Rick Is Gone

A friend passed away early Saint Patrick's Day morning after his long fight with cancer.

I do not have the words to express the depth of my sorrow for his wife, daughters and family. I've written about Rick O'Donnell before and though we knew this day would come it still is difficult. There will be a service this Saturday, I won't be there as I will stick with my plan to run Terrapin Mountain. I know that Rick would have wanted it that way. I will run now with my Mother and Rick as inspiration to give the best I can.

I have written before that my hands and feet are “New Barometers” of heath. I learned of Rick's passing early Sunday morning, just prior to heading out for my group run. It was chilly outside, just a bit below freezing but I was comfortable while running. We ran eight and a half miles at a decent pace, I felt strong when we finished, yet minutes later, for the first time in months fingers on my right hand went partially numb. Later, at home, nice and warm the numbness in my feet increased and my hands hurt. A couple of aspirin helped and later in the day I felt good enough to drive Patrick back to school. (End of Spring Break)

My buddy Larry has his birthday today, tomorrow it's Mel and Mom. (Mom would have been 82)

Happy birthday all !

Mike 

PS> Just got my Terrapin Seeding and the "Pressure is Off". Last year the race director (by mistaken identity I think) , Clark Zealand seeded me fourteenth which is exactly where I finished..... this year ........ 55th. Pretty sure if I have a decent race I'll more then live up to those expectations !  Bring it on !