A good workotu without 'working out'

Tuesday, January 12, 2016
I drove to work with some certainty that I’d be plowing.  The thermometer read ‘8’ and so I knew it would be unpleasant.  I wasn’t disappointed.

There was only 2 inches on the ground, but it had to shoveled, plowed and salted.  Add in time on the tractor, which is an open cab affair, and by 8 a.m., I was frozen.  I moved inside to again free up some frozen pipes and then tried to find something inside to do. 

Justin arrived and we reinstalled a wall between two stalls, which is lots of heavy lifting and had the sweat flowing.  Then it was taking a 200-pound copier down a flight of stairs and so by the time I’d left for home, I’d burned a decent amount of calories.

Once home, I grabbed my shovel and spent an hour in the driveway cleaning it down to the concrete.  By the time I went inside, I was reasonably spent and not ready for a workout of any kind. 

It is good to look over the daily activities because you will often note that they can actually achieve the purpose of burning as much, or more calories than you consume in a day.  With the proper amount of lifting, as in shoveling a drive and throwing the snow, the muscle toning work required of good physical fitness can be achieved as well.  The heart rate needs to be elevated and to qualify as work in the physiological sense, weight must be lifted and moved.  It is one of the reasons I look for the opportunity to move something further and without the aid of machinery.  I could snow blow the drive or cut the lawn with the tractor every time, but I know the calorie burn available and hate to pass it up.  Nutty?  Maybe…but it’s working.

Where's the snow?

Monday, January 11, 2016
I was up by 4:30 a.m. and soon after in the car and driving to the farm.  I like to beat any cars to the lot because it is so much easier to push the snow with no vehicles to obstruct me.  I’d had to shovel an additional two inches from my own drive before leaving and was anxious to get there and get started.

As I drove closer to the farm however, I began to notice less and less snow on the ground and when I finally arrived, was pleased to see there wasn’t enough to plow.  This would give me the day to do normal chores and hook on the plow and salt spreader and be sure that all were in working order.  I did have lots of salting to do and then discovered another surprise.

“John…the handle on the hydrant by Dillon’s stall seems to be frozen.  We can’t get any water from it,” one of the barn staff informed me.

Not good.  If one was frozen, others would likely be as well.  The barn is not heated and since it was 5 degrees outside, it was pretty much the same inside.  I spent six years in the car wash business though, and have a pretty good idea how to approach freezing water lines.  I grabbed my torch and made my way to the barn. 

An hour later, all water was flowing and a more serious emergency had been avoided.  Mitch arrived and we hooked up the plow and salted the main parking lot, which was icy.  I drove home in the knowledge that the predicted overnight snowfall would be no problem to handle.  I was ready.

I spent some time on the trainer, continuing to watch ‘Mad Men’, which I find fascinating.  I haven’t been so hooked on a drama series since ‘The West Wing’, but I’m going to have to find another to ride to since I’m closing in on the final season.  With some luck, the winter will stay warm and I’ll be doing some outside riding and not need a TV to distract me.  I see some possibilities for early season hikes coming though, and so I need to stay conditioned throughout the winter.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 135 bpm.
Calories Burned: 750.

First snow workout...

Sunday, January 10, 2016
After a pancake breakfast at Kleifelds, I headed for the farm and spent two hours assisting the plumber in capping two waterers in the stalls.  I left him before he completed, but reminded him to give me a call when he was finished.  The snow and freezing weather was on its way in as I began the drive home.

We ended up with several inches of wet slush by evening and I knew I would have my hands full the following morning since I’d yet to hook the snow plow to the truck and would have to be in by 5 a.m. to do that and move some snow.  I shoveled my own drive and looked to that as my workout for the day.  With the weight of wet snow, it was every bit that.

No one was available for family dinner, so I moved it to Monday hoping I wouldn’t be too exhausted from a snow day at the farm to handle cooking. 
Snow Removal: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 100 bpm
Calories Burned: 500

Here comes the snow...

Sunday, January 10, 2016
I am quite proud of myself in that, to this point in 2016, I have yet to write ‘2015’.  Little victories.

After a second day of breakfast at Kleifelds with Bob and hearing more of his woes regarding his condominium issues as well as a need for guidance in relationship issues, saw again what a good match we are.

“Let me remind you, Bob, I am a total ‘babe’ magnet.  Now…I can’t possibly be dating them all, so if we’re, you know, hanging out all the time, I’ll be able to introduce you,” I said.

“Hey…thanks a bunch, Romeo,” he said, though sarcastically I was thinking.

I drove back to the farm after breakfast to meet again with the plumber.  Knowing him, I arrived a half hour late to find that he wasn’t there.  Naturally, I called to give him an ear full.

“I just left to go home and get something I forgot,” he said, without a preamble.

“You get any dumber and you’re going to be me,” I said.

He completed shutting down the automatic waterers in two of the horse stalls, but had the water shut down as the temperature plummeted below freezing.  I was concerned, but he assured me things wouldn’t freeze up that quickly.  Having spent seven years in the car wash business, I had my doubts as to this piece of wisdom.  Tomorrow would tell.

Snow began falling in the late afternoon, so I slipped in a ride on the trainer before meeting Kimberly for a hike with Dakota.  By the time we got there, the trees were covered with a heavy, wet snow and limbs were groaning…and snapping off…from the weight.  With the wind whistling, I recommended we turn around before one of the limbs found us.  Dakota was disappointed, but agreed.  Again, the hike was not quite long enough to consider part of the workout, but better than sitting home and watching snow fall.

And watch it I did as the night progressed.  I began to fill with anxiety thinking that I’d have to get in quite early, get the plow on the truck (haven’t needed it yet!), and get plowing before the first car arrived and made plowing that much more difficult.  That would likely mean making it there by 5 a.m., not something I relished.

Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 135 bpm.
Calories Burned: 750.

"What time did you say?"

Saturday, January 9, 2016
I had to be at the farm by 10 a.m. to meet the plumber, but saw this as no reason to skip a breakfast at Kleifelds.  Henry was dropping by to pick up the deep fryer he’d used to make the turkey the previous week and as a regular reader of the blog, should experience Kleifelds, I’d concluded.

We arrived at 8 a.m. and were soon joined by Bob, my nutritionist and long-time friend.  Bob was struggling with a major issue in his new condominium and explained it to Henry, an attorney.

“I can hear the guy on the floor below me…almost perfectly when he’s having a normal conversation,” he said.  The condo was new, but he wanted out.

“You still thinking of selling your place, John?  Maybe we could be roommates,” he suggested. 

The Odd Couple…Felix and Oscar.  Just guess for a second if you can which one of us would be Oscar.  “This guy probably dusts under his salt shaker every day.  I look for mud to step into before walking in the house,” I said.  “I’m pretty sure you’d want to kill me, but sure, I’d be totally up for that.”

I drove to the farm to meet the plumber who is notoriously late.  He didn’t disappoint me and when he arrived a half hour after the agreed upon meeting time, it was only to tell me he couldn’t do the work that day and could he make it tomorrow at the same time.
“Half an hour after whenever we agree to meet?” I asked.

Henry had recommended me to a woman in his office to help her in designing an exercise program she could do outside.  We had agreed to meet at 2 p.m. so I could take her through the Survival Workout, but she too suffered from plumberitus and arrived 30 minutes late.

“I have to be back here by four to meet someone, so we’ll have to hurry,” I explained.  She told me she’d struggled finding the house because…well…she had.  After a little prying, I discovered she was traveling with not one, but two GPS devices.

“You may want to consider using one of those for the ride home,” I said after she lamed her way through the excuses she had for not using them on the way over.

I demonstrated all the moves she would need to make and we did many of them before returning to the car.  I was extremely pleased with my push-up effort on my first set when I eked out 90 repetitions.  We agreed to meet again at her place where I could lay out a course for her on her own property after she identified the rocks and logs she would be using for her lifting.

Kimberly joined me for a trip to Patterson’s and a short walk with Dakota.  It was only twenty minutes and though better than not walking, not one that I’ll include as part of the workout.  Later that night, I made my famous Amish casserole recipe using spinach noodles instead of noodles that taste like noodles.  It turned out pretty well, though and I suppose was a tad healthier.
Survival Workout: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 100-150 bpm.
Calories Burned:  600

"Dillon is down..."

Friday, January 8, 2016
“John…can you come and help with Dillon?  He’s down in his stall and can’t get up!”

This plea came to me from one of the school staff and in a voice that showed concern.  Dillon, a 1,000 pound behemoth, would have to be the one unable to get up.  Having said that, no horse is really light so I suppose the actual weight doesn’t matter too much. 

When I arrived at the stall, two farm hands were trying to loop ropes around Dillon’s legs.  He was on his side, but too close to the stall wall to push himself over and from there, stand up.  They needed muscle.  I had the most…which wasn’t saying a lot.

We tried several times, but met with failure as his large hooves searched for a hold, but struck thunderously hard against the thick boards of his stall instead.  The deadly power in those thrusts were painfully evident to all involved and it made me think about the damage they could inflict for a horse in the wild when dealing with a predator.  We had managed to move him away from the wall and with a final try, moved him enough for him to roll, find his footing and stand again.  My heart was racing and hands bloody from the rope pulling through them on several failed attempts.  He was healthy and happy and I was relieved.

I came home and did a ride on the trainer for an hour.  After a much needed shower, I decided on dinner plans.  I’d picked up my Panini bread, which makes French toast that rocks, and decided to go with that for dinner.  I’ve been reading the story of the Bondurant family, bootleggers in Franklin County, Virginia during the prohibition years, and tuned in the movie based on the book, ‘Lawless’, to watch while eating.  It is a fascinating, true story and the movie is as good as, or better than, the book.   
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 135 bpm.
Calories Burned: 750.

Creed...

Thursday, January 7, 2016

For the first time in three weeks, I had some stomach discomfort while working at the farm.  I replayed the previous day and meals and could come up with nothing out of the ordinary that might have been the reason.  As has been the case since this began again, I chalked it up to bad luck and assumed it would go away.  It got to the point where I knew I’d be happier in my own bathroom at home than making constant trips at the farm and so left a couple of hours early to do just that.

By late afternoon, the cramps were gone and I decided I didn’t want to spend the evening around the house, so I looked up the playing times for the movie ‘Creed’ and headed for a showing at Regal Cinemas.

Now, I’ve read some good things about the latest ‘Rocky’ movie and was anxious to see it.  I went alone because I don’t know anyone who felt the same.  Being old, I paid on $5 for the privilege and had the theatre almost to myself.  From the opening scenes and the accompanying sound track, I knew it was going to be good and would bring forth emotions in my I seldom felt watching a movie; it stirred me deeply. 

It is the story of the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s greatest nemesis and, in the end, possibly his closest friend.  Of course the boy has a ‘fighting’ gene, one he seems unable to control, and wants to explore his potential – with the help of his father’s close friend – Rocky Balboa.  Enough said.  The movie uses just enough nostalgia and plays on the love of Rocky in ways to keep you riveted without making you feel like you’re watching a continuation of Rocky’s life.  It is about the son, his emotions, his demons, his life…and the acting is quite good.  I’ll see it again.

I came home emotionally wrung.  I climbed on the bike and rode for an hour before eating some leftover tuna casserole and then heading to bed.  It was a good day…regardless of some stomach discomfort.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 135 bpm.
Calories Burned: 750.

Mouse traps...

Wednesday, January 6. 2016
Though the temperature was heading back up, it was still a little too cold, the teens, to want to do much outdoors.  Maybe I’m getting soft…I am getting soft, but I decided not to stop at the park for a workout, opting instead to ride the trainer once home.  I know the condition of my workout trail after days of frigid temperatures…my lifting rocks and logs are frozen in place leaving me frustrated.  I suppose I could hike with my blow torch, though I doubt the Rangers would look favorably on that idea.

I’d stopped at Mimi’s to remove a mouse carcass from the trap I’d set under her kitchen sink.  We’ve gotten four over the past several weeks.  I have set two together and wonder about the training they must go through as young mice.  I’m pretty sure it does not include what to do if you come upon a fellow mouse, croaked in a trap next to a similar trap with a whiff of tasty cheese in it.  I’m sure if I was teaching ‘evade traps that will squish you 101’, I’d tell them NOT to nibble on the trap nearby for the odds are it too will be holding a dead mouse by morning.  In any event, they go for the second trap.

Mimi likes to throw away the trap with the mouse whereas I see them as entirely reusable.  It’s the minimalist in me.  I retrieved the trap, performed a proper burial, and reloaded it.

The ride at home was sweaty and stationary and had me wishing already for the days of spring and outdoor riding.  I have plans for lots of riding, hiking, and kayaking this coming season, though getting the house on the market will take precedence.  I need some end of summer goal, in addition to the three trips I’m likely to take to the Adirondacks, to keep my on task and riding hard.  Maybe an overnight cycling trip a hundred miles away.  There are certainly many places I’d like to ride, but need to find someone willing to join me, which always makes it more fun.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 135 bpm.
Calories Burned: 750.

Baby it's cold outside...

Tuesday, January 5, 2016
The car thermometer registered ‘4’ degrees on my drive to the farm that morning, which made it an excellent day to look for inside work to do.  I had the tractor in the shop to make it easier to start on cold mornings and decided it would be an excellent time to change oil and clean manure from the inner compartments of the engine.  I had received an email from Maureen in the front office asking me if I could pick up an area rug carpeting to replace the tattered one currently residing in her office and under her desk and filing cabinet.  I paid her a visit.

“I think today would be an excellent day to replace this thing,” I said, kicking at her carpeting.

“Today?  There’s lots of stuff to move and it could take a while,” she said.

“It’s four degrees out there and that makes it ‘carpet replacing day’ in the 70-degree office,” I said.  She didn’t argue.

Melissa brought me some kind of pasta with meat, cheese and a red sauce to replace the lunch she’d tossed in the trash the previous day.  I’d told her not to do it, but her guilt overcame her and so she made the purchase.  It was excellent and I told her she could throw my lunch away anytime she wanted if she was going to supply such meals the following day.

I arrived home more than a little cold since you cannot stay entirely out of the weather on the farm no matter how many carpets there are to replace.  With the thermostat at ‘sixty’ in my own house, warming up was tenuous at best…unless you climb on the trainer and ride for an hour, which is what I did.

I have some research to do on a procedure called ‘Tenex’ for relief of chronic heel pain.  My doc had suggested I study it and give him a call.  Apparently, it is some kind of chip that is inserted in the heel to speed recovery.  I’m a little price sensitive, so this will be a factor.  We’ll see where it leads.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 135 bpm.
Calories Burned: 750.

"Has anyone seen my lunch?"

Monday, January 4, 2016
It was noon and Mitch and I had done a number of jobs around the farm, leading to a healthy appetite.  I had brought in leftover chicken fettucine and placed the meal in the refrigerator in the Tack Room, since it was so cold out that my normal storage outside the shop garage door may have frozen it.  I went to retrieve it for lunch…except when I opened the door and looked for the Cool Whip container I’d brought it in, discovered it was MIA.  I had a pretty good idea what had happened and walked into the Program Office where several ladies were hard at work.

“So…someone did a very nice job cleaning out the refrigerator.  Does anyone know who that was and where my lunch is?” I asked.

All swiveled and pointed…to Melissa…who was looking down sheepishly, studying something on her boots.

“Um…the Cool Whip container?”

“Yup,” I replied.

“I…um…opened that up and it looked all glumpy and congealed and, I thought, moldy, and so I threw it away,” she said.

A ringing endorsement of my cooking skills, I thought.

“Let’s all go to John’s house for dinner tonight…or maybe not, he’ll likely kill us with the way he cooks!” I said, receiving hoots from all the ladies in the room.  Melissa was mortified and turning red.  It was time to back off.

“I’m kidding, Melissa.  No big deal!  It’s got tons of butter and cheese in it and does look rather disgusting when it’s cold, but great after I zap it in the microwave.  Besides, I know you think I’m too fat and could use to lose a little…thanks for that and for helping,” I said.

She offered me some of her lunch, but I told her it was nothing and walked away.  Hungry.

With the family coming for dinner, I had little time for a workout and went home to get the house ready and pull out…and qualify…all food items I thought might still be edible.  I had plenty to feed the group with more leftovers for the rest of the week’s lunches provided I could keep Melissa from tossing it before I could eat it.

A special Sunday service...

Sunday, January 3, 2016
My stomach ailments, causes unknown, seem to have cleared completely and so, as I was preparing for a trip to Kleifleds, decided to bring along some maple syrup and enjoy an order of blueberry pancakes…with just a dab of melted butter, of course.

Cecilia joined me, but only in time to see me inhaling the last couple of bites.  In keeping with my ‘moderation’ commitment, I’d only ordered two pancakes…each one roughly the size of my head.  We discussed my romantic life – her favorite topic as she continues the pursuit of the ultimate woman for me – amongst other things. 

“I’m telling you there is no one out there who can deal with my unique personality,” I told her.  “They all want weird stuff…like flushing toilets, temperatures in the house above sixty, a bigger residence than your average MSR 3-person tent, and someone who’s serious now and again…which we ALL know is WAY over-rated,” I said.

“Maybe you could tweak a couple of things?” she said with a smile, understanding that once again I wasn’t being serious.

I looked up at the clock and realized it was much later than I’d thought.  I had plans to attend a unique church service, one in which medians were present and offered congregants the opportunity to received messages from loved ones who had passed.  I have lived my life as a Christian man, growing up Catholic with all the idiosyncrasies that can imply, operated as an Episcopalian since my marriage, but always considered myself open-minded about things I can’t possibly comprehend.  This was surely one of them.

I listened closely to the medians as several different ones delivered messages to individual congregants.  Whether they were communicating with loved ones from ‘the other side’ or not is not for me to say or about which I am qualified to speculate.  The mysteries of the hereafter are for those who have made their way there and not those of us still amongst the living.  I know this much…they brought tears of joy and comfort to those receiving the messages and asked nothing in return.  I can find no fault in that exchange.

I spent the afternoon doing the home care things that needed to be done…why must houses get dirty?  After spending an hour spinning my way to a sweaty mess on the trainer, I showered and headed to pick up Heidi, who needed a ride from Cleveland to Akron.  I’d rescheduled family dinner to the following night so I could do this and alerted family members that it would be all about the leftovers I didn’t want to see headed to the garbage.

I did shoot off an email to my foot doc saying I thought it was time we searched for the right combination to alleviate my heel pain. ‘It’s been 18 months and I’m getting closer to retirement and the walking of some major trails’ I’d written to remind him I was pretty sure I couldn’t do it on one good foot.  If nothing else happens in 2016, figuring that out would make it a good year.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 135 bpm.
Calories Burned: 750.

The second day...

Saturday, January 2, 2016
I was in the North Chagrin Reservation putting myself through the paces of a Survival Workout with Dakota in tow when I felt my phone vibrate indicating a text message.  Dedicated as I am to working out, I did what any fitness fanatic would do, ignoring the message…until I completed the set.

‘I’m making banana bread though I am short a banana’ it read.

Now to me, this is a major issue.  It’s like ‘I’m making and omelet, but I don’t have any eggs.’ I’m thinking, in that case, you’d be eating air.  I had several very ripe bananas sitting on my counter at home awaiting my next quite incredible fruit smoothie.

“I’m pretty sure a banana is an important ingredient in banana bread,” I stated when I called.

“I’ve got two bananas, but it so much better with three,” Kimberly replied.

I drove home following another set…that’s right, I left my workout before completing it, grabbed one banana, and drove it the short distance to her place.  I strongly considered bringing my entire stash in hopes that I’d get a loaf of my own, but that was presumptuous and risky.  At the very least though, I shared in the end product which included my banana.  It was quite amazing.

I invited her on my ‘Snowman’s Ridge’ hike later that afternoon and I believe she was impressed with the beauty of the off-trail hike.  It is certainly more strenuous and gets you to parts of the park seen by few people.  I particularly enjoy the ridge overlooking the marsh – a viewpoint I can enjoy for hours – and have.

It turned out to be a decent calorie burner of a day, though I did manage a very good burger and fries in downtown Willoughby later that evening.  I didn’t eat all the fries and continue to shy from my lifelong membership in the ‘clean plate club’.  Who needs ALL the bad calories when you can be really happy with most of them?
Survival Workout: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 100-150 bpm.
Calories Burned:  600

Hike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 75 bpm.
Calories Burned: 350

An epic New Year...

Friday, January 1, 2016
It would turn out to be a quiet day as these tend to go, and with no remarkable exercise effort.  It did not pass however without more serious consideration for the things that need to and will happen in 2016.

I have been living in the ‘family home’ for the past 18 years, mostly with my family and Holly.  All of that changed three years ago and now, through a set of circumstances over which I had little control, I find myself alone in a six-bedroom house.  A little more room than I need and something that I will have to correct this year.  I have many minor improvements to conduct to prepare it for sale, but more importantly need to decide where I will land and what the roof over my head will look like.  I have visions of a very small carbon footprint and will continue to investigate things like trailer living on a welcoming farm, modular home living in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, renting temporarily, building a miniature home somewhere, or simply buying a smaller home somewhere in close proximity to my family. 

Then there are thoughts of entering my 61^st year and that I will be only 365 days from retirement, should I decide to exercise that option.  Much more careful planning and consideration needs to take place and, of course, is tied directly to the above mentioned place of residence.  I have a bucket list of things I want to do before I become physically unable and they are strenuous.  The sooner I begin that major life quest, the better. 

And then there is companionship.  This important ingredient to my dream of a happy and complete life also needs to fit with one and two above.  I don’t kid myself into thinking that there is someone who would want to join me in my pursuits, though I would certainly invite that, but as important as I think some of these things are, they truly pale in comparison to being with someone – maybe every day – that compliments or completes the person I am and the life I want to lead.  A recent encounter with a very lovely lady caused me to realize, or maybe acknowledge, how important this is.  Thank you for that.

So…a family dinner of beef and dumplings was provided for Jack’s last night before returning to Fort Gordon, Georgia.  My home will become a house again as he leaves for the airport and so I must remind myself that the dwelling after all is only a dwelling without someone you love to share it with.  Happy New Year to all readers.  Thank you for continuing to share in my journey of fitness and life.

Turkey dinner...

Wednesday, December 30, 2015
My Adirondack friend and the person most important to getting me back into the woods, Henry Billingsley, was coming over to deep fry a turkey for a family get together.  He was interested in talking to Jack and knew how we both loved turkey.  He travels extensively though, and is often difficult to reach and so the night before, when I had still not reached him, was in a quandary about the coming day.  At 11 p.m., the phone rang.

“I’ll have the turkey and fryer there by 4 p.m.  Karen’s bringing some cranberry sauce and dressing and I’ll have a nice bottle of wine,” he told me.

I was in charge of the rest of the food.

I’d never been in charge of the rest of the food when it was food I knew nothing about making.  I did know something about calling people and going dumb early so that they would be willing to help me out.  I started with John and Teri.

“Would you like me to bring a salad?” she asked.

Duh…and dessert, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn something to drink.

“Salad would be great,” I replied.

I’d resolved the dessert thing when I looked around the kitchen and seen all the leftover stuff on plates and in bags.  I could easily combine them into a platter that looked like I’d spent the afternoon with Betty Crocker.

I found a recipe for sweet potatoes hanging on the refrigerator and figured mashed potatoes were about the same – only white.  I was sure I could pour frozen corn into a pan and heat it up on the stove so basically, I was set.

We ended up with eleven people and I had Karen coaching me in the kitchen for the final preparations.  I’d made the sweet potatoes and had them baking while boiling the potatoes for mashing.  Once they were soft, I strained them into the sink and prepared for the mashing.  Karen looked at me like I had a third eye in my forehead.

“Did you just dump the potato water down the drain?” she asked.

“I didn’t mean to,” I said, trying to recover, “but the pan had all these little holes in it and the water seems to have escaped.”

Apparently, you can use that water in the mashing of the potatoes, but too late now.  I added milk and lots of butter and they were pretty good.  Even my kids were raving about the sweet potatoes later, so I did okay.

I’d done a Survival Workout earlier in the day and ate sparingly during dinner.  Rapidly approaching the end of a tumultuous year, I was hoping to get there on a positive physical note.  An ailing shoulder and a heel that hurt with every step would deny me arriving there healthy, but I could at least be fit.  Healthy is coming, though.

Survival Workout: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 100-150 bpm.
Calories Burned:  600

One day closer...

Monday, December 28, 2015

I went into work expecting to find a rash of things to fix and I was not disappointed.  I am finding that 36 horses can take a toll on a facility and the bastards never take a day off.  Things have been getting slightly behind because the holidays have kept me away, though I am glad I was stopping in for a couple of hours each day, at least.

The facility was empty though as the students are still on winter break and no lessons are being given.  Mitch and I kept ourselves busy, but by one o’clock, we were ready to head out and I was in need of an exercise fix.  I took him home before heading to my place and time aboard the trainer.  I suppose if I was truly hard core, I could have gone outside for a ride, but I’ve become rather soft and an episode of ‘Mad Men’ while sweating through an hour in my office on my trainer while watching, seemed like a doable plan. 

I continued to reflect on the New Year as it approaches and the dramatic changes 2016 will make in my life.  I know I need a solid plan to assure that I accomplish the important things I need to do, as I would if I was riding my bike 1,100 miles to complete Tour Ohio.  It is coming together in my head, but paper…or the blog…is a better place to put it if I hope to make it happen.  Prepare yourselves.  It is coming.

Bike duration:  60 minutes.

Training Heart Rate:  120 bpm.

Calories burned during workout:  850.

"...to Herb and Deanne"

Sunday, December 27, 2015

“…and so let us raise our glasses in a toast to enduring love and friendship.  To Herb and Deanne!”

It was forty years after my Best Man, Herb Nelisse had served me in a similar capacity in my marriage to Holly.  He had come to me several weeks earlier and asked me to be his Best Man in his upcoming marriage and I had been honored to accept.  As the day approached and I had done nothing to assist in the preparations, including the lack of any kind of bachelor party, I called him to express my concerns.

“I don’t want a bachelor party, John, and there’s really nothing to do.  Just make sure I get there on time like I did for you and do a nice toast,” he’d said.

I worked on saying the right words and leaving all there with some trifle they might be able to use.  I had used as a theme the importance of enduring friendship, such as the one Herb and I shared which, despite at times years passing without contact, was always in full force.  And so yes, I finished what I thought was a very touching and appropriate toast by asking all guests present to raise their glasses to Herb and Deanne.  Except his new wife’s name wasn’t Deanne.  I was facing Herb as I said these final words and when he broke out laughing hysterically, I was a little surprised at the reaction.  In a microsecond of time, it occurred to me that most of the guests were laughing, as well.  And then - clarity!

It’s hard to hide when you’re in the middle of a room, holding a microphone in your hand, and all eyes are upon you.  I have super powers though, and I simply became invisible…or maybe I just tried.  Debbie, Herb’s new wife, was laughing as well, but I still had the presence of mind to search the room for the blade she would be using to cut the cake.  It was not in her hands, but how far away could it be?  I laughed too and told her I was sorry.  You know…oops…no big deal.  I did tell her that if I was ever to get married again, she could be my Best Man and say whatever she wanted in the toast that followed. 

I’d spent an hour on the trainer earlier that morning.  I had been thinking I’d stop at the farm to push up the manure pile on the way to the wedding since it was on the way, but had it pointed out to me that I wasn’t thinking too clearly…if at all…and that dressed in a suit should not be sitting on a New Holland tractor with a bucket full of manure raised high in the air and wind blowing horse shit all over me.  I suppose that made sense.

Bike duration:  60 minutes.

Training Heart Rate:  120 bpm.

Calories burned during workout:  850.