At this year’s Freedom Run 5k, my 30-year-old daughter crossed the finish line in 25:22. I crossed in 25:25. She posted the evidence online with the kind of pride and playfulness only a former swimmer turned runner could pull off. “Photographic Evidence,” she said–with the finish line shot to prove it.
She wasn’t always a runner. She swam competitively for years, only really getting into running over the past 5 years (or so). And now here she is–finishing ahead of her dad in a holiday 5K. She’s strong, focused, and just starting to see what her legs can do. Here are a few shots of the start of the race, and she bolted out!
Even thinking prior to the race, she is looking at Sarah while I am taking the picture, wondering, I am sure, “how can I trip the ol man up?”
My really fast times are done. I’m 60. My personal best was once 15:50 (yes, really), and my wife, Sarah, my forever training partner, ran this year at 28:39, with her personal best around 21:30. Those days are long gone. We both found ourselves marveling at how time changes everything…how “time changes our times!”
But also how it deepens everything too.
This wasn’t just a race–it was a full circle moment. I used to be the one leading her. Guiding her. Telling her to “pace yourself”, or “don’t go out too fast” (who am I kidding, I still do!) Now I’m watching her grow into her own stride. Watching her pass me (if she didn’t jump out in front of me from the start!). And watching her smile while she does it.
Because what matters most?
That she’s running.
That she’s healthy.
That we’re doing this together.
My daughter and I might not match paces much longer. But I’ll show up every time I can. And I’ll celebrate every second–yes, even the 3 seconds she beat me by!
Sarah and I taught our kids well. We have been active and running since we met. Our kids saw it. Watched us. Ran with us. And we watched them run, or swim, growing up. That is how we support each other. Personal records fade. Finish lines change. But running together? That’s the real win! Here is to many more Megan! (We also spent the early part of June visiting our son Nick in the cities–and we ran with him every morning.) Keep moving everybody!
The grandkids came for a visit this weekend. Once again, it is part of my personal wellness plan. Always on the go. Always moving! Got to stay in shape just to keep up. We worked out at home, mowed the lawn, and went to the zoo. They crashed last night after all that. Me too!
Our daughter Megan came along to the zoo and helped keep track of them. Always running to the next display. Then at the zoo playground, we just sat down and watched them go! It allowed me time to take a breather as well!
We rode the horse. Got on a elephant. Rode the Flintstone’s car. Did an obstacle course. Saw all the animals, birds, fish. Watched the bear go to his picnic table for lunch and climbed up to the table and sat his butt on the chair and ate. Connor thought that was a hoot! We hit all of the face boards as well and had to take out pictures in the faces as well.
We all had a ball feeding the goats!
Connor had to help me mow the lawn Saturday afternoon after the zoo. We had to wait from doing this in the morning because of the rain. He is a great helper. Bottom line, they just want to be involved. He did not want to quit. If I was out there, he wanted to be out there with me!
The best part of the weekend…we got to spend some time together, and we all had fun! This is why my grandkids are my favorite wellness program. The activity…the fun…the togetherness…
Until next time…the zoo will definitely be on the list to continuing going to. Everybody had fun! Just spending time together. It brought back memories of when Megan, Molly, and Nick were this age and we took them to the zoo. Now my kids are helping us take the grandkids to the zoo! Fun!!! Keep moving everybody!
Sarah and I were outside by 6 this AM to take our dog Dakota for a walk before it got too hot. It was already hot and humid with the temperature being in the upper 70″s. Out west the clouds were moving in, it was lightning, and we cut the walk short, not because of the heat and humidity, but we thought we were going to get dumped on. It did rain by 6:30 but was short lived. Our run club meets at 7AM, and we did not know how many of us would show up. As you can see, we had a great turnout. What makes our run club unique? We show up for each other. When the conditions outside scream “stay in bed”, and your body wants to politely agree, but your heart pulls you toward movement. Maybe it’s habit. Maybe it’s discipline. Maybe it’s something deeper: a commitment to show up for yourself…and for each other.
We didn’t break any records here today. We moved through the motion that keeps us grounded…part sweat, part sanity. I’ve learned that striving isn’t glamorous. It’s often messy. It means bending, not breaking. And knowing that your pace might be slower this season, but it’s still yours to set. Tom and I have been running partners now for over 28 years, The shirt he wore today is the last one he will be wearing for awhile.
Here is more of a close up of his shirt…
“All men are created equal, but the best can still go running in their sixties.” Tom will turn 70 next month and is still out their putting in the miles. Running isn’t always about comfort. It’s about showing up. We strive not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it! See you on many more runs Tom. The only training partner I have had for a longer time than with Tom…
…my Sarah. Through thick and thicker. Good weather and bad. In sickness and in health. Running partners are just like marriage…our vows sound similar to this. Always there…always will be…because it’s worth it! Keep moving everybody!
Happy Father’s Day to all of you Dads out there! It truly is an honor. Sometimes, you just don’t think you are always doing a good job. Life gets in the way, and you try to go with the flow, but something always has to give. My kids now are old enough to realize this more now, but I am sure it was tougher as they were growing up when both of their parents were doctors. There were always obligations, patients, call, responsibilities in clinic. There was not a lot of spare time. We tried to make up for it as best we could. There were many times when one of us was in charge while the other was on call. When they were older and many activities going on, we split that many times. We could not possibly make it to everything, so we divided and conquered. We tried our best to make it work.
We got to see Nick and Hannah last weekend in the twin cities. We made it an extended weekend to spend with them as Nick’s birthday was coming on the 11th, so we could spend some time with them. We went to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre one night and saw Grease, and then on Saturday we went and saw a twins game. They ended up losing, but it was at least a close game!
We all had our twins gear on and got to spend a really nice day at the game. There are lots of things to do in the cities, but it is very busy, and we were still glad to get home and we were ready to get to a slower pace, and just get back to our regular routine. The trail system in the cities is amazing. They do an awesome job maintaining their trail system, and of course we were on it every day with Nick for a run.
We are going to be having a weekend coming up soon to spend with the grandkids. It is always a fun weekend, but we are wiped out afterwards. It is worth it. We talk to them a few times a week with facetime, and it is just amazing how fast they grow up. The talking, laughing that goes on. It just makes me smile!
I am proud to be a Dad to my kids. A previous partner of mine in clinic, Dr. Tracy, always told me that when your kids are little, the problems are little. When they are big, the problems are big. There are always struggles in life to deal with. We are a family, and they all have their spouse/family now. I will still always be Dad, and Sarah will always be Mom. We just keep reminding our kids we are always there for them…and that includes our inherited son in laws, and daughter in law. They are now our kids too. To all of you out there with your kids already out of the house, and married, on their own, you know what I mean. And then you just wait for the grandkids to come. They are like getting to be a parent again, only much more fun, and not nearly the responsibility as we had with our kids. That is what made it tough. We were responsible for how they grew up. We tried to teach them the difference between right and wrong. To treat people like they would want to be treated. You just hope they know we did the best we could at the time. And if we didn’t, we hopefully have time now to make up for it. Your mom and love you all more than words can say. We are here for you. We will still help with your struggles and questions for as long as we are able. So, to all you Dad’s out there, and this goes for all you “Dad’s” who are Dads to someone else…nieces, nephews, pets…you are special, and you are appreciated, and needed. Happy Father’s Day to you all! Keep moving everybody!
We are all busy–No question. How do you juggles time with friends and family, work, and then things that need to be done at home? It is a constant battle. Some things can wait. Other things can’t wait. The key is trying to make the right decisions for the right reasons. Are we always right in our decisions? I wish! If I had truly had my way, I would have unlimited time to get all of the things done I need to get done at home, at work, and spend time with friends and family. Since we don’t have that luxury, you need to prioritize. What can wait, and what can’t? Some of the time we would love to spend more time with family and friends, but we have to make exceptions. The problem comes when we keep making exceptions, and that time never does get spent where it needs to. You also have to realize that there are certain times when you just need to be on your own and think! Let everything slow down…
But, when we do spend time with friends and family, you need to really make it count. They are the beginnings of new memories to last a lifetime. There are always adventures to seek, fun to have, and time for laughter. Be sure to laugh! There is nothing better for enjoyment than laughter. Even when it comes for us to work out and exercise, Sarah and I will do this together the majority of times! We keep pushing each other, but we can also laugh!
And then when you throw the grandkids in, it is probably more laughter than workout!
We spend a lot of time talking on our run club days. Sunday’s kind of set the tone for the week. We will break off on certain days and just talk. We all have our life issues that come up and well, and it is always a good time to be able to vent, or bounce off ideas and see what other people would do. The biggest benefit though is just to have a support group to help each of us get through whatever life may throw at us.
Nobody is immune curveball in life. We all have struggles to work through. Sometimes it may seem like our struggles are the worst, until we hear something about someone else…perspective. It does not mean each of our struggles are major concerns for us individually, but someone, somewhere, is struggling even more. So, remember that…we all can be better and lending a listening ear as well. You never know when something comes up for each of us, especially when it may concern our health. So, take time to slow down. Take time to appreciate what you have. Just take time!! This is where I get lost taking pictures.
This is my time to relax. To slow down. To appreciate what I have. We all need an escape. Sarah loves to sew, and many times she will be downstairs sewing something…a new grandchild blanket, for instance! But we all need to figure this out for ourselves. Whatever it is for each of us, it does not matter. Just make sure it is something you enjoy, and where you can relax, and not have more stress getting done. Enjoy it and relax. Push back what can get pushed back. I get it…eventually you do have to clean the house and mow the lawn. Eventually…
And remember, there is always time for peanut M & M’s! Or whatever treat you like. Enjoy life. Sometimes we have to indulge a little. Notice I said a little. The problems come when we indulge all of time. Then it never really feels like a treat, or a reward. So slow down. Make memories. Prioritize. But most importantly…enjoy life! Keep moving everybody!
