Father's Day
Father's Day was this past Sunday and, although it was no different than any Father's Day of previous years, with the events that have occurred over the past year and my recently released article in the June issue of Runner's World, I reflected on my situation as a son more than ever before.
I began to think about my father ... both of them. I thought about how, even amongst all of the trauma and pain I went through, I must be one of the luckiest men in the world. I have had the privilege of being shaped and molded by two incredible, distinct men. One gave me my physical gifts/attributes while the other took those gifts and matured them to make them better.
I am thankful for being born the son of Barry J. Brown. I appreciate the genes and attributes he passed along to me and the support I receive from the amazing friends he gathered over the years both on and off of the track scene.
I am blessed to be the son of David L. Norris. His unwavering love and support is something I could never thank him enough for. To become a man like him is something I can only strive for and I feel lucky to have a first-hand mentor in becoming just that.
Hopefully I can take this blessed situation I have been put in and make the most out of it by becoming an outgoing, athletic resemblance of my father, Barry, and a loving, individual resemblance of my father, Dave.
Thank You Both and Happy Father's Day!
I began to think about my father ... both of them. I thought about how, even amongst all of the trauma and pain I went through, I must be one of the luckiest men in the world. I have had the privilege of being shaped and molded by two incredible, distinct men. One gave me my physical gifts/attributes while the other took those gifts and matured them to make them better.
I am thankful for being born the son of Barry J. Brown. I appreciate the genes and attributes he passed along to me and the support I receive from the amazing friends he gathered over the years both on and off of the track scene.
I am blessed to be the son of David L. Norris. His unwavering love and support is something I could never thank him enough for. To become a man like him is something I can only strive for and I feel lucky to have a first-hand mentor in becoming just that.
Hopefully I can take this blessed situation I have been put in and make the most out of it by becoming an outgoing, athletic resemblance of my father, Barry, and a loving, individual resemblance of my father, Dave.
Thank You Both and Happy Father's Day!
Thoughtfully and nicely well said from a respectful son.
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Hi Darren, Congratulations on all your accomplishments! I grew up in the Glens Falls area in the 1970s and early 1980s. I started running when I was 14, reached my peak when I was 15 and by the time I was 16 my genetics (knee cartilege) failed me! Kind of opposite of you - I picked up soccer as my new sport when I couldn't run competitively anymore! So my running career was very short, but memorable. I wasn't very fast and my South Glens Falls school didn't have any running program. They assigned the golf coach to manage the track and cross country teams so it's fair to say that none of us reached our potential as distance runners. The best mile I could squeeze out was 4:37. Two miles in 9:57. Fastest 10k was 34:25. I entered lots of road races in 1981 and 1982 - all in the Glens Falls area. Just about every race I entered back then would be won by either Dave Norris or Lee Pollock... that is, if you're Dad didn't show up! If he did post up for the race, Dave and Lee would be racing for 2nd and 3rd. But they were all buddies, and each of them knew eachother's abilities as well as their own so there were no surprises. I remember that I'd be lucky enough to see them training once in a while in the Glens Fall Civic Center. I was honored to tag along as they did 1/2 mile intervals - just over 3 laps around the top. I had to huff and puff to keep up.
Your Dad always had deep reserves of strength for a natural kick at the end; creating space any time he desired. I was also honored when your Dad agreed to come to my High School back in 1982 to address our Cross Country team. Well, my running days are long over - the last time my endurance helped was during my time in the Marine Corps infantry. But now I'm 44 years old and don't need to run any more. Best of luck in everything you do.
Bob Munger
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