[Stitcher]

I sent my dad the link to my RRs. It was sooo much easier than writing it all again, or even copy/pasting. This way, too, he could see the pics that I put in.<br><br>
Just got this email back:<br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">I just got around to reading the three links to your race report. It was really good and I was lol several times! Anyway, I also am really proud of you setting a particular goal and the sticking to it! You know, of course, that I believe anybody can do the cool stuff when everything is set up right, but the REAL people look forward to night, rain, pitchin’ decks, and other complicating s…. that runs the weak of heart out of the competition. I am beginning to believe that marathoners are a little bit like golfers . . . . you don’t really compete against each other, you compete against yourself and the course. I THINK YOU DID GREAT!!!! Love ya, Dad</span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">Dad was career navy...aviator. He had a reputation of flying in any weather conditions, and flying anything that would "have enough power" (supposedly, he was accused of being able to fly a 2x4 if they could get enough power on THAT). So, he "gets" the fun of the crappiness at times.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">Just want to let all y'all parents out there know...know matter how old they get, or whether or not they're successful in their jobs.....your kids ALWAYS like hearing messages like the one I just got from "you parents." There's never enough of that from the moms and dads.</span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">I really like his golf reference, too. lol</span>

 

[COcarrie]

That is SO nice... thanks for sharing. I'm not a parent, but I agree with your point. I'm fortunate to have a supportive and encouraging family.. sounds like you are blessed with the same!<br><br>
My dad died in May 2006 and I'm so sad he didn't get to hear any of my triathlon stories. I know he'd be proud of me. I miss telling him about some of my pursuits. Both my parents were fairly athletic in their times, and my Mom is pretty cool with me always coming to visit her with a local race on my agenda!

 

[MBannon]

Ah, chicken soup for the triathlete soul. Except I hate chicken soup, so for me it's baked potato soup for the soul. Just as heartwarming and without those nasty slimy noodles.

 

[SpartyGirl]

<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Too sweet, thanks for sharing.

 

[hobey]

Aaww. Thanks for sharing. I agree, no matter how old you are, it's always good to hear.

 

[Kate60]

How wonderful to have that kind of support.

 

[Stitcher]

My chicken soup substitute is clam chowder. yuuuuuuummmmmmmmm

 

[teacherjen]

Awesome...Dad's rock.<br><br>
I have a great recipe for lowish fat New England Clam chowder...Yummy!!!

 

[Tithers]

Us GIRLS gotta love our daddies. Mine is so proud! Crap...he even had an IMFL viewing get-together for peeps in CT when it was on TV.<br><br>
Crap-he's even coming to Lake Placid...rather-paid for my race too!<br><br>
I'm daddy's girl...I don't know what I'll do when he dies<img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif"><img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif"><img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif"><br><br>
I was ALWAYS daddy's girl! I heart my daddy!<br><br>
STITCH...way to make navy daddy proud!<br><br>
I hope I have a little girl to melt Mr. T's heart...after all this IM silliness.

 

[Stitcher]

Yeah....<br>
Dads are great.<br><br>
Funny....I showed his message to someone else.....who said, "So, it's now clear where you get your love of all things painful from." <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Mom and Dad both went out to San Antonio for my first marathon and were way way cool, got a great spot, right by the Alamo...managed to see me 5 different times. Then, they BOTH wanted to know when I was doing another one.<br><br>
me: "uh, yeah...I'll do another one. Why'd you ask now, 90 seconds after I finished????"<br>
M&D: "We didn't know what we were doing. We didn't know to bring signs and shakers and things. NOW we know how to 'spectate'..... so you need to do another one, so we can do a better job." <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Next one's closer to where they live to make travel easier.<br><br>

 

[Tithers]

Ha! My dad's first race was IMFL...I was way fat when I lived up nord...and when I started really getting into "racing" mom got sick.<br><br>
Glad both were able to see you race! I'm sad my mom didn't...I miss mom and her odd psychotic ways.

 

[Stitcher]

I hear ya!<br>
I'm not looking forward to when one of mine dies.....<br><br>
Sis and I joke that since she's the one with 3 kids, I get Mom & Dad (or whichever one's left after the first dies).....when they need that type of care.<br><br>
They both saw me dive in college, too......<br>
and crash and burn a few times. Dad would just put his elbows on his knees up in the bleachers and shake his head......almost like, "yo! don't DO that!" lol<br><br>

 

[wyrillco]

That's awesome. My mom and her parents came to my first tri and kept my hubby company. They all wore "My wife/daughter/grandaughter is a triathlete!" shirts. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
I'm a sucker for my family. I'd go about anywhere for them, and vice versa.

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

My dad flew from Florida to Washington DC back in 2002 when I ran my first marathon. I got to see him at about mile 16 or so. He made me stop so he could take a picture. I had to stand there posing while he fiddled with the camera and composed the shot. I love my dad - it was great having him be there.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

My Dad was always my coach growing up, took me to every tournament and coached every league. It was definitely a blessing and a curse. When I had a good day he was very happy. When I did not he got mad. I am glad he was there though and that he was more than interested. He did a lot for me and other kids.<br><br>
When I stopped in my early 20s and took up other sports I don't think my parents really got it. They came briefly to one volleyball tournament in 1993. It was a big deal for me since I'd never played any other sport when I was a kid. I don't think it made any impression on them.<br><br>
I don't see them ever coming to a triathlon. I wasn't into endurance sports and wasn't any kind of jock when I was a kid so I don't think it connects for them. I also competed then at a very high level in the sport I did play when I was a kid, while in triathlon and running I am MOP/BOP. I don't recall them asking me anytime recently how the running, biking and/or swimming is going. They tell me they are proud when I say, "I finished the triathlon again this year" but you can tell it doesn't sink in how hard it is and their enthusiam isn't what it was for when my Dad was the coach.<br><br>
That's ok though. Triathlon is my thing.<br><br>
Maybe it would take something like Ironman to impress them but there's no way I am going there just to impress anyone.

 

[Tithers]

Doug...you do the Ironman to impress yourself. that's the only reason you should do it...unless big $ or good sex is involved.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

Exactly. At the end of the day it's all about me <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">.

 

[Woodrunner]

Thanks for sharing the terrific response from your dad. My Dad has never been a sports person and I'm not sure he understands much about the crazy races I've done. But he can do things with his hands like build traditional custom wood boats, which is way harder than any ironman in my opinion, so he's my hero. I don't think I've told him that enough.

 

[Yo Sake]

That is very sweet of your dad. Thanks for sharing. I wish I could hear once, just once, my dad saying he was proud of me.... Being a traditional Japanese father, he didn't like me (= female) to excel, be #1, or 'noticed' for my achievement in anything, growing up in Japan.

 

[TriAndStopMe]

I know it isn't the same thing, but WE'RE all proud of you and proud to know you! We may not be your dad, but we have him seriously out-numbered. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Stitch - Great note, thanks for sharing!