.: pops on the run…
Over the last two years, my Dad (Kevin Weaver) has logged thousands of miles on the highways and back-roads of North Texas and Central Oklahoma. Amanda, Ryland, and I have not been able to attend one of the four marathons that he has completed in the last two years… but last Sunday we got an awesome opportunity to follow his running via check-point text messages. It was amazing for us to be at church in Maryland while following his progress almost 1500 miles away at the Whiterock Marathon in Dallas, Texas.
Ryland’s Pops started training in August of 2005 and ran his first marathon in April of 2006. His first marathon was the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon where he logged a 4:09:47. Pops continued training and ran a 4:07:54 at the Dallas Whiterock Marathon.
After completing his first two marathons only minutes above four hours… Pops decided to set his sights on improving his finishing time by breaking the four-hour barrier as he began training to tackle these two marathons again in 2007. This last April he accomplished that feat by running a 3:52:44 at the OKC Memorial.
My Dad’s newest goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The qualifying mark for a 49-year-old elderly gentleman is 3 hours and 30 minutes. His time at the Whiterock Marathon last Sunday was 3:44:21. To me, the most amazing thing about the time that Pops achieved was that it was accomplished in weather that featured rain, 30-degree temperatures, and 20 mile-per-hour winds.
I think it goes without saying… but… let me say it anyway… we are so proud of all that Pops has accomplished over these last two years. I thought he was crazy when he told me his dream several years ago… and I still think he’s crazy today.
Pops… we love you. Congratulations. Now it’s time to get that sub-3:30…
Here are a few more photos of “Pops on the Run”…
PRESS ON!!!
-Weav
Posted in .: [r]weaverBLOG :. |
December 17th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Go Kevin Go!!!! The pictures are awesome….
December 19th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Thanks, Ryan, Amanda, and Ryland for the encouragement! I remember the first marthathon I ran in and I had a prayer bracelet reminding me to pray for my unborn grandson, miles 21-22! I love you guys! It will be sad at Christmas without you! I’m sure I will go for a long run to chase the blues away! Pops
December 25th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
From a 3:01 marathoner I know he will do it! Keep the vision pops!
December 28th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
That’s my man! So proud of him!
Mom2
January 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Way to be Coach, always were a runner. Maybe you should push around a red Jeep for training. LOL
Pics are great, but running a marathon is crazy. Good luck, I know you can do it!!
God bless