Big Shoes to Fill

It's easy to overlook the remarkable in family and friends. Nothing against them - it's just easy to see them as that: people close to us. But becoming a father has made me reflect on my own dad, who still exercises several times a week. For many people, this wouldn't be so unusual, except for the fact that he's nearly 80 years old. The last few times I visited my parents, I realized that he has been active my entire life. When I wake up to feed my son, I hear my dad running on the treadmill. When I'm finishing breakfast, he'll have just returned from playing tennis for a couple of hours. I also see him regularly disappear into the living room to do sit ups and yoga, and on some nights go ballroom dancing with my mom - a ritual they've continued for decades. If he ever stops working and formally retires, I wonder what else he'll do with his time.

As for me, I ran 3.5 miles indoors today at a 7:20 pace, completing my three run quota for the week. Thinking about my dad, though, I really need to step it up.