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Several weeks ago, during an early morning run, I saw a female runner approaching me. Under the streetlights, I could tell that it was someone I’d seen before. We’d always exchanged a short greeting when going past one another. But today was different. I was just a few meters short of my turn around point. It also appeared that I’d tdo so at nearly the exact moment that we would meet on this bicycle path. Not wanting to make her nervous, I ended up stopping for about th

Allow me to introduce you to my good friend, ChatGPT. We’ve known each other less than a year, but I have to say that I have come to appreciate the expertise Chat provides. Are You Crazy? That’s for you to decide. I mean, I am quite aware of a number of serious concerns about Artificial Intelligence. Add me to the list of those who are greatly troubled by the economic and environmental impact of data centers. And don’t get me started on the absolutely frightening fears of

I thought I could do it. I really did. I thought that with just one small 5K under my belt I could place in my age group in Iowa’s largest race, the Bix 7. Oh man, I put so much thought and planning into doing this. But when my Garmin informed me of my time for that third mile - much of which was downhill - reality splattered into me like the onslaught from an angry starling above. I was not able to maintain the pace I’d wanted. Indeed, given how I was already starting to

I'm smiling because it's under 90 degrees! "Geez, Rick! What happened to you? When did you gain all that weight?” Whoops. This is June 1997. I was visiting friends, a brief detour from my drive to Wisconsin where I’d start my new job in a couple days. Clearly one of those friends had a knack for speaking their mind. And clearly the phrase, "whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" did not apply to calories. Anyway, let’s go back a couple years. To March 1995, when I’d just a

Yes, this is a typical evening at hour house when I come home. And that kitchen is most certainly not created by AI! 😉 “Honey, I’m home! ” was my usual greeting to my darling wife after a long day of wholesome union work. Then I added, “And I’ve scheduled an appointment with a nutritionist.” All motion screeched to an immediate halt with a sound akin to someone lifting a needle from a record. “You’ve what?” I sought to ease her unintended anxiety. “My darling dearest, I o

We're all friends here, right? If so, then it's about time I come clean with all of you. I'm addicted to running. That's probably not quite a newsflash to anyone who knows me. I'm far from alone in experiencing this particular addiction. There are key reasons why running is addictive that I will elaborate on. And there are points where that addiction can become problematic which I will share as well. Let's Talk About the Science If no one minds, it's time to become Dr. Ri

The closest I ever came to Dan Marino. Dear Rick, This email comes from yourself, sent nearly twenty years from your future. I'm sending...