Mike Experiences The Internet

Category: Athletics

  • 01182026 – The Year of Movement

    This is an official photo of the very first 5K Mike ever walked, the very last Heroes Run 5K in Shreveport, Louisiana. The photo was taken in October 2023, and appears with implied permission from BGC Racing, Inc.

    In my last post, I mused about adoption of a yearly theme; but decided against naming it there because of a pending decision. Fast forward a couple of days (during which I came up with my yearly schedule of 5K events), and I came up with movement as the yearly theme for 2026.

    It ties in perfectly between the admissions process, my progression as a walker/runner; and in general because we seem to be on the go all the time. But it does lean more on the walking/running side of things. After spending the last couple of years walking and running local and area events, for 2026 I am planning to travel to two events, one regional; and one national. Travel will be subject of course, to money and to Abby’s whims.

  • Of Traditions And Such

    It’s Thanksgiving week, and the past couple of years; it’s been normal with a singular exception … that being the local Turkey Trot.

    If you are reading this, are overseas (I know I have some British and Canadian readers); and thinking … wtf is this Turkey Trot nonsense? Allow me to explain.

    A Turkey Trot is a themed 5 kilometer (3.1ish miles) walk or run, and is held on Thanksgiving morning; usually before 0800 local time. It’s been my tradition the last couple of years to walk the race, but this year I will have my grandson joining me.

    We might be last, but we will always be first.

  • How We Move

    I’m gonna talk about how I spend some Saturdays (and occasionally some Wednesdays and other days that end in Y), but I’m gonna set the scene first.

    In September 2023, I went to my primary care physician for a routine checkup. A few days later, the doctor called early in the morning; very concerned about the results he had in front of him. It was at that time, I was given 6 months to live; and that I needed to change what I was doing NOW and get some form of exercise in before I wasn’t around for my family.

    It was about a week later that I signed up for my very first 5K race, the now-defunct Heroes Run in nearby (at that time) Shreveport, Louisiana. I went back and forth in the weeks leading up to the event about whether or not I was going to participate; concerned that I wouldn’t make it the entirety of the event. I had went to go pick up the items that were given as part of participating, and had fully intended on no-showing the race. When I got home, my wife was surprised that I had signed up to begin with; and gave her blessing to race.

    I arrived at the event the following morning, and the rest is history.

    Mike crossed the finish line at the 2023 Heroes Run event sponsored by the Brookshire's Grocery Company. His time was very impressive for the very first of these events!

    If I hadn’t made the decision to participate, there’s a general idea of what would have happened. It has also led me to have friends, where I wouldn’t normally have any.

    I have two remaining events for this year, and then the work begins anew for 2026!