Rick Prefontaine

A new era has been birthed, one that I am super proud of. 

Last weekend, my father, on the eve of his 5x birthday (where x is = or greater than 6 but no more than 8) finished a half marathon.

Finishing 13.1 is a big deal - most people haven't done it. I've never done it. But my dad, a self-professed "non-runner" got it done. And he did it just because he knew he should.

Growing up, dad and I ran together. And when I say ran, I mean that the two of us suffered through a 1.5 mile loop together, one time around. And we would usually quit before the loop was done. For years, the two of us helped each other run just enough to foster a serious dislike for running.

See the smiles of two non-runners through the years:

Before my high school prom, 2001

One-week visit back in America, 2011

Not only that, he and I ghost ran a Thanksgiving Day "Turkey Trot 5K" two years ago and dad had a hard time finishing. I think that experience motivated him to make running more of a priority, and now, two years later, he's done more than make it a priority: he has set goals, pushed himself, trained consistently, and achieved. I am so proud of my dad. Well done dad!

Pounding pavement.

Dad and Eliza in the race.

He's a runner now.