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If you’ve been reading for a while, you’re probably familiar with my dad – my running hero and blog contributor. But there are a lot of new faces around here lately (faces = IP addresses, but still), and I haven’t shared one of his posts in quite some time, so I thought it would be a good idea to (re)introduce you to him.
So, who is my dad, and why is he giving you his two cents?
Unlike me (I started running at age 37), my dad has been running for nearly all his life. He started running as a sophomore in high school in October 1964, and he’s still going strong. That’s 50+ years of running, which I think makes him pretty qualified to offer his two cents. Sometimes he gives a whole dollar’s worth of advice – but that’s usually in private when I’ve done something dumb like running on the verge of heat exhaustion.
Just so you can get to know him a little, here are 10 interesting facts about my dad:
- His mile PR is 4:26.
- Other personal records: 5K = 16:58; 10K = 35:58; and half marathon = 1:36. All of those were in 1971-1972.
- He qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon in 1972, which was the first year that women were officially allowed to enter.
- He was the captain of his college track team, which always seems to impress me way more than it impresses him.
- He considers himself a “middle of the pack” runner. (He must mean the middle of the front of the pack, because if he’s in the middle of the pack, then I’m all the way in the parking lot.)
- He runs without socks.
- He doesn’t own a Garmin and has never eaten a GU.
- His DNF in the 1979 New York Marathon was kind of my fault.
- He hopes to be a high school track coach when he retires.
- When I run with him, he has to practically jog in place so that I can keep up.
I’ll be posting something new from my dad by the end of the month. Meanwhile, check out his older posts and hear his two cents on:
Managing Your Running/Life Balance
A Brief History of Marathons and Women
Running Shoes, Carb Loading, and More
More soon. Have a great weekend!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Your dad sounds awesome! He can be my coach anytime. How special that you have this relationship with him-treasure it always!
sharon says
Thanks! I’m glad I discovered this thing that we have in common, even if it took me 37 years. 🙂
Amy @ Mama Running for God says
That’s great you have this wonderful relationship with your dad! I also think it’s cool he’s a runner too and that you and him always have that to share!
sharon says
Thanks Amy! 🙂