It has been a while since my last (somewhat dramatic) post…That was back in mid-October 2023 and we are now almost mid-May 2024. Lots of positive change and plenty to be happy about.

The challenge of my recovery from the bike crash was something I approached the same way how I prepare for a marathon or a triathlon. I know what needs to be done and I set myself to the task. In fact, I probably was more diligent with my recovery than any other race I have ever taken part in. Primarily as I wanted to get back to normal as soon as possible. Whatever was required, I made sure I stuck to it. I was doing my required rehab exercises up to three hours every day. I could feel I was getting stronger and looking forward to the future with a renewed and fresh outlook. The best part was when I saw the surgeon in mid-November. He was astonished about my progress.

My appointment with him was to determine if I needed the surgery on my clavicle which would have set me back another few weeks of recovery. Earlier that week I had to meet with the physiotherapist for a final report. The physiotherapist was really happy with my progress. Everything he set me to do I achieved if not a bit more. He put me through all the same tests we had performed from our first meeting six weeks earlier and declared that had he not known what and where my injury was he would not have known I had one. I was very hopeful when meeting the surgeon later that week. He declared that what I had achieved was amazing and based upon the x-ray and the tests his aide put me through there was no need for the follow up surgery. He even said he wouldn’t stop me if I wanted to ‘drop and give him 20 pushups’. That didn’t happen. He told me I had no restrictions and just try not to do anything really dangerous for a few months!!! I was elated. I came home and celebrated…by going for my first run in three months. Even if it was only around the neighborhood it was a victory.

I had told my wife earlier during my recovery that my ultimate goal was to make it to the start line of our annual Thanksgiving 5 miler race. She was really happy I was able to meet my goal…not so happy when I told her I had secretly signed up before I got approval from the doctor…but we made it to the start line together as a team. She was amazing through this whole experience and I can never thank her enough.

The day came for the Thanksgiving race. While it was cold, the sun was shining. We ran the whole race together at a comfortable pace and I started to get emotional as I knew I was going to complete the distance. I think it was my longest run since the accident. Needless to say I was overjoyed and humbled to cross the finish line with her that day. Thanksgiving for sure!!!

I spent the next couple of months getting back to fitness, running a little longer distances and keeping up with the arm exercises that they gave me at the physiotherapist’s office. I actually track my arm strengthening exercises now with the goal of doing them at least 5 days a week. I was never this diligent on other types of exercises other than running, biking and swimming, but it’s never too late to try new things…especially when they have a positive impact.

Over the holiday break we went out as a family for dinner. We had found a new restaurant near us we had never tried. On this particular night as we ended the dinner they brought over fortune cookies. My fortune made everyone at the table laugh…proving that they are completely over my accident for sure!!! Here is my fortune:

As we had postponed all our fall races from 2023 as I recovered, my wife and I decided to look for a spring race not too far away which neither of us had done before. I suggested the Coastal Delaware Half Marathon down in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It was near(ish) and would be a nice opportunity to see the shore for the first time this year. It was scheduled for mid-April and allowed us to get some outdoor running time in after the cold winter months.

Due to work, we could not get down early the day before to pick up our race packets, but the race allowed us to sign up for early race day morning packet pick up which was easy to do. As it was the off season at Rehoboth Beach there was plenty of street parking near the start line. Once we had our race numbers pinned on we had a short walk to the boardwalk where the race started and ended. It was a glorious sunny morning and not too cold so we did not need to check a bag.

There were a number of different distance races going on at the same time but all were staggered so there was never any major congestion of runners running the different distances. Indeed, all the races were very well sign posted with different colored mile markers and direction arrows to match the color of the race bib runners were signed up for.

We started out on the boardwalk but were quickly off and running through the neighborhoods around town. The roads were easy to run on and the volunteers very helpful in providing the right directions to the runners. After 3 miles or so we entered the Gordons Pond and Cape Henlopen State Park for approximately six miles of the race. It was amazing. One of the prettiest and relaxing runs we have had in a long time. It was an absolute joy to be running in great weather with great views. There were plenty of volunteers in the park to keep us in the right direction and manage the water stations. The landscape was amazing.

We were running at a comfortable pace pretty consistently the whole race. The terrain was mostly flat as we were running along the coastline and the temperatures were perfect. It was such a relaxing run. We were both smiling the whole way.

As we left the state park we only had a few miles to get back to the boardwalk and the finish line. The crowds on the way back in were really supportive and there were plenty of cheers as we ran up to the finish line. As we crossed the finish line we were give a beautiful medal and all runners received a really cool trucker hat with the race logo. There was an after party provided by Grotto Pizza one of the main sponsors. It was held in their restaurant courtyard and all runners were welcomed in for pizza, pasta, salad and drinks. There was even some race gear from the expo that we had not had a chance to attend. My wife found a cool race jacket that really suited her. I’ve never finished a race and be treated so nicely. For real. The pizza was great and we both plan for a return visit to the area. Maybe the marathon next time?

This was my first ‘big’ race since the Ironman and it was an amazing day. The race organization and communication was first class and I would highly recommend this race for anyone near the area. Or even if you want to travel to run. Well worth looking into.

A week later, and somewhat last minute, my wife and I decided to sign up for the Bookin’ for Lookin’ Foundation 10k. This is a local charity race benefitting the Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It started and finished at Council Rock High School (where my wife went as a student) and runs through Tyler State Park which is about 20 minutes away from where we live. It was a little chillier than our previous race a week earlier in Rehoboth Beach and I may have been a little underdressed, but nevertheless it was a fun race for a great cause. I had not run in Tyler for a long time due to my accident and this race was a reminder of how hilly it is to run there. Still, we put up a decent time and as planned ran the whole race together. We were however glad to get back to the car and head for a hot cup of coffee.

Our next event together was the 2024 Broad Street Run. This again was a last minute decision to sign up for the lottery when it opened. Both of us have run this race a few times before but we have never run the race together as there was always a reason why we could not both do it together. Maybe now that our boys are more independent and don’t necessarily have to be everywhere at the same time allowed us this chance. My first Broad Street run was in 2011 and at that time this was my goal race. The longest run I ever thought I would ever do if I was able to keep running…how things changed over the next few years.

My wife was not able to attend the expo with me so I headed down solo this time. It was a fairly small expo considering the size of the race (about 40,000 people) and I was in and out quickly, although I did get a chance to stop by a booth my friend Scott and his wife were manning to catch up with them. The hardest part of this expo was the logistics. It was being held the same weekend as a FanCon and I had to negotiate through people all dressed up and painted head to toe representing their favorite fantasy character or superhero. I will say there was some impressive efforts there.

The biggest challenge for the Broad Street Run is for all the runners to get to the start line on time. The race is a point to point 10 mile run. This year the start time was brought forward to 7:30am. This required us to get up a little earlier than prior years, drive down the sports stadium area and take a subway from the stadiums up to the starting line…with thousands of other runners. The subway station was crowded and we were the at the first station so as long as we could get on the subway car we would make it to the start.

We just missed a train but were first in line for the next one to pull up. My wife was very lucky to find a single seat by the door and was able to sit almost in her own private space while I was standing making new friends very close up for the whole journey. It’s funny when the train pulls into a station already full and more people try to cram on when there is clearly very little opportunity to add more people…yet, they do.

We got to the start line around 7:20am and there was no way we could make it down to our starting corral. There were just too many people in the way. We found a gap in the barriers and jumped in to the nearest corral we could which was close to our corral. The race had already started by the time we got into the corral and the first three or four corrals had crossed the start line before we had the opportunity to get moving.

The weather the week leading up to the race was glorious and warmer than seasonal temperatures. However, the day before the race this all changed and it was raining lightly when we arrived at the start. Luckily we were prepared for this and ready to go. While it was a little wet, the rain for the most part held off for the whole race.

As we ran down Broad Street we were on the look out for my wife’s cousin who attends Temple University. We found him easily and he was waiting for us with a water bottles for each of us. That was very welcome. Despite the weather the crowds came out and the support along the course was amazing.

My wife and I settled into a nice comfortable pace and really enjoyed our morning. It was funny to see my wife high fiving everyone as she passed the crowds…that’s usually my job but she was clearly having a fun time. It’s a net downhill race so that definitely helps!!!

We made it past the stadiums where we had parked at around mile nine and then continued down to the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the finish line. The crowds were out in full force along the last mile and we were happy to make it into the Navy Yard for the last quarter mile to the finish line. My wife had her name called out as we approached the finish line and we crossed hand in hand together.

As the race is so big the organizers rush you through the finish chute towards the field at the side of the finish area where there was after race food and water. It was not until we had gone through the refreshment tent that we received our medals. This year there were thermal blankets available for runners after the race. I had never seen them provide these before for the runners. It was very welcome as we had to walk back about a mile to the car. One thing that they didn’t have which is quintessentially Philadelphia is soft pretzels. After 10 miles that would have been fun. Oh well, maybe next time.

We were lucky, as soon as we got into our car and headed out of the stadium parking lot the rain finally came…and hard. We finished just in time to get the best of the day. It was a great time running this race again, this time with my wife. Not sure I’m one of those people who will sign up every year for this race but the chance to run with my wife and run fairly local with great crowds was fantastic.

Now we are setting our focus on the races we had to postpone after my accident last year. Up next is the Atlantic City Marathon in October which we will be running together. Next up is the Princeton Half Marathon in November. My wife has run this in the past and I have signed up before but had to skip to race chase her in the New York City Marathon. This will be my first time running this race. A little later in November is the Philadelphia Marathon. My favorite as it was my very first marathon. This year will be my 10th Philadelphia Marathon and it will also be my 30th (official) marathon overall. We already have a 2025 race booked…more details on that later.

Don’t call it a comeback…it’s business as usual.

Thank you for reading.