Spokanite Thursday Rundown

Thank you for inviting me into your computer, phone, ipad, or other smart device. I am back with another Thursday Rundown so instead of fawning over the terrific weather, let’s get right to the five topics…

True Spokanites – This week marked the three-year anniversary of when Sidney, Sloan, and Beau arrived in Spokane. I greeted them at the airport and although it had only been two months it felt like two years. I posted this video of our happy reunion. I am so impressed by how everyone has adapted. We miss everyone so much in South Carolina but feel so fortunate that we found such a great home in Washington.

Sidney holds a sign my dad made for her and the kids upon their arrival in Spokane.

Bloomsday Quilt – Those people familiar with Bloomsday know that the finisher t-shirt is a huge deal. Kept under lock and key until the first person finishes, participants will guess and debate what color it will be. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if Vegas has odds on it. When Sloan and I went to the Bloomsday trade show on Friday so I could pick up my bib, there was a beautiful quilt hanging that was stitched with every Bloomsday t-shirt over the course of the race’s 46 iterations (47 now). It was a lot of fun to point out to Sloan all the Bloomsdays I had completed in my youth by pointing to its corresponding shirt on the quilt. A photo op was impossible to pass up (Read my Bloomsday blog post).

Sloan poses for a photo with the Bloomsday t-shirt quilt that was displayed at the Bloomsday Trade Show.

Inspiring Morning Drives – How do I know summer is almost here? When I now drive home from the gym, it is no longer pitch black. Instead, the sun is rising and beautiful landscapes are revealed. With endorphins still buzzing combined with the promise of a new day, these sunrises are the icing on the cake for some pretty powerful moments of solitude in my car.

There is something beautiful and calming about these Spokane sun rises that reveal industrial landscapes. This was the scene outside my windshield yesterday morning.

Power Rangers Throwback Thursday – This week I walked into the living room to see Beau watching a classic from my childhood. Sid had turned on the ORIGINAL Power Rangers series from the 1990s for him. I wasn’t as fanatic about the Power Rangers as my brother was, in fact, I made fun of the series to look cool, but it was still a big part from when I was a kid. My impression nearly 30 years later? I couldn’t believe how old, outdated, and low budget everything was! It truly was a blast from the past.

Beau chilling on the couch while watching Power Rangers.

Mother’s Day Challenge – It is Mother’s Day this Sunday and I would like to pose a challenge to you. Make sure to spoil your wife and your own mom but don’t stop there. On Sunday, reach out to five additional moms and wish them a happy Mother’s Day. It can be a co-worker, friend, teammate, acquaintance, or maybe just a stranger at the grocery store. But try to extend the “Mother’s Day cheer” to multiple moms who you wouldn’t usually celebrate. It won’t go unappreciated.

My mom, Sidney, and my sister pose for a photo during our 2022 Mother’s Day celebration.

——————————–

That’s a wrap for tonight. I hope everyone is able to get outside this weekend and enjoy the glorious weather. Thanks for reading and godspeed. Don’t Blink.

Bloomsday 2023: It’s Now A Tradition

We are building a tradition! After completing my first Bloomsday in a couple decades last year, we did it again this past weekend. I once again joined my brother and sister-in-law for Spokane’s signature road race.

Beau took a moment to snap a selfie with me on Bloomsday morning.

As with last year, we all drove in one vehicle to Ferris High School where a Spokane Transit Authority (STA) shuttle took us downtown. On Sunday, our shuttle was pretty full so I was separated from Glen and Carrie. With no one to talk to, I took the 15-minute ride to gaze out the window and psych myself up for the race.

The four of us arrived on the streets of downtown about 90 minutes before our heat of the race started. Oh, did you catch how I mentioned the four of us? Glen’s friend, Grant, had met us at Ferris to do Bloomsday with us. Anyway, because of our incredible excitement, we arrived a bit earlier than necessary. No matter, we made the most out of the hour and a half by playing “Guess the Tune” to the pump up songs blaring from the Bloomsday speakers.

The four of us hanging near the start line prior to the beginning of Bloomsday 2023.

The long countdown eventually elapsed and the moment had arrived to run! I threw my long sleeve shirt on one of the Riverside trees, spiked a couple of the beach balls flying around, and approached the start line. The four of us crossed the threshold together and we were officially on the clock.

Can you spot my discarded white long sleeve on the tree?

Although we crossed the starting line as a group, we would soon separate. I went off on my own, tackling a course that seemed more familiar to me this year compared to the previous year when I navigated it after a long absence. Despite the threat of rain that loomed over the race the week leading up to it, all precipitation held off and racing conditions were perfect. However, despite the ideal conditions, I found myself struggling more than last year. Perhaps I lacked the additional adrenaline boost I had last year from doing something for the first time in a long time OR perhaps it was just because I was a year older, but it felt like I was grinding a lot more in 2023.

A photo of me navigating the Bloomsday course. Thankfully the race conditions were good but I did have to grind.

Despite the increase in difficulty, I actually achieved something I didn’t expect at all—a PR! I beat my time from last year by two minutes, crossing the finish line at 1 hour, 9 minutes. I didn’t bring a watch or phone with me to downtown so I really had no idea how I was doing until I saw my time at the finish line.

Soaked in sweat, I crossed the finish line at 1 hour 9 minutes.

I waited for Glen, Carrie, and Grant to finish the race. While I awaited their completion, I hung out on the Monroe Street Bridge and people watched. I observed as finishers celebrated with their friends, whipped out their phones to check their times on the app, and posed for photos. Watching my fellow Bloomies rejoice in their accomplishment made the time fly by and soon my crew was reunited with me.

From that point it was off to claim our finisher t-shirts. The four of us took a poll prior to the race with our t-shirt color prediction and none of us entertained the idea that it could possibly be black—not that we were disappointed! We approved of the surprise color (black is slimming, folks) and the abstract design.

A look at my personal 2023 Bloomsday finisher t-shirt.

I threw my t-shirt on over my sweat-drenched race shirt and we headed to Flat Stick Pub, another part of the Bloomsday experience that has become part of the tradition. A beer never tasted so good as I downed that mason jar of hops in a few minutes.

After Bloomsday we went for a beer at Flat Stick Pub. The brew I had tasted amazing.

After the round of beers we hopped on the STA shuttle and headed back to Ferris High School. As I got off the bus, I could feel the soreness start to manifest itself throughout my body. But some aches and pains wouldn’t be enough to derail our victory lap. Still clad in our Bloomsday shirts, my brother and I waltzed into a watering hole close to our homes.

Glen with his victory beer and Bloomsday t-shirt at Stormin’ Norman’s Shipfaced Saloon.

The rest of the afternoon was a bit of a struggle. I was pretty sore by this point and battled cramps. But it was a good sore and my wife helped me with my electrolyte intake by running to the store to get me plenty of Powerade. Also, sitting next to a certain 3-year-old made everything a bit better, too.

Beau hanging with me on the couch on Bloomsday afternoon. I used the Bloomsday app filter for this photo.

Will I be back on the Bloomsday course in 2024? You bet. Will I achieve another PR? Doubtful. But regardless, I love the Spokane community and our beloved Bloomsday race. Stay classy, Bloomies. Don’t Blink.

A Bloomsday Triumph

My month of May started with Bloomsday, one of Spokane’s signature events. The road race draws at least 30,000 people annually who complete a 12K/7.5 mile course that begins and ends in downtown with scenic views of the Spokane River, historic neighborhoods, and other landmarks sandwiched in the middle. Growing up in Spokane I ran Bloomsday several times but it had been more than 20 years since I last participated.

On May 1, 2022, I ran Bloomsday after more than 20 years elapsed since I last participated in the event.

I joined my brother and sister-in-law to partake in this year’s race. We took advantage of the Bloomsday shuttle that allowed us to board a Spokane Transit Authority (STA) bus at Ferris High School for a stress-free drop off within blocks of the starting line.

Glen, Carrie, and I on the STA bus en route to Downtown Spokane for Bloomsday.

On Sunday I just couldn’t stop smiling. As I waited in the brilliant morning sunshine for the gun to sound, I felt so fortunate that the worst of the pandemic had passed and that community events could finally resume. It had been a long time coming.

To be honest, even before we got downtown I was already smiling ear to ear. Sloan and Beau wished me good luck before I headed out the door.

Trust me, I wasn’t the only one smiling. The enthusiasm and glee was infectious. Glen, Carrie, and I were filled with joy as we huddled with thousands of other bloomies at the starting line. Bloomsday was back!

As the three of us waited near the starting line, we couldn’t help but realize how far our world had come since the beginning of the pandemic.

There is nothing like that first Bloomsday mile. Running the initial 5,280 feet with the masses while injected with natural adrenaline is simply the best. As we ran by Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral during that opening stanza, Fr. Kyle Ratuiste gave us a quick blessing from the church steps. At that moment, I was at peak euphoria for the day and ready to tackle the course.

I took off on my own and simply enjoyed myself as I navigated the course. Bands, vendors, and spectators lined the streets as there was never a dull moment. At one point, someone on the curb extended a couple of PBR tall boys in my general vicinity.

“Sorry, I ran out of water,” the man said.

I declined but a braver soul who was running close to me graciously accepted the man’s offering. I gave him a nod of admiration.

Interactions like that made the race fun. To see everyone so spirited, runners and spectators alike, made for a fun morning. I crossed the finish line at 1 hour, 11 minutes—a little better than what I anticipated.

I approach the finish line during the 2022 Bloomsday.

Once I reunited with Glen and Carrie we picked up our coveted finisher t-shirts. Always the subject of intense scrutiny, this year’s color and design seemed to be lauded by fashion critics and social media users.

After we all crossed the finish line, Glen snapped this photo (photo bomber and all).

With t-shirts in hand, we headed to the next natural spot—the bar. A beer never tasted so good.

We felt like we owned the bar walking in with our Bloomsday shirts on. Seriously, the beer tasted so good.

Thanks to Glen and Carrie for letting me do Bloomsday with them, I had an absolute blast. And thank you, Spokane, for making such an awesome event possible. Until next time! Don’t Blink.