Life Without Running

I published the Life Without Running Blog before my birthday so I was sure to have it sent to Stacie in time for her birthday. That was supposed to be the end of it but the universe apparently had other plans. I tried to start a new blog called “No Expectations” and even have it posted but I can’t do anything with it and every time I tried over three days and about ten hours the posts for this blog would appear and if I went to new blog and tried to set it up it kept saying the website name was unavailable. I went so far as to try to register it with the same title but other web names it always said unavailable. I’m done, the stress was kicking my ass so I just decided to piggyback on this blog and if I write long enough to want to publish again I can just set up the blog book to start with this post. It’s pathetic how technologically illiterate I continue to be even when I try to do better. Okay, there’s the explanation, so moving on… I’ve spent the last week highly symptomatic and it...

It’s time for another birthday (75) and we’re tired. The “races” are getting fewer and fewer so maybe the title of this blog that I started a year ago was prophetic. The title was initially thought of because almost 100% of my races had simply become fast walks but because they were still competitive events I felt like I was still attempting to compete. I’m at a crossroads right now and having a hard time deciding whether I even want to do anymore races. So much of the past 15 years has been enriched because of racing for so many reasons, family, friends, travel, goals to set and so on. As you can read in some of my other blogs, the race was often the catalyst for both short and long road trips. Sitting here right now I obviously don’t have to make a decision but I do find myself thinking about it a lot. Time will tell I guess. I’m kind of in limbo with my PNH right now and obviously that makes it difficult to make decisions much less long range plans. My labs before each of my last t...

I bought tickets as soon as they went on sale and had a seat in fifth row, 3rd seat from the aisle and right near the finish line. They were good seats and I sat by knowledgeable track fans which always adds to the track meet experience as a spectator.  Finish line from my seat. The Heptathlon was a highlight of the first two days. It was fun watching two of the athletes that I follow on Instagram, Anna Hall and Taliyah Brooks who were first and second. It was a great comeback for Taliyah who was taken off in a wheelchair after passing out from the heat two years ago here.  I actually had a brief appearance on TV when Sha’Carri Richardson won the 100 and came up in the stands to see her family. It’s been quite a comeback story for her.  It was fun being at the actual event even though I go back and rewatch my TV recordings the next day before I go back to the next session of the meet.  I got pictures with a couple of track legends. The first was Bershawn “Batman” Jac...

Sadly one of the traditions of the 4th that I hate because of how much the stress Charlie. This was the day before and he was already making plans to hide in the bathroom. 😞 Or under my chair if he heard any during the day.  On the other hand a tradition I look forward to each year if I’m in town is the Butte to Butte race followed by Smitty’s blueberry pancakes in Skinner Butte Park. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the race this year after my New England results but it turned out better than expected.  After we all finished our races we went to the park for pancakes, fruit, plant based sausage (new since Smitty’s heart attack) and mimosas. The food and drink was good as usual as was the company.  Next year will be the 50th Butte to Butte and Lord willing we’re planning to do it again next year.