is alive and well in you my friend, and not just this time of year.

    Thank you for sharing….

  • http://MultisportMama.com Multisport Mama

    I discovered your blog this morning and love your writing & topics (the bike fit guest post was great). Thank you writing about your relationship with your daughter. The post brought tears to my eyes. I have an 11-year girl too. I can’t wait to share your blog with her. Best wishes.:)

  • http://www.bikejuju.com Bikejuju aka Tom

    Awesome, I have an 11-year-old looking forward to reading the 11-year-old perspective!

    • http://lovingthebike.com Loving the Bike

      Very cool….I hope my 11 year old can provide information that Adults and kids can both enjoy.

      Darryl

  • Kassi

    thanks dad!! that really means a lot to me.
    you will always be my hero!
    can’t wait to write for your blog.

    love,

    Kassi

    • VitaminLee

      Oh man, Kassidy – I’m really looking forward to reading your posts. I still have a copy of that lovely poem your wrote in memory of your dog (R.I.P).

  • Kathy

    They do grow up before you know it. My baby girl is now a nurse and leaving for a year in South America. Not sure how I will cope with that. She is such a generous and sweet person (now an adult) who I love so dearly. Keep them close while you can.

    • http://lovingthebike.com Loving the Bike

      Oh man…..I’m not looking forward to when my kids get old enough to take off like that. Congratulations to her, and it is going to be one exciting opportunity.

      Darryl

  • http://massivemtber.blogspot.com/ Clive Chapman

    I’m a Dad too, a 13 year old daughter who was and is an Angel and a 3 year old lad who goes by the nickname of the Spawn of Satan. So I guess you can probably imagine what he’s like!

    Anyway, both myself and my wife always agonise about whether we’re doing the right thing by them all the time. And there’s the thing, if you’re not doing that then I don’t think you are doing right by them.

    As parents you can only do your best at any given time, and because we’re human we sometimes don’t. But that’s life.

    Reading that post mate, I wouldn’t be beating myself about your parenting skills, but as I said, you do beat yourself up because you are a good parent.

    As you folks across the pond say…”Go figure.”

    My old man used to say in some desperation “Who’d ‘ave kids?” after some drama me or my little brother had caused, I kind of know what he meant by that now…

  • http://www.lovingthebike.com Darryl

    Thanks also to Donald and Eric. As fellow Dad’s, I know we can relate to so many things together. From what I’ve seen so far from you guys….you’re definitely delivering the goods to your families. I really appreciate your comments.

    Darryl

  • Eric

    One of the things that makes you a gifted writer is that as a reader I can FEEL what you are saying. My Daughter Michelle is about to start her senior year if high school. Its a wonderful and crushing thing. I feel exactly as you described and cannot shake the feeling that I should have done more. But, it all has to be balanced, and that is never easy.
    And certianly watching her walk away will not be easy either.

  • http://djones.myncblogs.com Donald

    So very dear! I completely understand where you’re coming from. Enjoy the priceless time with your baby girl. Like you say… before we know it… they’re grown up. I look forward to reading Kassidy’s posts. You guys are so fortunate to have each other.
    Thank you for sharing!

  • http://www.lovingthebike.com Darryl

    Thanks Bryan, Tim, Anita, Jim, Paul, Annalisa, Tony, and Dare to Become…..She is so deserving her own post and I was so happy to share it today.

    Yes, I can’t wait for her to start contributing to my blog as well.

    Darryl

  • http://www.daretobecome.com DareToBecome

    I love this post! So beautifully written. Can’t wait to read Kassidy’s post.

  • http://lifes2wheelbalance.wordpress.com Tony

    awesome post, I’m looking forward to see what the “little” lovingthebike cyclist has to offer!! Bet it will be great.

  • Paul Higley

    Awesome Darryl! The fact that you wrote this blog means you still qualify for hero status! Kassidy is a lucky kid.

  • http://anaphase.com/blog Annalisa

    I can’t wait to read what Kassidy has to say. That will be AWESOME. :)

  • http://bikerly.wordpress.com/ Jim

    Wow, is right. You know she is lucky to have you – one of the good dads. Truly.

    PS I bet she doesn’t mind the wind

  • Anita

    Words fail … what a tremendous testimony to the love of a father for his first born little girl! Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to Kassidy’s perspective! May you and yours have a Wonderful Weekend!

  • http://oldguy2wheels.wordpress.com/ Tim

    wow

  • http://bikingtolive.com Bryan

    Man Darryl, you sure know how to write’em. Life inexplicably makes us feel like we grow away from our children. Sometimes it’s because we let other things get in the way. Reading about you and your family though, I don’t think your wife or kids have any doubt who their husband, father, or hero is.

    Kassidy, can’t wait to read your first post.

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Which individual supplements should I take?

I generally eat pretty healthily and stay relatively fit but I wonder if I’m getting enough vitamins and minerals. Is there a product (available in the UK) that contains the right mixes of daily vitamins and minerals and if not, which individual supplements should I take to compliment a healthy lifestyle. (ps… I don’t want to take so many pills that I rattle!)

Kelli’s Answer:

Thanks for the question!  First a disclaimer: It’s always important to talk to your personal health care provider about supplements -some should not be taken due to medication interactions and individual conditions.

Now, my general recommendations:

Although a healthy and balanced diet is most important, I do believe that most people, and athletes especially, need a good multivitamin/multimineral, extra vitamin D, and fish oil (or another source of DHA/EPA omega-3s) in addition to healthy foods.  Mostly, I recommend this because our soils have been over-farmed (which decreases the amount of nutrients in our foods), our waters are polluted (which is one reason we can’t eat as much seafood as we’d like), and our ability to get outside and get sunlight year round has decreased with more time spent inside and at a desk.  And, there’s a lot of exciting research that supports higher levels of vitamin D supplementation than previous recommendations.

Generally, I recommend these daily supplements:

  1. Rainbow Light multivitamin (see http://bit.ly/AwnPQ1 - they have a separate multivitamin for men and women).  This is one of my favorite brands as it contains a good mix of vitamins/minerals, probiotics, enzymes and “green” nutrients.  And, it looks like you can get it online in the UK, at least, according to what turned up in my trusty google search.
  2. 1000-2000 IU additional vitamin D (in addition to the amount in the multivitamin and in addition to what you get from sunlight)
  3. 1000-2000 mg DHA/EPA (in combo, and in addition to ~12 oz. fatty fish per week).  Nordic Naturals is a really good brand – you want the source to be small, low-mercury fish such as anchovies, shrimp, sardines, etc.

Additionally, individual athletes may need extra iron, probiotics, calcium, etc.  But, these 3 pills are a good place to start for most healthy athletes.

As you look for supplements, the keys are to find ones that 1) have what they claim they have (no exaggerated claims) and 2) don’t have anything that’s harmful.  You don’t want lead or other dangerous heavy metals, and I try to stay away from colorings, flavorings, and unnecessary additives.  Since this industry is not really regulated, it can be hard to find good brands that have support from a 3rd party expert.  I often www.consumerlab.com, a completely impartial 3rd party site that tests supplements and reports on their ingredients.  They don’t have every brand, but it can be a good starting point.  I hope this helps!

Please send us your questions for our Expert Sports Nutritionist, Kelli Jennings to “Ask the Sports Nutritionist“. Kelli Jennings is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for healthy eating, wellness, & sports nutrition. For more information go to www.apexnutritionllc.com.

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