ultraslacker wrote:Jo-Jo wrote:Jo-Jo wrote:ultraslacker wrote:Seems to me that running marathons and running a marathon in Antarctica are entirely different questions. :/
I agree.
I forgot it's summer in Antactica.
The forecasted temperature of 35 degrees Farenheit changes my opinion about the location.
It won't be that cold!
Even in the summer, it's subject to some pretty serious and dangerous storms. At VIMFF last week there was a presentation by an ultrarunner who nearly died while running in Antarctica, because a nasty storm blew in suddenly and she was alone in the middle of nowhere. Sure it was an ultra so she was further away from other people than one would be in a marathon, but the storm danger would still exist. :/ I just can't imagine that the reward is worth the risk... why not wait until he's old enough to make informed decisions for himself?
Who says he isn't already?
I have a 9 year old (10 in April) and we give her all the information we can about something so she can make her own decisions about many many things. As a result she's started and stopped many different "hobbies" and activities, but she's making the decisions and weighing the consequences.
There's nothing saying, in any of the articles, or websites that he is not informed or that the decisions are made by anyone but him.
My 9 year old has come up with some pretty cool ideas that we thought might set her up for failure or disappointment, and we gave her lots of information, yet she still chose to follow through on her ideas. Sometimes she succeeds, sometimes she's utterly heartbroken.
I have a hard time believing that a set of parents that seem pro-active enough to consult numerous medical health practitioners would not also be encouraging free thought and informed decision making from their child.