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.
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!