I'm right...because I am.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Have you ever met anyone who feels like they’re always right? You know the type…no matter what the discussion, they’ve got an opinion they think is correct and will never back down or concede that there is even the possibility that they could be mistaken.

Well…recently…and all the time up until recently… I’ve been accused of being such an inflexible type of person. Shocking really…because I’m not. What I am is…well…right…all the time. There is a difference. The people accusing me of being stubborn and unwavering just don’t get that I am right. It’s a problem because they think I think I’m right just because I said I’m right when actually what I’m saying is I’m right because I’m right. Right? Anyway, I wanted to get that off my mind.

I don’t know how many of you saw the results of the ‘GoFit’ program initiated and sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic, Greater Cleveland YMCA and Curves, but they were pretty impressive. For those with no recollection of this, anyone in Cuyahoga County was eligible to get a 3-month free membership at their local Curves or ‘Y’ starting this past January. The only hitch was that you needed to get assessed…have some baseline information gathered on your level of fitness and fatness and then have periodic remeasurements during the three months. Over 25,000 people registered on line for the opportunity of which 14,300 showed up at facilities to have their measurements taken. Most impressively, 5,900 stuck with the program for the entire three months. Weight losses were posted and that was the concentration, but for my way of thinking I don’t care how much they lost…sticking with any program for three months means there so much more likely to continue it for life…and that’s where the real changes start to happen.

A spokesperson for the Clinic, Kate Fox Nagel, was asked why she thought so many people stuck with it and she was quoted as saying “John Rolf’s blog. Yes…if there was one constant amongst the 5,900 people it was that. They were inspired by his dedication to fitness and the absolutely entertaining nature of his stories. I must admit…he’s always right. Oh…and of the 8,000 plus who dropped out…not one was reading his stuff. Truly amazing.”

I guess I just don’t know what to say other than I’m not surprised. Dizzy Dean said it best when asked about his incredible pitching and the fact that he was always self-promoting, “it ain’t braggin’ if you can do it.”

I went out for another ride yesterday and although I was still a little sore from the 55 miles on Saturday and my hamstrings were still screaming from being on a roof half the day Sunday, managed to complete another 27 miler. It was hot as hell, too. How many days above 90 this summer is that now? I’m willing to bet it’s the most since the beginning of time…or thermometers, at least.

Holly wanted to do a long walk later in the evening, so we did the 45-minute block. I was a little worried that the hip would act up, but it wasn’t a problem. I’m thinking now of going to the bleachers soon and walking/jogging them without the pack…just to get the conditioning for climbing going again. I really don’t want to go back to the Adirondacks with only cycling under my belt, though I will.

Finally, my son Jack just called from the kitchen to ask if you’re supposed to take the shells off the peanuts before you eat them.

”That’s generally the way it’s done,” I said.

“Oh…yeah…okay. The shells don’t taste too good,” he said.

Give some kids books…and they eat them.

Bike duration: One hour and 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 120.
Calories burned during workout: 1,500.