Just one month before my son was born, I found myself riding on a skateboard through the busy streets of Manhattan. Not just any skateboard — a squirrely little electric mini-skateboard that I had never tried before. To add to it, I’m not a skater, unless you count the few months where I traveled by longboard to work for fun. You can see where this is going: Wrists were sprained. Wives were (so very rightfully!) mad. Egos were put to a test. When you become a responsible dad, your risk assessment sometimes needs an adjustment. If you’re like me, this can feel like an affront. I’m a very physical person, the kind of guy who has always faced new athletic challenges — or contests! — with great enthusiasm. Years later, I’m still a physical person, but I also have athletic goals that have less to do with me. I want to be able to sprint alongside my kids as they learn to ride bikes; I want to be able to carry them on my shoulders on the steep part of long hikes; I want to go on a long run with them many summers from now when they’re back from college. In other words, I want to learn to play the long game. I’ve found this starts with a focus on basic injury prevention, good habits, and a lot of patience. The good part: Once you learn to quit competing all the time you start to truly get functionally fit — for yourself and the whole family. – Tyghe Trimble, Editor-In-Chief