Running into Retirement

I started running in 2007 when I joined a YMCA Boot Camp program. I enjoyed the sense of belonging to a group that reminded me of what I had enjoyed as a high school and college athlete. After a dozen or so years of running, many of them focused on getting faster, running longer, and performing as well as I could, my running began taking on a more social and relaxed approach. Even though the last few years included some races, I didn't really train to race.

My run log shows a variety of race results and distances. Many of the races have blog entry race reports.

11 miscellaneous shorter distances or relay legs
17 5Ks with PR (personal record) 21:33 in 2010, I ran a time trial on the track 21:32 in 2013
5 5 Milers with 35:36 PR in 2010
5 10Ks with 46:32 PR in 2013. I ran a faster 10K as part of my half marathon PR
19 Half marathons with a PR of 1:37:45 in 2011
18 Marathons with a PR of 3:32:30 in 2011 (4 Bostons, 4 Marine Corps)
Ultras: 2 of 29 miles, 7 50Ks, 4 50 milers, one 100 miler but dropped out at 75 miles
24 Hour races: 101 miles in 23 hours; 45 miles in 10 hours 30 minutes before dropping out. 

Related hardware - participation/completion and awards. Plus race shirts, towels, etc have scattered.

I retired from work on May 14, 2021. The day before retirement I ran with colleagues Scott and Hari with whom I had shared training runs and races over the years. We ran 4.25 miles on the C&O Canal towpath near Williamsport MD. It was a fun time reminiscing about running and working together.

I have logged 238 runs since the retirement run. All but 3 were just easy runs, primarily to be with my run group friends. 

My last race was on October 17, 2021 - the Western Maryland Rail trail Half Marathon in Hancock MD. From my log: I started with Monique, but I went out too fast. I tried backing off the pace but seemed stuck in 9 to 9:10 pace. I was averaging about 9:05 by halfway but working too hard. Spent more time at water tables in the second half and was able to hang on to finish just under 2 hours. my watch recorded 13.15 miles in 1:59:42

There were two more events:

September 17, 2021 6.22 Miles in 57:36 for the Great American Relay - On the Western Maryland Rail Trail from Big Pool to Little Pool with Monique and Jill. My wife Rose was riding along on the bike. We ran from sunset into darkness. Were surprised a couple times by deer crossing the trail

October 12, 2022 6.24 Miles 59:21 with Kim for the Great American Relay On the Western Maryland Rail Trail from Little Pool to Big Pool. 

To this date I have not run since thiat day. It was another sort of retirement run.

In the summer of 2022, I started experiencing some shortness of breath during routine runs. I explained it away as the result of my relaxed training. It didn't improve with more focus on consistent running, plus my back started to bother me. Eventually the back issue hampered my running more than the shortness of breath. I made an appointment in September 2022 with  my primary care practice hoping to find whether any health issue was causing the shortness of breath. 

I started a series of blood tests, a stress test and imaging appointments. Finally in January 2023 I received a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer. I started treatment in February and look forward to meeting this new challenge with the same energy that I put into running.