Thursday, November 25, 2010
I don’t like to get too serious here, but it is Thanksgiving day, after all. I won’t go anywhere near the original source of the day and the things we ‘Americans’ give thanks for…as compared to what the true Americans might think of such a celebration. No…instead I tend to think about the blessings I enjoy personally and particularly what has happened since the last Thanksgiving.
How do people get through the difficult stretches in their lives without the staunch and loving support of family and friends? I don’t know and I don’t want to know. What I do know is I have plenty of both and thank God for it. It causes me to reflect regularly on what is truly important in my life and how I need to constantly ‘pay forward’ the blessings I receive…daily.
Okay…on to the good, the bad, and the ugly…which for me is all about the feeding trough. I started the day with Tony the Tiger and went down hill from there…and let’s face it…I was in a valley. There was a nasty, cold drizzle falling outside which meant ‘no riding’. I had reached the decision that I’d be on the trainer before dinner, but was putting it off until the afternoon when I could be the greatest inconvenience by working out in the family room while Holly was trying to finish dinner and get the house ready for company. I wonder what she’s thankful for?
I was watching the Macy’s day parade when Jason arrived to pick up Jack for his annual football game. Am I the only one who watches that parade and gets teary-eyed thinking about my childhood watching this same parade and thinking about all those people who or no longer there to watch with me? I doubt it. Anyway, I had told Jason that I’d go to his ‘Turkey Bowl’ and take pictures. They would be playing tackle football up at the high school with a bunch of mid-20’s guys who were mostly out of shape and would likely be unable to move for the rest of the weekend. Jack went along, but he was likely to be the only teen in the group.
“Want me to play?” I asked.
Jason looked at me to see if I was serious before responding. He couldn’t tell. “Um…dad…you’re pretty old, don’t you think?”
I was looking for “we’ve got enough guys, dad and besides, with your level of conditioning and out-of-the-box athleticism…well…the guys would be intimidated.” Okay…maybe I was really looking for a simple ‘sure’.
We went up to the high school and I stood with Savannah in the rain snapping pictures. She held the umbrella and after they all gathered for a group shot, we jumped in the car and got out of there. Once home, I immediately downloaded and edited the pics. Jason wasn’t far behind and joined me in the office. I’m old and have been taking pictures for forty years. I remember when it was such a big deal to go to the photo shop and pick up pictures that had been in the camera for a month and the excitement I felt as I held my slides to the light to determine how good they were before pulling out the slide projector. Not anymore. We had those pictures on facebook for all of his friends to see before they returned home to wash the mud from their bodies and deposit their filthy clothes somewhere their mothers, wives or whatever could deal with them.
I set the trainer up in front of the TV and tuned in the Lions/Patriots game. Though I couldn’t care less about the game, it helped me struggle through a 1-hour ride. Heidi was cleaning around me; I could hear Holly working in the kitchen and Ash setting the table and assisting. I was pushing my luck, but had to get in the ride. I still had to wash the kitchen floor…my job before company arrived and by the time I’d showered, put away the bike and washed the floor, Holly’s folks were walking in.
“Floor’s wet…be careful,” I said like I’d been washing in between preparing the meal and cleaning the dishes.
Actually, I practiced some restraint. I love dark meat and nibble constantly while my father-in-law does the carving. I mean I’m pretty much stuffed before I sit down for dinner. Still, I had more turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing, green beans, corn, and jello. I did not go for seconds and, as usual, skipped dessert…I’d get it later. I’d probably have more turkey before retiring, too. It’s so hard to resist. I’m worthless and weak…I know.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 950.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Feeling the years...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
I suppose I’m really starting to feel my age as it relates to working out. I can’t honestly say that I was ever an ‘injury free’ kind of guy, but could normally tie any malady back directly to something I’d done wrong in my training and that usually meant I’d done too much of one thing or another. Lately though, I can’t always say that and yet I’m constantly hurting. Just before my foot got really bad, I had been noticing pain in my achilles tendon. It was back.
I started my run with the goal of going 30 minutes. I’d left work and driven to the polo fields for a starting point. I wanted a flat course and something different. This would provide both. I was into the run about 10 minutes when I realized I could no longer ignore the throb just behind my ankle that accompanied every step I took. Still, I marched on. I hit 15 minutes and turned around, determined that I’d complete the 30-minute goal. Actually, that’s a mistake I can’t seem to avoid. I don’t want to slip backwards and know how important running is to my fitness success, so I continue to push it. I would probably benefit most from a month without running and then starting over. I can’t see myself doing that, though. It’s way too smart for me.
When I hit 20 minutes, I buckled to common sense and stopped running…for a couple of minutes. After a little stretching…and cursing…I started up again and finished the run. Once back in the car, the pain subsided and I began formulating a plan for getting through the next few days doing something to keep me from gaining 10 pounds through the holiday weekend. Biking was likely out unless I was ready to put it on the trainer…and I wasn’t. Hiking was an option, but if it was the achilles, hiking wouldn’t really provide a rest. I could just not eat so much…but let’s stay real.
I went home and packed it in ice. It was about all I could do for now.
Run duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
I suppose I’m really starting to feel my age as it relates to working out. I can’t honestly say that I was ever an ‘injury free’ kind of guy, but could normally tie any malady back directly to something I’d done wrong in my training and that usually meant I’d done too much of one thing or another. Lately though, I can’t always say that and yet I’m constantly hurting. Just before my foot got really bad, I had been noticing pain in my achilles tendon. It was back.
I started my run with the goal of going 30 minutes. I’d left work and driven to the polo fields for a starting point. I wanted a flat course and something different. This would provide both. I was into the run about 10 minutes when I realized I could no longer ignore the throb just behind my ankle that accompanied every step I took. Still, I marched on. I hit 15 minutes and turned around, determined that I’d complete the 30-minute goal. Actually, that’s a mistake I can’t seem to avoid. I don’t want to slip backwards and know how important running is to my fitness success, so I continue to push it. I would probably benefit most from a month without running and then starting over. I can’t see myself doing that, though. It’s way too smart for me.
When I hit 20 minutes, I buckled to common sense and stopped running…for a couple of minutes. After a little stretching…and cursing…I started up again and finished the run. Once back in the car, the pain subsided and I began formulating a plan for getting through the next few days doing something to keep me from gaining 10 pounds through the holiday weekend. Biking was likely out unless I was ready to put it on the trainer…and I wasn’t. Hiking was an option, but if it was the achilles, hiking wouldn’t really provide a rest. I could just not eat so much…but let’s stay real.
I went home and packed it in ice. It was about all I could do for now.
Run duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
"You don't like compliments?"
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
I’d like to say that after going to parent/teacher conferences for four children, I pretty much know what to expect when meet. Jack is our last and is in his sophomore year. I find him the hardest to read of my children and was very interested in meeting with his teachers to hear their impressions. He’s a good kid, brings home only A’s and B’s, takes honors classes, runs track and seems to stay out of trouble. He’s quiet though; seldom volunteering conversation unless you sit down next to him while he’s playing video games and ask a question.
“I’m saving the world, dad. This guy is my main man,” he says as the life-like figure on the screen disembowels some alien creature with three eyes.
He saves the world a large part of the evening, mixing in an occasional bout with a school book or some time in the yard with a basketball, Frisbee or soccer ball. He’s extremely lean, about 6’3”, fast, very coordinated, and jumps like a kangaroo. He has little interest in team sports, which I suspect frustrates any coaches who see him in gym class. He has one close friend, but that’s about it.
We met with every teacher and heard the same thing over and over. “Yeah…real active in class, always speaks up, a leader, lots of friends, always appropriate, not challenged enough – needs the honors chemistry and blah, blah, blah. I was surprised, to say the least.
The gym teacher is the head football coach and has noticed him, as well. “He sure has a lot of athletic ability. Does he have any interest in football?”
“I don’t want him playing,” Holly said without hesitation so he left it alone. I did tell him that he does track and maybe he could steer Jack towards the high jump. “He can dunk the ball and he’s still growing,” I said.
I was also surprised when we reached the Art teacher who had both Jason and Heidi and helped them achieve their tremendous success in the field. “Looks like Jack is going to be the best Rolf yet,” she said…which is saying something for kids with Art scholarships and recognition as the top art students in the school during their time here. I knew he could draw, but he’s only recently shown any serious interest so when she showed me the things he was doing, my jaw dropped. His stuff was really, really good.
As we were leaving, we passed two parents sitting on the floor in front of their child’s locker, sorting through papers and trying to neaten it up. I’ve been in Jack’s room and would know better than to go anywhere near his locker and ruin what had been a perfectly good evening. Besides…who cares how they keep their lockers…it’s not my headache. I noticed a white balloon sitting amongst the papers they appeared to be discarding.
“Is that a condom?” I said. Holly grimaced and they laughed nervously. Just wanted to give them something to talk about after we left.
We stopped at Pizzazz and had the world’s best calzones after conferences…which is a supremely good move when you’re trying to cut calories just before Thanksgiving. Though it was dark, I elected to head for the park and do a hike before going home. I stuck to the bridle trails and put in 40 minutes. There was just enough moon light to make out the trail, but little else. I hoped I wouldn’t bump into a 9-point buck in pursuit of a doe and end up like a pin cushion. I never did and I never tripped over anything, either. There is a good deal more serenity walking in the dark with little or no visual distractions. I wish I could run in the dark.
When I got home, I went to tell Jack what I’d heard, but he stopped me quickly. “I really don’t like to hear that kind of stuff, dad,” he said.
“What kind of stuff?”
“Ya know…compliments. It makes me uncomfortable,” he said.
Seriously? Was this kid even remotely related to me? I’d stop anyone complimenting me long enough to set up the video taping device so I could play it back every night for the rest of my life. Thank God he learns life’s lessons from his mom.
Hike duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 200.
I’d like to say that after going to parent/teacher conferences for four children, I pretty much know what to expect when meet. Jack is our last and is in his sophomore year. I find him the hardest to read of my children and was very interested in meeting with his teachers to hear their impressions. He’s a good kid, brings home only A’s and B’s, takes honors classes, runs track and seems to stay out of trouble. He’s quiet though; seldom volunteering conversation unless you sit down next to him while he’s playing video games and ask a question.
“I’m saving the world, dad. This guy is my main man,” he says as the life-like figure on the screen disembowels some alien creature with three eyes.
He saves the world a large part of the evening, mixing in an occasional bout with a school book or some time in the yard with a basketball, Frisbee or soccer ball. He’s extremely lean, about 6’3”, fast, very coordinated, and jumps like a kangaroo. He has little interest in team sports, which I suspect frustrates any coaches who see him in gym class. He has one close friend, but that’s about it.
We met with every teacher and heard the same thing over and over. “Yeah…real active in class, always speaks up, a leader, lots of friends, always appropriate, not challenged enough – needs the honors chemistry and blah, blah, blah. I was surprised, to say the least.
The gym teacher is the head football coach and has noticed him, as well. “He sure has a lot of athletic ability. Does he have any interest in football?”
“I don’t want him playing,” Holly said without hesitation so he left it alone. I did tell him that he does track and maybe he could steer Jack towards the high jump. “He can dunk the ball and he’s still growing,” I said.
I was also surprised when we reached the Art teacher who had both Jason and Heidi and helped them achieve their tremendous success in the field. “Looks like Jack is going to be the best Rolf yet,” she said…which is saying something for kids with Art scholarships and recognition as the top art students in the school during their time here. I knew he could draw, but he’s only recently shown any serious interest so when she showed me the things he was doing, my jaw dropped. His stuff was really, really good.
As we were leaving, we passed two parents sitting on the floor in front of their child’s locker, sorting through papers and trying to neaten it up. I’ve been in Jack’s room and would know better than to go anywhere near his locker and ruin what had been a perfectly good evening. Besides…who cares how they keep their lockers…it’s not my headache. I noticed a white balloon sitting amongst the papers they appeared to be discarding.
“Is that a condom?” I said. Holly grimaced and they laughed nervously. Just wanted to give them something to talk about after we left.
We stopped at Pizzazz and had the world’s best calzones after conferences…which is a supremely good move when you’re trying to cut calories just before Thanksgiving. Though it was dark, I elected to head for the park and do a hike before going home. I stuck to the bridle trails and put in 40 minutes. There was just enough moon light to make out the trail, but little else. I hoped I wouldn’t bump into a 9-point buck in pursuit of a doe and end up like a pin cushion. I never did and I never tripped over anything, either. There is a good deal more serenity walking in the dark with little or no visual distractions. I wish I could run in the dark.
When I got home, I went to tell Jack what I’d heard, but he stopped me quickly. “I really don’t like to hear that kind of stuff, dad,” he said.
“What kind of stuff?”
“Ya know…compliments. It makes me uncomfortable,” he said.
Seriously? Was this kid even remotely related to me? I’d stop anyone complimenting me long enough to set up the video taping device so I could play it back every night for the rest of my life. Thank God he learns life’s lessons from his mom.
Hike duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 200.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The PSA results are in...
Monday, November 22, 2010
My foot felt good, but I knew I needed to give it a day off. It was warm enough to ride, but the roads were wet and that meant ‘no biking’ to me. I’d thrown my daypack in the car with 30 pounds of salt for just such a day. Yeah…I suspect I’d caused a stress fracture from working out with a backpack and 60 pounds over the summer, hence I’d cut the weight I was carrying in half.
The weather was perfect for a hike. I was in a short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts as I began doing my step-ups on the rock at the trailhead. I did 20 with each leg, then headed off on the trail. Since it had been raining most of the day and the trails were covered in leaves and slippery, I stuck to the bridle paths for the most part. It was near dusk and I could see through the leafless trees for great distances, so I was surprised as I approached the end of the hike 70 minutes and 160 step-ups later without spotting any deer. Neither my foot nor my hip was hurting as I dropped the pack in the trunk and climbed in the car for the drive home, but tomorrow I planned to try running again and that would be a better test.
I checked my email later that night and found that I had received my PSA results from Nilesh. It read as follows:
“Your PSA level was 0.4 (normal range is 0 to 4.0). Your number is fine. The key is the trend in PSA over the years though. So, if you are at 0.4 today and next year you go to 2.0 and the year after 4.0 – even though your number would still be in the normal range, it becomes something that should be addressed or at least looked at a little closer.”
So…damn near perfect and not something to worry about right now...and all it took was a vial of blood, which I had enough to spare. Now of course, I need to follow up in a year with another test, but I think I can handle it. When I look at my brother Jeff and what he’s gone through…and where he could be if he hadn’t had the test…well, I’ll just make sure to do it.
I’m struggling with what I’m going to do over the next few days to offset the amount of calories I can consume on your average Thanksgiving Day. For me…it’s in the range of 10,000 calories, which is how many I burn in a week of aggressive exercise. Maybe I should strap on my pack and take a hike to see my buddy, John, in Twinsburg. It’s only about 25 miles away…
Hike duration: 70 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
My foot felt good, but I knew I needed to give it a day off. It was warm enough to ride, but the roads were wet and that meant ‘no biking’ to me. I’d thrown my daypack in the car with 30 pounds of salt for just such a day. Yeah…I suspect I’d caused a stress fracture from working out with a backpack and 60 pounds over the summer, hence I’d cut the weight I was carrying in half.
The weather was perfect for a hike. I was in a short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts as I began doing my step-ups on the rock at the trailhead. I did 20 with each leg, then headed off on the trail. Since it had been raining most of the day and the trails were covered in leaves and slippery, I stuck to the bridle paths for the most part. It was near dusk and I could see through the leafless trees for great distances, so I was surprised as I approached the end of the hike 70 minutes and 160 step-ups later without spotting any deer. Neither my foot nor my hip was hurting as I dropped the pack in the trunk and climbed in the car for the drive home, but tomorrow I planned to try running again and that would be a better test.
I checked my email later that night and found that I had received my PSA results from Nilesh. It read as follows:
“Your PSA level was 0.4 (normal range is 0 to 4.0). Your number is fine. The key is the trend in PSA over the years though. So, if you are at 0.4 today and next year you go to 2.0 and the year after 4.0 – even though your number would still be in the normal range, it becomes something that should be addressed or at least looked at a little closer.”
So…damn near perfect and not something to worry about right now...and all it took was a vial of blood, which I had enough to spare. Now of course, I need to follow up in a year with another test, but I think I can handle it. When I look at my brother Jeff and what he’s gone through…and where he could be if he hadn’t had the test…well, I’ll just make sure to do it.
I’m struggling with what I’m going to do over the next few days to offset the amount of calories I can consume on your average Thanksgiving Day. For me…it’s in the range of 10,000 calories, which is how many I burn in a week of aggressive exercise. Maybe I should strap on my pack and take a hike to see my buddy, John, in Twinsburg. It’s only about 25 miles away…
Hike duration: 70 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
"You cut down the grasses!"
Sunday November 21, 2010
My fifteen minute run had gone well two days earlier and I hadn’t had any soreness in my foot since. Time to bump it up…but not go crazy. I felt fit enough to be running an hour, but knew that what I needed was a gradual increase in minutes every other day for a couple of weeks. I selected a course with a couple of hills and one I figured I could complete in around 25 minutes. I couldn’t help but think with each step this could be the one that sends a sharp pain shooting up my leg. It never came and I did complete the run in 25 minutes…so…I’m starting to feel more confident that I’ve dodged another bullet.
I continued my pattern of trying to do something all day long as opposed to sitting down for TV time. I decided that I’d take one more trip on the roof to pull leaves from the gutters. I prefer getting on the roof and scooting along the edge, reaching into the gutters as I go and pulling out the leaves to working from a ladder that I need to move eight feet at a time. The down side is, I’m dangling over 20 feet in the air and if I should fall, don’t bounce nearly as well as I did thirty years ago. Oh well…I could fall off the ladder, too.
I also decided it was time to cut down all the ornamental grasses growing in the front yard. Holly and I had discussed this plan and we’d agreed that I wouldn’t do it until after Thanksgiving because she wanted to use some of it for decorations. We’ve had it for years and it grows like crazy. I’ve dug it up and transplanted it all over the neighborhood and once I’ve cut it down and bundled it, I have enough to fill the living room to the ceiling. In my mind…a scary place…I figured since I’d left the grasses in the back yard standing…enough to fill the family room…it was okay to cut the stuff in the front yard without first consulting with Holly. I wasn’t even close to right…
“What are you doing?!!! Didn’t we agree that you weren’t going to cut the grasses down?”
She was pretty upset…I could figure that out for sure and knew that the words I was about to utter could be my last…or save my life. “I thought…” I started to say…
“NO YOU DIDN’T. IF YOU’D HAVE THOUGHT… I WOULDN’T BE LOOKING AT ALL MY GRASSES CUT DOWN AND IN A PILE!!” she said.
Kinda got me there, but figured I should say nothing at this point. I’ve been married 35 years to this wonderful lady and every now and again, I actually know when to shut up. I gave it a couple of minutes then mumbled that I hadn’t cut the grasses in the back yard down and was planning to leave them alone for her decorations. She went back inside…I was thinking to grab a weapon…but when she came back out, said that the ones in the back would do. Some years ago, she would have said something like “don’t be so stupid in the future and check with me first” but experience had taught her I would continue to be that stupid and age wasn’t going to make it better.
We finally got Ash’s car out to see Dan. He took it for a drive around the block and came back with the bad news. “Even a used transmission would be about $1,500. Other than that…it’s a pretty good car,” he concluded, with a grin.
Okay…so the search for decent, inexpensive transportation continues. I finished the evening in the workshop with Jason making a frame for an art project he was working on for school. The shop is amazingly clean and I’m going to keep it that way. Makes me want to work out there more and Holly wants me to make her a new work center for her office, which should be challenging, but fun. It will give me a chance to brush up on my profanity before the start of the next Indians baseball season.
Run duration: 25 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 450.
My fifteen minute run had gone well two days earlier and I hadn’t had any soreness in my foot since. Time to bump it up…but not go crazy. I felt fit enough to be running an hour, but knew that what I needed was a gradual increase in minutes every other day for a couple of weeks. I selected a course with a couple of hills and one I figured I could complete in around 25 minutes. I couldn’t help but think with each step this could be the one that sends a sharp pain shooting up my leg. It never came and I did complete the run in 25 minutes…so…I’m starting to feel more confident that I’ve dodged another bullet.
I continued my pattern of trying to do something all day long as opposed to sitting down for TV time. I decided that I’d take one more trip on the roof to pull leaves from the gutters. I prefer getting on the roof and scooting along the edge, reaching into the gutters as I go and pulling out the leaves to working from a ladder that I need to move eight feet at a time. The down side is, I’m dangling over 20 feet in the air and if I should fall, don’t bounce nearly as well as I did thirty years ago. Oh well…I could fall off the ladder, too.
I also decided it was time to cut down all the ornamental grasses growing in the front yard. Holly and I had discussed this plan and we’d agreed that I wouldn’t do it until after Thanksgiving because she wanted to use some of it for decorations. We’ve had it for years and it grows like crazy. I’ve dug it up and transplanted it all over the neighborhood and once I’ve cut it down and bundled it, I have enough to fill the living room to the ceiling. In my mind…a scary place…I figured since I’d left the grasses in the back yard standing…enough to fill the family room…it was okay to cut the stuff in the front yard without first consulting with Holly. I wasn’t even close to right…
“What are you doing?!!! Didn’t we agree that you weren’t going to cut the grasses down?”
She was pretty upset…I could figure that out for sure and knew that the words I was about to utter could be my last…or save my life. “I thought…” I started to say…
“NO YOU DIDN’T. IF YOU’D HAVE THOUGHT… I WOULDN’T BE LOOKING AT ALL MY GRASSES CUT DOWN AND IN A PILE!!” she said.
Kinda got me there, but figured I should say nothing at this point. I’ve been married 35 years to this wonderful lady and every now and again, I actually know when to shut up. I gave it a couple of minutes then mumbled that I hadn’t cut the grasses in the back yard down and was planning to leave them alone for her decorations. She went back inside…I was thinking to grab a weapon…but when she came back out, said that the ones in the back would do. Some years ago, she would have said something like “don’t be so stupid in the future and check with me first” but experience had taught her I would continue to be that stupid and age wasn’t going to make it better.
We finally got Ash’s car out to see Dan. He took it for a drive around the block and came back with the bad news. “Even a used transmission would be about $1,500. Other than that…it’s a pretty good car,” he concluded, with a grin.
Okay…so the search for decent, inexpensive transportation continues. I finished the evening in the workshop with Jason making a frame for an art project he was working on for school. The shop is amazingly clean and I’m going to keep it that way. Makes me want to work out there more and Holly wants me to make her a new work center for her office, which should be challenging, but fun. It will give me a chance to brush up on my profanity before the start of the next Indians baseball season.
Run duration: 25 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 450.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Too much work, too little work out...
Saturday, November 20, 2010
I headed for Mimi’s first thing in the morning. I had some winterizing to do there and was bringing along an insulation blanket I’d made by taping three strips of fiberglass insulation together and would put over the opening into the attic into which the folding stairs retracted. I walked into the house from the garage to the smell of fresh-perked coffee. She’s been reading my blog and knows how hard I’m working at controlling the weight, so she had two doughnuts on a plate waiting for me. Nice.
We talked about Jim and Bob for a while before diving into the list she’d created on her computer…something she was starting to use more and hoping I’d give her a couple of lessons. Anyone that knows me well and how proficient I am with a computer would find this comical. But hey…I can write and post a blog and sometimes I even add pictures. I’m practically ready to build one…
I did the gutters again, cleaned out the garage, pulled cots from the attic, raked leaves and assembled a shoe rack that Mimi was sure would change her life. When I went to the shed to look for a tool, I immediately noticed a pile of leaves in the far corner. I quickly stood on the tractor so I could get a look overhead on the storage platform. Sure enough…a squirrel’s nest. The bastard had chewed through a small opening he’d found in the overhang and made his way in. There was no way I was leaving him and his opening there and had to return home to get the wood and supplies to effect the repair.
I completed the repair and headed for home to take the van to Dan’s. He was going to replace the stabilizer bar and I was going to help. I’m almost as good around cars as I am with computers…so he’d probably charge me more for helping him. We were also taking a car Ash wanted to buy for him to check over. It had a manual transmission…something she’d driven only once before…and the effort to get it out there was eventful to say the least. I had one driver flip me off while I was trying to jump the battery after one of many stalls. I understand being frustrated, but did he really think I wanted to be parked on Wilson Mills with my hood up, facing another car with four lanes of traffic rushing by? Anyway, he’ll probably die from an anxiety attack, bleeding ulcer, or some other malady associated with impatience…so…tough.
We never made it do Dan’s. I concluded that we needed a new battery and after pushing it with the van into the Heinen’s parking lot, headed for the store to get a battery and home to get someone who drove a stick.
I never did get to do a work out of any sorts. I was hoping for a bike ride, but life really got in the way again. Tomorrow is another day and I’m going to run…farther.
I headed for Mimi’s first thing in the morning. I had some winterizing to do there and was bringing along an insulation blanket I’d made by taping three strips of fiberglass insulation together and would put over the opening into the attic into which the folding stairs retracted. I walked into the house from the garage to the smell of fresh-perked coffee. She’s been reading my blog and knows how hard I’m working at controlling the weight, so she had two doughnuts on a plate waiting for me. Nice.
We talked about Jim and Bob for a while before diving into the list she’d created on her computer…something she was starting to use more and hoping I’d give her a couple of lessons. Anyone that knows me well and how proficient I am with a computer would find this comical. But hey…I can write and post a blog and sometimes I even add pictures. I’m practically ready to build one…
I did the gutters again, cleaned out the garage, pulled cots from the attic, raked leaves and assembled a shoe rack that Mimi was sure would change her life. When I went to the shed to look for a tool, I immediately noticed a pile of leaves in the far corner. I quickly stood on the tractor so I could get a look overhead on the storage platform. Sure enough…a squirrel’s nest. The bastard had chewed through a small opening he’d found in the overhang and made his way in. There was no way I was leaving him and his opening there and had to return home to get the wood and supplies to effect the repair.
I completed the repair and headed for home to take the van to Dan’s. He was going to replace the stabilizer bar and I was going to help. I’m almost as good around cars as I am with computers…so he’d probably charge me more for helping him. We were also taking a car Ash wanted to buy for him to check over. It had a manual transmission…something she’d driven only once before…and the effort to get it out there was eventful to say the least. I had one driver flip me off while I was trying to jump the battery after one of many stalls. I understand being frustrated, but did he really think I wanted to be parked on Wilson Mills with my hood up, facing another car with four lanes of traffic rushing by? Anyway, he’ll probably die from an anxiety attack, bleeding ulcer, or some other malady associated with impatience…so…tough.
We never made it do Dan’s. I concluded that we needed a new battery and after pushing it with the van into the Heinen’s parking lot, headed for the store to get a battery and home to get someone who drove a stick.
I never did get to do a work out of any sorts. I was hoping for a bike ride, but life really got in the way again. Tomorrow is another day and I’m going to run…farther.
Blood test for prostate cancer? Check.
Friday, November 19, 2010
I passed the day Friday waiting for my foot to begin hurting. I had an appointment with Nilesh for my PSA at day’s end and was glad I’d done the running to trigger the pain. There was none. I met with him and described the pain, where it had struck and my current condition, which was pain-free.
“Hey…you listened to my instructions and now you’re better,” he said.
“Yeah…what a concept. I just don’t get how I could be on crutches and then five days later running like nothing had ever happened,” I said.
He described a bone on the bottom of the foot in exactly the location I’d experienced the worst pain and how, with the help of a manipulation by a doc familiar with it, can pop it back when it pops out…like a dislocated shoulder. “Maybe you just popped it out and it’s back in now,” he speculated.
Anyway, I gave them a vial of blood and will wait to hear the results of the PSA, which isn’t instamatic, so I guess I’ll hear some time next week.
I headed for home and some manual labor since I wasn’t supposed to run. The leaves seem to be all down, so I finished the raking, but my neighbor wouldn’t let me do his…he wanted to. Then I headed into the garage where I have my work bench and tools. Jason had criticized my organizational skills…I’d been piling things up for some time and had added Jim’s tools to the mix…so I decided it was time to clean it up. I spent the next three hours cleaning out the garage, making an insulation blanket for Mimi’s attic steps, and organizing the work bench. By the time I was finished, I had a separate pile of things I figured Jason would want and called him to tell him how he’d inspired me to clean up the mess. I was trying to get as much out of the way as possible since tomorrow would be full with working at Mimi’s, doing the rest of my own winterizing, and taking the van and Ash’s car to Dan’s for work. If I can’t work out…at least I can pick up the slack around the house…
I passed the day Friday waiting for my foot to begin hurting. I had an appointment with Nilesh for my PSA at day’s end and was glad I’d done the running to trigger the pain. There was none. I met with him and described the pain, where it had struck and my current condition, which was pain-free.
“Hey…you listened to my instructions and now you’re better,” he said.
“Yeah…what a concept. I just don’t get how I could be on crutches and then five days later running like nothing had ever happened,” I said.
He described a bone on the bottom of the foot in exactly the location I’d experienced the worst pain and how, with the help of a manipulation by a doc familiar with it, can pop it back when it pops out…like a dislocated shoulder. “Maybe you just popped it out and it’s back in now,” he speculated.
Anyway, I gave them a vial of blood and will wait to hear the results of the PSA, which isn’t instamatic, so I guess I’ll hear some time next week.
I headed for home and some manual labor since I wasn’t supposed to run. The leaves seem to be all down, so I finished the raking, but my neighbor wouldn’t let me do his…he wanted to. Then I headed into the garage where I have my work bench and tools. Jason had criticized my organizational skills…I’d been piling things up for some time and had added Jim’s tools to the mix…so I decided it was time to clean it up. I spent the next three hours cleaning out the garage, making an insulation blanket for Mimi’s attic steps, and organizing the work bench. By the time I was finished, I had a separate pile of things I figured Jason would want and called him to tell him how he’d inspired me to clean up the mess. I was trying to get as much out of the way as possible since tomorrow would be full with working at Mimi’s, doing the rest of my own winterizing, and taking the van and Ash’s car to Dan’s for work. If I can’t work out…at least I can pick up the slack around the house…
Friday, November 19, 2010
Where'd that foot pain go?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Saturday morning I was using crutches to get around the house and if you would have told me then that I’d run five days later without pain in my foot, I’d have thought I really was John Locke and the island had cured me.
Following doctor’s advice, as I always do, I went for a run. He’d said ‘not super-long’ which to me meant run until it hurts or twenty miles, whichever comes first. Actually, I planned to run 10 minutes with only marginal hope that I’d complete the time without having to stop. My foot was feeling completely normal as I started though, and maybe I’d get lucky. I was on the trails and when I reached Clear Creek from my car, I’d gone 6 minutes and felt absolutely no pain. My brain calculated quickly…as it always does…that if I went another 90 seconds and then turned around, I’d have a 15-minute run and a good test of the recovery process…so I did.
I returned to the car with no pain and drove home thinking it would come before the night was over. It never did.
So…now I’m supposed to take a day off before running again, which I’ll do. I’m going to see the doc tomorrow and I’ll show him the foot and what a good patient I’ve been. He’ll say “for once you listened to me” or something to that effect and I’ll agree and when I’m hurt again, I’ll give him a call and because of this experience, there will be a 20% chance that I’ll follow his advice the first time…which is up. I really need to start burning some calories. Thanksgiving is a week away and is the traditional kickoff to 10 pounds of weight gain I schedule every year for the holidays. Not this year, though.
Run duration: 15 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 250.
Saturday morning I was using crutches to get around the house and if you would have told me then that I’d run five days later without pain in my foot, I’d have thought I really was John Locke and the island had cured me.
Following doctor’s advice, as I always do, I went for a run. He’d said ‘not super-long’ which to me meant run until it hurts or twenty miles, whichever comes first. Actually, I planned to run 10 minutes with only marginal hope that I’d complete the time without having to stop. My foot was feeling completely normal as I started though, and maybe I’d get lucky. I was on the trails and when I reached Clear Creek from my car, I’d gone 6 minutes and felt absolutely no pain. My brain calculated quickly…as it always does…that if I went another 90 seconds and then turned around, I’d have a 15-minute run and a good test of the recovery process…so I did.
I returned to the car with no pain and drove home thinking it would come before the night was over. It never did.
So…now I’m supposed to take a day off before running again, which I’ll do. I’m going to see the doc tomorrow and I’ll show him the foot and what a good patient I’ve been. He’ll say “for once you listened to me” or something to that effect and I’ll agree and when I’m hurt again, I’ll give him a call and because of this experience, there will be a 20% chance that I’ll follow his advice the first time…which is up. I really need to start burning some calories. Thanksgiving is a week away and is the traditional kickoff to 10 pounds of weight gain I schedule every year for the holidays. Not this year, though.
Run duration: 15 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 250.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time for a blood test...
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I decided I needed to ratchet things up just a notch or two so I’d know when I went to the doc’s office on Friday just how bad the foot still was. I was going in for a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test, a screening for the presence of prostate cancer, and thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. My brother Jeff is a poster child for PSA screening. He has been visiting his physician regularly for years and it was the resulting increase over his baseline numbers resulting from his screenings that detected his prostate cancer and led to early and effective treatment. Apparently, there is controversy over the use of PSA results in determining the presence of prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer in the US, but he was interviewed at the Cleveland Clinic and featured on ‘Live on Five’ recently, declaring that without the testing, he wouldn’t be here today. A simple blood test allows laboratory technicians to determine PSA levels. PSA is a protein that is normally secreted and disposed of by the prostate gland. High PSA levels (more than 4.0 ng/ml) may indicate the presence of prostate cancer cells or other non-cancerous prostate conditions. However, in approximately 10% of prostate cancer cases, there is no rise in PSA above this threshold level, which creates a diagnostic problem for this group of individuals. Apparently, Jeff’s were low, but were trending higher than his baseline and thus led to more aggressive methods to determine if he had prostate cancer. In other words, I needed to quit procrastinating and get mine checked.
I called Holly and asked her if she’d like to go for a hike when she got home. She agreed to it, but wouldn’t arrive for another 45 minutes, so I used that time to work the foot harder with some very necessary leaf raking. I figured I’d follow the yard work with an hour hike and then go for a jog tomorrow…all in an effort to bring on more pain…and then be able to show rather than tell the doc what the problem was. I thought it made sense.
We walked the bridle trails from the bottom of Wilson Mills to the parking lot at the top of the hill, but since it was getting dark, returned on the paved bike path/road for the return trip. It was then that I noticed an increase in pain in my foot and figured it had something to do with the hardness of the surface. Still, it was better than yesterday, which continued to encourage me. By the time we reached the car, I was convinced that jogging 10 minutes tomorrow would make sense and still be following doctor’s orders. I’ll know in 24 hours…
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 420.
I decided I needed to ratchet things up just a notch or two so I’d know when I went to the doc’s office on Friday just how bad the foot still was. I was going in for a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test, a screening for the presence of prostate cancer, and thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. My brother Jeff is a poster child for PSA screening. He has been visiting his physician regularly for years and it was the resulting increase over his baseline numbers resulting from his screenings that detected his prostate cancer and led to early and effective treatment. Apparently, there is controversy over the use of PSA results in determining the presence of prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer in the US, but he was interviewed at the Cleveland Clinic and featured on ‘Live on Five’ recently, declaring that without the testing, he wouldn’t be here today. A simple blood test allows laboratory technicians to determine PSA levels. PSA is a protein that is normally secreted and disposed of by the prostate gland. High PSA levels (more than 4.0 ng/ml) may indicate the presence of prostate cancer cells or other non-cancerous prostate conditions. However, in approximately 10% of prostate cancer cases, there is no rise in PSA above this threshold level, which creates a diagnostic problem for this group of individuals. Apparently, Jeff’s were low, but were trending higher than his baseline and thus led to more aggressive methods to determine if he had prostate cancer. In other words, I needed to quit procrastinating and get mine checked.
I called Holly and asked her if she’d like to go for a hike when she got home. She agreed to it, but wouldn’t arrive for another 45 minutes, so I used that time to work the foot harder with some very necessary leaf raking. I figured I’d follow the yard work with an hour hike and then go for a jog tomorrow…all in an effort to bring on more pain…and then be able to show rather than tell the doc what the problem was. I thought it made sense.
We walked the bridle trails from the bottom of Wilson Mills to the parking lot at the top of the hill, but since it was getting dark, returned on the paved bike path/road for the return trip. It was then that I noticed an increase in pain in my foot and figured it had something to do with the hardness of the surface. Still, it was better than yesterday, which continued to encourage me. By the time we reached the car, I was convinced that jogging 10 minutes tomorrow would make sense and still be following doctor’s orders. I’ll know in 24 hours…
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 420.
Listening to the doctor's advice...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My doc knows me pretty well and was explicit with his instructions for my returning to running. He wrote that if I could walk/live with minimal pain, then I was okay to try jogging, but not ‘super far’. He even gave me a pain scale, saying that if I was a 3 or lower on a 10 point scale, I could continue to run, but only on an every-other day basis. The ‘super far’ is open to interpretation as is the pain scale, but I know what he wants, though I tend to abuse good advice. This time though, I’ll do my best to get it right. Options are more limited for an exercise fix this time of year and I don’t want to eliminate the easiest and my favorite.
Today was not a ‘minimal pain’ day and so I had no allusions about running. I did however plan to do a longer walk in the park to see how it reacted. I arrived near dark, but pulled my camera out anyway and went on a 1-hour, off-trail loop with the hope of spotting some big buck and snapping a decent picture or two. As soon as I began walking up hill, the pain in the outside part of my foot returned and continued to throb throughout the hike. I suppose it was a little above minimal, though as I’ve often explained to Holly…what’s minimal to me would kill an normal person...and she loves it when I say that. Anyway…I could live with it so I kept going.
The leaves were too crunchy and broadcast my presence to any potential deer, so there were no picture opportunities. I did scare up one large, red-tailed hawk, which flew ahead of me maneuvering between trees in ways that amaze me considering their wing span and the density of the forest. I returned to the car after an hour thinking that my foot was getting better, but probably a couple of days away from trying to run. I’m going to be patient. I’m going to follow the good doctor’s advice. I’m mature and responsible now…
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 420.
My doc knows me pretty well and was explicit with his instructions for my returning to running. He wrote that if I could walk/live with minimal pain, then I was okay to try jogging, but not ‘super far’. He even gave me a pain scale, saying that if I was a 3 or lower on a 10 point scale, I could continue to run, but only on an every-other day basis. The ‘super far’ is open to interpretation as is the pain scale, but I know what he wants, though I tend to abuse good advice. This time though, I’ll do my best to get it right. Options are more limited for an exercise fix this time of year and I don’t want to eliminate the easiest and my favorite.
Today was not a ‘minimal pain’ day and so I had no allusions about running. I did however plan to do a longer walk in the park to see how it reacted. I arrived near dark, but pulled my camera out anyway and went on a 1-hour, off-trail loop with the hope of spotting some big buck and snapping a decent picture or two. As soon as I began walking up hill, the pain in the outside part of my foot returned and continued to throb throughout the hike. I suppose it was a little above minimal, though as I’ve often explained to Holly…what’s minimal to me would kill an normal person...and she loves it when I say that. Anyway…I could live with it so I kept going.
The leaves were too crunchy and broadcast my presence to any potential deer, so there were no picture opportunities. I did scare up one large, red-tailed hawk, which flew ahead of me maneuvering between trees in ways that amaze me considering their wing span and the density of the forest. I returned to the car after an hour thinking that my foot was getting better, but probably a couple of days away from trying to run. I’m going to be patient. I’m going to follow the good doctor’s advice. I’m mature and responsible now…
Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 420.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
At least I can walk again
Monday, November 15, 2010
Finally, I woke up and could actually stand on my foot. It’s getting better, but not nearly fast enough for me. I’m still planning on seeing the doctor before returning to running, but in the mean time, maybe I’ll just do some hiking in the park.
I found my way there last night and put in a little less than an hour tracking through the woods off-trail. I scared up six white tails, two of which didn’t seem to want to leave until I was within 10 feet of them. I didn’t see any bucks around. I made my way down to the marsh with the foot aching from every step, though not nearly as bad as it had been over the weekend.
By the time I reached the marsh, it was nearly dark. As much as I love daylight savings time, I can never get used to how early it gets dark once it ends. Bike riding after work is out entirely and hiking off-trail is limited, too. I could bring a head lamp, but somehow that just doesn’t fit back here. I guess I’m going to have to break down and put the bike on the trainer for the winter though I’m looking forward to the weekend and seeing a chance for some outdoor riding. If I can’t run, then I guess I just really have to man-up and ride in the cold. I’ve got the gear…the flesh is weak, though. There are still opportunities for some kayaking, too.
Anyway, I managed to do a hike and that’s better than nothing…my other choice. The woods are always wonderful and with all of the leaves off the trees, the opportunity to spot wildlife increases significantly. Tomorrow may be the same and I’ll keep it up until the weekend. Hopefully, I’ll get a green light on some running by then.
Hike duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 350.
Finally, I woke up and could actually stand on my foot. It’s getting better, but not nearly fast enough for me. I’m still planning on seeing the doctor before returning to running, but in the mean time, maybe I’ll just do some hiking in the park.
I found my way there last night and put in a little less than an hour tracking through the woods off-trail. I scared up six white tails, two of which didn’t seem to want to leave until I was within 10 feet of them. I didn’t see any bucks around. I made my way down to the marsh with the foot aching from every step, though not nearly as bad as it had been over the weekend.
By the time I reached the marsh, it was nearly dark. As much as I love daylight savings time, I can never get used to how early it gets dark once it ends. Bike riding after work is out entirely and hiking off-trail is limited, too. I could bring a head lamp, but somehow that just doesn’t fit back here. I guess I’m going to have to break down and put the bike on the trainer for the winter though I’m looking forward to the weekend and seeing a chance for some outdoor riding. If I can’t run, then I guess I just really have to man-up and ride in the cold. I’ve got the gear…the flesh is weak, though. There are still opportunities for some kayaking, too.
Anyway, I managed to do a hike and that’s better than nothing…my other choice. The woods are always wonderful and with all of the leaves off the trees, the opportunity to spot wildlife increases significantly. Tomorrow may be the same and I’ll keep it up until the weekend. Hopefully, I’ll get a green light on some running by then.
Hike duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 350.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Too soon, old...too late, smart.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The morning was pretty much a repeat of Saturday with the pain causing me to wince as I hopped to the bathroom. I managed to get dressed sitting on the floor…much easier than trying to stand on a bad foot and pull on your pants. I used the crutches to go out and get the paper and then returned to icing and more foot elevating.
I hate being injured. I’d like to say that this is the worst its ever been for me and likely it is the age…but really not. I’ve struggled with one training related ailment or another since I began working out in earnest back in the early 70’s. Some bodies are built to take the punishment…and some aren’t. Mine isn’t, apparently. Having said that, I’ve never been one to do things in moderation or listen to the good advice I gave those I’ve trained about proper methods of increasing work loads and what to do when you feel your body telling you to take it easy. “Do as I say…” mentality has always ruled my life…and caused me the down time I’m currently experiencing. I’d like to say ‘live and learn’ but I never seem to and I don’t suppose it’ll be any different this time. I am what I am…gotta love me.
When you don’t have the cable, there’s little to watch on a Sunday morning. I’d read for a couple of hours, iced my foot plenty, and basically run out of things to do. I figured I could watch the Browns at 1 p.m., but what was I going to do until then? I could see from the windows as I’d limped by that the leaves were falling so fast that you couldn’t tell Id even raked the day before. Hmm….
I waited until Holly took Savannah out to buy a coat before putting my plan into action. My foot was hurting some…but it was getting better and those leaves…well…they just kept falling! That…and I had a large limb that had fallen from one of those lousy silver maples that grew along the back of our property line. It needed to be cut up…and it needed it like…now.
I slipped into the garage…Ash was upstairs with Ollie and I didn’t want her to catch me…and grabbed my tarp and rake. I was walking about 70 percent normally…if there is such a thing…which encouraged me. I spent the next 2 hours raking leaves and dragging them to the front and when I ran out…did my neighbors front yard, too. Then I grabbed my giant, tree cutting hand saw and headed for the downed limb. I wrestled with that and cut it into fire wood for about 30 minutes until, with one deft stroke, had it spring from the wood and over the top of my left hand. Now…I’ve got a scar from doing this exact move many years ago. At that time it had cut me on the down stroke…and then I’d pulled it back…over my hand, that is. Well…you’d think I’d learned from that incident, but I hadn’t…and pulled it back…again. It was a nice, rusty saw, but thankfully I was bleeding rather nicely, which cleaned the wound of any wood or rust residue…I figured. If not…I’d be going to see Nilesh anyway and could get more bang out of my health care dollar buck now.
Holly came home and found me raking the leaves, but figured…why bother? I covered the hand and grabbed a paper towel before heading to the neighbors to find out how their overnight camping trip had gone while the bleeding stopped. Then I could sneak back in with all the family there for dinner and get lost in the commotion. It didn’t work. Holly saw the blood oozing since I had insisted on helping put the flat dumplings into the broth on the stove with her. “You’re standing when you shouldn’t be…and you’re bleeding in our food. What did you do now?”
“I was cutting that branch back there when the saw jumped of the wood,” I explained. She just gave me one of those ‘why must you be so eternally stupid’ looks and told me to wash my hands and sit down.
I limited my intake of flat dumplings to one helping since its loaded with calories and I could see I wasn’t going to be working out anytime soon. I skipped dessert…for awhile…having a bowl of ice cream after everyone left. Tomorrow…I needed to come up with a plan. I’ve got to figure out a way to get through the winter without injury and with the holiday season upon us…need to keep activity up because I know the calories are on their way…and they always find me.
Leaf raking duration: Two hours.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 700.
The morning was pretty much a repeat of Saturday with the pain causing me to wince as I hopped to the bathroom. I managed to get dressed sitting on the floor…much easier than trying to stand on a bad foot and pull on your pants. I used the crutches to go out and get the paper and then returned to icing and more foot elevating.
I hate being injured. I’d like to say that this is the worst its ever been for me and likely it is the age…but really not. I’ve struggled with one training related ailment or another since I began working out in earnest back in the early 70’s. Some bodies are built to take the punishment…and some aren’t. Mine isn’t, apparently. Having said that, I’ve never been one to do things in moderation or listen to the good advice I gave those I’ve trained about proper methods of increasing work loads and what to do when you feel your body telling you to take it easy. “Do as I say…” mentality has always ruled my life…and caused me the down time I’m currently experiencing. I’d like to say ‘live and learn’ but I never seem to and I don’t suppose it’ll be any different this time. I am what I am…gotta love me.
When you don’t have the cable, there’s little to watch on a Sunday morning. I’d read for a couple of hours, iced my foot plenty, and basically run out of things to do. I figured I could watch the Browns at 1 p.m., but what was I going to do until then? I could see from the windows as I’d limped by that the leaves were falling so fast that you couldn’t tell Id even raked the day before. Hmm….
I waited until Holly took Savannah out to buy a coat before putting my plan into action. My foot was hurting some…but it was getting better and those leaves…well…they just kept falling! That…and I had a large limb that had fallen from one of those lousy silver maples that grew along the back of our property line. It needed to be cut up…and it needed it like…now.
I slipped into the garage…Ash was upstairs with Ollie and I didn’t want her to catch me…and grabbed my tarp and rake. I was walking about 70 percent normally…if there is such a thing…which encouraged me. I spent the next 2 hours raking leaves and dragging them to the front and when I ran out…did my neighbors front yard, too. Then I grabbed my giant, tree cutting hand saw and headed for the downed limb. I wrestled with that and cut it into fire wood for about 30 minutes until, with one deft stroke, had it spring from the wood and over the top of my left hand. Now…I’ve got a scar from doing this exact move many years ago. At that time it had cut me on the down stroke…and then I’d pulled it back…over my hand, that is. Well…you’d think I’d learned from that incident, but I hadn’t…and pulled it back…again. It was a nice, rusty saw, but thankfully I was bleeding rather nicely, which cleaned the wound of any wood or rust residue…I figured. If not…I’d be going to see Nilesh anyway and could get more bang out of my health care dollar buck now.
Holly came home and found me raking the leaves, but figured…why bother? I covered the hand and grabbed a paper towel before heading to the neighbors to find out how their overnight camping trip had gone while the bleeding stopped. Then I could sneak back in with all the family there for dinner and get lost in the commotion. It didn’t work. Holly saw the blood oozing since I had insisted on helping put the flat dumplings into the broth on the stove with her. “You’re standing when you shouldn’t be…and you’re bleeding in our food. What did you do now?”
“I was cutting that branch back there when the saw jumped of the wood,” I explained. She just gave me one of those ‘why must you be so eternally stupid’ looks and told me to wash my hands and sit down.
I limited my intake of flat dumplings to one helping since its loaded with calories and I could see I wasn’t going to be working out anytime soon. I skipped dessert…for awhile…having a bowl of ice cream after everyone left. Tomorrow…I needed to come up with a plan. I’ve got to figure out a way to get through the winter without injury and with the holiday season upon us…need to keep activity up because I know the calories are on their way…and they always find me.
Leaf raking duration: Two hours.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 700.
More raking...more foot pain
Saturday, November 13, 2010
When I woke at 4 a.m. to visit the rest room, I knew I was in trouble. The pain in my foot had intensified while I was sleeping…and had actually waked me up. I tried to get up to walk the 10 steps to the bathroom, but as soon as I placed some weight on the right foot…the pain surging through my body told me that wouldn’t be happening. I hopped into the bathroom, did what I had to do, took four Advil and hopped back to bed. When I woke again around 7 a.m. with no relief, I knew it was going to be a long weekend…for Holly. Though she loves to nurse me back to health and listen to my continuous whining while running to here and there to serve my every need, I really didn’t want her to have to suffer through me again. Oh well…for worse or for worser…at least that’s what I heard the priest say.
We grabbed some crutches from the neighbors and I put them near my chair as I sat, foot propped up, with the ice pack wrapped around. I did this until my foot was numb…about 30 minutes…then took it off and sat another hour reading. I was getting completely frustrated by then and decided that maybe I was all better. I stood and put some weight on the foot. Not too bad, I decided, and walked gingerly to the garage. Maybe all I needed was some movement…after all plantar fascitis is always worst in the morning when, after sleeping through the night, the tissue is stiff from a lack of a warming blood supply and only needs some movement to improve. I figured what I needed to do was rake some more leaves!
I spent the next couple of hours doing my and the neighbor’s leaves, then grabbed the ladder and climbed on the roof to do the gutters. The pitch of the roof was doing nothing good to the plantar, but it was manageable pain and so I kept going. By the time I was finished with leaves though, I knew I’d overdone it…kind of my M.O.
I needed to pick up my brother Jim’s car from Dan and drive it to my nephew’s place in Thompson. Dan had checked it over to see if it was worth sinking good money into for Ash to drive, but his conclusion was a resounding ‘no’. We drove it out there where I did some more limping around, riding an ATV, and just standing…until I just couldn’t stand it any more. The return drive was painful…just applying pressure to the accelerator was causing me to flinch. I’d placed a called to Nilesh, the sports med doc I’d coached in high school earlier in the day to see if he had Saturday office hours, and he returned my call to say he didn’t. I told him the symptoms.
“You’re an old fart. When are you going to get that straight. First you get a stress fracture in your leg and keep hiking and running, then you do this and go out and walk on it all day long. You HAVE to be smarter when you get older about these things…blah, blah, blah,” he said.
“So…what…no running tomorrow?” I asked.
I could sense him rolling his eyes through the phone and we agreed that I’d come to the office on Monday if there was no improvement…and that I’d take tomorrow off completely. “Don’t do anything,” he said as we hung up.
I’d be good. What choice did I have?
Leaf raking duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 350.
When I woke at 4 a.m. to visit the rest room, I knew I was in trouble. The pain in my foot had intensified while I was sleeping…and had actually waked me up. I tried to get up to walk the 10 steps to the bathroom, but as soon as I placed some weight on the right foot…the pain surging through my body told me that wouldn’t be happening. I hopped into the bathroom, did what I had to do, took four Advil and hopped back to bed. When I woke again around 7 a.m. with no relief, I knew it was going to be a long weekend…for Holly. Though she loves to nurse me back to health and listen to my continuous whining while running to here and there to serve my every need, I really didn’t want her to have to suffer through me again. Oh well…for worse or for worser…at least that’s what I heard the priest say.
We grabbed some crutches from the neighbors and I put them near my chair as I sat, foot propped up, with the ice pack wrapped around. I did this until my foot was numb…about 30 minutes…then took it off and sat another hour reading. I was getting completely frustrated by then and decided that maybe I was all better. I stood and put some weight on the foot. Not too bad, I decided, and walked gingerly to the garage. Maybe all I needed was some movement…after all plantar fascitis is always worst in the morning when, after sleeping through the night, the tissue is stiff from a lack of a warming blood supply and only needs some movement to improve. I figured what I needed to do was rake some more leaves!
I spent the next couple of hours doing my and the neighbor’s leaves, then grabbed the ladder and climbed on the roof to do the gutters. The pitch of the roof was doing nothing good to the plantar, but it was manageable pain and so I kept going. By the time I was finished with leaves though, I knew I’d overdone it…kind of my M.O.
I needed to pick up my brother Jim’s car from Dan and drive it to my nephew’s place in Thompson. Dan had checked it over to see if it was worth sinking good money into for Ash to drive, but his conclusion was a resounding ‘no’. We drove it out there where I did some more limping around, riding an ATV, and just standing…until I just couldn’t stand it any more. The return drive was painful…just applying pressure to the accelerator was causing me to flinch. I’d placed a called to Nilesh, the sports med doc I’d coached in high school earlier in the day to see if he had Saturday office hours, and he returned my call to say he didn’t. I told him the symptoms.
“You’re an old fart. When are you going to get that straight. First you get a stress fracture in your leg and keep hiking and running, then you do this and go out and walk on it all day long. You HAVE to be smarter when you get older about these things…blah, blah, blah,” he said.
“So…what…no running tomorrow?” I asked.
I could sense him rolling his eyes through the phone and we agreed that I’d come to the office on Monday if there was no improvement…and that I’d take tomorrow off completely. “Don’t do anything,” he said as we hung up.
I’d be good. What choice did I have?
Leaf raking duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 350.
Raking for exercise
Friday, November 12, 2010
I spent the day limping. Both of my feet were sore, but the right was giving me the most discomfort. I’ve suffered from plantar fascitis before and figured it was simply another case of this painful malady. Plantar fascitis is pain caused when the plantar fascia, the connective tissue running on the bottom of the foot from the heel bone to the toes, is enflamed. It happens quite a bit with runners…and that’s what I’m trying to be. I knew I wouldn’t be running, but I had a lot of leaves to rake and figured I’d get home and do a little of that for a workout. I knew it was going to be sunny and in the 60’s on Saturday and figured I’d be able to get in a long ride to compensate for missing a day.
I spent an hour raking leaves onto a large tarp and dragging them to the tree lawn. My foot continued to throb during this activity, but not too seriously. We had family for dinner and spent the next couple of hours after just sitting and talking. When I went to get up to grab some dessert, I practically pitched forward onto my nose when my right foot sent shock waves of pain up my leg and into the part of my brain that says once again…you f*&^%d up. I limped…hopped to the kitchen, hoping the movement would loosen things up…but nothing doing. There was something seriously wrong, though I was at a loss as to what triggered it. Holly grabbed my ice pack out of the freezer and I wrapped it around my foot and put it up on a chair. This has the appropriate effect of getting everyone to feel sorry for me…or tell me I’m stupid for ignoring the warning signals. Any attention is good, though, so I took it. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be running any time soon when I finally hopped up to my bed and flopped down for night. I did figure I’d be feeling better in the morning, though.
Leaf raking duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 350.
I spent the day limping. Both of my feet were sore, but the right was giving me the most discomfort. I’ve suffered from plantar fascitis before and figured it was simply another case of this painful malady. Plantar fascitis is pain caused when the plantar fascia, the connective tissue running on the bottom of the foot from the heel bone to the toes, is enflamed. It happens quite a bit with runners…and that’s what I’m trying to be. I knew I wouldn’t be running, but I had a lot of leaves to rake and figured I’d get home and do a little of that for a workout. I knew it was going to be sunny and in the 60’s on Saturday and figured I’d be able to get in a long ride to compensate for missing a day.
I spent an hour raking leaves onto a large tarp and dragging them to the tree lawn. My foot continued to throb during this activity, but not too seriously. We had family for dinner and spent the next couple of hours after just sitting and talking. When I went to get up to grab some dessert, I practically pitched forward onto my nose when my right foot sent shock waves of pain up my leg and into the part of my brain that says once again…you f*&^%d up. I limped…hopped to the kitchen, hoping the movement would loosen things up…but nothing doing. There was something seriously wrong, though I was at a loss as to what triggered it. Holly grabbed my ice pack out of the freezer and I wrapped it around my foot and put it up on a chair. This has the appropriate effect of getting everyone to feel sorry for me…or tell me I’m stupid for ignoring the warning signals. Any attention is good, though, so I took it. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be running any time soon when I finally hopped up to my bed and flopped down for night. I did figure I’d be feeling better in the morning, though.
Leaf raking duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 70 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 350.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Dogs are such...animals
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I parked the car and did the short walk to the trail head for my run. I could tell that things were not quite right just walking. I’ve been feeling a pain in my achilles tendon during the last couple of runs and it’s beginning to concern me. I started running, but quickly decided this would be a very short run. I thought I’d go 10 minutes…just enough to loosen it up…and then head home and to so some serious leaf raking to make up the difference. Now…here’s a surprise. When I reached the turnaround for the ten minutes…I kept going. I mean…could I really only run ten minutes? Just because it would be the smart thing to do is no reason to do it…and you can quote me.
There is certainly a difference with the deer in November during the rut. I practically bowled one over that was standing dead center in the trail as I rounded a turn. Normally, they’d hear me coming and move into the woods at the edge of the trail…but not this one. It was a doe, so I looked into the woods, figuring there was a buck with a big rack nearby and something I didn’t want to tangle with. There wasn’t. I pretty much had to step around it to continue my run.
I was running one of my 30-minute courses and although I made some adjustments to shorten it, ended up adding a trail towards the end and ran 30 minutes after all. I can’t say that I felt good at any point during the run and I’m thinking I’d like to get on the bike for a couple of days over the weekend and give the running muscles a break.
Leaves are a pretty decent workout. All winds on my street blow towards my yard and deposit the leaves of neighbors who have learned there’s no point in raking. They probably know how much I like to work out and think they’re doing me a favor. I suppose they are. I had Dakota out with me and was watching her closely. Sometimes she acts like…I don’t know…an animal? She’s been rolling in something really foul-smelling and had gotten into it again earlier in the day…when she was tied on her line. How far away could it be? I couldn’t seem to locate a dead carcass or a pile of unusual poop in which she could wallow, but it’s got to be there. I know it’s their nature to find horrible scents and then to smear them all over their bodies, but really…aren’t you a little beyond that behavior, Dakota? She’s never spent a night in the wilderness yet and I don’t think she will be any time soon. Well…Savannah gave her another bath so at least she’s clean…for the moment.
Run duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
I parked the car and did the short walk to the trail head for my run. I could tell that things were not quite right just walking. I’ve been feeling a pain in my achilles tendon during the last couple of runs and it’s beginning to concern me. I started running, but quickly decided this would be a very short run. I thought I’d go 10 minutes…just enough to loosen it up…and then head home and to so some serious leaf raking to make up the difference. Now…here’s a surprise. When I reached the turnaround for the ten minutes…I kept going. I mean…could I really only run ten minutes? Just because it would be the smart thing to do is no reason to do it…and you can quote me.
There is certainly a difference with the deer in November during the rut. I practically bowled one over that was standing dead center in the trail as I rounded a turn. Normally, they’d hear me coming and move into the woods at the edge of the trail…but not this one. It was a doe, so I looked into the woods, figuring there was a buck with a big rack nearby and something I didn’t want to tangle with. There wasn’t. I pretty much had to step around it to continue my run.
I was running one of my 30-minute courses and although I made some adjustments to shorten it, ended up adding a trail towards the end and ran 30 minutes after all. I can’t say that I felt good at any point during the run and I’m thinking I’d like to get on the bike for a couple of days over the weekend and give the running muscles a break.
Leaves are a pretty decent workout. All winds on my street blow towards my yard and deposit the leaves of neighbors who have learned there’s no point in raking. They probably know how much I like to work out and think they’re doing me a favor. I suppose they are. I had Dakota out with me and was watching her closely. Sometimes she acts like…I don’t know…an animal? She’s been rolling in something really foul-smelling and had gotten into it again earlier in the day…when she was tied on her line. How far away could it be? I couldn’t seem to locate a dead carcass or a pile of unusual poop in which she could wallow, but it’s got to be there. I know it’s their nature to find horrible scents and then to smear them all over their bodies, but really…aren’t you a little beyond that behavior, Dakota? She’s never spent a night in the wilderness yet and I don’t think she will be any time soon. Well…Savannah gave her another bath so at least she’s clean…for the moment.
Run duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Kids still dig 'The Beatles'
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
I began to execute the new plan. I’m calling it ‘Bother people until they tell you to go away…and then bother them some more’ or something like that…I don’t know. Anyway, Jack and I drove down to see Jason in Kent. He made us a spaghetti dinner and we watched four episodes of ’30 Rock’. I hadn’t been to his place in over a month…he’s always coming to see us on Sundays so I never make the effort, but I’m glad I went. He lives alone with a couple of goofy dogs and really enjoyed the opportunity for some light, intellectual conversation and the chance to show off all he’d done around the house since my last visit.
I also got the chance to ride to and from with Jack and hear about his new obsession with the Beatles as we listened to the CD he’d burned. He was fortunate enough to have been riding with someone who’d stationed himself in front of a TV set to watch the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show for America’s first glimpse of the musical phenomenon back in 1964. I’m guessing anyone who’s in their 50’s today was also watching that show. I don’t know what percentage of sets was tuned in to the broadcast, but I’m guessing it was a record breaker that will stand for all time. My father, and most of his generation, hated the Beatles…and all rock and roll for that matter…and I think it’s interesting that almost fifty years later, my 16-year old is enjoying the same music I grew up on. What happened? Was my dad’s music that crappy that we didn’t even consider it? Is rock and roll that good that it will continue to be appreciated for another 50 years? These are the things that keep me awake at night.
My third straight day of running was another unpleasant experience. I was still experiencing the abdominal soreness I relate to running too many miles…but why let that stop me? I had just enough time to run 40 minutes, so that’s what I did. I selected the flat course I sometimes run along the river in the South Chagrin Reservation and I’m glad I did. The first half went well, but on the way back, I noticed the fatigue building in my hips and I felt like I was really dragging. Thankfully, the weather was perfect and the scenery beautiful. I suppose I’ll feel this way for the rest of the week, but with a couple of rides over the weekend and one day off, should be back to my old self soon.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 650.
I began to execute the new plan. I’m calling it ‘Bother people until they tell you to go away…and then bother them some more’ or something like that…I don’t know. Anyway, Jack and I drove down to see Jason in Kent. He made us a spaghetti dinner and we watched four episodes of ’30 Rock’. I hadn’t been to his place in over a month…he’s always coming to see us on Sundays so I never make the effort, but I’m glad I went. He lives alone with a couple of goofy dogs and really enjoyed the opportunity for some light, intellectual conversation and the chance to show off all he’d done around the house since my last visit.
I also got the chance to ride to and from with Jack and hear about his new obsession with the Beatles as we listened to the CD he’d burned. He was fortunate enough to have been riding with someone who’d stationed himself in front of a TV set to watch the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show for America’s first glimpse of the musical phenomenon back in 1964. I’m guessing anyone who’s in their 50’s today was also watching that show. I don’t know what percentage of sets was tuned in to the broadcast, but I’m guessing it was a record breaker that will stand for all time. My father, and most of his generation, hated the Beatles…and all rock and roll for that matter…and I think it’s interesting that almost fifty years later, my 16-year old is enjoying the same music I grew up on. What happened? Was my dad’s music that crappy that we didn’t even consider it? Is rock and roll that good that it will continue to be appreciated for another 50 years? These are the things that keep me awake at night.
My third straight day of running was another unpleasant experience. I was still experiencing the abdominal soreness I relate to running too many miles…but why let that stop me? I had just enough time to run 40 minutes, so that’s what I did. I selected the flat course I sometimes run along the river in the South Chagrin Reservation and I’m glad I did. The first half went well, but on the way back, I noticed the fatigue building in my hips and I felt like I was really dragging. Thankfully, the weather was perfect and the scenery beautiful. I suppose I’ll feel this way for the rest of the week, but with a couple of rides over the weekend and one day off, should be back to my old self soon.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 650.
Setting new goals...
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I spend a lot of time wondering what I should or could have done differently to have made a difference in my brother’s life. I’m bothered by the fact that I didn’t get more actively involved in his medical treatment because I knew he wasn’t doing the things he should have to take care of himself. Sure…he was an adult and should have been handling things, but he wasn’t and I knew it. I don’t know that it would have changed the outcome, but at least I would have seen it coming and prepared the both of us a little better.
I did a eulogy for Jim, but left a couple of things on the cutting room floor. I had considered, but didn’t say, that no one goes to their grave thinking they spent too much time with loved ones…it’s always the other way around. That’s me for sure. I’ve been trying to come up with a way to make sure I spend more time with those folks, but life seems to immediately get in the way. I have been extremely successful with my fitness regimen since last February primarily for two reasons. First, I made a plan with a measurable goal and second, I shared it with people…by writing this blog. Why not do the same with committing to seeing people important to me? I know I blow a lot of time every evening…and if I’d just take two nights a week and schedule a visit with someone, I’d still get the things done I need to do around the house, I’m sure. Anyway…that’s my goal and it’s measurable and I can write about it. Boring? Could be…but I've never let that stop me before and I’m liable to embellish a thing or two, which could make it more interesting to read. You decide.
I was still sore from the 50-mintue run I’d done the previous evening when I climbed from the car in the Metropark. It’s a little discouraging how quickly the body de-conditions itself, but that’s all the more reason not to stop. Anyway, the first five minutes were pretty painful in the abdominal area…something I’ve had for years whenever running too many miles…or starting back too quickly. I planned a 30-minute run…part of my plan to ease back in…and after the initial 5 minutes, felt pretty good the rest of the way. I love Indian summer nights…seasonably warm runs in fading sunlight illuminating the trails and treetops in an orange glow. It does make it hard to see the roots, but there’s always a tradeoff and I’ll take this one.
I finished the run and headed home. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Kent to visit my son, Jason, and I’ve got my brother Jeff’s family coming over Friday for dinner. I’m already looking forward to executing the plan to insert myself into the lives of those I care about. Those lucky bastards.
Run duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
I spend a lot of time wondering what I should or could have done differently to have made a difference in my brother’s life. I’m bothered by the fact that I didn’t get more actively involved in his medical treatment because I knew he wasn’t doing the things he should have to take care of himself. Sure…he was an adult and should have been handling things, but he wasn’t and I knew it. I don’t know that it would have changed the outcome, but at least I would have seen it coming and prepared the both of us a little better.
I did a eulogy for Jim, but left a couple of things on the cutting room floor. I had considered, but didn’t say, that no one goes to their grave thinking they spent too much time with loved ones…it’s always the other way around. That’s me for sure. I’ve been trying to come up with a way to make sure I spend more time with those folks, but life seems to immediately get in the way. I have been extremely successful with my fitness regimen since last February primarily for two reasons. First, I made a plan with a measurable goal and second, I shared it with people…by writing this blog. Why not do the same with committing to seeing people important to me? I know I blow a lot of time every evening…and if I’d just take two nights a week and schedule a visit with someone, I’d still get the things done I need to do around the house, I’m sure. Anyway…that’s my goal and it’s measurable and I can write about it. Boring? Could be…but I've never let that stop me before and I’m liable to embellish a thing or two, which could make it more interesting to read. You decide.
I was still sore from the 50-mintue run I’d done the previous evening when I climbed from the car in the Metropark. It’s a little discouraging how quickly the body de-conditions itself, but that’s all the more reason not to stop. Anyway, the first five minutes were pretty painful in the abdominal area…something I’ve had for years whenever running too many miles…or starting back too quickly. I planned a 30-minute run…part of my plan to ease back in…and after the initial 5 minutes, felt pretty good the rest of the way. I love Indian summer nights…seasonably warm runs in fading sunlight illuminating the trails and treetops in an orange glow. It does make it hard to see the roots, but there’s always a tradeoff and I’ll take this one.
I finished the run and headed home. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Kent to visit my son, Jason, and I’ve got my brother Jeff’s family coming over Friday for dinner. I’m already looking forward to executing the plan to insert myself into the lives of those I care about. Those lucky bastards.
Run duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 500.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Peaking when it counts...nice run, Marie
Monday, November 8, 2010
I took Reza’s sleeping bag from him and stuffed it in the trunk last Friday. It looked like something kids use when they’re doing a sleepover in the basement and when I asked him if he’d like one of my cold weather bags, he said he’d be fine with that one. Silly boy. It was supposed to get into the 30’s overnight in the Columbus area, which is where we would be camping. I’ve made a habit of camping at Alum Creek State Park the night before the cross country high school state championships, which is always the first weekend in November and it can get cold. We’d build a fire, but that wasn’t going to keep him warm in a tent. Oh well…he’s a big boy.
I was excited about Marie’s chances. She’d taken third in the regional race the weekend before and was peaking when it counted most. We stopped in Akron and picked up her sister, Kim on the way and with three runners and campers in the car, talked of little else for some time. After pitching the tent, we made the traditional trip to Bob Evans for dinner (the same place we’d go for breakfast) and after a wonderful chicken pot pie, made our way back to our site and constructed a fire. We talked until 11 p.m. and since we were all getting cold, climbed into our sleeping bags for the night.
I was fine in my down-filled bag and slept pretty well. Reza, on the other hand, abandoned the tent around 4:30 a.m., ending up in the Honda for the conclusion of the night. He should have taken my bag, but I’d never rub it in. At least not without witnesses.
Marie and I had discussed the race strategy. She has a fantastic finish, but runners must be careful when competing on this course. The state championships are run at Scioto Downs Horse Racing Track and the finish is on the infield. It is shaped like a high school track, which can be very deceiving since a high school track is 400 meters and this is probably over a mile in length. There is a tendency to begin your all-out sprint to the finish too soon as a result and I’ve seen many runners croaking over the last 100 meters over the years for that reason. Marie would not be making that mistake. She went to the finish, and measured out 300 meters back so she would know precisely where to begin her final, lethal push…and it worked to perfection. She re-entered the track from the back loop of the course in about 30th place. With a little less than an 800 to run, she began picking off competitors. When she hit the 300 meter mark, she was in 25th place, but in two strides was moving all out. She managed to move into 18th place by the time she hit the tape with a personal and school record time of 18:35 for the 5K distance. It was a race and a season run to perfection and we’re really excited about her track season, where her speed over shorter distances can really shine.
I got back in the groove with a 50-minute run. I’d only done two runs over the previous seven days and the distance seemed easy, though I was sore afterwards. I’ll go a little less tomorrow and try to ease back in, though I don’t plan on missing any days anytime soon.
Run duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 850.
I took Reza’s sleeping bag from him and stuffed it in the trunk last Friday. It looked like something kids use when they’re doing a sleepover in the basement and when I asked him if he’d like one of my cold weather bags, he said he’d be fine with that one. Silly boy. It was supposed to get into the 30’s overnight in the Columbus area, which is where we would be camping. I’ve made a habit of camping at Alum Creek State Park the night before the cross country high school state championships, which is always the first weekend in November and it can get cold. We’d build a fire, but that wasn’t going to keep him warm in a tent. Oh well…he’s a big boy.
I was excited about Marie’s chances. She’d taken third in the regional race the weekend before and was peaking when it counted most. We stopped in Akron and picked up her sister, Kim on the way and with three runners and campers in the car, talked of little else for some time. After pitching the tent, we made the traditional trip to Bob Evans for dinner (the same place we’d go for breakfast) and after a wonderful chicken pot pie, made our way back to our site and constructed a fire. We talked until 11 p.m. and since we were all getting cold, climbed into our sleeping bags for the night.
I was fine in my down-filled bag and slept pretty well. Reza, on the other hand, abandoned the tent around 4:30 a.m., ending up in the Honda for the conclusion of the night. He should have taken my bag, but I’d never rub it in. At least not without witnesses.
Marie and I had discussed the race strategy. She has a fantastic finish, but runners must be careful when competing on this course. The state championships are run at Scioto Downs Horse Racing Track and the finish is on the infield. It is shaped like a high school track, which can be very deceiving since a high school track is 400 meters and this is probably over a mile in length. There is a tendency to begin your all-out sprint to the finish too soon as a result and I’ve seen many runners croaking over the last 100 meters over the years for that reason. Marie would not be making that mistake. She went to the finish, and measured out 300 meters back so she would know precisely where to begin her final, lethal push…and it worked to perfection. She re-entered the track from the back loop of the course in about 30th place. With a little less than an 800 to run, she began picking off competitors. When she hit the 300 meter mark, she was in 25th place, but in two strides was moving all out. She managed to move into 18th place by the time she hit the tape with a personal and school record time of 18:35 for the 5K distance. It was a race and a season run to perfection and we’re really excited about her track season, where her speed over shorter distances can really shine.
I got back in the groove with a 50-minute run. I’d only done two runs over the previous seven days and the distance seemed easy, though I was sore afterwards. I’ll go a little less tomorrow and try to ease back in, though I don’t plan on missing any days anytime soon.
Run duration: 50 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 850.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Thanks for the memories...
Sunday, November 7th, 2010
I don’t remember much about being born…who does…or the first few years of my life, but what memories I do have of that time are pretty much with or about my older brother, Jim. He was three years my senior and since we lived in the middle of no where, I was all he had. We grew up like brothers do, playing together, fighting over insignificant things, teaming up against siblings that would follow and, of course, our parents. We shared a bedroom for most of 18 years and I was there for all of his firsts…girlfriend, wrecked car, smoke, beer, and the first time he cried beyond childhood. Later in life, we would work together and see each other every day for ten years. Somewhere along the way, in addition to being brothers, we became best friends.
I lost Jim on October 30th and I now know that my life has been changed forever. I wouldn’t have thought it would be so tough, but maybe the suddenness has caused the heightened pain…I don’t know. I already knew he had very few material things, but when I went through his house following his death and discovered more about the way he lived and the things that were important to him, it gave me a different perspective on my big brother. He’d been the party guy most of his life, and it had taken a toll on his body and led directly to his premature death, though that’s another story. What surprised me most was the collection of things he’d saved his entire life and kept in the bottom drawer of an unused dresser. Amongst other trinkets, I found a birthday card from his new, baby brother, me. It was water-stained and stuck to other old cards, but after 55 years, it was still there. It was that moment that I realized exactly how much I would miss him and how little importance he placed on material things over those that mattered…the ones that tell you the true measure of a man. He was, after all, a caring, compassionate man with tender feelings he’d seldom shown me. He will be missed by those who knew him well and whose lives he touched with his humor, friendship and giving nature.
I did some exercising during the week following his death, but not much. I managed a couple of good runs, but the eating I did at all of the family gatherings easily outdistanced the calories burned. In a small way, I was honoring Jim’s feelings on running. He knew that I ran track and told me one day while drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette that it didn’t make any sense to run around and around, end up in the same place I’d started, and be sweaty and tired for the effort. He was quite the physical specimen.
I’ll be back on the horse tomorrow, though, and hopefully not getting off for some time. Thanks for waiting.
I don’t remember much about being born…who does…or the first few years of my life, but what memories I do have of that time are pretty much with or about my older brother, Jim. He was three years my senior and since we lived in the middle of no where, I was all he had. We grew up like brothers do, playing together, fighting over insignificant things, teaming up against siblings that would follow and, of course, our parents. We shared a bedroom for most of 18 years and I was there for all of his firsts…girlfriend, wrecked car, smoke, beer, and the first time he cried beyond childhood. Later in life, we would work together and see each other every day for ten years. Somewhere along the way, in addition to being brothers, we became best friends.
I lost Jim on October 30th and I now know that my life has been changed forever. I wouldn’t have thought it would be so tough, but maybe the suddenness has caused the heightened pain…I don’t know. I already knew he had very few material things, but when I went through his house following his death and discovered more about the way he lived and the things that were important to him, it gave me a different perspective on my big brother. He’d been the party guy most of his life, and it had taken a toll on his body and led directly to his premature death, though that’s another story. What surprised me most was the collection of things he’d saved his entire life and kept in the bottom drawer of an unused dresser. Amongst other trinkets, I found a birthday card from his new, baby brother, me. It was water-stained and stuck to other old cards, but after 55 years, it was still there. It was that moment that I realized exactly how much I would miss him and how little importance he placed on material things over those that mattered…the ones that tell you the true measure of a man. He was, after all, a caring, compassionate man with tender feelings he’d seldom shown me. He will be missed by those who knew him well and whose lives he touched with his humor, friendship and giving nature.
I did some exercising during the week following his death, but not much. I managed a couple of good runs, but the eating I did at all of the family gatherings easily outdistanced the calories burned. In a small way, I was honoring Jim’s feelings on running. He knew that I ran track and told me one day while drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette that it didn’t make any sense to run around and around, end up in the same place I’d started, and be sweaty and tired for the effort. He was quite the physical specimen.
I’ll be back on the horse tomorrow, though, and hopefully not getting off for some time. Thanks for waiting.
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