 |
| Me with my dad- college graduation 2006 |
 |
| Me with my dad while vacationing in Florida when I was about eight years old |
My dad started his running with a friend and a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors. For as long as I can remember, my dad always got up at 5:30am to go running every morning. I used to think he was crazy for getting up that early because I had trouble trying to get up at 6:30am just to get ready for school. All of my life, I have always been involved in some type of sport. It started with t-ball and gymnastics around the age of four and as I got into the junior high age, I became involved in cheerleading and soccer. Every t-ball game, every gymnastics meet, every football or basketball game I had to cheer at, and every high school and college soccer game- my dad was there supporting me with what I enjoyed doing. I remember very clearly when I decided that I was going to play soccer on a scholarship at our local community college, my dad got me into running to help get me into shape to play. That was probably the first time in my life I'd ever actually ran just to run without having a ball at my feet to dribble down the field. After finishing soccer in college, I'd go back and forth with the whole running scene but I could never quite get into it completely. I think the greatest distance I ever ran was a 5k and I remember even struggling with that.
 |
| A daddy and his daughters- Nov 2011 |
Around March 2011, I began to face some stressful times in my life and I didn't know what to do to help me cope with what I was going through. I turned to running. I was asked if I wanted to join some others in the Blue Bell 5k run that April so I immediately set that goal. From then on, running has been a passion that's grown with me. I hate it, but I love it. Each time I participate in a race, the first person I want to call when it's finished is my dad. Any time I need running advice or tips, I can always count on him. For those of you who don't know, I am training for multiple triathlons right now with the end goal of completing my first half iron distance triathlon. I've been told by some that I can't do it and they underestimate my dedication and ability to accomplish these things. Not once have I heard my dad tell me I can't do it. I know he believes in me and knows that I can accomplish any goal that I set my mind to. My dad has always been a great Christian example to me and has done an outstanding job with my mom in helping to raise me and my sister. I haven't shared with my dad how much his dedication to waking up every morning to go running has inspired me. I didn't realize it at the time how much discipline and motivation it took to get up each morning on the hottest days and on the coldest days to get up and pound the pavement. That took a lot of dedication from him and I'm thankful that I was able to see that in him. Neither of us knew that simple act would inspire me years later down the road.
My dad is a great person and I always look up to him. People tell me all the time that my dad is a great man and I couldn't agree more. Growing up, we didn't always have a perfect relationship, but through it all he has always been there for me and has loved me unconditionally no matter what I said or did. He is my hero and my inspiration. I will always be grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with such a loving dad in my life who has been a great example to me.
I love you, dad, and I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day.
Meaghan
No comments:
Post a Comment