Bloomsday #43 For Me 2024

As I say every year, this race is very special to me.  It is a reminder that miracles still happen.  2012 was the year of my ruptured brain aneurysm. Medically I shouldn't be here to do this race but I am. The gift from God of a full life and the ability to continue to do this and other things I love to do is a miracle.  Not to mention to be here to share life with all of my family and friends. God is so Good!

Sheila and I weren't able to go to the trade show together so I had to get a stranger to take this traditional picture.  

Here we go!  I hadn't trained as much this year because of a little knee issue.  

The scripture above the piano was given to Mike by a friend when I was in the hospital in Seattle.  

43

Not the best weather on Sunday for Bloomsday.  For two plus hours it rained and drizzled.  It was in the 40's when we started.  Love the support of my Bloomsday partner, Sheila.  Through thick and thin, even rain and cold. 

Susan Weber. We see her almost every year before the race starts.  So many people and we seem to be right by her. She didn't want me to take this picture. Can you tell?

Not as many pieces of clothing in the trees.  Probably because there were being worn.  

Here we go.  No helicopter this year.  That was probably weather related.  

We both wore our Team Gleason rain jackets.  Turns out they are waterproof, thankfully. 

A really long line of people. 

This is when the whispering starts in the crowd.  There it is, THE HILL!  You can see it in the distance.  

Long, long steep hill. 

Here we go!

The hardest part is done but we still have 2.45 miles to go. 

The view is spectacular at the top of Doomsday Hill. 

The vulture awaits the participants at the top of the hill every year. 

Katie and Chris were headed home on Sunday.  Katie had sent me a text saying they weren't sure if they were going to hang out to watch us.  Surprise! Chris and Katie cheering us on along Broadway the home stretch.  It was great to have someone to cheer us on! 

We did it! 

7.45 miles in the rain and cold and it was worth every step!  

A quick sandwich in the park and we headed home to dry off and warm up!  

 

Bloomsday Packet Pick-up and Trade Show 2016

Disaster averted!  I accidentally deleted all these pictures.  I really discovered how much I enjoy this picture taking thing.  I was upset.  I kept saying they are just pictures to myself.  It didn't work.  I was upset so off to google for answers.  There is software that allows you to recover pictures but I wasn't going to pay 40-100 dollars to do that.  After 2 hours I finally found an Apple software that lets you do it free.  Yes, 2 hours.  I edited the pictures in my editing software but couldn't export them to put them on the blog.  I tried two different ways and neither worked.  So here they are unedited!

First step is to park the car.  This trade show thing takes a couple of hours.  Lots to look at and lots of people to talk to, old friends and new friends.  Off to the trade show I go!

 Again! Spokane is beautiful!  The Spokane River runs right through Riverfront park.

 A little wild life for your viewing pleasure.

 I am now all the way at the end of packet pick up table.  Well, I have been for awhile.   Almost 63 years old! Time flies!  This will be my 35th Blooomsday.

 Trish, Jackie and Michelle.  The buddies.  I am so blessed with such good friends.

 Sheila has arrived and look who else we found!

 These guys wanted to know all about Sheila's new tattoo.

 Socks, I needed socks.  I do every year.

 We saw Bonnie and Sarah and snuck up on them.  I called their name with my camera ready!  Surprise!

 They were giving out free New Testaments.  How cool is that! Spreading the joy, peace, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus.

We spent about 2 hours at the trade show.  Talking and viewing.  I got my socks and a Bloomsday 40 year shirt.  I had been at home all day with laryngitis so it was great to get out and spend them with the EAOD crowd!

 Sunday this park will be filled with all the people that these Bloomsday runners represent.  I can't wait.

 This race has a lot of significance for me!  I have done it so many years and because of the grace of God and His healing powers I didn't miss one when I was sick.

 I will turn the corner to the finish line and tear up thanking God for my life and all the beautiful people in it.

 The clock will start for us at 9:15 Sunday morning!

 No train rides allowed for Bloomsday runners!