Early on Saturday or Sunday mornings back in the early 90s, when I would drive over to my high school boyfriend’s house, his dad would just be returning from what I’m guessing was his long run. He always wore a faded cotton t-shirt (this was before techwick) and a beat up looking pair of running shoes. He would stand, sweat soaked and panting in the driveway, and stretch a few limbs here and there.
I remember watching him and thinking he was completely insane.
He would always say something like “you guys should do something more productive with your time, like run!” What? Sitting around and listening to music was unproductive? It was actually more shocking to us that he thought running was anything but torture.
Oh how times have changed! Now I’m the sweaty parent in the driveway and my boys look at me with questioning faces…unless of course I bring home a sword or something. But, I often think about Mr. Z and all those runs he took and how much he must have enjoyed them, and how equally disappointed he must have been that we looked at him only incredulously and not with awe or longing.
It took me about 10 years, but I finally reached that running zen myself. Although Mr. Z was my earliest running influence, there have been many over the years and, in honor of father’s day, they deserve some recognition!
My Brother
Father of two, runs only occasionally but can get off the couch and run 8 miles fairly easily after not running for months, and one of my biggest influences and supporters.
He was more athletic then me in high school. He still relishes his state championship long jump title from 1990-something. And he should. It was awesome. My earliest memory is of him cheering me along in my walker saying “Go Allie! You can do it!” I have that same memory from the Boston Marathon in 2007 when he told me to “set my pace and run my race,” a mantra I use to this day.
Selfie on Okemo Mountain with my brother this past March, celebrating my 40th birthday! He’s been there for all of them.
Eminem
Father of one, rapper, the real slim shady, not a runner…except maybe from the law
Interesting choice I know but Eminem’s music has gotten me though some of my toughest runs and races. There isn’t a marathon runner out there who doesn’t perk up when they hear his iconic ballad ‘Lose Yourself’ blasting mid-race…because someone was always playing it from their driveway to motivate us. It is a fluid, musical mantra.
Another favorite of mine is ‘Till I Collapse’ for obvious reasons, ‘Monster’ and ‘Love The Way You Lie’ with Rihanna. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard these out on a run, blasting though my ears, and they never cease to motivate. Thank you Slim Shady. Happy Father’s Day you lunatic.
Source: HollywoodLife.com
My Uncle Jim
Father of three sons, non-runner but avid walker, cigar smoker, life long protector and servant of the law
His wife, my Aunt Carla is by far my biggest fan. So, unfortunately for him, he hears (in what I’m sure is excruciating detail) all of my race highlights, workouts, blogs, etc. What floors me is that he actually cares and has probably been forced come to more of my races then my husband. He’s genuine in his words of support, because he doesn’t know any other way to be, and has given me the best advice on how to raise athletes, since he raised three, although I’m sure his boys would argue amongst themselves who was an actual ‘athlete.’ His simple takeaway? ‘Always make it fun.’ Yep.
My Uncle with my Aunt on his lap. They’ve been together since high school. Seriously. This was taken sometime after graduation 🙂
My Dad
Of course and always, my father has given me all the tools I needed to succeed. Although he cannot walk and chew gum at the same time (true story) his mental game is solid. Since the day I was born he has told me anything is possible and, more then that, has showed me.
Our family has been though unbelievable pain and suffering with the death of my mother in 1993, times of near financial devastation, and I was no picnic for him in my teen years. Through it all my dad has never wavered in his trumpeting of ‘onward!’ He is the ultimate believer in going and doing and making your life what it is. He taught me the power of the mind and that it’s ‘all in the attitude.’ I mean, my mom had that as her license plate. On her Toyota Supra. I wish I was joking.
He’s just a little Cuban but a huge presence.
One of my most favorite mantras for racing and life, my father gave to me, and I will leave it with you:
“What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve!”
Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads! The rest of you, and you know who you are, start upping your game.
How has your dad most influenced you?
What man has influenced you most in your life and why?
My dad. He has been a huge cheerleader/supporter of my running since my first 5K at age 13. With many half and one full under my belt, it still makes me happy that he is so proud. An accomplished athlete himself, at a foot taller than me, running together was always a humbling experience.
That is so, so great!!! Happy Father’s Day to him and have a great day celebrating!
Aw, absolutely love this and all I can say is, “Happy Father’s Day to your amazing Dad!”
Thanks Janine!!
My dad was my first running influence. He’s been doing it for years but has never run a race. Although he casually made a comment to me recently about what would he have to run to get into Boston. Happy Father’s Day to all the good guys!
Oh interesting!? You may have to ask him about that and develop it further! I so wish my dad or pretty anyone in my family ran. It would be nice to have some company out there!
Love this Allie! What a lovely tribute to these men in your life. And love the license plate on yor mom’s Supra! Hope you have a great time celebrating these awesome guys.
It wasn’t cool when I was in eighth grade and she would pick me up in it! 🙂
Thanks Christine!!
What an amazing beautifully written post. It’s a great reminder to be thankful for ALL the dads in your life not just your own or the one you are married to. I actually laughed out loud when you have the shoutout to eminem. I was like WTF Allie, Eminem is crazy pants!! But yes his music is totally motivating although I really only like the songs you mentioned lol. Your dad has always been so amazingly supportive of you and I’m so glad you have him! Enjoy Fathers Day!
YES – all the dads!! You are too funny about Eminem but you know I had to throw a curveball in there 🙂
Love it and so nice to have those role models!
Yes it is. I’m very lucky!
This is such an awesome tribute. I’m really close with my dad and brother. My dad and his marathoning and running is what originally got me to try running 4 years ago! He has always been my biggest support and role model.
That is fantastic!! I love that he is the reason you started running. He must be very proud of you!
Very sweet tribute to all of the dads in your life! Have an awesome weekend with them!
Thanks Kris!!
this is so awesome. i was raised by a bunch of strong, crazy, colorful asian women. men were frightened lol. my great great uncle, my great grandma’s brother, he was amazing. he was the most eloquent, generous, and thoughtful man i ever met. he came here once from china when i was a kid and he looked like a chinese elvis, very fancy dude. he treated us like royalty and took care of us more than anything i had ever experienced. seeing my great grandmother THAT happy made me happy.. that was love. i’ll never forget it. and he cooked us the best meal 🙂 his wife is still alive and i’ve been to visit. his spirit lives on.
That is truly awesome! And I love when men are frightened by strong women 🙂
What a great quote from your dad!! I can’t believe that I don’t have “Lose Yourself” on my playlist but I will put it on there this weekend and run with it thinking of you…..
My dad has been active his whole life….none of his daughters followed in his footsteps except for me, and I didn’t start until age 38…. but he did teach us all to be 100% independent women who know that we would never have to stay in a situation that we are unhappy with …. and that strength he gave us has translated into all 3 of us girls being in happy situations:)
That is awesome and I really hope you do! I just listened to it today and it just pumps you up from the first drum beat!
What a wonderful gift your father gave you! I think it’s rare for a father to teach his daughters to be happy and independent. Just fantastic. I hope you are able to celebrate him this weekend.
I love this post! And I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one who loves Eminem=) Have a great weekend.
Not by far! 🙂 Thank you and have a great weekend too!
Such a sweet and heartfelt tribute to all the dads in your life! My dad has done so much for me, especially in encouraging me as I attempt to make a career out of coaching and blogging about running, even when he paid for me to go to school to be a professor (neither of us could have expected the academic market to be the way it is!). Hope you have a great week celebrating with them!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in your life, Allie. I’m fortunate to have a few great ones in my life too – my dad, my father-in-law, my husband, and my brothers-in-law. None of them have influenced my (lack of) running, but my dad walks every day. After he had a heart attack at age 56, he got active and stayed that way so he could live to see all of his grandchildren. He won’t win any marathons, but I’m proud of his commitment to passing his annual stress test!
I always love when people are motivated to get healthy by their grandkids. That is a true testament to the person they are because, as we all know, staying in shape is hard!!! So glad you’re surrounded by great dads Dana 🙂
Eminem’s daughter is so pretty and normal looking…and also so much older than I thought!
My husband is the same way. He doesn’t run and then all of a sudden he can crank out the miles like it ain’t no thang.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads…I celebrated last weekend. Haha.
I know. We’re just getting old!…although I’m pretty sure he had her when he was like 16.
Isn’t it annoying when someone can do that?? He’s been that way his whole life!!
I remember you and your mom celebrated early – HAHAHA!!!
OH HOW I ADORE THIS.
I would like to say it was before—but I really think it was only the past few years Ive realized my dad is THE person who has my back.
Always.
No matter what.
and Im so grateful I realized while he is still around.
It’s an amazing feeling and YES so grateful they are here and we can bask in it!