Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!

Yesterday, my father celebrated a milestone - he turned 70 - and today, he completed a marathon!  All of his training has paid off and he got to check off another item on his bucket list.  I am so proud of him for his perseverance by training this winter through single digit weather in PA and through all the aches and pains I look forward to in 30 years.  Like one of my favorite people always says, life is a marathon, not a sprint.  Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations, dad!

His wife, Laura, started planning a surprise party for him a year ago and brilliantly brought together many moving parts including: our family from Asheville, dad's best friends from college (Ron and Cindy) from Kansas City, and other loved ones from the northeast and west coasts.  We all have converged in Vero Beach, Florida.  Her plan was cemented in place by Thanksgiving when, around the dinner table, dad unexpectedly announced that he would complete a marathon the day after his 70th birthday.  His surprise dropped many jaws and Laura did her best to be supportive, but we had some doubts.

After a private fitness consultation with my wife (with 3 marathons under her belt), we decided he was likely to reach his goal.  I've always hated running and require being distracted by a ball or frisbee.  It tricks my body and I don't think of soccer, basketball, or frisbee as running sports.  Susan gave birth only 10 months ago and wasn't quite ready to complete her 4th marathon, so we split it.  Susan did the first half with dad and I did the second half.  It was 80 degrees and very humid along the water, and the heat really made things slower, but we were able to finish!  Below are a few highlights from the finish line and I can honestly say that I finished a marathon with my dad.  =)