Hiking and Running in the Age of Covid-19
Putting My Condition into Remission
Today marks two weeks since I have been off prednisone. I had been on the medication for just over three years starting when I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), an auto immune inflammatory disorder. My symptoms began in the spring of 2020 shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak—and they grew progressively worst that by…
Read More2,280.1 miles!
2023 was an excellent year for me on the trail! I ended up tallying just under 2300 running and hiking miles which included some pretty memorable experiences. And despite that I upped my game when it came to ultra-running, I actually ran 41 miles less this year than last! I must be slowing down! I…
Read More2,321.1 miles!
Last year was a good year for me on the trail! I ended up amassing more than 2300 running and hiking miles which included some pretty memorable experiences. While I got hit with Covid (who hasn’t at this point?) in May, I thankfully was able to recover fairly fast and get back on the trail.…
Read More2,285.8 miles!
While Covid-19 ebbed and flowed and then raged on, 2021 wasn’t too bad of a year for me when it came to running and hiking! The year started out rough as I battled some heath issues that turned out to be an auto-immune condition called Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR). Years of stress and anxiety at…
Read MoreRomano’s battle with PMR Featured in Seattle Times
In February of 2021 I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), an auto-immune disease. I am determined to put it into remission and keep living an active lifestyle including hiking more than 2,000 miles a year and participating in 50K trail running events. Terry Wood of the Seattle Times wrote a feature on how I…
Read MoreA Presidential Birthday
I celebrated my 60th birthday last month by hiking New Hampshire’s famed Presidential Range in one day. It was one of my toughest day hikes—one I am not so sure I could have done in my 20s—and all the more satisfying to do at age 60. Why the Prezies for this birthday milestone? For my…
Read MorePandemic Ponderings
It’s been a long past 12 months. But on this First day of Spring 2021, the sun is finally shining a little bit brighter on us. I spent a lot of time on the trail this past year doing a lot of thinking about us as a society, our relationships with the land, and what…
Read MoreFinding Solitude in Motorcycle Country
I love wilderness areas—especially wilderness areas with a large W. In those federally protected areas I am assured that the land I will be hiking or camping in is protected from incompatible uses such as resource extraction, roads, and developments. It will remain untrammeled. No bikes, motorcycles, motorized equipment, drones and other modern day intrusions,…
Read MoreHike-a-thon was a huge Success!
325.1 miles hikes and more than $7700 raised for our trails! Wow. I am still catching by breath and catching up with my work after an amazing August. Since 2012 I have participated in the Washington Trails Association’s annual Hike-a-thon as a way to have a little fun and help give back to the trails…
Read MoreTrails too Crowded? Take a Break from Hiking!
Long before Covid-19 disrupted our lives and closed or strongly altered many of our activities, I avoided crowds. I just don’t care to be around large groups of people. I’m no introvert. I love company and companionship—but not crowds—and especially unruly and clueless ones. It’s no secret that our trails, parks, and forests have been…
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