MapMyRun says I’ve run more than 3,800 miles since downloading the app in 2012. More than 2,000 of those miles were added in the past 40 months. Retiring made a difference.

I ran 572 miles in 2021, a whopping 1013 miles in 2022, 495 miles last year and only 80 miles so far this year. I was on track to match 2022 last year before a series of minor health problems slowed me down. I’m fine otherwise–just wasn’t up to running.

Weather played a role. I vastly prefer getting my run out of the way as early as possible. I’m not the postal service. Running when it’s too cold, hot, windy, or rainy is highly unlikely.

Medical appointments, service calls, and errands sometimes rule out a run. I like getting them out of the way early too. I’m not into worms, but early birds face less traffic, fewer delayed appointments because they’re running late, and open checkout lanes–often with a bagger.

I’m in a rebuilding mode. My goal is to run three miles, three times a week. Sometimes I hit it, sometimes I don’t. Going farther than three miles is rare. On the plus side, no more walking. I run the entire way.

Spotify keeps me going. Random upbeat playlists keep me moving and expose me to current hits by popular artists. Topping my ‘On Repeat’ playlist: Miley Cyrus, Beyonce and Dua Lipa.

The more beats-per-minute in the song, the faster I go. “Fast” is a bit of a stretch. I run a mile in 13 minutes, give or take 30 seconds. You can blink all you want without missing me.

Gratitude keeps me running. For legitimate reasons, too many people I know couldn’t run if they wanted to. I plan to keep running as long as I’m able. As always, I’ll keep you posted.