The Stubborn Tortoise

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...

Well, the hip arthritis has progressed and I may have to consider replacement. Waiting to find out. Plus, going hangry at a suburban conference, a little political frustration and a movie I walked out of. Photo: Actual X-ray of my severe osteoarthritic left hip.

When you're training for and doing ultramarathons, there aren't enough hours in the day to strength train. So, like a lot of people, I skipped it. I did some cursory stuff, but, as I am now finding out, it wasn't enough. I'm back at physical therapy once again, doing millions of squats, clamshells, and lunges, because I didn't do them before. Or at least enough of them. Turns o...

Trying not to have a first-world pity party, but I've had a few major setbacks. Fold in my already-dark mood surrounding my birthday and you get a sort of saddish tale. Appliance failure, plumbing gone wrong, I DNF'd a 10K, no one really helped me celebrate a Big Birthday, and just the realization that I'm getting old...er.

It's no one's fault but mine, but I managed to get the flu over Christmas. Coughing, nose-blowing, feeling crappy. It's the first time that I can remember having this as an adult. I'm improving, but relieved to not be doing Snowdrop this year, because of this. Looking back and ahead a little. Here's to a better 2026!

I saw an acupuncturist who gave me some stern advice that I'm not sure about, but her work was good and I will see her again. I also did the Wild Hare 10K, which went well, save for me wiping out before mile 2. I finished within my second goal time, because I missed the first one. Contemplated my future races and have decided I should keep it short -- at least for now.

I hit a sad realization over the weekend: my arthritic hip won't let me attempt a half-marathon next month. After I ran-hiked an 8K on Saturday, the hip yelled at me all day and night, and I knew if I tried doing 13.1 miles on pavement, I would destroy what's left of it. So, I did what I considered the unthinkable: I dropped to the 5K. Immediately, I felt loss and like the character of Fra...

It's been a few weeks, people. I know. Had a couple of eps ready to go and I changed my mind because I wasn't happy with them. In the past few weeks, I have rekindled my love of running, but also adjusted my plans for a couple of upcoming races out of an abundance of caution -- or pride. And one of you gets a shoutout. You'll just have to listen to find out. :)

Kate Mihevc Edwards used to run for no particular reason, except that she loved it. Then, she discovered the world of competitive running in college and ran numerous half marathons and 13 marathons -- three of which were Boston. On her son's first birthday, she went for a run, like always. As she returned home, her heart rate skyrocketed to 300 bpm. She was later diagnosed with a rare heart co...

Saturday marked the first time I've done what I call "Big Boy" trail races since last November. I was not especially trained for the hilly terrain, but gave it a shot. It was embarrassingly slow, included a downhill tumble, and I considered quitting a couple of times. Mind you, it was "only" a 5-mile (actually, 5.4-mile) distance. I finished, humbled but determined to keep...

I'm signing up for races all over the place. I guess that means getting out of the house and actually running. Strangely, a memory came up on Facebook the other day. It was a photo of me and Orly (Hundo) with Normita looking on as we wrung out our socks midway through a 20-miler. I mentioned that I went out later and got in 3 more miles. (!) Those were the days when I was training for a 50-mil...

I arbitrarily decided to start the seventh season of the podcast because...why not? This week, I give some pro tips to beginners, share the experience of running my first trail race all year and why I think my two listeners (/s) like what I do here.

I did my first race of the year on Saturday. Wasn't great but wasn't awful. Emboldened, I've signed up for a few more races in the upcoming months. It's about time. Plus, a raccoon update and watch the video below for me doing "push ups" at Camp Eagle in 2016. **photo shot in 2017 at Mission Trails in the RGV at my going-away run. I found some race flags and decided to we...

Geez, Louise, it's been a wild few days. My car began vibrating like it did last year when the front control arm/bushing (listen to me talking like I know what I'm talking about) cracked. I fear that the rear version is faulty and did not feel great about driving up to Killeen for last night's Hill Country Strong race. Putting the car in the shop on Wednesday after my summer class (Pod...

The Kerrville flood remains a horrific piece of Texas/national history. I have signed up for a couple of races to help give back to that community. I even kicked in some extra at HEB's fancy Central Market to help. I also signed up for a race in San Antonio next month called Poker 5K. I misremembered the name of the org benefiting from this. Also, a big shout-out to my dear friend, PJ Izaguier...

I have been gutted all weekend by the news of the floods in Hill Country, my playground. I weep for the families of lost children and my former police-reporter sensibilities kicked in this morning when I thought of all of the funerals and small caskets. It's a little too much. There are a lot of factors that played into this disaster. Most are political, unfortunately. I can only hope this uni...

I feel like I'm stepping into the confessional: "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last podcast was two months ago." Ha ha. I haven't really been running. Hiking, sure. I'm beginning to wonder if this is what my future holds. I'm determined to try running again. I signed up for a half marathon in December, so I have that on my radar. Contemplating doing the 25K at W...

I've been making concerted efforts to return to running and volunteering, but sometimes life gets in the way. That said, I am determined to do the inaugural half marathon in December at the San Antonio Marathon. I also take a little time to get political, if you will. Not sorry. I am honestly concerned about what is happening and if you never hear from me again, I've told you why. Not craz...

Tia Banks is a former professional flag football and basketball player. Injuries caused her to switch gears. She took up hiking and in 2021, summited Mount Kilimanjaro in six days. She was sick with an unknown illness but persevered. She has translated that experience into a career as a resilience coach: helping people of all ages to reframe their negative thoughts. Her story is inspirational. To...

It's been a frustrating six or so weeks. Weather and arthritis in my hip and lower back are creating havoc for my return to running. In the last week, I managed to hike 2 miles until my hip yelled at me to stop. Later last week, I returned to the ol' walk-run format. It's a start, but not what I envision. Hoping to get back at it gradually until I can knock out a half or 25K without it killing me....

A dozen years ago I happened upon a book in the middle of a dirt road surrounding a cotton field. It was a Bible. In Spanish. I still wonder why someone who had likely carried it with them across the US-Mexico border suddenly dropped it and left it behind. Were they being chased by border patrol or some law enforcement agency? I will never know for sure. But it got me to thinking about all of the...

A longish story about why I did not volunteer on Sunday at the Bandera trail race, plus some history. Also, why I won't be running Big Bend this weekend. But the real story involves a terrific indoor rowing event at my favorite workout spot , overcoming mental obstacles and treating it like an ultra. Oh, and I threw in a couple of journalism references, explained, along with a nod to my Documentar...

I was reacquainted with some old friends from the RGV and made new ones during the Snowdrop 55-hour relay last week. It was a great experience and I made new friends and supported a great cause. Photo: l-r: Janelle Uroff, Silvia Garza, me, Shanty Rodriguez, Vicki Allen, Norma Lozano

Hey, it's New Year's Eve, and I am looking back a little on the year. This episode gives you a very brief peek at Snowdrop, but more importantly, a look at some creeps from this past year. The last of which I skillfully avoided at Snowdrop. He does not deserve my time or attention, but here I am, outlining his creepy behavior. For 2025, I only want to meet decent men who aren't social retards or w...

As I ready to embark on the Snowdrop 55-hour relay event at the end of the month, I spent some time looking back at times when I needed to muster up my own resilience to help others reach their goals. It is a well I need to rely on for the coming year.