Fun Facts Friday (10/18): The Running Diaries

Wow, what a crazy week. I haven’t even had a free moment to think about starting a blog, which I greatly dislike. Craziness all around at the moment.

Since I’m still on a post-marathon high and have running brain like crazy lately, this will be an “all about my running story” Fun Facts day…whether that’s fun for you or not. 🙂

1. Running “runs” in my family. My dad’s dad (whom I unfortunately never met), my grandpa Frank Hussey, was known as “the school-boy wonder” in his day, because he qualified for the Olympics when he was still in high school. How cool is that?? He was one of the top sprinters in the US at one point and won a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics in France. I totally wish I’d gotten to meet him and would love to sit around and talk running with him and my dad, who also used to be a great runner (and whose best half marathon time totally trounces mine). It’s so fascinating to me how families have their own unique legacies and interwoven threads, and how much you’re influenced by these systemic factors whether you realize it or not. And it’s also pretty cool to hold an Olympic gold medal and know you’re related to someone who won it!

2. Growing up with a running-obsessed dad, I learned at a very young age that if you didn’t like to run, or didn’t plan to engage in some sort of physical activity that involved running (soccer, softball, anything), there was something wrong with you and you were obviously missing out on the Best Thing You Can Ever Do For Yourself. So many times in my childhood, my dad would pull the car over as we were driving home from somewhere, and we knew this meant he was running the rest of the way home. Sometimes this was a few miles; sometimes it was 10 miles. I don’t ever remember thinking that I wanted to be like that, to be someone who carried running sneakers around in the trunk of her car and be ready to hit the pavement at any given minute, but it happened all the same. Unconsciously, I settled into the family pattern and came to identify myself by this indelible thread that links my dad to his dad and now to me…and it makes this passion even more dear to my heart, knowing that I was born to carry on this legacy. It’s become a wonderful bond between my dad and I, and I’m forever grateful to him for instilling this love for running in me. This past weekend, as I was on the way to the train station with he and my mom the day after my race, my dad expressed how proud he was of me and said, “You’re the best runner this family has ever had, in terms of distance. You did a wonderful job.”

Thanks, Dad. I owe you. Like, forever. 🙂

3. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I totally have commitment issues. This probably doesn’t surprise many of you who know me well. I’m talking about in my relationship with sneakers, of course. Duh, what else? 🙂 I started with New Balance in high school, then briefly flirted with Asics, Adidas, and Nike before sticking with the Newbies throughout college…and then flitting over to Saucony for a few years’ stretch. We had a pretty good run of it, all things considered, until I cheated with Nike again (so hard to resist, all those pretty models and fun colors).

That didn’t work out the way I’d hoped, however — too many unrealistic expectations, and “Just Do It” can only go so far, ya know? After one half marathon in Nikes in 2012, I went running back to New Balance will my tail between my legs and haven’t looked back once. These are my guys, and I’m stickin’ with ’em. I probably have 10 pairs of sneakers and they aren’t al NBs, but those are the ones I use to run. And I love ’em.

4. I love fun workout clothes, as I’m sure I’ve reiterated 4325325 times. I definitely get more excited to buy workout gear than any other type of clothing. Currently crushing on these:

Shakespeare + workout clothing = best thing ever

5. And this totally gets to stand on its own. Love it.

Have a fabulous weekend, friends!

Advertisement