Fitness Tribute to My Dad

 

I type this with a broken heart, but as you all know my dad passed away last week in his sleep. My dad was the greatest man I have ever known and never missed anything in my life. He was my biggest supporter in everything I did especially fitness.

 

He was a very active guy and was his entire life. He (and my mom) are the reason why I am a fitness fanatic. Because of that, I felt this blog post needed to be dedicated to him and all of the fitness memories I have with him.

From coaching me and my sister in nearly everything growing up, to bike rides, 5Ks, triathlons, hikes, racquetball, swimming and organized bike rides my dad was SO active and my biggest hero for that reason.  The number of races and rides he participated in during his life are uncountable, and I can't even try to list everything.

My dad loved the camaraderie of organized runs, walks, rides. As you all know he was a man of tradition so we did a lot of the events year after year. My dad loved Hoosiers Outrun Cancer, The Mini Marathon, Bike The Drive, The Hope Ride, The Night Ride, Little 500, and the Hilly Hundred. I never got to do the Hilly Hundred with him- so I am going to make it a goal to do it in the next year or two in memory of him. Anyone want to join me?

Post Mini Marathon 5k. My dad and mom did the 5k EVERY year that I ran the half marathon.

 

Dad helped push Scarlett in the 5k this year during the Mini Marathon.


He LOVED going on long bike rides with my mom, me, his brother, Jim and my cousin Jessie. There was usually a great breakfast and beautiful scenery involved when he went with Jim and Jessie.


Bike The Drive in Chicago was one of the rides my dad LOVED. I did it the first year with him on a Mountain Bike. He wanted us all to do it together sometime in the next few years.


He football at Bloomington South and was part of the 60 straight win team. He also played at IU and Lee Corso was his coach. Something he always told us what Lee would yell at the team and say "give yourself to the university!"



He never missed anything I ever did. He was at every single race no matter where or when.



His first triathlon....Tri Indy. We both did it-he was amazing- I was so proud of him!


Him and his brother, Jim before Tri Indy Triathlon.


Finishing the swim part of his triathlon.


Supporting me another year at a duathlon.


Hoosier's Outrun Cancer was one of my dad's favorite traditions. The entire Bill C. Brown family gather's before the race and this was the year he pushed the wheelchair or one of his co-worker's husband the entire 5k.


Whole family before the Mini Marathon. Another tradition my dad loved.


Bike the Drive downtown Chicago.


Me and my dad at the end of Bike The Drive. He loved this bike ride because they shut down Lakeshore drive. We wore matching Coach Hep jerseys!


We went on countless Saturday or Sunday morning bike rides through Bloomington as a family growing up. My dad loved these rides. We would go before the traffic picked up bright and early.









My dad with his first bike on his 4th birthday. This is when it all began!


Finishing the 5k portion of the triathlon.


IU Mini Marathon- he did the 5k and I ran the half- he was the first person I saw as I crossed the finish line on 17th street.

Mom and Dad on an early morning campus bike ride.

 

As you can see, my dad lived a very active and fulfilled life. Looking at all of these pictures, and thinking of all of the races, rides, walks, runs, racquetball matches, and swims my dad completed I feel so motivated to continue traditions, start new ones, and stay active. Not pictured here are pictures of my dad playing racquetball- something he loved, an IU football picture, a picture of him coaching football at South and pictures of him hiking.

 

Moving Forward- I can only continue to live an active life in memory of him. He promised to reimburse me as soon as I get certified, so that is my first goal. He was so proud of me starting a side career in teaching group exercise and he asked me about it every single time we talked- which was usually every day. I will continue to do triathlons, bike rides, and all other races in his memory. I hope that one day I can create an event in Bloomington honoring him with a run, walk and bike ride. I also will complete the Hilly Hundred for him and chow down on all the food he always raved about.

 

I ask that everything take a second to think of my dad every time you work out. Think of his work ethic, his love for tradition and his passion for the outdoors and physical activity. Think of him and push yourself a little harder- because his work ethic and drive were indescribable. Think of him waking up early every.single.morning and working hard.

 

Thank you, dad for instilling so many characteristics into me that will help drive me towards reaching my personal goals and fulfilling my life.

 

And as my dad would always say at the end of conversations.... " you have a good day today and a better day tomorrow."