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Sorry to hear that things have not been going as intended here, but it has not been a very positive and uplifting year for many of us and I believe most members don’t want to post negative happenings. So with that being said, l have positive plans for the new year that include health improvement, travel, community involvement and snuggles with grandchildren. If we can’t share running tails, at least share our expectations for a better us and new year.

In June of 2012 I began my life changing journey of running. I was drawn into it after going cheer on my daughter as she was running her first half marathon. I did not get to see her train as she lived some 45 miles away and did not get to discuss running with her as she is somewhat of a person who keeps things to herself. Somehow she and her mother talked me into signing up for a 2013 January half marathon at Walt Disney World in Florida. I just think they wanted a winter vacation. With my little girl living away I did my running basically on my own, mostly alone and out by myself. The race day events in Florida came and I finished, my daughter finished and we all had a memorable week in the sunshine. As my running continued, my daughter’s running slowed to just doing 2 or 3 more races, and those were made difficult from injuries before ending all together. Meanwhile I kept on going for several more years, 8 more half marathons and numerous 5K and 10K events. During this time my training and normal running was done on my own and out on the roads by myself. Even my latest half marathon ( Note I did not say my last) became a virtual half marathon, which I had to also run alone. Sure I did run a lot of the winters inside on a track where others would run for 10 or 15 minutes and the elderly would stroll around for a bit, but still I was mostly running alone. On race days, I was not racing, but running to do just a bit better than the last time I raced. Even though I was with hundreds of other runners who where there for similar reasons, I was basically running alone. I think that running alone has been the hardest part of this whole running game. Today my running future is in question as to how much I will be able to do and how far I can run as my body is fighting me all the way. The near future for me just may be limited to short evening walks with the hope of one long weekend morning outing. This will all depend on what my Rheumatologist will tell me next month. Sadly it looks like I will be taking these future walks alone as my wonderful wife has a different exercise and work day schedule than I do. Oh well, I have come this far by being mostly out on my own with my thoughts, I suppose I can do it for a few more years. Hopefully one day, when I retire, I will have someone to walk along with me for many more years and not be doing it alone.

I know, there everywhere, everywhere!

I could name the voices in my head so my conversations make more sense!

I think I will start by setting a regular schedule of just working out, and maybe Santa will get ma an entry to a spring time half. Or maybe a tattoo gift card!

They set right where I left them 3 weeks ago. I have had no reason to use them since then. The cold grey that covers my life has now moved in, in full. I have hopes that I will once again get the chance to use them soon. But the decisions I have made in the past have put me here today. I know that the glow of relief I need will return some day. Until that day comes, they will stay put, but not forgotten. Oh, I suppose that there is a chance of 2 or 3 bright moments that will show up. I look forward to those few short times. There is little that I can do about it in the meantime. Come March next year, things will be better. I look forward to having the need to putting them back on. My Sunglasses! 😁🤦‍♂️ Winter is long and dark here in Wisconsin.

I use to do something love that at the Y track, instead of a dumbbell, I would go down and back up the stairs 2 times. That would kick my butt.

That is a lot of plans to find, You got a system on how to narrow down the selection to a final list of 6?

But you are “The Dave”. I can only dream of being like you.

Good questions Michael. I had put my running on hold for the summer. Well more like all activities that could be seen as a work out or exercise. But that did not mean I was a couch potato, had lots of other things that needed taking care of. I enjoy running and the structure it brought into my life and mind. It was the long runs, the loss of time that I could spend in my workshop, the time spent alone on the roads and in the gym, and the increased time needed to recover my body from running. I want to get back into running, but it looks like 5 miles may have to be my new long run and that is based on where I left off and my current health issues. It is hard to find a running group that has members willing to go short, slow miles with a grumpy guy, not that they judge me, it is not fair to them. So I am looking for tips and tricks to make my running time and gym workout time not so dull, mentally,

How can I put some fun and enjoyment into a new workout plan so I won’t give up on things to soon? That is all. Ed.

The other night I did something that I had not done in more than 25 years, I went cross country skiing. The weather was perfect to enjoy being outside and as soon as the skis were under my feet it all came back to me. The trails across the open white fields were straight and smooth. The back kicks were high and the strides smooth and long. The climb up the hills seemed effortless and the return glide down the other side was fast and refreshing with the wind briskly brushing my face. I commented to myself that the speed felt just a bit slow, but brushed it off as my waxing of the skis is a skill that I never seemed to master. I was enjoying the outing with a few of my buddies and as it is when guys get together, it turned into a competition. Do not think anyone really won or got the best of anyone, just a fun time out. Back at the lodge while getting out of the wet boots and socks I noticed something when tossing my wet gloves on the floor near the fire to dry, the top of my right foot was in great pain. The pain is what I think caused me to awaken suddenly at 2:00 AM and realize that my winter outing was just a dream. I am not too sure why I went skiing in my dreams, but I am happy that Mr. RA let me finish the wonderful time I had out with my friends. I remained awake for the rest of the day and thought about my adventure many times setting around at the office. It still brings a little smile to my face thinking about it now. Just because I have slowed down a lot lately it doesn’t mean that I have given up yet, I still fight on. And who knows, one day I just may strap on some skis and make an afternoon of it.

I had a similar issue but now I do this with my laces. I miss the top of the foot.

Ouch! Stay positive, heal fast.

👍