Dieter.us

And another year of exercise came to and end. Overall a new record of overall millage, probably due to my retirement in May. On the running front highlights included the Uwharrie Marathon in March, the Ridge to Rails Half Marathon in June, the Iron Mountain 16 Miler in September, the Medoc Mountain 10 Miler in October and the City of Oaks Half Marathon in November. Most weeks I ran Mondays at Trophy Brewing and I frequently joined the Wednesday run out of Raleigh Brewing as well as some Thursday and Saturday runs with the Raleigh Trail Runners. Despite specific goals I realized in early December I could beat the 1,535 miles I achieved in 2017 which I accomplished on December 31 by 0.6 miles. Biking was also really enjoyable throughout the year. Some weekend greenway trips with friends riding from Clayton to Raleigh and many rides from home to the local brewery. I only mountain biked about 200 miles, but always at interesting spots such as Old Fort, Lake James, Medeoc Mountain and of co...

Although my official retirement day was the 2nd of June, due to two weeks of PTO I really retired May 16th. I think it may be time for an update on my first few weeks of freedom. Are things as I thought or am I longing to get back? What's left of Work Life? Honestly and most surprisingly to me, I haven't thought about work at all. Not one single second. However, I have thought about the people I have enjoyed working with and I miss them. It's mostly little things, certain behaviors of colleagues or just non work related small talk. Fortunately, I still continue to see some of my previous colleagues outside of work which dampens this. On the other hand, now that I am thinking about work there are some folks and meetings I enjoy not having to deal with anymore. I'll leave it at that. Here are a couple of things that worked well for me entering this new phase of life: Participate in online retirement and financial planning forums years ahead of retirement. There is so muc...

  After Scott picked Stéphane and I up from Dunkin' Donuts at 6 am we carpooled together to the Uwharrie Trailhead  on Hyw 27. We arrived at about 7:30 am or 30 minutes before the start of the race. After getting our bibs, dropping off our donations for the aid stations and finding some other Raleigh Trail Runner friends, we shivered in the cold (40) until the race started. Considering the rain the day before and following, we felt very lucky to have such perfect weather for race day.  The trail of this 26 mile race almost exactly follows the backpacking trip I did in February. Although it took me two days to hike this distance I didn't feel too bad about the situation I have gotten myself into as I had done this race before in 2022 and under much worse conditions. Mile 0 - Mile 6 (Aid station 1) Starting on a relative flat first mile it didn't take long for the 107 runners to disperse into smaller groups. I maintained my pace to follow Stéphane as he led with a good no...

This had been my tenth year running and as always, I am content with my performance. Highlights included the two trail races I ran in the Spring: the Uwharrie Marathon and the Point Break Challange at Hanging Rock State Park. In the Fall I enjoyed running the Tuna 70 Relay and the Richmond 1/2 Marathon. Weekly activities with friends included running Mondays at Trophy Brewing, Wednesdays at Raleigh Brewing and the Saturday Umstead run with the Raleigh Trail Runners. I don't really have specific goals for 2023 other than maintaining current milage & pace and enjoying a few races. I have already signed up again for the Uwharrie Marathon and am thinking about doing a full road marathon in the Fall. Biking was also really enjoyable throughout the year. Many weekend greenway trips with friends riding from Clayton to Raleigh and after work rides to the local brewery. I also picked up mountain biking in the Fall and I enjoy the mix between physical and mental challenge more than I had...