My Son: The Newest Half Marathoner

He started with a dream.

What if running helped him reach many goals in life?

He wasn't fat, but he carried around 200 pounds on his frame, a husky man, like his dad, nobody would say he was overweight.

But Scott had his own mirror.

There was the stress at his job.

This is a hard charging professional who was once appointed by the Governor of California to serve for him in health care.

This was not a man who sat back and watched life go by.

And what's more, he was a man always searching for something in life.

That's why he had accomplished so much at such an early age.

So, last October, he started to run.

His first run left him winded.

Then there was his first 5K.

I walked over the Coronado Bay Bridge in May and Scott ran across it, as we both competed in the 4 mile run/walk.

Scott was gearing up to the America's Finest City Half Marathon.

Can you imagine a shade over thirteen miles?

Scott could.

Nine months of running had led him to the challenge he promised his body and mind could master.

The morning of Sunday, August 16, was spectacular, but we San Diegans expect such high standards when it comes to climate.

That's why we have chosen America's Finest City to reside in.

Scott was out of the house shortly after 4AM.

Five hours later, he crossed the finish line and was given his medal.

His family met him as 7,700 runners made it almost impossible to distinguish anyone from the sea of faces.

Finally, I saw Scott.

"Don't hug me, pops, I am all sweat."

To hell with thet, I hugged him hard and took in all that sweat with fatherly pride.

His mom shies away from these events.

She loved her son dearly, but still worries about him.

Mothers always will.

Will he not settle for the half-marathon and go for the full 26.2 miles?

Only Scott can answer that.

A svelte Scott, 166 pounds , soaking wet.

A less stressed at work Scott who has made running a cause celebre in his life.

A son who does so much for all of us and has finally done something for himself.

I don't have to look far when I wonder what I did right in life.

He just crossed the finish line.

Pardon me if it choked me up just a little.