Another Successful Senior Games In The Books

If you've ever had one of those moments where you take a step back and realize how lucky you are, you'll be able to relate to what I'm talking about. I had one of those this week and it's the same feeling I get each year at about this time: damn, I'm lucky.

Since 2005, my grandpa (who is a total stud and lifelong athlete) has ran two track meets a summer, for the Idaho Senior Games. Since 2005, I've been his partner in crime during these. For context, I was in fifth grade in 2005.. this year was our 14th year making the trip to Pocatello for the SE Idaho track meet. Oh, and it was a huge success.

Grandpa usually runs 2-4 events-- the 50 meter dash, the 100 meter dash, the 4x100 meter relay with some friends at the event, and occasionally a 400 meter dash. Yeah--that's probably more than I can run and he's in his eighties! Every year we (by we I mean he...I just drive) bring home the gold medals and this year was no different. We laughed so much and shared so much quality time together, I realized...this was the first year we didn't get a photo together. FAIL. Here's a photo from last year, though!

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I say this every year and I mean it: I hope someday when I grow up, I’m at least half of the man as this guy right here. My grandpa is a badass and wins gold medals every summer. He introduced me to my first love: Track & Field, he taught me some of life’s most important lessons...by being an example of them, he has always been my rock and genuinely, my best friend. Oh, and somehow I ended up with the same obnoxious laugh as him. This weeks trip was everything I’ve been needing lately. Cheers to our 13th year making the trip together! #HowieTakesTheGold

A post shared by Mateo (@mateoradio) on Jul 10, 2018 at 3:28pm PDT

As I look back on this past week and this years trip, I realize how lucky I am. I'm lucky to have a grandpa this healthy and active, I'm lucky to have a grandpa that has always held such a tight relationship with me, and I'm lucky to have memories and moments that I'll remember for the rest of my life.