"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Thursday 3 February 2011

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today my dad turns 81. He is the main inspiration behind my running. He ran his best marathon of 03:34 when he was 52. My best marathon is 03:48 and I ran it when I was 34. Here is my dad in 1983 finishing the JSE (now City to City) 50km in 04:46:33. He is my hero. Happy 81st dad!



36 comments:

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Tell him I said HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Emz said...

I. Love. this.

What a great photo! I love how running "runs" in the family.

awesome.

Happy Birthday to your Dad!!

Evolving Through Running said...

That's a fantastic 'old-school' picture. Wish him a happy birthday for me.

Heather said...

Your dad sounds like a great guy! I can see why he is such an inspiration to you. You look a lot like him. Happy 81st Birthday to your dad! hope he has a great day!

Kate Geisen said...

Happy birthday to your dad! I'm sure he is very proud to see his son following in his footsteps (even if it's a couple minutes behind :D) and even more of what a good man you are. Love the picture!

Christi said...

Great birthday wishes to your father!

Matty O said...

Loved this post. What an inspiration!!!

Truly remarkable man. Happy Birthday!

Amy said...

Happy birthday to your dad! And what an inspiration - indeed!

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

How cool! Happy birthday to your Dad!

Joanne said...

WOW! Happy Birthday to your dad.
What great motivation that is to have your dad be such an excellent runner.

Anne said...

Happy Birthday to your dad! That's a great photo and I definitely see a family resemblance :)

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

Wow, what an amazing inspiration to have in your life.

Today is my sister's birthday, too :)

misszippy said...

What a cool guy he is! Well ahead of his time. I'll bet he has some fascinating stories about the "old days" of running. Happy birthday to him!

GaryB said...

Wow thats brilliant to have your own father as your inspiration and hero through a sport such as ultra running I wonder how many others have their own parents as their sporting hero and follow in their foot steps? not many i bet.
Happy Birthday to your father.
I would love to hear some of his sporting exploits i bet it would be really interesting

Unknown said...

Love it Johann! What an inspiration he is. Happy Birthday to him!

Raina said...

That photo is a real treasure. :) My dad and I don't have running in common- but I love him lots, and can tell you do yours.

Happy birthday to your dad! Hope you can spend lots of time with him.

Marlene said...

What a wonderful role model!! Happy Birthday to Dad!

Jennifer said...

What a great legacy, a happy birthday I am sure it is!

HappyTrails said...

Awesome - I think I can see your grin from here, proud son of his!!! ;-)

Jill said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your pappa!!! Look at his awesome muscular running body...I see where you got it! :)

ajh said...

Happy Birthday to your dad. I can see why he is your inspiration!

Char said...

Your Dad is a Super man. Hope he has a lovely day.

Teamarcia said...

Many happy birthday wishes coming to your dad. What a tremendous inspiration!

DRog said...

awesome photo
happy BDAY Dad

The Turtle said...

Happy birthday to your Dad! I hope he had a wonderful day and that this will be a great year for him.

ultra collie said...

something for you to aim for!
happy birthday johanns dad!!!

Chris K said...

Okay, now I see where you got your studliness. Happy Birthay Johann's Dad.

Lauren said...

What an awesome post Johann! Happy birthday to your dad. And what an inspiration to read that his best marathon time was during his fifties. Love, love, love the picture. What a treasure!

Bethany + Ryan said...

wow, so cool that your dad is a runner too! that is wonderful! Happy birthday to him!

Molly said...

aw, Happy Birthday to your Dad!!!

Giorgio said...

Great photo of your father! Birthday wishes to him!

Amanda@runninghood said...

This is too awesome! Happy Birthday to him. What a great role model! Reminds me of my grandfather. :) So cool.

Black Knight said...

A running dad is a great source of inspiration. Happy Birthday to him.

Natalia said...

Veels Gelukkig vir jou pa se verjaarsdag! Hoop alles gaan goed met jou en di tone..... Ek will ook se, stuur vir my die name van die boeke wat jy wil he, en ek sal hulle stuur, want ek dink dat jy sal hulle nodig he voor die Comrades. As daar ander goed is, laat my weet, ek kan dit stuur.

Andrew Opala said...

That's awesome. I wish my dad was here!

racing dawn said...

I know I'm late...but Happy Birthday to your dad! How amazing! What a great example and something I hope I can be for my kids!! Thanks for sharing - love the pic! :)