Dan Futrell

This is 40.

When I showed up to my first cross country practice in college, my teammates - all of us 18-20 at the time - thought that I was the 40 year old assistant coach. I’ve been waiting ever since to earn the age.

Today I ran my birthday mile in 5:50, losing 0:13 seconds over the last year owing to not much running and a healing foot. Then Giselle and I recreated our first date: REI, Mexican food, and Home Depot. Then I came home and did some house projects.

I’m grateful for all that I have in my life: my wife, a couple kids that are mostly cool (I was painfully smacked in the eyeball during bedtime tonight), my broader family and network of people, a job that I’m honored to be asked to do and that gives me purpose, a decent place to live and pretty good health. I have many opportunities behind and in front of me.

If this is what my life is, I feel pretty damned good about it. Thank you all for being in it and bringing me joy.

Big things are ahead (including a faster mile next year!).

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to thank the firefighters of FDNY’s Engine 79, Ladder 37, and Battalion 27 in the Bronx. Not only have they come out to Pat’s Run several times but they’ve supported our Tillman Scholars, making their continued education and service possible.

Thank you to and the whole crew for your service today and every day. Leadership through action!

Teams are for building. Skills. Outcomes. Visions.