My #1 Fan!

I got a call from her yesterday.  She asked one question: “Do you know what day this is?” 

I knew but played along.

“What day is it?” I replied.

“It’s the beginning of marathon week!” her excited voice exploded.

She’s the queen of cheering, the princess of signage, the Eric Clapton of the cowbell, and my #1 running fan.  She’s every marathoner dad’s dream.  She’s my daughter, Laura.

Laura is my oldest daughter who has always passionately shown her support for my running.  As a college senior she takes time each fall to leave campus for the weekend to join me for Chicago Marathon weekend.  Laura is a great student majoring in Spanish and secondary education.  A fitness runner, but not a racer, Laura “gets it” about the passion that drives my running and she’s become a marathon groupie of mine. 

Joining Laura is her friend Maria, who also finds thrills in Marathon Weekend. They love attending the Expo and know all about the race, training, running gear and running-related stuff.  They both are old hands at knowing how to move around the course. Many spectators are fortunate if they can spot their friend or family runner a few times amidst the thousands of runners and millions in the crowd.  Toting banners and signs, Laura and Maria have it figured out how to catch me six or more times along the course, which is dang near unheard of at this large of a race. 

As a true expert in the art of marathon spectating, Laura spends focused time the night before the race carefully going over the game plan, reviewing where and when she can see me.  She knows where to cross the street below and above ground at the train platforms and how to stay on the “inside” of the course so she doesn’t have to cross the street trying to get between the throng of runners.

What marathoner wouldn't feel lifted by seeing the banner they surprised me with last year?  That's Laura on left and Maria on right.

One of the most thrilling viewing spots is the Randolph Street bridge where the early and privileged fans can watch runners at the start.  Armed with a Starbucks to keep warm, Laura and Maria are the baddest at arriving early at the bridge, way before sunrise, to secure a primo spot for viewing.

Laura and Maria and I have a great time together each marathon weekend.  We adopt the mantra, “We can do whatever the hell we want, because it’s our weekend!”  By the end of the travel and running-packed weekend we’ll all be exhausted.  But we’ll have some great laughs, moments of excitement, hugs, and memories.

I know not everyone is marathoning or even racing these days, but I sure hope all of you have a Laura in your life to celebrate your running!

Comments

[Lisa]

I'm going to keep my eye out for these two! Talk about motivation to keep on going!

Thanks to them for giving us tons of support. It's all because of people like them that we keep on running.

[Kent]

That's really cool that your college-age daughter is so supportive of your running. You are very lucky. My kids (much younger) don't quite get the "why do you race if you can't win, Dad?" mindset yet. It is great that yours does. Good luck this weekend!

[Joe Thorn]

Tom, thanks for sharing this. I wish I could make it down to see the marathon (I am always a bit busy on Sundays ;) ). It's great to see part of your family here on the blog and your love for each other. Very cool!

[Nancy]

Oh wow, how sweet. What great memories. I hope my kids and I can share something like this when they are older. They still really love me now because they are little, but I'm sure they will go through the little rebellion. How sweet when they come back and think you are pretty cool.

I know you will cherish this time with them!! Have a great week.

[Runnin' Ragged]

You are very, very lucky...my hubby hates coming to big events like that (my kids could care less, but do support my running), not that he doesn't want to support me, it's all the waiting around that he hates...Maybe he could take a lesson from your daughter and her friend in order to get the most out of it.

!!!Go Tom Go!!!

[pat monahan]

Hope you have a great race. I'll be racing too that day. I think we'll have almost 100 runners for the 1st annual Casa Grande Half Marathon. It'll be a little different than the Chicago affair.

Great post about your daughter. Being a marathon fan is not real exciting, unless you make it so. Sounds like they know how to have a good time.

[Bella]

This post really made me smile...because my daughter is 3 yrs old and I just love it everytime I heard her tiny voice from the sidelines at races sitting on her daddy's shoulders cheering me on. My hope is that she keeps it up for a long time...and you are really blessed to have a hell of a cheerleading squad!

[Andria]

Aww! I love this story! 6 times on the course. That is amazing. What planning and what a great support team. You truly are blessed to have them.

[Jamie]

You are very lucky to have such a wonderful cheering section! Races are always better when you have the ones you love there to support you. I will be sure to keep my eye out for them this Sunday.

[Nitmos]

That's great. I love reading the signs along the route. It's funny how many bloggers you recognize on those signs. I'll look for yours.

[Marcy]

OMG Tom!! You ARE so lucky yo have such a supportive daughter!! That is the SWEETEST!!! It shows what a great Dad you are ;-)

[Bob Allen]

Great support. My wife and 26 year old daughter both got up before sunrise on Saturday and were on hand at the start and finish of my half-marathon. It was great. Pictures testify that I looked like I was dying about 5 seconds before I saw them at the finish, but ended with a huge grin after seeing and hearing them.

Bob

[Doug]

Its great to have a cheering section! Last year I had two friends from school, (ex) girlfriend, parents, sister, and cousin with her fiance (now husband). They made at least half a dozen signs and were right there cheering me on as I came out of the tunnel in Detroit :)

It makes such a huge difference! Support your marathoners!

[Database Diva]

There is nothing better than sharing the things you love with the people you love. Wishing you another great marathon weekend to share and remember!

[kara]

Nice tribute - we all need fans like this. You're very fortunate. Good luck on your race!

[Laura]

Dad,
What a treat to wake up and read such a nice post about me on your blog! I am always more than happy to share in the joy and excitement that running brings you, just as you are with my love of musicals, Buddy Holly and Spain (to name a few). I am unbelievably excited for marathon weekend and know it is going to be an awesome race for you. Maria cannot wait either! I count myself lucky to have a father as wonderful as you and although I feel like the parent here, I am so proud of you - both in anticipation of the great race you will have on Sunday and for all your work with the blog and website. Who loves you? I do!
Always,
Your Number #1 Fan Always,
Laura
P.S. - Believe me when I say, I cannot wait for the day that we get to run Chicago together!

[izzy]

That is a great post Tom, I can only hope to have that same fan support as my children get older. What a fun weekend you will have together! Good luck.

[Running Hawkeye]

Wow! Why am I not surprised you have such a devoted "fan"? Oh, that's right, it's because I'm getting to know you more and more each day.

Laura if you're reading these comments (yours was very sweet) I want to second your pride in your dad. What he and Amy have created, for what will be many thousands of runners, is truly exceptional.

And on a selfish note if you're up for a winter trip to California I could use that kind of support when I run my first marathon in February, haha.

[lifestudent]

Now thats a great cheering squad!

[candace]

what a beautiful post!