Training Log Archive: PG

Big day. A workout and Christmas shopping. A big day, because it's been years since I've gotten a Christmas present for anyone. But the pressure was on, Gail had made it clear that she was pretty tired of waiting for me to produce a cell phone for her. Not that I had to do it today, but I had best not put it off too much longer.

So we went off shopping, "we" being me and my technology consultant, Alex, my brother's daughter, who knows way more about all this stuff than I ever will, and we headed over to the Sprint store in Torrington. Two young guys there, no other customers, we found a phone, we were getting all the paperwork done, and the one guy, the bigger one, well, he was a whole lot bigger, in fact he was really big, he asked me where Sunderland is.

You know where Amherst is?

Yeah, I went to school there, UMass. played basketball there.

Really? At what level? Varsity?

Yeah, varsity.

Really? (the doubtful tone, because when I say he was really big, what I mean is, he was really wide)

Yeah.

What's your name?

Jeff Salovski, but they used to call me ....

(and just then the phrase is popping into my mind too)

... the Big Deli.

You're the Big Deli! Wow!

And we spent another 20 or 30 minutes talking about his one-year college basketball career, cut short by injury, when he played at a trim 315, probably at least 100 pounds less than his current weight (the first triple-G guy I've ever talked to?). He really was the Big Deli, a cult favorite, usually put in late in the game when it was already either won or lost, big cheers from the crowd, but I remember one game when he got in early and often and he was hot, no speed but smooth moves around the basket and a lot put-backs and the crowd just loving it.

And here I was, chatting up the Big Deli himself. Super cool.

Got the phone, got back to mom's, Gail was delighted. Also super cool.

Oh, and the workout? A pleasant stroll around town with the family. Knee still a little sore, but improving.

Off to my mom's in Litchfield in the afternoon, though not before getting a call from my sister, saying that she wouldn't be coming to the family get-together because she had a sore knee and it was just too difficult. I do believe that I said to Gail, shortly after hanging up, something like, "My sister is a wuss."

So perhaps it should not have been a surprise when, partway to Litchfield, Gail said, quite out of the blue, "Your sister needs to Harden The Fuck Up." We laughed and laughed. I wonder if I should send her the link to the video. Somehow I think not..

C • There's a video? I obvious... 3

Decided it was time to sign up for my usual winter membership at the Body Shoppe (the local gym). And since I'm not running now, try to get started on a general strength routine. We will see how it goes.

Also spent 5 minutes on the treadmill, just walking. Knee is better but still sore.

I know taxes can be painful, but usually it's in a financial or psychological way, not a physical way....

Went to a seminar in Hartford today. Was leaving, walking through the parking lot to my car, didn't notice a little curb, kicked it, tried to keep my balance, didn't, went sprawling, in the process yanked the back of my left knee something awful. Hurt real bad for a while, still complaining. What a klutz.

The rest of me seems ok after Saturday. Quads were sore for a day or two but that's gone, and no other ailments. But getting back running may be a while.

C • Spooky 2

Some serious shoveling over the last 24 hours, 2 storms worth. Where is global warming when we need it?

Left leg still very sore. May be a while before running makes sense.