New truck😁

Ethan helped me find a new truck. We had been looking through the auction and online for a while. Ultimately, we found the one I wanted through the auction. Ethan has been trying his best to get his dealership up and running. He’s done so well, and I’m so proud and happy he has found something he loves to do. I have been wanting my own full size, crew cab Ford truck for nearly 20 years. But, due to financial constraints, have never been able to fulfill that dream. Our company was blessed to do well this past year, and we had everything paid off with no debt, so upon receiving the bonus from Darin, I was able to have enough to pay for the truck. We picked it up a few weeks ago. My principle is to not have a car payment typically. It is so nice!!

2021 Races To Date

Back in February, I did the Sun Marathon, but I died at the end of that race. I finished that marathon in 3:23. My run conditioning has been not that great due to the stupid knee. I figured I needed to get a race in because of COVID shutting everything down. So, at least just get something in just to get the body back into racing.

Nearly two month’s ago I participated in a couple races. I did a Duathlon and a marathon. The Legacy Duathlon is a race event that Nichole, Ethan and myself did together maybe 8 years ago when Ethan was about 17 or so. This time, I did the Legacy by myself and did the run, bike, run event in 1:56:03 which was good for 11th overall and 2nd for my age group. Due to COVID-19, they did not have the finisher medals at the event, so I forgot to go get my medal at a later specified location.  

I was able to do the Wasatch Revel Marathon a week after the Legacy Duathlon. I had saved my leg for the race by not doing much running. I have been experiencing a lot of pain in my knee due to the knee injuries, but I really felt this would have to be a race I’d need to qualify for the Boston Marathon. My conditioning was ok for this race, but the knee gave up on me.  I had been able to keep my 6:50/mile pace up until mile 20. By mile 20, my knee was done. But, I was able to struggle through the last 10K with a “crunching” feeling to my knee every step. I did end up finishing it in 3:16:29 which was good enough for my third year of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I had to come in under 3:20. So, I did come in under the allotted qualifying time.  So, yes, I qualified for a third consecutive year!😁

Knee Surgery

Yesterday was the big day of the surgery.  Coming out of this last marathon about 5-6 weeks ago, I decided it was time to put this unwanted and annoying  knee pain to rest. So, I went into Advanced Orthopedics and asked for an MRI which revealed a torn meniscus. I had all the meniscus tear symptoms, so I was relieved the MRI revealed the same. Dr. Allen would perform the surgery. Nichole drove me in, but only of course after she persisted she drive. I literally thought I’d be ok to drive and didn’t want to inconvenience her. Good thing she persisted because I was definitely out of it afterwards due to the anesthesia.  Nichole and I had a good laugh at the provided shorts they gave me (which is pictured). They looked like balloon shorts, definitely used for all shapes and sizes of individuals. Dr Allen repaired the torn meniscus, cleaned up two bad areas of cartilage and revealed arthritis as well.  Knee cartilage covers the bone to act as a shock absorber, but that was pretty battered as well apparently. So, it was a good thing I had the surgery because I was pretty hesitant due to the financial quotes I was receiving. Anywhere around $4,500-5000 seemed like something I’m unwilling to pay for just a few hours of service. But, I’m grateful the necessary service was performed.