Monthly Archives: May 2026

Bloomsday 2026: So Spokane

Posted on by
Reply

Call me overly sentimental, but I became just a bit teary-eyed as I stood at the 2026 Bloomsday starting line on Sunday. The combination of gorgeous weather, more registrants since 2016, beach balls flying through the crowd, and just the sheer uniqueness and passion of this one-of-a-kind Spokane event had me feeling some type of the way. Suffice to say, once Chariots of Fire echoed through the loud speakers as I crossed the starting line the emotion was real.

What more could I have wanted?

Well, a PR would have been nice.

Me crossing the finish line during the 2026 Bloomsday race. I finished a few minutes short of a PR.

I will give myself this: I am consistent. From 2022-24 and this year (I missed the 2025 race for Disney World), I have finished between 69 minutes – 72 minutes each race. The only problem is that this year’s time was at that slower end of the spectrum. Take a look…

2022: 1:11:27
2023: 1:09:34
2024: 1:11:27
2026: 1:12:42

People start to gather at the starting line prior to the 2026 Bloomsday run. I hung out for about 80 minutes before the gun sounded for us to start.

It was a tad disappointing because I thought this was the year for a personal record. Driving to the race I felt good and I believed the favorable weather conditions would be a fortunate omen. But severe cramping hit once I finished Doomsday Hill and I had to slow my pace considerably. Throw in my advancing age as a factor too—I am not getting any younger.

A photo I took right before the race started. I am not getting any younger.

However, missing the mark on my goal didn’t take away from another successful Bloomsday experience. From the trade show to the STA shuttle race transportation to the race itself to receiving this year’s t-shirt, I had a blast (minus the cramps).

I snapped this photo of Bloomsday volunteers passing out the 2026 t-shirt. If you turn the shirt upside down it will spell out “1977,” the first year Bloomsday was held.

This year I did Bloomsday solo as my brother walked in the stroller division with his wife and little girl. Despite my bro not by my side, I still did my usual. I enjoyed listening to the pre-race music, I received a blessing from Fr. David Gaines as I ran by Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, and I ducked underneath the vulture on Doomsday Hill.

A photo I took of my brother and sister-in-law prior to them starting Bloomsday 2026. I had already finished and received my shirt before they even crossed the starting line.

I also appreciated the unique aspects of Bloomsday 2026. The young man carrying the cross as he ran was incredibly inspiring, the bands seemed louder this year than ever, and the yellow t-shirt with the upside down twist was probably the most creative design since the 1996 shirt.

I would later find out that this young man’s name is Dalton Degroot but when I saw him carrying that cross up Doomsday Hill during the 2026 Bloomsday race, it gave me some major motivation.

Don’t worry, I will be back for Bloomsday 2027. Maybe I will take my wife’s advice and actually train for it (but probably not) to avoid the cramps that last far beyond the actual race. Thanks to the race organizers for another incredible Spokane experience. Don’t Blink.

A Special Homecoming

Posted on by
Reply

Last week our family enjoyed a unique experience. On Wednesday evening, the four of us went to Spokane International Airport not to hop on a plane but to welcome a special group of people back.

Sloan, Sidney, and Beau at the Spokane International Airport to welcome back veterans who were on the most recent Inland Northwest Honor Flight.

We cheered as 90 veterans (89 Vietnam vets and 1 Korean War vet) returned home from a whirlwind trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials relevant to the wars they fought in.

This trip was made possible by Honor Flight, a national network that flies veterans free of charge to our nation’s capital for these very meaningful experiences. Honor Flight has chapters throughout the country and the Inland Northwest Honor Flight group was the local organization responsible for the crew we welcomed back on Wednesday.

Sloan, Sidney, and Beau pose for a photo in the middle of welcoming veterans home who went to Washington D.C. as part of an Inland Northwest Honor Flight experience.

Sidney spearheaded our journey out to the airport. Her employer, Traveler’s, is a major supporter of veterans and for many years has sent an employee presence to Honor Flight departures and returns. When we entered the airport and made it to the terminal ticketing area, Sidney immediately saw some of her colleagues and we went to stand with them.

Sidney welcomed back the veterans with Sloan/Beau and her Traveler’s colleagues as she

Prior to leaving, Sloan had made welcome home signs for her and Beau (so cute). When we arrived at the airport, we were equipped with additional signs and American flags. Although the flight was delayed more than 90 minutes, our children waited patiently for its arrival.

Beau holds his sign that Sloan made him as we drove to the airport.

When the veterans landed and deplaned, they found a large stanchion-formed walkway for them to stroll down. Each side of the walkway was lined with cheering people thrusting signs, waving flags, and clapping their hands. For many of the Vietnam veterans who either received no welcome or a very hostile rebuke when they originally returned to the U.S. from the war, this was finally the homecoming they had long deserved.

A look at how supporters lined both sides of stanchions to welcome home veterans aboard the Inland Northwest Honor Flight.

I appreciate Sidney’s enthusiasm and insistence for us to attend. I think it showed our children that veterans should always be treated with gratitude and respect. Sid is already talking about attending next year and how we need to get a little bit closer to the stanchions so we can give handshakes and high fives to our heroes 😊. Don’t Blink.