 |
| Poppy–Last May after running his first Half |
This past Sunday, Poppy (my dad) ran a 5k in 31:47. Running along side my sister, he took first in his age group for that race. This is not just a big deal for him but a reason for our whole family to celebrate. Six years ago, the thought of running down the block was an unfathomable task, let alone running multiple miles. We were quite the stationary family with our greatest physical achievements coming in the form of who was quicker to grab the remote. That all changed in the summer of 2008. I had just had baby #4 and during a summer outdoor gathering, my neighbors were boasting about their accomplishment that morning. They had just run the Sunburst 5k, which is our largest local race event of the year—not that I would’ve had any reason to know that. As I listened to their race story, I thought to myself, “If these guys can run a 5K, why can’t I?” They were not chiseled models of perfection by any means nor were they superstar athletes. I decided right then and there I was going to see if I could do it—train for and run a 5K.
I trained all summer using the “Couch to 5K” app and ran my very first 5k that fall. I couldn’t believe it and my family was probably just as shocked. The training part stunk but the race itself was exhilarating, so much so that I signed up for another race, and another, and another. The following spring my son, then 8, decided he wanted to join me and we began running together in the evening. Around the same time, I convinced my sister that she should give running a try and talked her into running a 5K with me too. Not only did they both finish, they became running addicts as well.
 |
| L-R My BIL, sister, me, DH after Disneyland Half |
The following year, after watching the three of us share in pre-race excitement and post-race camaraderie, my dad hinted that HE was thinking that he might want to give this running thing a try. My remote toting, meat-wrapped-in-meat-topped-with-meat eating dad. My dad–the man who coined the phrase “tv isn’t going to watch itself”, was considering running 3.1 miles. I couldn’t believe it, but then again, I imagine that was probably HIS reaction when I told him I was going to run my first 5K. In October 2010, my dad ran his first 5K at age 56. It was the Family Halloween 5K at Walt Disney World and he proudly ran it with my younger son (6).
 |
| Our “running club” at WDW. Missing from pic are my DH and Baby Girl |
Since then, my family has evolved into a family of runners, each year adding one more member to our little running club. Probably one of our biggest triumphs was the addition of my mom last February. While she is not a runner and claims she will never be, she has joined us in several 5k’s, as a walker, and walkers still lap those who are sitting on the couch.
So, you’re probably wondering the purpose for my lengthy family history. My big message, I suppose, is that you are NEVER, EVER too old to start running. My dad ran his first half marathon last May-at 59 yrs. old. He will be running another in November at age 60. He is proof that you can start at any age, at any time. Whether its one block or ten miles, every step is an accomplishment and that’s all it takes is that one step to get started.
So, a big HURRAY to Poppy for his first place run. In the words of John Bingham “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
Leave a Reply