Miles: 1.0, 2.23, 3.49 respectively
Power song: Shake It Out
Run dedicated to:  Happy & Ham

Just got back from an amazing long weekend with my parents where instead of running through city streets amidst the faint scent of bum poo, I ran alongside the ocean amidst the a strong scent of jasmine. A slight improvement.

My daughter is about to turn two and my husband and I try to get her down to South Carolina to see her grandparents every 2-3 months. Before Lucille could speak we adults decided that she would call my dad, “Pappy” for Pappy’s in Totowa, NJ: home to a  beloved family manna known as the Texas Wiener (Notice that Yelp gave it a coveted 1.5 stars). And my stepmom, “Grahm,” for more obvious reasons.

As soon as Lucille started to speak however, she quickly altered their names to monikers infinitely more appropriate: Happy and Ham. Funny how a not-yet-two-year-old can get it so right.

Being with my parents is like being with your favorite drunk, jock friends from school. Days are spent very actively: fishing trips, tennis tournaments, golf lessons, hurricane swims. You almost always walk away sore. Nights are spent just as actively: darts, pool, Wii bowling, bocce—all performed with a drink in hand. You almost always walk away dented.

In between the tee times and the cocktail hours, my parents offer an enormous amount of thoughtfulness (every baby thing you could think of is always at the ready), love (I learned to hug from these people) and support (disciplining a tantruming toddler in front of the people who disciplined you could get wonky, but they are graceful enough to offer advice, not opinions).

In short, my daughter is a genius. Because she knew instinctively what I’ve learned over the last 37.99 years: That at their core, my parents are both really happy. And really hammy.

So to them I dedicate these runs. Not just because I like them an awful lot. But because I’m grateful that, by being their daughter, I have a wonderful lesson in being a mother.
And an athlete.
And a drunk.