To the Rescue Half Marathon, Houston, Texas, November 21, 2021

Number 82

I  jogged the “To the Rescue Half Marathon” (#82!) In Houston today. I was running on behalf of the First Responders Children’s Foundation which provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. For 20 years, First Responders Children’s Foundation has provided college scholarships for the children of those injured or killed in the line of duty.

It was a Mind over Body experience today. The body wanted to do less. Frankly, so did the mind but the mind knew the correct response and won.......this time.

I ran today, as I always do, contemplating something to keep my mind directed AWAY from the pounding and the pain. Frankly, I was a bit self-absorbed today as I considered the exchange with my cardiologist a few days ago. He very politely reminded me that I am, and will forever be, in congestive heart failure even after the quad bypass and a couple of special medications. Most people operate with an “Ejection Fraction” ( i.e. the amount of the blood your left ventricle pushes out to your body) of 55-65%. My EF is now 30-38% (up from 23%). You are in CHF if you are under 40%. Therefore, this appointment was a tad bit discouraging as I had hoped for more positive news.

“Still in failure” nestled itself in my mind throughout the race. I probably should have not perseverated on it. Yet, my Dad passed at 74 years old due to the same condition. Dad was not in good shape and did little to correct his condition. I am working hard to not repeat the Munier history! My previous hard work and my obsession with staying fit has sustained me over all my years. I have usually adhered to the phrase that “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” So the hand will stay firmly affixed to the plow.

Therefore, as all men with wooden legs do not behave like Long John Silver, so I will not behave as if CHF has won the battle and I will continue to function actively until I can’t. Bring on #83!!!

Best Furry Friends Half Marathon, Houston, Texas, October 31, 2021

Number 81 

I jogged the “Best Furry Friends” Half Marathon today in honor our doggies, Bailey and Gracie Munier and the Freedom Service Dogs of America a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that unleashes the potential of dogs by transforming them into custom-trained, life-changing assistance dogs for people in need. FSD clients include children, veterans and active-duty military, and other adults. These clients live with disabilities like autism, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, post-traumatic stress and more. It was a good run for a great cause. #81 is in the books!

As I have traversed (and run) through 72 years of life, I have experienced and seen many things in my journey that have been wonderful, inspiring and extraordinary. Yet, the events and episodes that have affected me the most are the simpler ones, like falling in love with my wife, running in a cool breeze in the woods or enjoying the adoration of our two doggies. My prayer for all my friends and acquaintances that read these posts is that each of you does not discount the lesser or smaller wonders of life as the fulfillment we get from them may surprise you.

Now, Reason #6, “I Run Half Marathons:”

I get to wear skimpy running gear. I could live my whole life in reduced clothing. Adam and Eve really screwed things up for humankind. No other species has to wear stuff on their bodies. Additionally, I get to sweat profusely without being self conscience about it.

BTW: Bicyclists get to wear the the most colorful clothing, don’t you think? I think they have to because most of them do not obey traffic rules and thus, looking like a peacock helps keep them from getting run over.

Never Forget Half Marathon, Houston, Texas, October 10, 2021

 Number 80

I jogged the “Never Forget Half Marathon” today at Memorial Park in Houston. It was number 80 for this old fella. My IT Band tear is 90% ok, but I must admit, there was quite a bit of favoring of the left leg the last six miles. Eighty-two degrees and 90% humidity was not helpful, either . 

This race was a virtual race ( i.e. I upload a picture of my watch time and distance to a website to verify that I ran the distance plus, I run without a crowd cheering me on). As a participant, I raised money for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The museum is a collection of authentic artifacts, presenting visitors with personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope. As a monument to human dignity, courage, and sacrifice, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and recognizes the courage of those who survived, and salutes those who risked their lives to help others.

Please see the picture of the beautifully etched 4″ medal I will receive for my efforts which shows two New York City skylines: one side of the medal has the Twin Towers standing tall, and the other side of the medal has One World Trade Center in their place. Somber as well as disturbing to this day.

I generally do not engage in political or religious discourse on social media. But after watching a couple of documentaries over the 9/11 weekend, I was reminded of my deep disdain for extreme fanaticism in political and religious thought or philosophies which seem to always lead to harming people whether mentally, spiritually or physically. My pastor, Tom Stipe, use to say, “Sin makes you stupid!” I would add that “extreme fanaticism” also makes you stupid! That is all I have to say about that .... (Forrest Gump).

Now, Reason #5 as to Why I Run Half Marathons:

I stay fit! I weigh the same as I did when I exited active duty in the military in 1975. Some of you have seen me in my dress greens. What you have not seen (under the longer coat of my uniform) is the fact I cannot secure the top clasp on my army issued 30-inch waist slacks. That area has expanded two inches (OK, maybe 2.5 inches). Yet, my doctor says I am a walking, talking testimony to staying fit and thus, making a valiant effort to overcoming hereditarily based heart disease. Hopefully, my effort will allow me to run (and LIVE) for many years to come.

It appears #81 will take place in November with real runners in La Porte, TX. Until then.....blessings to you all!

Houston Aramco Half Marathon, Houston, TX January 16, 2021

 Number 79

One year ago, I was RUNNING hard in the Houston Half Marathon unaware that my heart was operating at half its capacity and had four arteries blocked at 90%. Today, Holly ran, and I jogged, the same race, virtually, with the above maladies repaired. Although 20 minutes slower than last year, the thirteen miles felt very good! I am grateful to be alive to share my saga.

And.......Reason #4 of Why I Run Half Marathons:

It is NOT a Marathon. I have never, nor will I ever run a full marathon. My brother-in-law has run many, and he said it is BRUTAL. I hear you have to sell your soul to the running devils and give up your sloth time in front of the TV, thus missing episodes of The Amazing Race or Black List or, God forbid, FOOTBALL or GOLF! So....I will continue to run my half marathons because they are “Half the distance and twice the fun.”

Number 80 is on the horizon, I just don’t know which horizon.

Dumpster Fire Half Marathon, Houston, TX January 10, 2021

Number 78th

2020 was a year that just kept on giving… kicks to the butt that is! The Dumpster Fire Half Marathon virtual race was set up to say GOODBYE to a rough year!

Well, the race was a dumpster fire all on its own as I jogged in drizzle and a full rain storm for the ENTIRE race. It was cold and nasty. The rain seeped through three layers of clothing and I think I have lost the use of my fingers for the balance of the day. This reminded me so much of running to the rifle range in the winter at Fort Ord, with full pack and weaponry on my person. The only thing that kept me going during this race was remembering how so many of our men went to Vietnam and had to deal with the monsoon season for months on end. My couple of hours of being cold and wet was no comparison and I just needed to hang tough. Hooah!

Next race? Next weekend as Holly and I run the Houston Aramco Half Marathon. Yep, back-to-back weekend races, but I will be ready!!

San Antonio Rock and Roll Half Marathon, December 6, 2020 (Houston, TX)

Number 77 

I shuffled and jogged through my 77th half marathon (13.1 miles) today, six months and one week after having an eight-inch incision (now a handsome and sexy scar)sculpted into my chest to expose four clever little blockages within my battle-worn, 70 year old heart arteries. Nurse Holly was by my side during the trek as we competed in the San Antonio Rock and Roll Half (virtually) at Memorial Park in Houston. The race in San Antonio was cancelled due to COVID-19 and acknowledgment of “during these difficult times” (I am SO SICK of hearing those words) “we cannot stage the event.” As with any of the current virtual races, you have to transmit your GPS running data to the organizers to verify that you actually ran the race. We did so, although I could hardly see my watch because of the sweat pouring from my long flowing locks that I still retain after 71 years of life on this wonderful planet. 

I am sending a picture to my heart surgeon, Cardiologist, ICU nurses, floor nurses and rehab nurses with a thank you note for helping me live a few more years as well as helping me continue to progress towards my goal of running 100 half marathons prior to my 75th birthday, (which is only four years away....YIKES!). The six month layoff has put me behind schedule, but I think I will accomplish my goal if the plumbing holds up. As any plumber knows, when you “sweat” pipes together, there is always the risk of a leak or rupture. 

 Until then, Merry Christmas and a COVID free New Year!

They are going to: Fix My Ticker So I Can Run Quicker, Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute, Houston, TX, May 24, 2020

Asics Kayano 26 Running Shoe.... the BEST!

 

The picture above is a brand new set of Asics Kayano 26 running shoes (basically the only shoe I have ever run in). I will start running in these shoes, once I can do that again, AFTER my surgery. More on the surgery in a minute.

In 13 years, I have run over 17,000 miles (yes, I am Type A and keep track of important things like this.... as well as how often I change my shaving blade [the 15th & 30th of each month], the number of minutes I brew my tea [which is 3.5 minutes] and how many rolls of TP to keep on hand in case there really is a zombie apocalypse [infinity rolls]). That averages about 25 miles a week which accounts for about THIRTY pairs of the above named shoe over 13 years. I buy a new pair every 400 miles. The 17,000 miles also represents three roundtrip runs from Los Angeles to New York City. But that is about to change for a while....

I had an angiogram of my heart more than a week ago, which produced the following results: three arteries are 90% blocked and one is 79% blocked. I will be having open heart quadruple bypass surgery on Thursday, May 28th, to hopefully produce a new ticker that will allow me to run quicker! The only drawback will be the scar between my finely crafted pecks :-) as they will cut through my sternum to get to Mr. Tick-Tock.

It appears that my genes and heredity have caused this more so than my lifestyle (although I do like my whole milk, butter, bacon and ribeye steak). In fact, the Cardiologist and Heart Surgeon both said that my running and active lifestyle (which has included surfing, backpacking, and being a gym rat) has probably kept me from having a major heart attack because the stuff that clogs the arteries did not have a chance to sit too long and got flushed everyday by vigorous activity. They do think I have had a minor heart attack (unbeknownst to me, or maybe conveniently ignored) but they are hopeful they can correct everything and maybe reverse my Congestive Heart Failure. We shall see.

So, at this point, Half Marathon #77 will be in a few months in the future. Number 77 will be a celebration of medical science, perseverance, stubbornness, an insurance exam blood test and God’s grace and healing power.

 

Seabrook Half Marathon, Seabrooke, TX, April 5, 2020

Number 76
Who Would Have Thought? (this title will make since in a minute)


Today I WALKED my 76th half marathon! The Seabrooke, TX Half organizers cancelled the March race due to the virus but they allowed us to run virtually, as long as we could verify our times & distance by sending in the data recorded on a Garmin or Apple watch. We had until Easter Sunday to complete our race. I fast-walked the “race” at Memorial Park in Houston. I have NEVER, EVER planned on walking a half marathon. For me, it just never has been an option to consider....... until today. To find out why, read below and as Paul Harvey use to say, “Now here is the rest of the story.”

The latter part of February, I applied for some additional life insurance which required blood tests. One of the tests, identified that a hormone, BNP was being released by my heart as a natural response to heart failure. I sought the advice of my PCP who referred me to a Cardiologist. The Cardiologist confirmed the diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure through an EKG and an Ultrasound. You can imagine my surprise and reaction (laced with a couple of cuss words, I am embarrassed to say). He put me on medication and I was scheduled for a nuclear stress test.

Last week, Holly and I met with the Cardiologist after I had gone through all the tests. My left ventricle’s Ejection Fraction is 24% whereas most people operate at 55%. He also found a conduction delay or Premature Ventricular Contraction issue which he said can be dangerous. The combined data along with looking at a man who is “not overweight, a half marathoner and all around perfect physical specimen” (I added that last part) he added, “This does not make sense. We need to do an angiogram. I suspect a blockage or that you may have had a mild heart attack at some point.” More cuss words entered my head but were not released by my larynx. 
 
So..... next steps are: 1. Take the medication (Entresto), 2. Stop running (which is equivalent to medieval torture for this guy) 3. Be re-examined in 30 days by way of another EKG and ultrasound, 4. WAIT...... yes, WAIT to schedule the heart catheterization/angiogram once we get past this COVID-19 crap and they allow elective procedures again at the hospital. This last item’s delay is based on the fact that I have NO observable symptoms, thus it is an elective procedure. Hmmmm. Maybe I will start to complain that my heart is fluttering every time I look at my wife! That could be the Golden Ticket.....

Three positive side notes: 1. Because we have caught this early, my Doctor thinks we may be able to reverse this. That is his goal. I like that goal.......A LOT! So does my wife and family! 2. Due to being in pretty good physical shape, my body apparently has compensated for this malady and allowed me to function and do what I do with no observable issues. I ascribe that to the hand and grace of God! 3. The fact that I applied for that life insurance and thus received information about my body that I did not know about and had no symptoms.

Next half marathon? I don’t know. Frankly, I do not want to walk one again. I am going to be fine and RUN #77 someday. Until then......

The Jail Break Run Half Marathon, Baytown, TX, February 29, 2020

Race #75
I just ran my 75th half marathon, the Jail Break Run Half Marathon in Baytown, Texas. The Jail Break Run is sponsored by the police charity - Project Blue. The race took us to the top of Baytown's Fred Hartman bridge (the climb to the top of the bridge was a cruel 5-6% climb) with breathtaking views of the Houston Ship Channel and Baytown, Texas. Monies raised are for police officers who face non-service-related illness and injuries.

For races 75-79, I am going to share my 13.1 reasons why I run these races. I will basically share three reasons at a time primarily because I am so loquacious.  Here are my first three reasons....

74 Medals and now one more......

1. The MEDAL..... Yep, I run for the bling, the shiny thing that usually hangs off of a brilliantly colored ribbon. Vain? OF COURSE IT IS! Not many men get to wear or should wear jewelry (don’t get me started on my disgust for gold chains around the neck, piercings and big gawky cowboy belt buckles). So, for part of a day, I get to strut around like a Super Bowl champion, flaming my stuff. Then I hang that medal on my medal rack with the other recognitions of a job well done. BTW: I put those all around my neck once and weighed myself. 15 pounds of scrap medal.
 
2. The CHOCOLATE MILK at the end of most races. If you don’t like chocolate milk, then you are not my friend anymore. I mean that- I am not joking at all. Chocolate milk is consider a great recovery drink anfter a race, according to Runner's World Magazine. I am pretty sure the manna that the Israelites consumed in the desert was really Borden chocolate milk. It’s in the Hebrew text.....really. I am not lying. I know this because I can read Hebrew (or I use to be able to. I took Hebrew in college). It’s right there in Exodus 16. “Shalom. Bevakasha chalaph the chocolate manna. Todah rabbah.” (Translation: “Peace. Please pass the chocolate manna. Thank you very much”).

 

3. The RUSH of ENDORPHINS. This benefit keeps my disposition in check..... Well...., kind of. My wife has keenly identified my mood swings and her medical diagnosis (she has a two degrees and I think one of them is in medicine or psychiatry or something like that) is always right. She is the first to say, “Get over it Nancy! Go workout and you will feel better.” Darn it, I hate it when she is right 98% of the time. Waaaaait, she is going to read this....... she is right 100% of the time. Glad I caught that. Whew! Happy wife, happy life!

Next three "whys" after race number 76......! 

Always Time to Run Half Marathon, Houston, TX, January 26, 2020

Number 74

Today, I ran my 74th half marathon in Houston. Yep, just one week after running the Houston Half Marathon with 25,000 running fanatics, I made the late decision to run another one.  I ran this half marathon from the Rice Military area of town, along the Buffalo Bayou to Minute Maid Baseball Park and back. The half is called the “Always Time to Run Half” and benefits the Give an Hour Foundation which focuses on providing free and confidential mental health care for our veterans, and their families.

I agree, there is always “Time to Run.” I started my running career in high school as I ran with the cross country team in the fall of my senior year to prepare for wrestling and track season in the winter and the spring. No football for me that year. Like others, I have experienced some athletic success in my life. Unlike others, my successes happened infrequently and without my help. My accomplishments have always been unexpected. Accidental for that matter. In fact, most of the truly magical sports moments in my life have come not because of me, but in spite of me. Again, accidental. I could write them on a 3X5 card. It’s a short list.

Mind you, running as an accidental athlete isn't without its rewards. Some runners can predict their training pace and race pace with great accuracy. For the accidental athlete, however, every run can be like a blind date. Some are extraordinary. Some are forgettable. And a few are truly laughable. (BTW: I went on one blind date in College: It fit the third description and was with a gal who “used” me to get to a Neil Diamond concert at the Greek Theater in LA).

For the accidental athlete, every run or race holds both the promise of enlightenment and the threat of embarrassment. Each mile has the capacity to embrace us or punish us. Every run or race has the potential to be a celebration or a humiliation. The excitement comes in never knowing for sure which it will be. The preverbial “Box of Chocolates.” 

Yet, despite that, there is always Time to Run. Number 75 is on the horizon. I don’t know where or when.


Finishing the last mile at the Houston Half. It ALWAYS hurts!