Bloomsday #45 2026

Sheila, my Bloomsday partner, and I couldn't coordinate going to pick up our numbers at the same time.  I thought I would get to the trade show early on Friday morning and beat the crowd.  That didn't happen.  I got there early but there was a huge line to get in all around the block.  I did not wait in the line. It took at least 20 minutes for the line of people to slow down so I could just walk in.  I sat and talked to a nice young lady until we could walk right in. 

First thing I did was get a new quilt picture. 1980 was my first Bloomsday. I did miss one for knee surgery and another for something I did with Mike.  I didn't live in Spokane for the first three. This is number 45 for me.  

This is the nice person that I hung out with before we entered. 

I don't know if the trade show has just gotten less interesting or if I am just used to it after all these years.  It just doesn't have the same things it used to.  I did buy licorice.  

Here we go! Bloomsday!

Such a beautiful park.

I always look for the helicopter. This year I got no picture of the helicopter close up.  It's there in the middle of the blue sky. 

Sheila and I were in the orange group this year.  

We are ready to wait to start! Always sporting Team Gleason. 

And the tradition continues. Not sure why anyone was wearing a sweatshirt this year.  It was sunny and warm.  Perhaps they just brought the sweatshirts to throw them in the trees at the start.  It's a real skill actually getting them in the trees.  I have tried with no luck. All clothing is gathered and donated. 

We are moving! 

And Bloomsday officially begins for Sheila and me. 

This is the one downhill it seems like.  Everything else seems to be uphill. 

Sheila knows one of these band members.  

Here we go.  Getting closer to Doomsday Hill! 

Look closely.  You can see the little figures climbing Doomsday Hill. 

And of course, the vulture at that top of Doomsday Hill. 

There are bands all along the course. 

Now we can say we are almost done.  .46 miles left. 

And Sheila and I did it again this year.  I'm already excited for next year. 

The one picture missing is the picture of the shirts at the end of the race.  We didn't take one so I just took a picture of the shirt at home. I totally missed that upside down on the bottom of the shirt was the year of the first Bloomsday, 1977.  It's a great shirt to commemorate the 50th Bloomsday. 

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!