Throwing up is usually not a good thing and when thinking about your teen daughter, it can often have you a little worried and thinking the worst. However, there are occasions when it is, for lack of a better term, embraced.
You probably know by now that my oldest daughter joined her high school track team. The high school season is over but she is now competing with a summer club team. The other night she went to practice a little worried about what would be expected and how hard the practice may be. She texted me right before she arrived at practice letting me know she was nervous. I, of course, reassured her that everything would be ok and to go out and do her best.
A couple of hours later I received the following text.
“Threw up”
Two simple words but quite a statement. My reaction – GOOD!
Why could that possibly be a good thing?
1. She pushed herself
Throwing up after doing something physical means you put everything you had into it. You’ve pushed your body to the point where it says “F you, take this.” A lot of people will go half ass at something, cruise along, and just get by. Why would you want to approach something like that? You set yourself up to be mediocre. You should go all out and give it everything you have. How do you expect to get better if you don’t push yourself?
2. It’s a Badge of Honor
Let’s face it, throwing up after competing in sports is kinda cool. Sure it’s nasty but at the same time people sit back and say “damn, they really went all out.” People will look up to you as a go-getter. Someone that is going to give it everything they have to beat you. “I don’t care if my body rejects that Power Bar I just ate and I’m hurling at the end. I’m going to push myself and go at you as hard as I can. Prepare to take a loss” I do not see it as a sign of weakness or that you are out of shape. On the contrary, I look at it as a badge of honor for those willing to go all out.
3. It’s To Be Expected
This is not a new concept. People have been throwing up in sports for YEARS. Whether it’s nerves before the game, in the midst of the battle, or pure exhaustion at the end, throwing up has always been a part of the game. I remember reading about Bill Russell throwing up before every game. In track it seems even more commonplace as runners dig to physical depths and push themselves across the line. My wife even told my daughter how she used to throw up when she competed in track.
While there is a small level of pride when hearing the news, it also shouldn’t be occurring regularly. Once or twice is ok, but if your athlete throws up after every race, there may be something else going on. I’m not a doctor, I’m just sayin’.
How have you dealt with the news of your young athlete throwing up after a competition? Were you quietly proud?
Wow—Campbell threw up mid-season after running the 800. She pushed so hard…I felt everything you just described in your blog and then felt like i must be the worst parent ever to be kinda of proud of my daughter for throwing up….of course then the trainer pulled her from the mile later that night, so she wasn’t happy about that. thanks for sharing! Have a good weekend!
Haha…see, Michelle, you aren’t alone!
I played soccer for several years and can’t remember ever throwing up from running too hard. I remember pushing my hardest in attempts to make a spot on the soccer team my sophomore year in high school. The coach ran our tails off but it felt so good to be in shape.
Yeah, I wonder if it’s more of a track thing and running long distances. I played basketball growing up and remember brutal practice sessions and running what were known as ‘suicides’…basically touching all the lines on the court and running back to the baseline each time. Our coach ran us crazy. But, I never threw up. And I agree, it’s painful but damn worth it!