World's Strongest Dad (grab the Kleenex) (Read 1008 times)

thanks zoom zoom, I just broke the no crying rule at work...

thanks zoom zoom, I just broke the no crying rule at work...

Yup. Me too. Amazing. MTA: ZZ, just when I thought my soul was cold, black, and dead, you spring this one me. Damn, now I have to go do some evil or something to get back to normal.

I met them once quite a long time ago....and am very excited to know they are running in a race that am going to in early September (In Maynard, MASS). I fully intend to say hi to them and high five them if I get a chance....... They are BEYOND AWESOME.....words really cant describe them.......

Dick and Rick are awesome, but I just have one question: How was it physically and humanly possible for Dick to push Rick to a 2:40 marathon?

I was lucky enough to meet them at their 5K race in Waltham this Spring, and Doug (lostinthenet13) took this picture. When I met them, I wondered the same thing Ryan. I'm 5'8" and about 150 pounds, so you can see that Dick is not particularly physically imposing. He does have incredible legs, but your question can have only one answer and that is 100% heart. About a month before the 5K, I took this picture at the 6 mile mark of the Boston Marathon with the Hoyts and the Women's Masters winner. Absolutely amazing. The next picture I was able to take was of their backs, because they had already blown by me. Dick and Rick Hoyt at 112th Boston Marathon, April 2008 They are the best kind of celebrities, grounded, approachable and uplifting. I'm glad I wrote up a race report that night, this quote from the report sums up the aura around these two.

This was definitely one of my all-time favorite races. I didn't run well, but I still had a goofy grin the whole time. Just being around the Hoyts has everyone in a great mood.

If you can meet them or support them (there's a link in lostinthenet13 's signature) I heartily recommend it.

Dick and Rick are awesome, but I just have one question: How was it physically and humanly possible for Dick to push Rick to a 2:40 marathon? Seriously? Thats a 6:07 mile! Thats a 19min 5k! I can barely run a 5k that fast, and I'm ~20 years younger than Dick was at the time. Anyone have any physiological insight into this? I almost wonder with Boston being a mostly downhill course that Dick can "hop on" (so to speak) or hitch a ride, on Rick's pushcart/wheelchair for portions of the course? Obviously he has to push up the Newton hills, but is he able to "coast" the rest of the way? Don't take this as if I'm accusing them of cheating, what they did is amazing, but I just cant comprehend that speed!

No chance in hell that they have ever "cheated". If Dick wanted to cheat he would have just stayed home and had a jelly donut. He runs it because it gives his son life. The same life his son gives him every time they run. I have run those kind of speeds with a 110 lb stroller(far short of what theirs weighs) and it ain't easy. I can't imagine doing it for 26.2 though. Much less for an ironman! However, you would be surprised what a motivation your children can be! Everyone asks me why I don't put away the stroller and see how fast I really could be. The truth is that one day I will do that but for now I just don't really want to run without them. You would be surprised how fast you can run when your child cheers you on the entire way! For me that was a 4:55 mile with him in tow! Hopefully, by some miracle of technology rick's dream will come true. Until then I will just enjoy watching both of them do the impossible.