Running as a Family Legacy

Leaving a legacy of running has always been important to me. I started running over two decades ago, in my early 30s, and from the beginning, my family was part of the experience. My wife, Lynn, and I built running into our lives, not just as a way to stay fit but as something that defined our family culture.

When I raced—whether it was a 5K, a half marathon, or a full marathon—our kids were there, holding signs and cheering me on. And it went both ways. Lynn has run her fair share of races, from 5Ks to 15Ks to half marathons, and I made sure to bring the kids to watch her race, just as she had done for me. We didn’t set out with some grand master plan to raise a running family, but we always hoped that the example we set would rub off on them—that they would see fitness as a natural part of life, not something forced or dreaded, but something enjoyable, fulfilling, and good for their well-being.

Looking back now, I can see that those early years planted the seeds.

The First 5Ks: A Family Tradition

Without planning it, all three of our kids ran their first 5Ks at the age of nine.

Our oldest, Emma, was first. Emma participated in *Girls on the Run* while we lived in Illinois, a fantastic program that blends running with lessons on self-esteem and confidence. She loved it, ran the end-of-season 5K each year from third through fifth grade, and even after we moved to Texas, she kept running. She entered local 5Ks with us, including the *Hot Chocolate Run*, where she won her age group.

Emma was also a dedicated volleyball player, but one of my favorite running-related stories about her came when she tried out for her high school team. Part of the tryout included a one-mile run, and while she didn’t make the volleyball team that year, she ran that mile in just over six minutes—fast enough that the coaches told her she should seriously consider cross-country. She opted to focus on other activities, but today, she stays fit through volleyball, hiking and bouldering, spending weekends exploring the trails of upstate New York with her fiancé.

Aidan, our son, was next. When he ran his first 5K at nine, pacing was a foreign concept. He’d sprint out full speed, run out of breath, drop back, walk a little, then sprint again. But over time, he developed an incredible sense of pace and endurance. He played soccer throughout his youth, and while he never had that explosive speed that makes a forward dangerous, he had stamina for days—perfect for midfield, where he could outlast anyone on the field.

By high school, Aidan transitioned into cross-country, where he thrived in the longer distances. In December 2019, he ran his first half marathon, finishing in 1:28. Then, in May 2021, he ran a 1:19 at the Fort Worth Half Marathon, placing fourth out of over 3,000 runners. In December of his senior year at Texas A&M, with almost no training (I tried to warn him, but he just said, *Don’t worry, Dad*), he ran his first full marathon in 3:16:23—just 30 seconds off my own PR, which I had trained months for. I can only imagine what he’ll do when he actually follows a structured plan.

Finally, our youngest, Isabelle, ran her first 5K at nine as well. She hasn’t done as many races, but she’s always been active. In high school, she competed on the archery team, and in college, she’s continued in the sport while also making time for the gym. Like her older siblings, she’s found her own ways to stay fit and healthy, which makes me just as proud as if she had taken up distance running.

As a family, we’ve run many 5Ks and Turkey Trots together over the years. Last year, in August 2024, our family vacation was in Syracuse, NY, visiting our oldest daughter Emma and her fiancé Noah. My wife and I decided to go there because I was looking for a cooler half marathon in August (it’s too hot in Texas in August!), and we found the *Tromptown Half Marathon* in DeRuyter, NY, about 40 minutes from Syracuse. Aidan, Lynn, Noah, and I all ran while Emma and Isabelle cheered us on.

Aidan won the overall race, while I won the Masters male division and Lynn came in second in the Masters female division. For Noah, it was his first half marathon, and I think he caught the running bug too! Aidan also came in 2^nd place in the 5K race that took place two days earlier. The Tromptown 5K and Half Marathon weren’t huge races, with less than 100 participants in each.  Maybe the locals were a little annoyed that the Texas invasion claimed many of the awards!

A Running Family

Lynn and I have always been in this together. We helped to start the *Prosper Running Club* and have spent years logging miles side by side, whether on weekday runs or weekend long runs. Running is part of who we are, and by extension, it became part of our family identity.

More than just exercise, running has always been about something bigger for me—living a longer, healthier life and truly *living*, not just existing. That’s the example we tried to set for our kids. And now, seeing them out there—whether it’s running, hiking, climbing, or just making fitness a natural part of their lives—I know that example stuck.

I’m a proud Papa, and I’m excited to see where running takes them (literally and figuratively)!