Just Like The Secret Service

I wouldn't have gotten up to run this morning since I ran yesterday and am still in a injury recovery plan, however I still got up and ran a mile with my daughters.

They both are running in a meet tonight and their coach wanted them to get up and run a mile before school just to shake things out a bit. Since they normally get up at 5:30 to get ready for school, this meant that they needed to get out the door shortly after 5:00 AM to get the run in and still have time to shower and get ready for school.

I won't let them go out alone on these non-lit roads at this time of the morning, but even with each other I am still very uncomfortable.  I woke them up at 5:00 and got ready myself.  I just put my shoes on and some warm clothes.  I didn't put a watch on or any of the other normal running gear since it was only going to be a mile.  As we walked out the door I did grab one piece of my running gear - the reflective vest with flashing lights.


The mile was over before we knew it, and we were walking back to the house.  While this was all taking place I couldn't help to think that in some ways this is what it must feel like to be in the Secret Service working directly with the President.  If the President wants to go running you get to go running with him to protect him.  It doesn't matter if it is a rest day for you or if you are just not feeling it that morning; the President wants to go running and it is your job to protect him.

In my case it is not the President, but it is my job and privilege to love and protect my girls.  Protecting my girls is not a monetarily beneficial position, in fact it is quite the opposite, but I still didn't give it a second thought.  There are some things we do not need to be paid for and protecting our kids is one of them.  Did I want to run this morning, even just one mile? No.  Did I enjoy the run? Yes. Am I glad a went with them? Absolutely!

26 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! It is the type of piece you should save and print for your girls when they are older.

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  2. I run in the dark all of the time, but agree with you that I would not let me daughters do it. Good for you for getting out there and protecting them. : )

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  3. A good parent not only teaches character, but demonstrates it, while showing its risks as he/she comes alongside.

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  4. Awesome! Thanks for sharing that post...I think about that when I get up to join my wife in her morning miles. Do I want to? Well, not always. Would I miss it for the world? Never.

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  5. That is awesome! I agree with the previous comment, this is scrapbook worthy for your girls to read again in the future.

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  6. Great post! That is awesome that you got up and ran with them!

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  7. Wonderful! That is really special!

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  8. Nice, well done. I would have dine the same.

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  9. I agree, this is awesome.

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  10. That is so sweet Tim! A delightful post....

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  11. Thank you for the kind words Nicki

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  12. Stephanie - most of the time I am fine with running myself at any time, but there have been times when I have even felt threatened. I wouldn't put my girls through even the slightest danger if I could avoid it.

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  13. It is funny how that works isn't it? Thanks GeorgiaSnail.

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  14. Wonderful post! Sounds like you are a very dedicated father. As a woman, I never run in the dark. I can imagine most fathers telling their daughters that their couch is unreasonable and forbidding them to run in the dark. I'm glad you figured out a solution that not only helped them in the sport, but also helped strengthen your relationship with them. Check out my blog: www.gottatryit.webs.com

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  15. Our children, the most precious thing. That's a daddy right there!

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  16. Thanks for the kind words! I many times wonder when women are out running alone at the time I usually run. I feel safe in our area most of the time, but every so often get a little nervous. I can't imagine being a woman in the same circumstances.

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  17. Thanks for the kind words Lizzie!

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  18. Tim, I am enjoying reading your blog. I just read your piece about running with your girls. God gives us all sorts of little gems like that, doesn't He? Your girls will be talking about that in twenty years..."Good old Dad used to get up with us in high school, make us run the road before the rooster was even awake... lit up like a CARNIVAL in his reflective vest."
    While I don't think president Obama is a runner like President Bush was, your mentioning the Secret Service reminded me that when Dan and I were at the Tough Mudder a few weeks ago, we met an interesting guy who is working toward getting his certification to do the physical training for Special Forces. (He did the T M both days... err, crazy maybe? But a very nice guy.)
    As part of his certification he has done these Goruck challenges in DC. From the way he described it, it sounded like the Navy Seals stuff you see glimpses of on the History Channel- except they're locked in an urban setting. He gave a colorful account of teams running through Georgetown with heavy logs hoisted shoulder height at 3:00 AM as the bars there are closing and the comments they get.
    If you are still looking for your next challenge maybe try to the Goruck or TM. (I think my husband signed us up to do it because it was cheaper than taking out a hit on me!! ) I wanted to try an endurance event that was different than the marathon. I don't know that the TM was harder than a marathon-- I was sore equal number of days after: the marathon hurt my knees and hips; the TM hurt my quads and hammies-- but the experience of TM was a hundred times more uplifting!
    A marathon tests your stamina and endurance and mental toughness, but it's basically one foot in front of the other... for a very long time (along with let me try to catch up to this person and that person, and OMG if I stop for the porta potty I won't PR, and can't someone teach women not to run side by side like a barricade for the rest of us, what is up with that guy in the Chewbacca costume and did that guy just hock a lugey on me on purpose?). Doing a marathon requires hard work, a lot of time, and an understanding spouse.
    The TM is so much less solitary than a marathon and requires you to run a very challenging course and work through the challenges- often with complete strangers. It tests your stamina, endurance, mental toughness,sense of humor, aversion to cold, willingness to help/ protect others (you'd definitely be strong here) and pushes you to do things that are completely outside your comfort zone. I definitely hope to try it again next year, along with the Publix Marathon. Running one foot in front of the other (for a very long time) is good, too!

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  19. Beth,

    Thanks for the kind words and sharing your experiences. That is pretty impressive what that guy did, there are not very many people that can do that. He will be ready to take on the Special Forces when he starts training them.

    Since the Tough Mudder didn't work you better be careful what event your husband picks next.... and make sure he runs in front :)

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