Once a Runner

It’s less than a week until my 74th birthday so that means this blog is coming to an end. Debating now whether to start a new one after this. 🤷‍♂️  My last race as a 73 year old was one Brandy and I did when the last held it in 2019 pre Covid. It was the Gold Rush 5K in Cottage Grove. My sister Donna did the first of two laps with us and then we had a free beer as part of our entry and listened to some good music at the brewery. It was a fun night, unique because the race didn’t even start until 8:00 pm.  We’ve been pretty fortunate with our weather this summer until this week we’d only had a handful of 90+ days. That changed this week with 90+ every day. We’ve got fans running all over the ranch for all the animals. Last night the horses were left out all night after it cooled some because the barn was so hot.  In an attempt to help the Saints beat the heat pools were put in for them.  Smitty took me to breakfast for my birthday and we ate at a place in downtown Sp...

It’s been a tradition to do races on the 4th of July for years. After my health issues brought on by my races in June I didn’t think it was going to be possible this year to pick it up again after a two year Covid hiatus. The last time Smitty and I met for breakfast we talked about the possibility of doing Butte to Butte again along with his traditional blueberry pancake breakfast on the river after. I signed up knowing it would have to be a day of decision.  I got to the race and was still not sure I felt good enough to do it but after getting out and moving around for a while I decided to give it a go. I’m glad I did. It was good being out there with the running community again. My time was a slow 49:49 but it was my second fastest of eight races this year.  After the race I drove to Starbucks to get coffee for the breakfast.  Then I went back to the race in time to see Larry and Smitty finish and also to congratulate and get a picture with Ben Blakenship the new record...