An Ode to Dad: the guy who got me up and running

The race results from yesterday's Run for Boston 5k still aren't posted (boo) so I'll hold off on that until I have my official results.  So, here's a little post in honor of Father's Day.

Dad and I post SF 10 Miler this past May

My dad has always been a runner.  He served in the military (Army - both active and reserves) and they had to do a lot of running.  So, it stuck with him and he continued to run.  My dad is also a very consistent runner.  He runs at least three times a week.  And, he's never been seriously injured either.  He's diligent about stretching and does ab work.  I look at him as the runner I want to be when I'm 65 years old.  He's managed to incorporate it into his lifestyle.

Dad finishing the Run for Boston 5K

My running background can be found here.  I was a cross country runner, but not a long distance runner by any means.  I could run about 3 miles tops.  Thoughts of a marathon never crossed my mind since I always wrote myself off as a poor runner since I wasn't particularly good at it in cross country.

At one point, my dad started training for a half marathon.  He started going out on much longer runs.  One day, he mentioned that he was going to run 5 miles.  I'd never run 5 before, but asked if I could tag along.  I still vividly recall that run that we took on a route that he mapped around our neighborhood, which was basically one big loop.  His pace worked for me and I was able to keep up.  He told me where each mile was as well.  These were in the days before I ran with a Garmin.  While out on the run, I was bite and scratched by an overexcited dog.  Thankfully, the bite wasn't serious and Dad and I just kept on running.  We didn't even bother to get the dog owner's contact information much to my mother's chagrin.

In 2010, my dad and I began racing regularly.  My dad has run our town's 5K before and convinced me to sign up.  I was so worried that I would not perform well and I'd finish dead last.  My outcome was quite the opposite.  I won the women's race and have been racing ever since.

We completed several 5ks and 10ks.  He came out to support me as I struggled to complete my first half marathon.  In 2011, we were at it again running more 5ks, 10ks and half marathons for me not for Dad yet).  In 2012, I got to see him cross the finish line of his first half marathon and I was extremely proud of him.  He came out to watch me run the Chicago Marathon last October and he was extremely proud of me after I finished.

My dad and I even convinced my mom to come out and run with us.  She's definitely not a runner per se, but I think part of her enjoys it.  I mean, she's crazy enough to run them again and again.  I think she's done with it for now, but who knows.  Last race, she was harping about it not being chip timed.  That's a lot to say for someone who supposedly doesn't care to run anymore, IMO.

Anyway, my Dad is my partner in crime when it comes to running.  His support has motivated me to go for my goals and keep running even though I sometimes fall out of love with it.  I'm extremely proud of him for all his accomplishments.  And, I cannot wait to see him after Chicago in October with a medal draped around his neck.  I can't wait to stand next to him and have the bf take our picture together.