On the Trails Again (Should be a Song)

It was cold, just twenty four degrees but with the absence of wind it was quite comfortable to join my trail group Sunday morning for the first officially “sanctioned” trail run since surgery. The main group would run eleven to thirteen miles with large hills thrown into the mix. I, along with a couple others, would be content with some seven plus miles. Finishing an hour or so ahead of the main group, I decided to “spoil” them one more time with Hot Apple Cider and treats after the completion of their run.

A day earlier I provided an aid station at Hamburg road for a small group of runners running the Catoctin 50K course. (The Winter CAT). They could not of had better weather, no snow on the trails with temperatures in the thirties and forties during their run. While I would have preferred to be running I was content to help.

Saturday evening the annual Steeplechaser Banquet was held. I was honored with the Anderer Award which recognizes service and contribution to the running club. I knew I was going to receive the award even though I protested to the awards committee that my “service” to the club was simply too much fun to justify such an honor.

What I didn't know was that I would also be recognized along with two other runners, Beverly Black, who has recovered from a bad stroke and Rick O'Donnell who is dealing with Cancer a second time. Rick has been a true inspiration to me; his cancer is being managed with little chance today of a total cure. He has perhaps the best outlook on life among all I know and lives each day to the fullest.

As I received each of my awards I would return to Susan amidst many high fives and hugs. The amount of love, compassion and support from my fellow runners and my wife almost started a torrent of water works which I would have found difficult to control if it had started.

The only negative aspect of the evening were multiple trips to the men's room, followed by minutes of barefoot walking along Carroll Creek to cool off burning feet.

My recovery crawls along, emphasis on the crawling part. It seems that my body has settled into a three or four day routine wherein I feel pretty darn good followed by a difficult twenty four to thirty hour period. I have not been able to connect the pattern with diet, activity or sleep and hope I will settle into a more predictable routine sooner rather than later.

On February 17^th I am planning on participating in the American Cancer Society's “Relay For Life”, which will be held at Mount Saint Mary's College. The Relay Director has approached me about being the Opening Speaker at this years event. I will have to decide quickly, I'm just not sure I could keep myself together speaking about my journey while it is so fresh.

Keep Smiling, Stay Happy...... Mike