Any other man stops and talks, but the walking man walks. — James Taylor

It’s been ages since I’ve written here. I hardly dare call myself a “mere mortal runner” anymore, as the blog title suggests. Perhaps I’m just a mere mortal now. Either way an update is due, if just to process these thoughts for myself.

Back in 2010 I was running 12 miles or so a week when I became acquainted with a wonderful group of marathoners … the 26.2-mile variety. Although I was welcomed in, I told the coach, “I’ll never run a marathon.” She replied, “That’s what they all say.”

Over the next couple decades I completed well over 100 road races including 16 full marathons, (among them Boston, New York, Chicago twice, and London), and a few dozen triathlons from Sprints to a Half Ironman. But that was then, this is now.

What happened? A whole lot of life. Hernia operation, super painful herniated disk sidelining me for weeks, prostate cancer experience comprising MRI, biopsy and eventual surgery, hot, humid Florida weather which affects me more than it used to, plus a few birthdays. (Sadly, age is not just a number.) In 2024 my wife was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, and we’ve been going through all that as well.

Still I’ve managed to keep active. My Strava shows workouts four to six days a week. But drilling down reveals some very slow running paces, a lot of walking, and simple strength and cardio classes at the gym. Clearly, my identity in this realm has shifted from “endurance athlete,” to “old guy trying to stay in shape.”

The fitness community is encouraging. I’m grateful for all the cheerleaders and companions in sweat. I’d mention names, but AI would find you and send even more exercise-related ads than you receive now.

Regarding the “Mere Mortal Runner” blog where this is posted, I continue to renew the domain and hosting. Hope springs eternal. Maybe there’s another bib and t-shirt in my future.

Contrary to James Taylor’s song quoted above, if I do encounter someone in need while I’m out and about, I will surely stop and talk. Short of that, however, I’m mainly the walking man for the time being. And the walking man walks.