Team Sport Report: Cain Family

This is another in the team sport series about those who have inspired me to run and stick with it over the years. Of course with almost everyone it begins with family. Me, my mother, father and brother Jon constituted our family of four growing up.

My Dad, Ken Cain Sr.

My father introduced me to running. He ran cross country in high school in Ashland, NH and told me stories about that course ending with a big uphill. I wouldn't mind going back to the old haunt sometime and running that now (presumably) defunct course to see what that feels like (I'll venture a guess - painful). Back in week 10 I ran point to point from Campton to Ashland that was special not only for the challenge (very cold and nasty hill climbs) but the destination being my early childhood home town.

Between Dad's high school days and when I started running, he took up smoking. At some point, I forget exactly when, he just stopped - cold turkey. After that he refocused on getting in shape, and when I was in middle school about to enter high school we went out on training runs together. In addition to dad's fitness we were also testing if I wanted to join the high school cross country team in the fall. Of course what I remember most is appreciating the fact that Dad wanted to take me out running and getting to spend that quality time together. This is something I try to carry on today with my own kids today as they get older and show their own interest in running.


Another thing I remember is how we grew up in a relatively rural area in New Hampshire. At that time there were few opportunities for organized activities / exercise in the harsh New England winter climate. So our solution to this from a running perspective (and folks let me say this is probably where I get my mental and physical pain tolerance among other issues!) - was to run in the basement of our house! Yes, figure 8's around the wood stove! Contrasting to that is today's situation where you have literally hundreds of organized activities from which to choose for your child - a real luxury. For me personally I'll take the old school style - it's worked for me. I have no complaints with the current day style for my own kids.

I'm almost certain the rock is still there on Point Loma in San Diego, CA

My Mom, Carline Cain

Mom was always there for me growing up. She stayed at home and helped keep the family running with her tireless efforts. While I certainly cannot claim to perfectly exemplify these attributes (far from it!) I hope I've picked up just some of her very strong work ethic and determination. She certainly made sure to keep me and Jon on the ball especially in school. And it was Mom that had the sense to know when it was time for me to skip a practice or two in high school cross country if the academic workload got too high and needed to be done first.

I can also thank Mom for what I presume is a high metabolism. She is the sweet tooth in the family and it definitely passed down a generation to me! I try to be reasonable about my diet these days, but maybe the sweets somehow for me got the metabolic engine running. I'll say this right now do not take diet advice from this fool right here. I insist -- consult another more credible authority! 

My Brother, Jonathan Cain

My younger brother Jon and I are nine years apart in age. I used to play a bit of a teacher role with him when he was very young. However patience was not always a virtue - particularly when I tried to teach Jon as a 4 year old how to hit a curve ball! Sorry about that bro' (at least it was a wiffle ball)! Also Jon really looked up to me quite a bit, especially when I headed off to college at Northeastern University. My bedroom was converted into a pretend university classroom with professor Jon!

Later on when he was in high school, also running cross country, I was studying nearby at UNH. It was a great pleasure to go over to my old high school and work out with Jon and his team during their practices. I may just have another story to tell about that in another team sport post. But nowadays Jon is a huge supporter of mine as I have transitioned into distance running. He and his wife Colleen were such a huge part of my first half marathon experience last year in the Bay State Half Marathon. They hopped from spot to spot on that loop course around the Merrimack river and made sure I had a cheering section several times as I chased my goal. I am so looking forward to them doing some course hopping in Boston and powering me once again toward a new goal.