atombuddy

Fingers crossed for Sammy!

Wow, nice going! I've found that tempo runs are a great cure for lagging mojo and general blues, and you seem to be supplying more proof. Good luck with all your runs!

Your positive outlook is going to get you far. Well, actually it already has. Here's to an awesome 2020 for you!

Well done! You're close to my own age, and running better than I am right now, so your example is encouraging to me. Thank you for joining in!

This is way more impressive than I think you realize!

Don't rush it. Let it heal and you'll be back out in the woods soon enough, running all those crazy trail miles. Meanwhile, enjoy parenthood--it goes by really quickly!

I see you sense of humor hasn't diminished at all. We've missed you!

Funny how it works, right? I've slowed down a lot since those peak years on The Loop, and my races are mostly exercises in frustration. And yet...I'm still highly motivated to run, even if it's a minute per mile slower than it was four years ago. It gets into your blood, I guess. What's helped in my case is the social aspect and mentoring aspect of the sport. I run with a big group every Saturday and help coach (and run with) a middle school team twice a week. That by itself keeps me fit, and at our age fitness becomes far more important than competitive success. We were lucky that we had those opportunities a few years back; to paraphrase Humphrey Bogart, "We'll always have Boston." I hope your injuries clear up once and for all--there's still good running to be had!

Ah, Coachella: we used to run a track meet there every year. They actually had a grass track--I guess so that the desert wind wouldn't blow away all the dirt (since all-weather tracks were rare in those days). Nice job on the race and the golf! Considering all the self-indulgence, you did well.

I'm glad you're still at it--you've probably kept The Loop alive more than anyone. And I apologize for being so absent the last couple of years or so. I don't really have a good excuse, but since I slowed down significantly around 2016-2017, I just haven't felt that my runs (and especially my races) have been bloopworthy. The good news is that, even though I don't feel motivated to write, I still feel motivated to run, and have been able to make some adjustments to my routine. Anyway, I applaud your level of commitment, and I should really make more of an effort at least to read and comment here. I still see other Loopsters from time to time, and still treasure all the friendships I've made here.

I was wondering why her career suddenly went down the tubes.

This was so sad. I'm sorry you had to go through it. Please hang in there and keep the faith; remember that Mrs. AB was 38 when she had our son

This brings to mind the steambath we ran in a year ago in Central Park. Remember that one? Good luck taking down GMHLTH!

It was worth the wait: you had quite a month! Congratulations on all of it! And Caribbean honeymoons are a good omen, by the way--we had one 27 years ago. Second row, third from the right, by the way. I'd know that smile anywhere.

As for the person who broke your heart via text: send the bugs to him.