Happy Mother’s Day ….. (Part 3) Alisa Harvey

                           Happy Mother’s Day

I was at  a track meet yesterday in San Diego and although it was farther than we normally travel for a meet(200 miles) It was refreshing to get away for the day. In a new environment, new people, new athletes as well. We took the Bantam Girls from our team, Quite Fire.They had a very good day,between them there were 4 Pr’s 3 second best times.  

They had such a good time running and spending time with each other. Of course as we drove home the question came up, can the girls spend the night? Well it was fine with me but,I said, “What about your Mom’s? It’s Mother’s Day tomorrow” They said it would be okay not really thinking it through.I spoke to one parent then the other and they said okay. The girls had such a good day, the parents didn’t want it to end ,even through it meant not having them home last night or this morning.

Mom’s know stuff, lot’s of stuff, mostly that it’s not about us even on our special day : ). So a great Mother’s day for me is the happiness and well being  of my child.

Lauren told Henry last night this was the best meet yet. She was only measuring by “fun” not by how  well they all did. That is really all I could ask for. 

I think today  is “Mission Accomplished” I am having a Happy Mother’sDay.

If you haven’t seen the first two parts of this series  Mother’s Day Special Track Mom Alisa Harvey 800m Runner Alisa Harvey (Part 2 ) A Special Track Mom  Check it out and don’t miss the Freebies For Mom… Celebrating TrackMom’s For Mother’s Day

 

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                   Alisa Harvey  In Her Own Words

When I asked Alisa about her family and children,I heard through the phone her voice soften and a distinct happy lift. Alisa is the proud mother of two beautiful girls Virginia, and Kyah.Wife to Leslie McFarling.The family resides in  Manassa, Virgina.

            Alisa Harvey, A Mom,Wife and a Great Runner

Tell me a little about your daughters  Virgina and Kyah.

“ My 13-year-old daughter, Virginia, is just lately showing an interest in running track.  She will be going into high school next year.  We have had discussions about whether she will run cross-country in the fall or not.  As of now she does not want to run cross-country, but she does want to run indoor and outdoor track.  Virginia is on a travel soccer team.  She is taller than I am and has long speedy legs.  She has played soccer since she was eight.  When she was 11 she entered a mile fun run/walk with my husband and youngest daughter while I ran the 5K.  She ran ahead and mistakenly ran the 5k instead of cutting short and just doing a mile.  She ran about 28 minutes for 5K.  She always does well in her P. E. classes at school.

My 6-year-old daughter, Kyah (rhymes with Maya), loves to run.  She began walking at eight months.  As a toddler she would do laps around the inside of our house.  Kyah has had continuous T&F images since she was born.  I ran in a road race with her in a baby jogger (and won first place) when she was four-months-old.  I have used my home treadmill around her since birth.  I strapped her in a Snuggly around my body while I coached at George Mason University when she was a baby.  As she got older she would try to do the running drills and run all the way around the indoor and outdoor tracks.  Now she is on The Running Store kids track club. 

 

 How long have you been married?

I have been married to my current husband almost seven years (June 2,).  My oldest daughter was born in my first marriage.  I was married seven years to in my first marriage.  My name was Alisa Hill.  After my divorce I returned to my maiden name, Harvey.  I did not want to change my name again.  So, my husband’s name is Leslie McFarling.  Kyah’s last name is McFarling.  Virginia’s last name is Hill.  A touch confusing, I know, but I just did not want to leave my family name again.  With my notoriety from running I felt it was important to stay with my birth name. Leslie is a very suportive husband.We are in this together.

 

What are some of your favorite pass times when not running?

 I am a big T. V. watcher.  Oprah is one of my favorite shows.  My Saturday line-up  includes Cops, and America’s Most Wanted.  I have enjoyed Law & Order for years.  I also enjoy hair-braiding.  I braid my own hair; cornrows, micro-braids, extensions, etc.  I have braided both my daughter’s hair, usually in the summer.  Occasionally, I will paint.  I have been painting a woman running by the ocean for the last six-months.  I keep coming back to it.  I am using acrylics.

Who were some of your role models growing up?

 I have a few role models:  I was mesmerized by Nadia Komeniche, the Romanian Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast from the 1976 Olympics.  I watched her perform on TV as a young girl.  I also was inspired by the TV movie “Wilma”from the 1970’s.    “Wilma” was about the American Olympic Medalist Wilma Rudolph who was raised in poverty and overcame polio to become a track star.  I taught myself gymnastics and began running summer track meets when I was around 10 or 11-years-old.  I knew then that I wanted to be a World Class athlete.

What advice can you give moms of Elite Youth athletes to help them understand the journey of an elite athlete?

 Step back and give your child space.  It is a classic struggle.  A parent wants the best for their talented youngster, but it is a delicate balance.  Be sure to include your child in decision that affect him/her.  If you sense that they are not having fun with an event, club, coach, or competition ask them if they want to continue.  Children often don’t want to disappoint their parents when they see that their parents are becoming involved in what they are doing.  Don’t be afraid to give them some distance.  Be sure to give them distance as they mature.

My parents took me to the summer Hershey Hall Of Fame track series meets when I was 10, 11, and 12.  I loved it!  I never trained for the competitions.  I would spend time the night before making sure I had the perfect racing outfit.  We would pack up the family station-wagon and head over to the meet.  My brother and I would run.  My parents sat in the stands.  My parents never said a word.  No Gatorade.  No Power Bars.  Just Kool-Aid and chocolate bars. They did not know a thing about T&F.  We finished and went home.  When I got to high school I wanted to join the track team.  My parents did not influence me on my decisions.  When I joined the gymnastics team it was my decision.

Just be careful not to over train a young pre-pubescent female.  You can get amazing results in females while they are not fully developed.  The training can actually slow their development and cause injuries.  Emotionally, the injured young female athlete may become devastated and never return to the sport.

 I suffered from nasty shin-splints when I first began training during my freshman year in high school.  I was fully developed and my body was weak.  I took three months off from running, did gymnastics in the following winter season and came back to track the following spring injury free.

 What advice would you give to a woman who would like to run Masters after many inactive years?

 I would tell them to start slow.  More than likely a woman who now wants to run Masters has gained a few pounds since her prior training days.   A heavier inactive body is highly prone to injury.   Begin a strength training routine.  Make it a convenient routine in order to assure that you will actually get it done.  Push-ups, crunches, leg-raises, etc, can all be done in your living room.  The act of running is stressful on the joints, tendons, and muscles.  A woman must condition her body to endure the amount of stress necessary to complete the activity.  Start running by walking.  Once you master walking at a vigorous pace for 30 minutes, then begin to introduce short bursts of jogging into your 30 minute walks.  This allows your joints, tendons, and muscles a chance to adapt. Before you begin splurge on a trip to a technical running store and have yourself fitted with a proper shoe and sports bra.

Where have you found your motivation for running all these years?

 What is ahead for you the next 2 months?  Where can we expect to see you running?

 I am racing down at the University of North Carolina on the 17th of May at the UNC Elite Meet.  I will run the 800m. 

I don’t have anything else lined-up.  I have had to play it by ear this season.  I just recovered from a nasty IT Band/ Vastus Medialis injury.  I have had to readjust my racing schedule.  My big goal race is the Olympic Trials in the 800m.  I am qualified, but I need to improve my 2:05.75 time in order to assure myself a spot on the 30 person entry list.  The top 30 times get to race at the Trials.  I will look for races in the next few weeks. My goal for this season is to improve my 800 meter time of 2:05.75.  The faster the better!

 In addition, assess your health.  If you have had a history of anemia then you need to work on improving your condition.  Being anemic is a huge obstacle when attempting to get fit.  You simply will not have the energy to exercise.  Having a good diet is critical to being active.  You may need to add vitamins to your diet.  You may need to cut back on caffeine, drink more water, or get more sleep.

 I spoke to Alisa a few times via phone and e-mail andshe shared so much I am going to place the phone interview here on TrackMom.com soon so you can hear the complete phone interview. I hope you have it enjoyed  this time with Alisa  as much as  enjoyed sharing it with you.  Here’s wishing her much sucess and a exciting fast path to  Eugene in the weeks to come.  Happy Mother’s Day

Related posts:

1. Mother’s Day Special Track Mom Alisa Harvey 800m Runner
2. Alisa Harvey (Part 2 ) A Special Track Mom
3. The Middle Distance Runner And Recovery
4. How Many Sports Should My Child Participate In At One Time?
5. Happy Mother’s Day