Training Log Archive: blIn the 31 days ending Jan 31, 2017:
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| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday Jan 31, 2017 #
Note
An extra night in the step-down unit due to several sessions of atrial fibrillation, two treated and one that reverted spontaneously. I've never been so cooped up given the initial 74 hrs in bed and then the requirement to remain on the unit for telemetry. I'll leave tomorrow, start cardiac rehab in 6 wks. and see where that leaves me. I do hope/expect to make fast progress thru a tailored rehab program. Time will tell.
Saturday Jan 28, 2017 #
Note
I’m glad to call the surgery history. I didn’t recall much discomfort or even pain early on. Now that I am awake/alert, tylenol seems fine. The initial post-op intense thirst caused by anesthesia seems to be the biggest patient complaint according to the RNs. And claustrophobic confinement to my mind has been another significant and somewhat prolonged issue. When life is predicated on being in motion, pretty much staring at a clock on a wall while reclining on a bed for 74 hours got the best of me a few times. At first, I’d anxiety-get “hot flashes” I had to struggle to control. I was in a chair a few times but have not walked 10 feet since Wednesday morn.
An added benefit from the chest-pelvis imaging: no cancers noted, and knowledge of moderate thoracic degenerative changes and diverticulosis. I’m probably here until Monday then can walk, jog & eventually run away from this, of course with a great deal of appreciation for the repair.
An added benefit from the chest-pelvis imaging: no cancers noted, and knowledge of moderate thoracic degenerative changes and diverticulosis. I’m probably here until Monday then can walk, jog & eventually run away from this, of course with a great deal of appreciation for the repair.
Tuesday Jan 24, 2017 #
Walking 45:00 [1] 1.5 mi (30:00 / mi)
Beacon Hill, MGH and environs. Last of so-called training for time being. We walked a lot of corridors with a map in hand. Took my second visit to the Ether Dome (to show Beth who’d once married an MGH resident but never had seen it) where the first anesthesia was used in 1846. There’s a painting on the wall depicting the famous moment. In the corner of the painting is a marble statue of a Greco-Roman male figure. Still there in the real corner, I don’t think he has moved at all since 1846.
Drove the car onto Beacon Hill to drop stuff off at Beacon House. The oneway streets got the best of us until we’d done a go-round more than seemed possible. Beacon House is about 10’ walk mostly downhill from Wang building where I have to be at 0530. Walk in the building with clothes on my back and an ID and Beth for company. Not even a wrist watch, or a wedding ring (edematous fingers). Have 3 alarms set for 0430 - not sure I will need them but it should prop up sleep. The experience is unfolding! I’ll probably see the surgeon for 5 minutes in the morning and a lot of other OR env’t staff, then drift off to Netherland.
Drove the car onto Beacon Hill to drop stuff off at Beacon House. The oneway streets got the best of us until we’d done a go-round more than seemed possible. Beacon House is about 10’ walk mostly downhill from Wang building where I have to be at 0530. Walk in the building with clothes on my back and an ID and Beth for company. Not even a wrist watch, or a wedding ring (edematous fingers). Have 3 alarms set for 0430 - not sure I will need them but it should prop up sleep. The experience is unfolding! I’ll probably see the surgeon for 5 minutes in the morning and a lot of other OR env’t staff, then drift off to Netherland.
Sunday Jan 22, 2017 #
11 AM
Orienteering 1:37:54 [1] 2.21 mi (44:18 / mi) +88m 39:25 / mi
Harris center walk with Beth and Mocha. On & off rain, grey, drab and fun, too. Always nice to get away from places close by, heading west - say vs east to BB or Pawtuckaway. Did have second thoughts about getting going as rain was steady at the start. Walked 50% on un-tracked path then realized a cont'd path loop would be too long so we went thru woods, mostly along a stream. Used the map for “reassurance” a bunch. Finally the Kings Highway and easy 0.4 mi back to car. No snow to speak of under hemlocks, up to 6” under the hardwoods. Mocha did fine. I noted M is about 101, Beth about 76 and I am the youngest, about 71. M jumped back in the car with her usual refusal of assistance but the bigger the treat, the better the jump.
After we drove to Harrisville where Beth had been 2 weeks before with a friend. In 20 years of NH living, I'd never been there or heard of it. A small mill town on Harrisville Pond (more a lake) with numerous handsome brick buildings, private and commercial. I’d like to see it in other seasons.
Happy crew
Harrisville glimpse
After we drove to Harrisville where Beth had been 2 weeks before with a friend. In 20 years of NH living, I'd never been there or heard of it. A small mill town on Harrisville Pond (more a lake) with numerous handsome brick buildings, private and commercial. I’d like to see it in other seasons.
Happy crew
Harrisville glimpse
Saturday Jan 21, 2017 #
Skate skiing 20:00 [1] 1.0 mi (20:00 / mi)
BHS about 2:30. Close to 50F, too soft. An ice fisherman on Turee. Quiet Saturday pm.
Weightexercise workout 30:00 [1]
Had lap swimming in mind (as well as weights), left swim suit in car but was "exonerated" when I saw it was family hour and lap swimming was not an option.
Friday Jan 20, 2017 #
Skate skiing 20:00 [1] 1.0 mi (20:00 / mi)
BHS around 6:30, around 32F - old, packed surface with a bit of slush on top. Great glide, hard to get an edge though.
1 PM
Walking 40:00 [1] 1.7 mi (23:32 / mi) +34m 22:09 / mi
From MGH to top of Beacon Hill, then to 19 Myrtle to see Tu nite's lodging, then return. Forgot to stop gps so a bunch inside the hospital buildings. A slow walk on the highest of Beacon Hill revealed some lovely, fancy real estate. Passed thru Louisburg Sq. I had run over BH several times March 16-20, 2015 when attending a CME in Boston but trudging today. Actually deleted 60 mi of the route, since I never stopped the app and it followed me home.
Went to MGH for pre-op blood, EKG, CXR and angio chest CT + pelvis & abdomen, firsts for the CTs. Left house at 0520, still a lot of traffic in MA.
But made it w/o any mistakes.
Went to MGH for pre-op blood, EKG, CXR and angio chest CT + pelvis & abdomen, firsts for the CTs. Left house at 0520, still a lot of traffic in MA.
But made it w/o any mistakes.
Thursday Jan 19, 2017 #
2 PM
Walking 44:57 [1] 1.8 mi (24:58 / mi) +13m 24:25 / mi
Concord neighborhoods starting at Rollins Park. Some of the same roads we walked last spring canvassing for Bernie. Don't know how-why the gpx disappeared.
Wednesday Jan 18, 2017 #
Snow shovelling 40:00 [1]
About 3" snow. Not a breath of air. Power out to start the day.
Weightexercise workout 30:00 [1]
Skate skiing 20:00 [1] 1.0 mi (20:00 / mi)
BHS visit around 6pm - still still, snowing quietly, about 6 tracks groomed for classic. One car in nearby parking - it may have been the coach. He'd departed in his car but came back after a while for some unapparent reason - unless perhaps it was to see who was skiing.
Tuesday Jan 17, 2017 #
Note
Received a fortuitous MGH call today - a schedule opening moved surgery ahead nearly a month. So I can expect more spring by springtime and more animation to the Pound Ridge BG which I intend to enter.
Monday Jan 16, 2017 #
Weightexercise workout 35:00 [1]
Sunday Jan 15, 2017 #
11 AM
Walking 2:36:06 [1] 7.06 mi (22:07 / mi) +11m 22:00 / mi
Beth & I drove to Cambridge for change of scenery. And that it was - maybe to 35F, sunny, light north wind. No snow noted anywhere (incl woods inside 495), mild, mild - the occasional runner in shorts, one walker in shorts and a sleeveless top. Some sitting at sidewalk tables - not a January day demanding that one move to stay warm. Started on Memorial in front of MIT, walked thru the Maclaurin bldg, up Mass Ave to Harvard Square area and back along the river. Tired by the end. GPS kept its signal inside - namely Maclaurin bldg and the Harvard Coop.
A world apart from Bow dog walk this morning - drove into the brush dump skidding some on a sheet of ice & parked carefully so as to not get stuck. Preoccupation was to get M to poop, have a "fair" walk & get her back in car, all treat-driven. And then leave her to her own devices (namely sleep) for the day.
A world apart from Bow dog walk this morning - drove into the brush dump skidding some on a sheet of ice & parked carefully so as to not get stuck. Preoccupation was to get M to poop, have a "fair" walk & get her back in car, all treat-driven. And then leave her to her own devices (namely sleep) for the day.
Saturday Jan 14, 2017 #
Weightexercise workout 30:00 [1]
Y, another Saturday pm. The idea of some lap swimming presented itself. Maybe next Saturday afternoon I'm there.
3 PM
Walking 49:56 [1] 1.3 mi (38:25 / mi) +108m 30:32 / mi
Great Hill around sunset. Calm/quiet. Came back thru the woods vs the trail which was fairly icy.
Also tried Stoneybrook Bog with Mocha this morning & balked at the ice cracking "all around" tho there were plenty of kids playing hockey on the town pond.
Also tried Stoneybrook Bog with Mocha this morning & balked at the ice cracking "all around" tho there were plenty of kids playing hockey on the town pond.
Thursday Jan 12, 2017 #
Skate skiing 25:00 [2] 1.0 mi (25:00 / mi)
At BHS around 9:30 for skate sampling. Thought the pack would be good enough, given grooming and the rain settling. It was above freezing — a pretty good glide and an untracked surface for 3/4ths of the oval on the back field.
Stopped to look at Touree in leaving - melt water surface, two ice fishermen in the distance who evidently know about ice strength & thickness.
Stopped to look at Touree in leaving - melt water surface, two ice fishermen in the distance who evidently know about ice strength & thickness.
2 PM
Orienteering 1:13:47 [1] 1.38 mi (53:28 / mi) +78m 45:29 / mi
Went to Bear Brook for a forest/O fix on a somber weather-type afternoon. Walked a few points, raining on & off, misty in places — a grey, gloomy day, (and full moon tonight to go wasting). I enjoy the white terrain which outlines contours for quite a distance. Snow in the woods was generally under 6” with a few slopes to a foot. No one else there. At one point, utilized an abandoned trail that Beth & I used to XC ski on in more energetic days of approx 15 yrs ago. A good “down to earth” time.
Arriving, I started down into the parking lot but, fortunately, caution got the best of me, stopped, backed up a bit & found a place to park. The downslope was about 35 yards of ice and the lot was ice as well. I’d have gone gliding into the lot and skated to a halt but I’m not sure I’d have been able to climb out. I have some momentum experience with our drive when icy which slopes up to Allen. Maybe — but if not, I imagined sliding backwards into the lot or a tree or the woods. Would have made my day:-).
Winter woods
Had the 310 as well as Strava for comparison kicks. Garmin Connect/Express though is a pain in the ass & I can’t seem to bypass them.
Arriving, I started down into the parking lot but, fortunately, caution got the best of me, stopped, backed up a bit & found a place to park. The downslope was about 35 yards of ice and the lot was ice as well. I’d have gone gliding into the lot and skated to a halt but I’m not sure I’d have been able to climb out. I have some momentum experience with our drive when icy which slopes up to Allen. Maybe — but if not, I imagined sliding backwards into the lot or a tree or the woods. Would have made my day:-).
Winter woods
Had the 310 as well as Strava for comparison kicks. Garmin Connect/Express though is a pain in the ass & I can’t seem to bypass them.
Orienteering 3:00 [1] +123m
GPS with Strava. Different actual distance & climb by a bit.
Wednesday Jan 11, 2017 #
10 AM
Walking 43:00 [1] 2.0 mi (21:30 / mi) +50m 19:57 / mi
SPS after Beth's appt with Don Chan. Very mild, but the all-day blue sky was
about gone. Strava app was off for some 15', not sure how that happened.
About 2 mi total and time is a guess. Walked in woods part way, bare ground in places and winter green lawn on the campus in generally sunny places.
Also, yesterday's attempts still on the books.
about gone. Strava app was off for some 15', not sure how that happened.
About 2 mi total and time is a guess. Walked in woods part way, bare ground in places and winter green lawn on the campus in generally sunny places.
Also, yesterday's attempts still on the books.
Tuesday Jan 10, 2017 #
Weightexercise workout 35:00 [1]
At Y around 4:30, uncomfortably busy!
Walking 30:00 [1] 1.0 mi (30:00 / mi)
To Stoneybrook Bog with Mocha. Below 10F this morning & cold for several days. Yet rain is fcst for tonight.... We went to the T junction on firm SM pack. It has been quite awhile since that destination. The snow looked pretty good for classic skiing once we got to the T.
Then we walked on the bog, starting at a new point on the shore. The ice was not thick enough to hold my weight. My left leg went thru twice about to the knee. Made me quite ice shy but conquered that given knowledge that it has been so cold. It was OK once away from grassy tussocks and water moving underneath near some of the shoreline.
Then we walked on the bog, starting at a new point on the shore. The ice was not thick enough to hold my weight. My left leg went thru twice about to the knee. Made me quite ice shy but conquered that given knowledge that it has been so cold. It was OK once away from grassy tussocks and water moving underneath near some of the shoreline.
Sunday Jan 8, 2017 #
Walking 25:00 [1] 0.7 mi (35:42 / mi)
Dog appeasement w/ M this morning, off Parsons SM trail. Would be good for classic but not the up & down exertions at this time. We walked thru woods short cutting, noting the tracks of the many creatures doing the busy work of living.
Skate skiing 20:00 [2] 1.0 mi (20:00 / mi)
After Beth & I met in town at O's, I stopped for BHS skate 'sampling', half under parking lot lights, half moonlight. 5F, calm, too cold for glide with what wax I had. Although a Sunday, the oval was groomed earlier. Kept to the outside, leaving the inner 5 or so lanes for the kids. Tracks of two other Sunday users.
Moth radio story as I type this: 2014 Boston marathon, a blind runner's first marathon, determined to run the last mile, finishing at 4:05, and the explosions at 4:09.
Moth radio story as I type this: 2014 Boston marathon, a blind runner's first marathon, determined to run the last mile, finishing at 4:05, and the explosions at 4:09.
Saturday Jan 7, 2017 #
Skate skiing 25:00 [2] 1.5 mi (16:40 / mi)
Passes for skate at BHS, last night's oval. Hard & crunchy. Cold today, 16F when I was there around 2:30 but, with no wind, only the fingers were cold. Snowing moderately. Didn't see a soul on Turee.
Weightexercise workout 30:00 [1]
Y after, usual Sat pm quiet.
Friday Jan 6, 2017 #
Walking 30:00 [1] 1.0 mi (30:00 / mi)
Token walk, just at "dark" on a Fri eve under a half moon and a white landscape. Went to BHS with Mocha. We walked out on Turee. There were tracks visible from all kinds of users. No one to see, however, on a Friday at 5p. I heard the ice crack once (probably just a 'routine' sound) but after falling thru on the edge of Turee in Jan. about 3 yrs ago, I plead 'stage fright'. It would be OK if I could see others on the pond but not on this eve.
BHS kids were finishing up nordic practice. Some have a race at Gunstock tomorrow. Will give BHS a try tomorrow.
We walked on the Stoneybrook bog yesterday. The ice was thin along the north edge where the south sun makes the greatest impact. We got to the south side, the ice cracked for M and we both made our way back a slightly different way, incl mistakenly getting onto an island with thin ice on the opposite side - all 'good adventure' as the bog isn't > 2' deep anywhere, I think.
Had the Samsung cell phone I bought in NZ in 2014 along, finally charged. It has FM radio which I find a good companion on occasional walks. Podcasts other times on the iPhone but with recent purchase of a Lifeproof case, Apple ear buds seem called for & only today made that discovery.
BHS kids were finishing up nordic practice. Some have a race at Gunstock tomorrow. Will give BHS a try tomorrow.
We walked on the Stoneybrook bog yesterday. The ice was thin along the north edge where the south sun makes the greatest impact. We got to the south side, the ice cracked for M and we both made our way back a slightly different way, incl mistakenly getting onto an island with thin ice on the opposite side - all 'good adventure' as the bog isn't > 2' deep anywhere, I think.
Had the Samsung cell phone I bought in NZ in 2014 along, finally charged. It has FM radio which I find a good companion on occasional walks. Podcasts other times on the iPhone but with recent purchase of a Lifeproof case, Apple ear buds seem called for & only today made that discovery.
Thursday Jan 5, 2017 #
Weightexercise workout 30:00 [1]
Followed the walk with the Y.
2 PM
Walking 37:59 [1] 1.83 mi (20:45 / mi) +14m 20:16 / mi
Walk in Concord's North End - my term for it anyway. Started along the Horseshoe Pond oxbow but the wind was a bit biting so turned back for neighborhoods & relative shelter. Strava again, & gave the walk a name, "North End", I guess for the sake of categorizing by place.
A solitary walker at SPS in December.
A solitary walker at SPS in December.
Wednesday Jan 4, 2017 #
2 PM
Walking 44:44 [1] 2.23 mi (20:04 / mi)
At the north campus of SOP. Washed the car & could not cross the divider which led me here by chance. Parked in the NH Supreme Court lot and had this pleasant walk by the court house, F&G, DOT, DMV & Public health labs. The terrain dropped off steeply & impressively to the Merrimack. Many "No Camping" signs, & a few, deep, wooded ravines. Used to run 5Ks here, maybe last around 2010. Around 40F. Rained hard yesterday pm & some in the evening.
Tuesday Jan 3, 2017 #
Weightexercise workout 30:00 [1]
At the Y after picking Mocha up .
Have a date for surgery of 2/22 - further ahead than I was hoping for.
Pretty much a passive winter in store & with more recup time recommended than I cared to hear. While the quality of being personable is desirable, it's not req'd. It could be helpful though, when discussing a subject such as how/where to cut a chest.
No snow in in the Boston area - an abundance of traffic but scarce snow S of the border. Very interesting to visit the MGH campus, old & new, steeped in history and achievement. Not so easy to get to for the uninitiated though the campus edge is only 50 yards back from Storrow Dr. at one point. I got away with a $250 "No U turn" on Fenway, after becoming completely exasperated with the lack of adequate signage along Storrow, having looked at gps/sat view etc. beforehand.
Have a date for surgery of 2/22 - further ahead than I was hoping for.
Pretty much a passive winter in store & with more recup time recommended than I cared to hear. While the quality of being personable is desirable, it's not req'd. It could be helpful though, when discussing a subject such as how/where to cut a chest.
No snow in in the Boston area - an abundance of traffic but scarce snow S of the border. Very interesting to visit the MGH campus, old & new, steeped in history and achievement. Not so easy to get to for the uninitiated though the campus edge is only 50 yards back from Storrow Dr. at one point. I got away with a $250 "No U turn" on Fenway, after becoming completely exasperated with the lack of adequate signage along Storrow, having looked at gps/sat view etc. beforehand.
Monday Jan 2, 2017 #
Skate skiing 25:00 [2] 1.5 mi (16:40 / mi)
At BHS on maybe a 3 day old groomed oval (of 6 lanes) with the settled snow of Sat nite atop. Felt a bit guilty tracking it up but no school today lessened the guilt. BHS nordic could always serve as a close by source of groomed track, after dark and/or when kids aren't using it. The school has a new, dedicated groomer &, last I knew, a Bow citizen volunteer helping out with maintaining groomed tracks.
Had Mocha & walked her on groomed SM track in the woods behind the middle school. The good side of snow mobiles being a source of easy access to the woods for classic on packed surface.
Have an MGH appt in the morning. Decided to spent the night nearby (Woburn) given the icy conditions forecast for the morning commute.
Had Mocha & walked her on groomed SM track in the woods behind the middle school. The good side of snow mobiles being a source of easy access to the woods for classic on packed surface.
Have an MGH appt in the morning. Decided to spent the night nearby (Woburn) given the icy conditions forecast for the morning commute.
Sunday Jan 1, 2017 #
Skate skiing 25:00 [1] 2.0 mi (12:30 / mi)
At Memorial Field about 10:45 after NHH. Sunny, mild, good surface with about an inch of new snow. A blue, pleasant NYD.
PM walk with Beth & Mocha along Turee shore. The sun sets so far to the left these days. Encountered Martin M and Mango, and had a chat with Bruce. Could see a nice skate oval on one of the BHS fields. A sliver of new moon and accompanying Venus to end a fine day.
PM walk with Beth & Mocha along Turee shore. The sun sets so far to the left these days. Encountered Martin M and Mango, and had a chat with Bruce. Could see a nice skate oval on one of the BHS fields. A sliver of new moon and accompanying Venus to end a fine day.
Note
I’m again reminded I forget the zeitgeist of the year-end transition, perhaps not so surprising. It does have “a feeling" to it, as Beth & I were saying last night, born from the historical charms of the year as viewed by calendar. Yet it’s nothing more than the next day of the Earth’s revolution.
Note
Options are few.
Stealth Time
When We were young
We could fly like the wind.
And "fly like the wind"
was beyond rescind.
Or am I getting ahead of myself?
I can't keep up.
Now, with Stealth Time on our backs,
We slow and then stoop.
No matter how fast We seem to go,
Arrogant youth weighs in: "you're too slow".
And more so:
"You've not much more to go."
A step or stride at a time,
No matter the rhyme...
It's a matter of stealth time.
Stealth Time
When We were young
We could fly like the wind.
And "fly like the wind"
was beyond rescind.
Or am I getting ahead of myself?
I can't keep up.
Now, with Stealth Time on our backs,
We slow and then stoop.
No matter how fast We seem to go,
Arrogant youth weighs in: "you're too slow".
And more so:
"You've not much more to go."
A step or stride at a time,
No matter the rhyme...
It's a matter of stealth time.