Bloomsday Mail

It is “pat-on-the-back day” today so indulge me for a moment.  I received this little item in the mail over the weekend.  10th in my age group in Bloomsday 2015……on a bad knee.  That’s not so bad. Right?  It is funny…I am looking at my collection of these medals.  Prior to 2011, I hadn’t ever been in the running for an age group medal.  Not even when I was racing collegiately.  Then in 2010 I joined the SDP (Spokane Distance Project) and other than my hip replacement year (2012) I have achieved GREATNESS each year.  Greatness of course is a relative thing, but honestly, I couldn’t be more pleased.  I knew I’d get back to running, but running at this level?  I wasn’t so sure.  It is true, perseverance does pay off. Staying in shape, staying optimistic and outlasting others has its positives.  This is one of them.

So the plan on the knee is as follows:  First….I MUST play in Hoopfest.  Hoopfest is the world’s largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament that has been going on in Spokane since 1990.  I have never missed it.  Not even during the year of my hip replacement.  Hoopfest takes place at the end of June.  Then on July 16th  I get my right knee scoped.

Hopefully, the recovery time won’t take too long because in October I will be running the Spokane Half Marathon with fellow long time Hip Runner Dave Whiteside.  One of my goals for this year was to plan a race for Hip Runner where we could all meet and enjoy a good run.  Dave has taken me up on this one.  Are there any other takers?  There is still time….Otherwise, please consider the 40th running of Bloomsday in 2016.  It would be awesome to have a large Hiprunner presence at this awesome event.

Hip Runner is growing.  As of right now, we are 3 people away from having 300 members.  So come on people!  Get-Those-Hips-Replaced!  🙂