Photo above: In Chicago last month.
May
5/31/2026.
Did you know there was a"National Smile Day" since 2018??? It is TODAY! I didn't know that. Try to search "smile" in your photo app (in your phone). There are many "smile faces" in there that you photographed by yourself. Fun.
Stories about my chalk drawings are found here (scroll down to the dates 8/9 and 8/16).
5/30/2026.
Learning about AT Thru-hike: updates.
I found a Solo female AT hiker YouTuber coincidentally. Her videos can teach me "how Solo female hiker looks like at AT" in real time because she is in her quest right now (it looks her Day 91!).
Wow, it looks like "unreal" to me, though.
5/30/2026.
Did you watch the news? We have to visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton!
Because, here is the website.
The exhibit title is "Iconic Starfighters: Rivals of the Silver Screen" and it will be on display through Dec. 31, 2026. See? We have to go to see it. We cannot miss it.
5/29/2026.
As you know, (I’m giggling) I gave up some plants/flowers/veggies/fruits to grow in my garden because of deer (and rabbits). We live (kind of) together sharing my yards, keeping peaceful distance. I can keep talking about this theme forever. Funny. I admire my neighbors. One of them set up deer alarm system, one of them built vegetable garden with tall strong fences. I awed watching them.
I once tried to cover my white clematis “every single night”. It was time consuming really, but it was worth it to try anyway. There were many beautiful blooms at that time. I was happy.
Then I gave up to protect them. The result = White clematis was gone. (I meant it’s gone, gone forever.) I’m sad because I loved them very much.
A photo below was May 2021.
Here, I was celebrating my "victory" against deer.
Purple clematis is now getting weak, I can see it. I’m sad for them. But it’s still alive and blooms.
Since it stands at the corner of my fence, I put a long wood so that it could grow vertically. Yes? Sometimes I ask our son to tie with a string to stay. I did this year as well. It was growing anyway. Then guess what?
Somehow deer love that corner place very much and they munch it and pull it so hard. The top part of the clematis pulled off from the wood completely. Sigh.
I’ve heard the local nursery has a special spray. I think I should try that. Anyway I still see “some” blooms.
5/28/2026.
In these days, I try to keep eyes on my gutters and roof because I had a very bad experience before when I fixed gutters. I even don’t want to think back. However documenting these kind of bad things is always a good reminder for myself. That is true. If you are curious, check out the story on 8/26/2023.
I was on the roof to check after the rain. Then I noticed something bad (again). I was mumbling to myself “This is not good, not good, not good.”
The gutter at the upstairs (2nd floor) was about to fall off completely(!). Can you believe it? Several bolts were not screwed in. They were off. I was freaking out. It was after the heavy rain. It would be falling off completely if next rain hit. Yes, it looked that much bad.
I texted my contractor-friend for advice. After the memorial weekend, he and his son came to rescue(!). They saved us literally. They told me “I don’t believe it still holds there.”
It was just a good timing as well because next rain hit here right after they fixed it. The fixed gutter works fine. I am relieved and I feel safe now. I am grateful for having skillful knowledgeable thoughtful contractor-friends.
Note: Our son was able to watch how they do this time. He learned from them well. They made me smile.
Being a home owner is tough. I feel so often.
Entry#590. 5/27/2026.
We, three of us (my husband, son and myself) love being in wilderness, in nature, in the mountains, especially mountains in Colorado.
We also used to trail run together. We did backpacking together. My husband and son, they taught me “how to do backpacking” because I had no skill and knowledge for it. It was a fun time for each other. They showed me their skills and I learned a lot from them.
Recently, I’ve been hearing more and more about some specific terms related with backpacking.
One of these is: AT = Appalachian Trail
Have you heard or read about Triple Crown Trails? According to the webpage:
“The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail comprise the Triple Crown of hiking in the US. These trails fall between 2,000 and 3,000 miles and traverse some of the most stunning wilderness in the country. Hikers who complete all three of these trails earn the lofty title of Triple Crowner.”
Real trail hikers call these trails as AT, PCT and CDT. (I assume?) I have a friend-family, their three sons did PCT!
Now I noticed that one brave Oxford lady started an epic AT Thru-hike(!) now. Amazing. If you are Oxford resident, you know her. Because her parents are famous in town (I can say that). I got very excited about this news because I feel I am one of her “aunts” (may I say that?). I really want to follow her epic adventure at the AT. Plus she gave me some opportunities that I can learn something new (again). For example, I needed to look up the term “thru-hiking”.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/thru-hiking-basics.html
And “Flip-Flop Hike”(?!). Do you know about it?
https://appalachiantrail.org/experience/hike-the-trail/thru-section-hiking/flip-flop/
I looked for a photo that she and I are in the same photo. I noticed I dint have any recent pictures of us. She is same age as our son. I did Girls on the Run when she was in. I found an old photo that was a school music concert. Well, I'd love to take a photo with her someday in the future. I definitely will ask her autograph to her then.
I need to emphasize "Why this is so epic" part. Imagine what her adventure looks like. She is doing a SOLO hiking trip. She will take more than 10 weeks (it's our estimate calculation). She will be in wilderness until end of August (yes, from now). Of course, she will stop in several towns to refill foods/ necessary items. But the idea is "keep hiking at AT over 3 full months!" Can you believe it? That's why it's epic and she is BRAVE.
Our son laughed at me because I looked too excited. But, you know? I am not a long distance backpacking person at all. (To be honest, I don’t have any desire for it.) Still I am happy for her that she just began this epic Thru-hike she’d spent five years planning. (According to her IG comments.)
The great part of Social media world is people can see and follow her adventures through Social Media. Her media is IG (Instagram). I’m not a heavy user of IG. But I’m grateful that I knew how to start following her.
It’s like I’m watching a world famous YouTuber. I’m sending a cheer for her. (I’m hoping “no illness, sickness and injury.”)
You know? My husband and I are now handcyclist/cyclist. We are seeking /looking at great “bike trails” out there more than these AT, PCT or CDT. But like I said, still it’s great to know about these stuffs.
5/25/2026.
I think I am a kind of person who is easily deceived or get fooled easily. (Or do I say I am too ready to believe in anything I see/hear?)
Once I wrote about Cherry Thing-a-Ling in Batesville, IN. Do you remember? Click and scroll down to find these dates.
2/20/2024. 2/11 and 2/12/2025
This was a success to myself. I became a fan of Cherry Thing-a-Ling since then.
This time, I convinced my husband and son to try Tom&Chee’s Grilled Chee Donut. I told them “It looks so delicious on YouTube video. We should try it.” (I wrote about it below on 5/24.)
So here we are. We got a chance to taste “world famous dessert” in West Chester, Ohio! Very funny, isn’t it??
To be honest, I was not satisfied with this, not so much. (Sorrry.) My husband and son were laughing at me. My expectation on this thing was too high, I guess. It was a good experience anyway.
As I wrote about "pun" before through Talawanda Mock Trial teams stuffs, every time I see something like this, it made me smile. It made me feel "I know, I know pun."
5/24/2026.
How is your Larkspur doing? My first Larkspur of the season is here.
And how about your Torch Lily??
5/24/2026.
Sometimes my husband (and our son) discovers some interesting info from YouTube or social media. This time, it got so interesting to me.
Have you visited Tom&Chee before? Are you familiar with this restaurant? I’ve never been there. It looks the original first store started in Cincinnati.
Well, my husband discovered the very famous YouTuber “BeardMeatsFood”.
“Adam Moran (born 8 July 1985), better known as BeardMeatsFood, is an English competitive eater and YouTuber from Leeds.” (According to Wiki).
https://www.beardmeatsfood.co.uk/
You’d like him, once you watch his videos.
My husband showed me one of his videos. He is a Competitive Eater!! Guess what?? He visited Tom&Chee in West Chester, Ohio to challenge their food challenge meal! (It’s our kind of neighborhood area!) It was in 2024.
It says “The Baker's Dozen challenge consists of thirteen grilled cheese donuts, all of which must be eaten, with the aid of only one 24oz drink, inside 10 minutes!”
After I watched the video, I really got a feeling I want to taste that Grilled Chee Donut! How about you?
It's "Ohio thing" or "Cinci thing", you know?
Entry#589. 5/21/2026
I have one brother who is one year younger than me. His wonderful wife is a hairstylist. She does my parents’ haircuts. Very nice. They have two cute daughters. 4th grader (She will be 10 in June) and 2nd grader (She just turned 8!) They all live in Sapporo, Japan, near my parents’ house. Girls visit my parents often and they give my parents so much laughter and happiness. I’m grateful for that.
To be honest, I am a not-so-good aunt for the girls. They are my nieces. My mother always share stories about them with me. I can keep up “what’s happening around them + what’s new to them right now”, reading my mother updates, thanks to my mother.
However I am a bad aunt to them because I haven’t met them in person (yet)…… see? How bad is that? Can you believe it? Big sigh. I’ve celebrated their birth, birthdays, holidays, Christmas for them from here in Ohio. But I’ve not visited them to see their faces yet.
Our son visited them once in 2023, when he traveled to Mongolia as his solo trip. That was wonderful of him to do it really. I can share a photo of them in 2023.
Recently my mother showed me a photo of Mother’s Day’s gathering. Here.
This photo made me curious very much. The drinks girls were drinking caught my eyes.
As usual, I did Google search about this drink in Japan. Did you know that Japanese people care a lot about how the head forms on a glass of beer??
It looks like that Japan has drinks for kids which look just like beer at poring moments. See the video. Very interesting. (Note. It's non alcoholic drink and it is apple soda.)
As I wrote before, Japanese people are very interning. Don't you think? Would you like to drink it?
I need to ask them "How do you like it?"
Entry#588. 5/21/2026.
My husband is a SCI T9 complete paraplegic biology professor. (SCI = Spinal Cord Injury). He is a handcyclist. (If he would compete in official big races, he would be in the category called MH3.)
Handcycling/ cycling world is really deep and yet fun. We can enjoy together. We can learn more about it together. It gives us more opportunities to meet adaptive athletes and gives us connections with more powerful wonderful people.
That is what we’ve learned so far since July 2021. I’m glad that he found joy in handcycle. I found joy in cycling at the same time.
The most important part is “handcycling is good for his paraplegic body” both physically and mentally. That’s true.
We want to keep pedaling as many years as possible in the future. As long as his arms and shoulders are in good shape.
The latest long ride was 33 mile to Dayton area. I love this route.
When we bike through a city, we cross roads. Usually I push a button for crossing roads (traffic lights). Then it makes me wonder. How can handcyclists use that button during their ride? Well, they cannot reach it from their handcycle position. Have you thought about it?
Entry#587. 5/20/2026
(A tiny warning. Bear me negative notes included.)
A bit complicated situation #2.
First of all, I don’t mind any extra process, preparation, extra work, not at all, which is related with SCI (spinal cord injury) life, or paraplegics. I want to make sure of safety and accessible environments, that’s it. I want to feel “all is checked, all is set, all is good”.
Once again, here are “things what I did” on Flying Pig full marathon day.
Walked along with my husband (handcycling) to the starting line from our hotel.
Watched his start.
Walked 3 blocked up north to watch him again during the race.
Walked back to the hotel to get his wheelchair.
Carried a wheelchair (pushed it) to the finish line area. (0.6 mile away. 15 minutes walk)
Left a wheelchair at the Bridge tent.
Waited for my husband finished.
Walked to the tent area to congratulate him.
Enjoyed post-race conversation with others.
It was joyful, cheerful, and fun.
During this wonderful chatting time, I left there to re-check our way (public roads) to the hotel which I checked to make sure the day before.
When I went outside (from the tent area), I froze.
There were runners and runners who just finished and crossed the finish line. They were swarming. There were “human walls”. The tall fence stood blocking the way I was planning to pass using a handcycle.
There was no way to go through. Impossible. I turned into a bit panic mode. I was telling myself “Find another way, find another way.”
I just wanted to know whether there was a way to walk/pedal handcycle from the finish line area to a hotel at the downtown.
The city/roads structures didn’t help at all. (If you are familiar with Cincinnati, you can see my struggle.)
Anyway during my panic, I encountered “a kind of loop”.
Me. “Is there any way that a handcyclist = my husband passes through that fence? Riding on a handcycle.”
A worker. “No! You cannot be here.”
Me. “I saw an elevator over there. May I go and see if it works and if I can go up to the ground level outside? I need to see if my husband’s hahdcycle can fit.”
A medical tent worker let me go.
When a medical tent worker saw me again after I checked (because I had to go back to my husband at the Bridge tent).
A medical tent worker. “No. No. You cannot be here. You are not allowed to be here.”
I was confused. Of course, the medical tent worker was also confused (I guess).
As I thought back deeply, I think each other’s misunderstandings caused some chaos.
I didn’t know about the Pig official medical tent and their work protocol (and their seriousness).
I just wished I could have known about the medical teams beforehand. I could be more respectful for them, I wanted to be.
They didn’t understand there was us without our vehicle(van) who needed to go back a hotel riding handcycle.
After all, they let us go through the area and let us use an elevator to access to the outside. We managed to go back to the hotel.
I made my husband leave from his joyful chatting time. I felt so bad.
But atmosphere around me said “Let’s get out of here quickly.” Also medical workers’ side atmosphere said “Let them out of here. Just let them go.”
Sometimes my action makes things worse, I know that. Sometimes people see me as an “able bodied person” (yes, I am) and “Why you ask that?” “No, you cannot.” “It’s only for people with disabilities.”
I totally understand.
I cried at the end. (In front of people which was bad). My tears ruined what was supposed to be a fun, happy ending to the event. Lesson learned. (I say this all the time, I guess).
Well, I am still not sure what is the best way for us to attend Flying Pig full marathon handcycle division. A lot to think about, to me personally.
My son reminds me always “You cannot cry like that. Just don’t cry.” I need to practice that part, I assume.
Just for the record, my husband had a good experience with other adaptive paraplegic athletes at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Full Marathon 2026. That was for sure.
Ebtry#586. 5/19/2026.
I add several things about Flying Pig marathon 2026 handcycle pilot program. (It’s been just two weeks since, but I felt it happened months ago.)
The Part 1 was on Entry#580 (5/06/2026), please scroll down to find it.
Good one #1.
The height of a bed at the hotel was just perfect for my husband’s wheelchair. It was not too high at all. He felt comfortable.
Good one #2.
I managed to carry a handcycle into a hotel room. The parking garage was at the other side across the busy road from the hotel. I pumped in the hotel room. It was a smooth preparation.
A bit complicated situation #1.
The Bridge adaptive sports and rec (our beloved nonprofit organization) did setup a tent-station for half/full marathon adaptive athletes near the finish line area (next to Flying Pig official medical tent, the very important section for the entire event). Every setups related with handcycle were new to all and we needed to try and check them. That was the idea for everybody.
There are some factors you should know.
1. The starting area and the finish line are not the same places. About 3 blocks (north-south) and 4 blocks (east-west) away distance.
2. All adaptive athletes need their wheelchairs right after the races (to transfer from handcycle to wheelchair. Racing wheelchair as well.)
3. Ideal condition = They park their own vehicles near the finish line area.
So they did try that.
However my husband and I asked them for an exception about “staging at the starting line”. We didn’t meet up with others at the tent area. We went to the starting line directly from the hotel we stayed. It was better to us. It worked for us anyway.
There was a consequence of this action, of course. Can you guess what it was?
Because we didn’t drive in the morning of the race day, we didn’t bring our van to the tent, and we left his wheelchair behind at the hotel, (now see?) I had to take his wheelchair with me and walk to the tent area after I witnessed his start and his ride at the other section.
To complete this process, I did my homework the day before the race day.
I walked to the starting line area from the hotel. Checked around the area.
This is the starting line.
Then I walked to the finish line area to check around it, too.
See the orange arrow? Only Handcyclists (and bike escorts) would be allowed to go through the fence into the garage area (= Bridge tent), by Pig officials assisting. I didn't know this protocol beforehand.
I found the Bridge tent. I made sure the way back to the hotel. I made sure about the route to the hotel, checking any obstacles for handcycle.
Because our plan was like this.
1. After the race, go back to the Bridge tent to get his wheelchair.
2. Transfer to his wheelchair from his handcycle.
3. Enjoy chatting time with other adaptive athletes.
4. Ride back on his handcycle from his wheelchair, then ride back to our hotel (using handcycle).
5. This plan = I need to take his wheelchair with me to the hotel.
That’s why I had to make sure the route riding back to our hotel (handcycling) was supposed to be secure.
There was no sign or fences on a road I checked for our plan on the day before the race day. I even didn’t think about “how crowded that area would be” at all, after the race.
Our plan went well and we were happy for everything we did UNTIL “our plan number 4”.
My husband was enjoying to chat with 2 other full marathon handcyclists and was about to talk more with them…..
I’ll stop here for today.
The next one = I melted down badly in front of people. (Just like a toddler, you know.)
5/18/2026.
My sweet longtime friend in Olsburg, KS, appears in my blog quite often. Did you notice? We share each other’s daily stories and enjoy our conversations very much through texting, emailing, and phone calls.
Some fun stories about us are in November 2025. Entry#485 (11/08/2025) and Entry#488 (11/21/2025).
This time, I could not resist sharing / showing the latest creation she (and her husband/son) built. You would be amazed just like I was.
Ta-da!
5/18/2026.
Our recent cycling after GR trip.
Entry#585. 5/16/2026.
Happy graduation! Class of 2026.
My husband celebrated one of his grad students (master degree) and one of his undergrad students this afternoon at Millet Hall.
Once again, I feel that we are gradually getting used to participating the ceremony "casually". I was nervous at the very first time because of the accessibility for a wheelchair. There is a sign for guests who use wheelchairs. It will lead to seating areas. But my husband is one of the faculties. Most of the staffs in arena/auditorium tell my husband the way to the seating area "automatically". Did you know that? They even don't think he is one of the professors. It happens every time he attends the ceremony. Well, including that part, we memorize how to get in and how to settle in for the ceremony, good enough. I felt much better. I was glad all went well. I was happy for two of his students today.
The before picture in an arena.
The after they are filled in. It was quite a view. I was surprised at the huge size of participants. Wonderful.
Can you spot my husband? The first row, the very end of this side. That is his "assigned" spot.
They look great, don't they? I was also happy to see his sweet wife there.
5/15/2026.
When I see any signs or logos or icons of handicap/accessibility, my eyes get widen. After our SCI life (paraplegic life) started, my eyes can spot them easily and quickly. It’s a new realization or new senses I got. Because I’ve not noticed these stuffs at all before in the past (before 2021). Bad me.
In Grand Rapids, we found this.
Handicap door push button!! It looks different to me. I don’t think there is this design in Ohio. Is there? Do you know?
I'm not sure this design is their standard design or not. But I saw several places had it. I love the idea about this design. Grand Rapids is a very interesting city to us indeed. I’d like to learn more about GR. I will.
5/14/2026.
I told my husband "This photo looks epic."
5/14/2026.
My mother sent me a photo. Look at her! My father (finally) got a good feeling for being a photo taker for her. Plus she got a nice idea of posing. Everything worked perfectly. I LOVE it. Looking great, mom!
Now we need a plan for my father, how to make him pose in front of a camera person.
5/13/2026.
My writing about the Amway River Bank Run Handcycle 25K race is finished. The link here.
Entry#584. 5/12/2026.
Each year, there is the busiest month for research-talk-trips. Sometimes two talks in a row. Sometimes talks and races happen in the same month.
This time, I am relieved deeply tonight. I might collapse because of the exhaustion. I’m getting older and I feel I get tired more easily.
-Chicago trip (stayed for 2 nights)
-(URF)
-Flying Pig Full Marathon (stayed in Cincinnati for 1 night)
-Amway River Bank Run 25K (stayed in Grand Rapids for 2 nights)
-Our tradition Lab gathering at our house
5 events happened so closely.
Right now, after 5 events were finished, I am proud of my husband very much. Now, I am ready to write about our experiences.
Here are photos of something we love in GR (Grand Rapids).
5/12/2026.
This. Is. Us. Spring 2026 version.
I am not sure if they noticed that I used a "music stand" as a camera stand/tripod. It works pretty well most of the time.
Entry#583. 5/10/2026.
Amway River Bank Run 25K happened in Grand Rapids. I can say this race is my favorite handcycle race (I love AFM, too.)
It was my husband’s 2nd Amway 25K this year. Last year was his very first.
Here is the story about it.
https://www.mrstinoxford.com/amway-river-bank-25k-handcycle-race
There are many things to tell you (again). I was in exciting mode and happy mood all day long. Plus both the day before and the day after the race day were additional enjoyments to myself. There are many things to write about. So I’ll break them down into 3 parts.
Coming up
Part 1. The Race Day.
5/08/2026.
We are in another city. Sun is shining.
It's Grand Rapids. It's a 25K handcycle race!
Entry#582. 5/08/2026.
When I witnessed my husband’s first Flying Pig 10K in 2023, I ran to the bridge going to Kentucky side, I ran to the other bridge to see his handcycling back from Kentucky side. Then I ran again to the finish line, barely made it. It was fun that I watched him three times plus the last one at the finish line.
This time, I looked at the course map carefully to see whether there is a watch-point near enough to the finish area. There was!
I walked up the Vine street to the north (3rd/Vine) and waited.
According to my husband’s prediction, the first one would be Mr. Chapman.
Here he came! Mr. Chapman was super fast, just like my husband said always.
Then after him…… here came my husband! You see now? His 2 bike escorts? They are wonderful.
I enjoyed watching them coming at this section pretty much. I love seeing their action in middle of the race more than at the start or the finish. It doesn’t happen though, most of the time. So I really felt lucky this time.
5/07/2026.
Do you do "sudoku"? Me, not much. But I like solving sudoku. My husband brought a sudoku home and shared with me and our son. It's supposed to be a very very hard one. I started working on it and I'm still working on it. Then our son said "Done." What? I'm happy that our son has some skills that still make me smile and surprise me a lot. Can you solve this sudoku?
Entry#581. 5/07/2026. Cincinnati Flying Pig Full Marathon.
Part 2. (This is the most exciting part of Flying Pig Handcycle Full Marathon 2026.)
At first, I need to correct the terms of the event. Handcycle division on both Half marathon and Full marathon were created as a pilot program in 2026. In the pasts, they(Pig works) already had some wheeled athletes (racing wheelchair/ push-rim/ rim-pusher). So they have had “Wheelchair division” for a long time (I’m not sure when was the first start year).
“Handcycle division” was new in this year, for sure.
(Unfortunately Ms. Carly Pearson couldn’t come to compete because of illness.).
After all here are the numbers/stats of adaptive athletes.
At Full Marathon: 3 handcyclists + 1 racing wheelchair athlete (rim-pusher)
At Half Marathon: 4 handcyclists + 1 racing wheelchair athlete (rim-pusher)
In general, 2 categories compete separately = 2 categories are awarded separately. Did you notice that?
Here are results for each categories.
Half Marathon wheelchair division
Champion/Winner: Mr. J. Counts
Half Marathon male handcycle division
Champion/Winner: Mr. B. Burgess
2nd place: Mr. A. Ayers
3rd place: Mr. M. Williams
Half Marathon female handcycle division
Champion/Winner: Miss. M. Greene
Full Marathon wheelchair division
Champion/Winner: Mr. J. Garman
Full Marathon handcycle division
Champion/Winner: Mr. S. Chapman
2nd place: Dr. Y. Tomoyasu
3rd place: Mr. J. Wilke
I wanted to recognize them here in my blog. Just because I admire their strong pedaling/pushing a lot. I want to celebrate their strength and power.
It was my very first experience to witness Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday. It was crowded more than I imagined. Security was higher than 10K race. I watched them crossing the finish line at the far distance on top of the building. I congratulated my husband and Mr. Chapman 10 minutes after their arrival.
I saw their shining eyes, their satisfaction, their joys and happiness. 2 each bike escorts had a fun riding time with wheeled athletes.
I was grateful for everything I witnessed. That is true.
Congratulations!!! to all wheeled athletes!
Their conversation was precious and priceless. I never be able to understand 100% because I didn’t ride with them entire course. But some of them sounded so interesting.
1. About 3 mile long uphill climbing.
2. Speed bumps/ speed humps on roads
3. Speedy downhill descending
I will add more details about these later.
This (below) is Mr. Chapman crossing the finish line.
Here, in this photo. Can you spot my husband and his 2 bike escorts??? I need to add an arrow in a photo later, maybe.
5/06/2026.
Part 1.5. Winter gears.
One time, my husband experienced a very cold temperature at AFM (Air Force Marathon) in Dayton in 2023. We had no idea how to manage that temperature for 26.2 mi race. He wore an extra layer (jacket) after all.
However the temperature was way too low this time at Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, lower than our past experience. So we had to “adapt” somewhat with some gears. Different gears than usual.
We don’t do outside winter cycling much, not much. So we don’t have real useful winter cycling gears actually.
Also my husband had to think “Is it good for fast speed racing? Does it make me slower if I use it?”
It was about gloves.
He has several types of gloves for his handcycle. Good handle-gripping is important for his handcycle. He usually uses fingerless type. He has gloves with fingers and he use them in cold weather.
He has several types of gloves for daily wheelchair, too. I didn’t even think that I needed to carry those wheelchair gloves with me in that race day morning. I left them at hotel room.
In the morning of the race day, on the way to the starting line, he felt urgent. Way too cold, colder than he expected.
We were a few blocks away from the hotel. He stopped and I ran back to the hotel to get “winter gloves for wheelchair”. I ran as quickly as possible. After all, those winter gloves saved him during 26.2 mile pedaling. I couldn’t imagine his race without those gloves. I was relieved that we packed them in our van. I guess it was a good call.
These below were the "his race savers"!!
Entry#580. 5/06/2026. Cincinnati Flying Pig Full Marathon
Part 1. My 1st priority = Send him to the starting line safely.
Handcycle race days are exciting. I always tell myself “No fever, no illness, no broken bones, no mechanical issues” a few weeks before the race day.
This time, it was all good to go. I was relieved. (Do you remember my past rear tire issue? Do you remember my husband’s broken thumb?)
This race was a pilot program and both Pig Organizer and participants were new for settings/ protocols literally. If you know me, you can imagine easily that I’ve gotten nervous especially on the race day under this condition.
Additionally we had no idea how big and chaotic Flying Pig Half/Full marathon all together happened. I’ve never seen it before, ever.
We stayed at Hyatt hotel where was about 3 blocks north and 2 blocks east from the starting line(!). We know this hotel since we used it in 2023 and 2024 Flying Pig 10K.
I was feeling a bit better because that distance was walkable (bike-able) to the starting line. Convenient. It was easier to “visualize” how to move for us, handcycle.
You might start wondering “There must be a protocol of positioning at the starting point for wheeled athletes. Isn’t there?” Yes, there was.
However we had to think deeply about the logistics since they have a brand new course and starting stages.
The (our beloved) Bridge adaptive sports and recreation gave us a plan they created. We were thankful for that. But this time, we asked them for an exception. We asked their permission that my husband pedals to the starting line directly from the hotel. They generously accepted our idea.
My husband set up his handcycle outside of the hotel entrance (on a sidewalk) and started pedaling. There were marathoners walking to the same direction around us.
It was way more freezing cold than we imagined. We managed pretty well to move/pedal in downtown area.
Because wheeled athletes start 5 minutes before runners’ official starting countdown, they have to line up in front of “Elite Runners” (you know, they are quite serious).
I saw people (runners) were all packed at their waiting area. There were no any extra space in that crowd. (Of course not)
When my husband reached to the area smoothly from the hotel, we saw bundle of cyclists = they definitely are escort cyclists (like professionals). They all shouted to my husband his name cheerfully and happily.
I was still nervous because his setting wasn’t quite finished yet. (Water tube setting, bib setting, energy snacks, gloves and more.) I was like a “don’t say anything to me right now”-mode. You can imagine that clearly, yes? I always feel bad about that my condition to people around us. Forgive me, generous people, forgive me. That freezing temperature didn’t help me at all.
Once all was set, I finally was able to deep breathe. My husband greeted his 2 bike escorts and they were almost ready.
It was almost National anthem time. It was almost countdown time. It was about 5 minutes left to takeoff for wheeled athletes.
Guess what?
They were still not showing up yet. Not appearing, not arriving. Any of them. Officials talked on their radio “Where are they?” “Where are they?” “Are they coming?”
Then you know? That made me super nervous totally.
In last a few minutes, they arrived, all of them. Without any conversation or announcements, it was time to go. It was “6:25am” and they just took off to the course.
It was kind of a magical quick takeoff, you know? I was just relieved that all of them made it to start.
My mind was worried still about “their timing chips work properly?”
It was totally different feeling than our past races. Once my husband started pedaling, I could focus on cheering and waiting him to cross the finish line. Next up. Part 2. Actual Flying Pig 26.2 handcycle race was satisfying to my husband!
To me, personally, biking to the starting line from the hotel worked pretty well. We had plenty of time, enough time to settle "my mind" on a road/sidewalk.
It's funny that our son often calms me down and tells me something realistic. This time, the same. He says "Each races are different. You cannot compare them so easily. You cannot complain that much, you know?" He is right about it.
On the other hand, I could keep talking about bike escorts forever. Maybe I will write about it as other entries. 2 wonderful escorts of my husband this time, they care about him very much. I did see it. I was grateful really. Most of all, they had fun together on the course.
5/05/2026.
He is HERE!! My hummingbird is here. Yipeeeeee.
5/04/2026.
He finished strong at Cincinnati Flying Pig Full Marathon 26.2 mi. It was a horrible freezing cold morning, though. Photos below by K. Arnett.
5/02/2026.
T minus 1 day. Flying Pig 2026!
5/01/2026.
In honor of Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, here are looking-back photos for you. I am also re-reading my writings again to send my husband and other adaptive athletes cheers.
2023
2024
2023
2024
2025
Entry#579. 5/01/2026.
As you can see (as you know), our son loves traveling with his friends. He did Innsbruck (Austria) trip. He did long distance cycling trips.
He surprised us (again), telling us his fun plan with his great friend. It was a gravel biking with camping out. They made it! It happened so quickly and I was amazed what they accomplished. After all, they biked about 45mi total. Elevation gains were very high. Unbelievable. They are young, after all. Because I don’t think I can make it.
So far, he just showed me one photo. I searched the location by myself and imagined about the landscape there. I found some photos from internet.
Gravel biking trip is totally different from road cycling that we usually do. It was good to hear all about it from our son. Very wild.
My husband enjoyed pretty much chatting with our son.
I guess they were on Kokosing Gap Trail (KGT).
Go back to the last month.
Go back to the top home page.
Create Your Own Website With Webador