Returning to the Fold

It has been an embarrassingly long time since I have volunteered at a trail race. On Saturday, I did just that.Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was not at the spot where I was supposed to be until about 45 minutes until the race ended.But, I chatted up a fellow volunteer who, like me, used to teach at the University of Texas-Pan American. It was before my time, but it was wild running into someone who also taught there.As always, though, volunteering is a rewarding experience as you encourage people, talk to old friends and make new ones.This weekend, I will line up for my first "race" since my total left hip replacement surgery in August. I don't expect to run much, but I am stoked to get back out there.

I continue to manage running a little more each time I try. I am encouraged, but cautious.I will be a course marshal on Nov. 7 at the Recharge Run at Government Canyon. Looking forward to seeing folks I haven't seen in a long while.Shout-outs go to a couple of my friends, Vivian and Karen, who have completed or will complete ultras in the last week.

If Jenny Gruber's name sounds familiar, it might be because she was on this podcast in 2022 as an extraordinary person. A lot has happened since then. One of the biggies is she turned 50 in September. To celebrate, she did a self-supported 50K on a road near her home in Houston. Gruber has faced some injuries and challenges, but she is moving boldly into the next chapter. She's doing the Big Texas Ultra Championship race on Nov. 7 in the 100K division. This is held at Flat Creek Crossing Ranch in Johnson City. From there, she can be found at Brazos Bend in December, conquering the 100-miler.Here is the earlier episode from 2022.Photo: Courtesy of Jenny Gruber. This is from her birthday 50K.

I finally tried to run a little yesterday over at one of my favorite parks. I mainly hiked, but on these little flat stretches, I picked up the pace.I did not die. I did not fall. I think that is a very welcome development. Hoping to continue the run-walk thing.The great part is it felt good. Nothing ached or dragged. I just felt like I used to.I also reflect on why I may have routinely fallen not long ago: I didn't feel like I was limping, but I think dragging my foot made it easy to fall.Also, some random assortedness.

I signed up for a race! A 10K. It's Nov. 14, so I have a bit of time to prepare. The plan is to power hike the course. Maybe a little bit of running. I haven't tried it since the surgery, so I'm a little nervous. But things are feeling good these days, so I am grateful.Plus, a couple of additional thoughts on how I quit drinking.Annnnnd, I will be attending a rally for the President on Wednesday. I have not lost my mind. It's in my neighborhood, I'm free, so why not? I am genuinely curious about who goes to these things and why. I may report back on this, although I think it will be a certainty because a lot of people are counting on me to tell them about what I see and hear. That is, if I am allowed in in the first place. I may be on a no-fly list.

I was given clearance to travel, row and -- drum roll -- run, as of last week.Don't worry: I'm not crazy enough to try running at 6 weeks post op, but I may try a run-walk soonish.I'm also eyeing either the 5K or 10K on Nov. 14 at El Taco Loco -- hiking, or maybe a tiny bit of running. My friends, Orly and Kathy, are doing the 50K and coming up for that weekend. I figure I may as well give it a shot. And, I have a DNF of a 10K in February to atone for. We will see.

Sept. 20 marks 14 months without alcohol.After the pandemic, my desire to drink more accelerated. I tried taking off a set number of days, but that didn't seem to help. Tried drinking on certain days. Nope.I was tired of how I felt and looked and didn't want to live the rest of my life relying on alcohol.Luckily, I didn't hit rock bottom—I just scraped it a few times.So, I drank what was left at my house and never bought more. I still haven't. This is that story, plus a shoutout at the end for Orville Peck and his new album, Mule.

I figured I should outline how I got to the part about the hip replacement without you having to listen to three years' worth of podcasts.I also slide in a tale about a bad neighbor and the death of one of our beloved community cats, Negrita.Gonna try to do these weekly again.

Corny headline, I know.I'm back. I got a new hip while I was gone. It's adjusting well, despite having to sleep on my back. But I was walking without an assistive device four days post-op. I've definitely been pushing it, but you know me: I'm not a happy sit-still kind of person.There were a couple of post-op hiccups, but things are progressing better than expected. I walked a mile today, which felt OK, despite the hip flexor feeling tight. I've been riding my indoor bike and doing yoga and weights. I cannot wait to get back to rowing and kettlebell classes. Anyway, I promise to be around more these days, so stick with me. It's good to be back.

We all wax romantic about how we will age gracefully and actively...until the day comes when stuff unexpectedly goes wrong. You diligently grind through workouts, attempting to eat right and all that jazz, and then, suddenly, your gene pool says, "Not so fast."How I'm coming to terms with a few things I would never have predicted. My advice: try not to fixate on the problem. I'm still working through this.