This morning I embarked on a daunting parental mission taking my 18-year-old son Oscar for his first run. As any parent of an autistic child knows he approaches new activities with the enthusiasm of a cat facing a bath.
Early Grumbles
The Boy grumbled for a bit about his clothes and shoes. For those familiar with autism, new sensations can be deeply unsettling and he wrestled with his outfit as if it had personally offended him. The shoes stabbed him and his flannel tracksuit’s textures were unsettling. But armed with the NHS’s Couch to 5K app and using Steve Cram‘s narration, off we went this fine, sunny morning.
From Awkward Jogging to Finding a Rhythm
Once we started our warm-up walk up to Beacon Park and got running a subtle shift occurred. His complaints about clothing subsided and I thought this might actually be enjoyable for him. Initially, Oscar’s jogging in the park was a little awkward to start and he looked like he was trying to run in a sitting position. All those hours spent sitting and playing videogames taking their toll I guess. But to his credit, he soon found a rhythm. There were glimpses of a natural runner emerging, albeit one insisting on wearing a tracksuit and hoodie in the blazing sunshine.
To my surprise and a wee bit of pride, the program was a success. Oscar kept at it and by the end, I felt he might be a little bit pleased with himself. Indeed, the transition from “These clothes are driving me mad” to “Maybe I can do this” was noticeable.
The NHS’s Couch to 5K app was ace! It gently guided us through the steps of the first run with clear instructions and motivational narration. We had a very positive experience with it. Time will tell how effective it is but first impressions were very positive.
A Milestone Down at the Ol’ Damn Fine Cafe
After our first jog, we had a stop at the Damn Fine Cafe on Bird Street where another milestone occurred. Amazingly, Oscar ordered orange juice 🫢. For a boy who approaches culinary exploration with deep suspicion, this was quite the step. Orange Juice with plain pancakes. Nice!
Overall, it was a morning of progress. Oscar’s first run, his first voluntary encounter with vitamin C and his first go at tackling a challenge with something resembling enthusiasm. Perhaps this run marks the beginning of something new for him, or at the very least an excuse to go get a good breakfast. 🥞