Talk about getting to race around on your bike, and run or bike most places you want to go. The fun of swimming, and just seeing how long you can last and maybe what it must be like to be a dolphin.

I'd go for lots of stories -- of success, of failure, of finish lines, of your family's pride. Just keep it exciting and fun =) Perhaps (dunno if it would be possible in that school district) offer to have a mini-tri after school for interested kids. Hold it near a pool, and have the bike be laps in a parking lot and the run the same but an inner loop. Something short and fun, but that let's them feel it.

Something that has stuck with me is a quote.

"A strong body makes a strong mind"

Your health is in your control and so is your education. These two elements determine how you will spend your life. Not sure how you communicate that to middle schoolers.

I think its fun to talk about the silly things that happen to you when you train or race.

Good luck and report back to us how it went.

Scott, Kyilee thanks, okay so you are inclined toward the benefits of exercising and achieving goals. I was thinking to talk about my nutrition plan, training log and work-out drills but that will be boring for them, wont’be? This scholar district is very competitive; the local high school is the mother of great swimmers, 2 of them who I don’t remember their names have been in the US Olympic teams. Sport activities in the school district receive more funding than music classes. :eek:

It has been a while since I was in 6th grade so I don’t know what makes them tick but maybe a few antidotes about the race course might get the ‘not so sports inclined kids’ to listen too. I think the river swim at Vineman is pretty unique. You can’t see far enough down the river at the start to see where the turnaround is, there is usually some steam coming off the water, there is a little bit of a current going up the river. Sounds a little Mark Twainish to me.

Cliff is a local company, in Berkeley I think. Call or email them and maybe get some Cliff Shots (gooey sweet stuff is always cool when you are a kid). I am sure they would give you some other trinkets as well. Maybe Vineman or Cliff has a kids training or nutrition log or you could create one so they could create their own goals.

Good luck!

Hey Pancho, since you are in the bay area, you could mention that there's a triathlon just for kids: the Silicon Valley Kids Triathlon held at DeAnza Community College each year. It's an awesome event, equipment and logistics co-run by SVTC (silicon valley tri-club) and J&A productions.

Actually... I would have to disagree.Not all games are a waste of time. I grew up playing video games, thought I was outside quite a bit as well, prolly a 60/40 split between outside and video games. The eye hand coordination, reaction time, and thinking skills required in a good game are great benefits to jumping on a playstation. Just get the right games and limit the time they can be on it.

I think a combination of everything people have suggested would be good. Its gotta be "neat", cause lets face, it youre not an astronaut or fireman, so you're gonna have to work harder to keep their attention. Take the bike, show off the gear and medals, and talk about how much fun it is. Ditch the science and health benefits, they dont care about that at that age. I should be all about fun, feeling good, and cool stuff!

yeah, i dont have kids so i have no idea !

As the parent of a middle schooler and a high schooler... make it light and fun... share with them what you did, that you trained hard, but not really your 'plans'. Do tell them some crazy stories of training, and the race... but then have them ask you questions.... don't get into to 'TELLING' them that exercise is good for you... everyone tells them that! TALK to them. SHARE your experience with them and ASK what they are interested in. You want them to leave thinking that you are sooo cool that some day they want to do what you do. Sometimes less info is more at this age, cuz then they will come around asking for more.

Like other said... take pictures and stuff they can see... don't get into the details of all your nutrition and training and stuff... will make not difference to most kids. Just my .02... have fun with it... as you know this age is a blast!!

Shell

This is as exciting as standing in the beach before the swim start (…well not quite) but I’m pump-up and looking forward to do the talk.
I am a regular speaker for an immigration class in San Francisco State University so I don’t have problems talking to groups. My concern was how to convey the right approach of triathlon to kids. BUT You have all excellent ideas: bringing the wetsuit, bike equipment etc., the family component is important too, the extra-credit homework is sweet idea.
I just emailed Cliff and expect to hear from them soon. I want to her from Ms. Barber!!!

I have an update for you guys:

Ms. Barber talked to the teacher for Activities and she was a pass for a lunch time activity. She felt that students would only come if there is "something in it for them".
Ms Barber was going to see about having the PE department "sponsor" it and perhaps give some extra credit points or something. If not, perhaps she will offer it to her students only at lunch time. And If not, perhaps for Paloma’s class only.
It looks like the teachers (aside from Ms. Barber) need the talk more than the kids!!!
In the meantime Cliff has offered me to give mini-cliff bars for all the boys and girls, isn’t that cool.?
Stay tuned!

This is CA... you have a healthy lifestyle just by living here. At least so some people think. I work with kids in a physical activity setting (teaching martial arts) and sometimes I'm amazed by what the parents do. They bring in their kids in part for health reasons, commenting that they are a bit concerned about how big they are getting, and yet what snack does the kid have before class? Cheetos. And then a soda after it. *sigh*

But cool that cliff bar is supporting you! And hopefully if nothing else you can give kids that go cliff bars and other cool info and they will mention it to other kids, and your return will be requested! :)

i thought I would let you in on what I plan to tell my students seeing as how I am graduating this semester as a P.E. teacher. I have also talk a little with students about it> (I haven't even done a tri yet since mine was canceled).
The middle school kids will ask tons of questions if you make it appealing to them. This age tends to think of tri's as being something they could never do and they only think that tri's are long distance. Make sure and let them know that it isn't only for super humans. Tell them about the shorter distance.
I know all of my students have seemed to be more interested in stories about your success AND failures. They want to know you are human too. Of course like people have said you want to bring pics and stuff for them. I would be kinda worried about doing prizes because one thing they have stressed to us in school is don't give prizes unless you will have for all. Even if you do something small. You don't want any hurt feelings. ha ha.
UMMM....Don't go too much into training or about nutriton.
I would open with questions...Who know's what a triathlon is? It will help you know what they already know instead of telling them something they are aware of.
I hope maybe that helps coming from a to be teacher that has talked some with her students about it