11/23 - 11/29

It wasn't much of a week of training, but it was the last week of school. I had two huge exam days then grading and grading and grading until I wanted to puke. Not only that, but I had to herd cats, so to speak, trying to get the stragglers to turn their work in. I finished the semester last night around 7:00 p.m. I feel like a free man.

Concerning last week's training, Monday I swam 3,400 yards and lifted weights. Tuesday I did not swim. I had exams past 5:00 p.m. and needed a nap before I could go to Plate City. Wednesday I was back in the water for 3,650 yards, my longest swim since Chicot. I lifted legs heavy.

Thursday was Thanksgiving and all I did, besides eat too much and take naps, was an upper body session at the gym. Friday I chauffeured the girls over Jackson while they shopped. I had my running shoes with me, but it rained so that I never got around to taking a shuffle.

Saturday I only lifted. I had intended to run and maybe swim also. But fatigue and fatigue and more fatigue trimmed the schedule down to watching football, grading papers, and taking naps.

For the week, I

ran not at all

cycled not at all

swam 6,443 meters, and

lifted weights five times.

Now maybe I can get back to some real training. I have big plans for the summer and they will require big training. Thank God for plans.

One Small Purchase; One Giant Leap Forward

I was amazingly tired Saturday morning. Consequently, I slept in, blogged, and petted cats. What? I have to tell you that I drank lots of coffee too? Of course I did. Besides blogging, I studied for Sunday. I also tried to nap, but was unable to go to sleep. A nap at nine in the morning is a wonderful thing if you can pull it off.

Running was on the agenda. Forrest and Paul invite us and Paul's mom for a Thanksgiving meal the Saturday after the big day. Usually I run over, but Forrest's texted me before we got there and asked if I wanted to run. Thus I put my running off until the afternoon. 

The afternoon found me watching the Egg Bowl and Forrest reneging on his commitment to run. I became very lazy but determined at least to lift. Since the State game was not settled until :19 seconds left to play, it was after 6:00 before Pee Wee saw me. I was due for pulling and legs. I went light on the squats but deadlifted for the first time in months. I only did two light sets, but I added some heavy (contextual word) rack pulls. 

While we were in Jackson, I bought a pair of straps. This small purchase looks like it will be a huge addition to the gym and to my strength training. In the past, I have tried a few times to do heavy rack pulls. My grip always started giving out around 150 pounds despite the fact that I have pulled 200 from the floor. I don't know what the difference is, maybe it has to do with the bar possibly being farther from my body when I start the lift. I said maybe because I really have not been able to figure it out, but trying rack pulls causes the bar to roll and I can't hold over 150. I found these straps at Academy Sports for about fifteen bucks. 

I tried them last night. On the first two attempts something was not right. I wasn't getting any benefit from them. Since I had never been taught how to use them, I experimented and found out what I was doing wrong. I was wrapping the straps over the top of the bar. I tried wrapping them under the bottom and WOW, the bar felt like it was welded to my hand. I pulled

10 X 95

10 X 115

  8 X 135

  7 X 155

  3 X 175

  3 X 185

  3 X 205

  5 X 215

I decided to stop there. Since this is the most I have ever pulled, and I am not a young man, I want to give my body time to adjust to these kind of weights. But I loved this, the way it felt, and I will be doing lots more of these in the future. 

So I only did one workout, but it was a good one. Thank you, Jesus.

"Your Daddy"

Black Friday. It has been one of my favorites for a decade and a half now. Penny has always done a shopping marathon on the day. For many years, I kept Caitlin, our granddaughter, while Andrea, our daughter, got dragged around a dozen stores by Penny, my wife.

Even when she was a little baby, I did not mind keeping Caitlin. I remember once piling pillows around the bed so she could not roll off and watching the Iron Bowl while she slept. When Andrea and Penny got home, they could not believe I had not pulled my hair out. 

When she got older, we would park hop, go from one park to another and swing and slide and have fun. We went to Wagner, Clerico, Little Red, and the one on East Claiborne. She loved it, and I loved seeing her have fun. Then the ice-cream started. I think by then I had Caitlin and Zane. After the parks, I would take them to Sonic for a large Blast. They could not eat it all so it was Poppy to the rescue. The things grandfathers do for their grandchildren.

Fast forward to two years ago. That's when I started chauffeuring Andrea and Penny and Caitlin around Jackson so they could shop. I love it. It does, however, have some drawbacks. We went to Jackson Friday. I had a good time. I also bit blood out of my tongue. It went like this.

Penny feels compelled to constantly criticize my driving. It's predictable behavior so I try to take it in stride, but sometimes it gets tough. We drive up to the first stop a store Penny loves off of County Line Road. I am easing Andrea's Ford-something SUV to the front door so the ladies can get out.

"Your daddy is just trying to run over these people," Penny snaps.

Dude, I'm going three-miles per hour. I was worried they would get upset about me driving so slow. I let them out, and then I go to Academy Sports. I do my shopping-- fourteen minutes-- and I am done for the day. 

I drive back to the store where the girls are. I take a nap in the parking lot. Then without prompting, I wake up and drive to the front of the store. Bingo! there they are. Dang I'm good. They load stuff into the back for twelve minutes.

"Don't drive off until I get in," Penny barks.

Huh? Really?

She gets in and I take my foot off the brake. The vehicle hits one-mile per hour.

"Your daddy's going the wrong way."

Huh? There is no wrong way. You leave. That's all a person can do.

We go to the next store.

"Your daddy's just trying to run over these people," she says while we idle up at two-miles per hour. She is not joking. I tend to take things literally. That statement means:

  1. I am one mean SOB who wants to kill and maim people I do not know.

  2. I don't mind committing murder in front of our granddaughter.

  3. I am such an unskilled driver that I try but fail to hit pedestrians who are       walking en masse in front of the truck at the speed of molasses on a cold     morning.

Stop already!

I pick them up and hour later.

"Don't drive off until I get in," she announces to all the world to hear while they pack the back like a family about to head West in a covered wagon.

Yeah. Remember that time I drove off and left you and came back a week later and you were still there waiting? Me neither.

We drive off the only way you can go. You start by going the way the car is pointed then you can change directions after you roll a few feet.

"Your daddy's going the wrong way," she says again.

"Which way do you want me to go?" I sincerely ask.

"You were driving against the arrow."

"There was no arrow."

"Yes there was."

"No there wasn't."

"There was an arrow. Don't raise your voice at me!" she almost shouted.

I was talking so low I was surprised she could hear me. This is when I bit my tongue so hard that it bled a little.

We go to the next store. Right, there was no lunch. We starved ourselves so we could go to Berry's later and commit gluttony at a massive scale.

"Your daddy's just trying to run over these people," Penny says as we drive up. 

I have a question for you. Raise your hand if you like a backseat driver. I'm waiting. That's what I thought. I have told her in the past that she can drive if she likes. I never claimed to be a good driver. I have had wrecks. I have received tickets for moving violations. I  have run off the road. Several times. Drive. I can sit in the backseat. It will be my pleasure.

An hour later-- you guessed it: "Don't drive off until I'm in the car."

Then, "Your daddy's going the wrong way."

For some reason, my sweet wife (and she is sweet) finds it very important that whenever I get behind the wheel and she is in the truck, everything I do is wrong. Everything. And then I really did go the wrong way. Guess what. She didn't notice. We were on our way to Berry's. I asked, "Is this the exit?" For the first time all day I only heard crickets chirping. Crickets!

We did get there. Eventually. But not before Penny said, "Your daddy missed the turn." I didn't. Even Andrea noticed and came to my defense.

Then walking from the parking lot to the front door, Penny says, "Your daddy didn't check to see if they have a buffet. Your daddy doesn't ask questions."

Stop!!

We ate like it was our last meal. If you have never been to Berry's in Florence, go today. We chatted some about our pets, of course. I told Andrea how CC had just finished giving me my second round of the cold shoulder, how she stopped sleeping on top of me, how she stopped hanging out with me because one of the other cats spent too much time getting close.

"Why does she do that?" Andrea asked.

I wanted to speak but I dared not to say a word. Then she said it for me. "Sounds like a woman." Yes! I shouted in my mind, Yes! 

Penny then started talking about my Thanksgiving message at church last Sunday. "Your daddy said, he said, well tell her what you said."

"I said married folks have to learn to accept each other's idiosyncrasies, like 'Your daddy is just trying to run over these people.'" Andrea laughed. I glanced at Penny. She did not even get mad, not that I could tell anyhow.

When we got back to the Hideout, it was late-- after 10:00-- and everyone was tired. I hugged Caitlin and Andrea. And before they had left, I was already looking forward to next year when Penny will say, "Your daddy's just trying to run over these people." It will be a swell time, time with my girls. Thank you, Jesus, for family, for time together, for idiosyncrasies. 

Thanksgiving

I was up early doing school work. I hate that. Thanksgiving should be off limits. I'm just trying to get done. Penny, I remember, was doing stuff in the kitchen at 3:something so maybe I shouldn't complain.

I asked her what time we were leaving. We were going to Hillbilly Heaven, of course. I had originally planned to run from home to there. If I am in condition enough, I always do. But this year there is that little niggle in a leg. I can't write what it is because I think Randy Beets has something to do with it, and I don't want to give him any encouragement. I knew he was like the Grinch and trying to steal Thanksgiving. I could not let him succeed.

At least I should lift, I thought, so I did. I went to Plate City around 10:00 a.m. Being push day, I benched

15 X 38

15 X 88

13 X 108

11 X 113

That was done with the Swiss bar and front of the bench on some boards giving me a slight incline. Then I did dips, 8 and 8 reps. I am amazed at how that move hits the triceps. It should pay some dividends on the bench in a few weeks. I also did some lateral raises and a set of back extensions.

At Hillbilly Heaven, I immediately parked myself on the couch. Before long I was snoozing. After we ate, I did more napping. I needed it. By late afternoon, everyone had shifted outside. I went out to join them. The weather was pleasant, cool and clear. Since I had packed a bag of shorts, running shoes, and long sleeve, hunter orange T-shirt, I retrieved that from the truck. Might as well take a walk, I thought. I came back to the patio and emptied the contents of my bag.

"What did you forget?" Penny asked. I guess she saw the reaction on my face.

"My watch," I answered in disgust.

"Well, you can still walk."

"No I can't."

"Yes you can."

"I can't walk without my watch."

"You can borrow mine."

"Yours is not the right kind."

"What's the right kind?"

"A GPS watch. I'm not a weirdo. I can't walk without a GPS watch."

So I pouted a while. That should never happen to anybody. But life is not fair like that. Thus the Grinch stole Thanksgiving. Randy Beets had something to do with it. No doubt about it.

Praise God anyway.

PSA on Hacking

Please don't cause me to break my computer. I'm begging you, please. What I am referring to is my growing aggravation with people saying, "I've been hacked. Don't accept a friend request from me."

Let's start with a definition. A hack is when someone gets into your account. When they do this usually, they post something bad on your wall or they change the password and lock you out of your own account. That is a hack.

No one can get into your account and send your friends another friend request. Tell me how that is possible. Tell my why someone would do this. I'll wait.

That is what I thought. If you ponder it all morning, all evening, all week you cannot come up with a reason for someone to break into your account and send your friends another friend request even if that were possible, and it's not possible.

When you get a friend request from someone you are already friends with, one of three things is happening. One, the person can't get into their account and started another one. Two, the person has opened a second account so if they go to Facebook jail, they can still post. Or three, some lowlife has created a clone account.

A clone account is when someone copies your profile picture, opens a new account in your name, and starts sending out friend requests to your friends. They are banking on you accepting the request because you know the person. I have accepted a few because I had forgotten I was already friends with that person so I know the endgame. 

The endgame is right after accepting the friend request, you get a message in Messenger that begins, "How are you" I wrote it how I usually get it: no question mark, no punctuation of any kind. If you answer they chit chat a little and you can tell that English is not even their first language. Then ask if you have heard the good news about the _____ grant (proper noun not capitalized. I told one that he was not educated enough to be a crook). The name of the grant keeps changing.

They want you to text someone, a district manager, so you can get your money. Free money. I don't know what happens next but it can't be good. I have lived long enough to know that if someone offers me anything free, I place my hand firmly on my wallet and run swiftly away. Ain't nothing free and I don't mean anything.

So if you get a friend request from you friend, check with them and see if it is legit. In one out of a couple hundred it is. If not, then report the account to Facebook. They will investigate and remove the account. 

Please stop saying, "I've been hacked." It makes my cats nervous when I yell at the computer screen. Oh, and one more thing. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

Off, Sort of

Penny brought me coffee and breakfast in bed. Then she asked me what time I had to go to work. When I told her I was working from home, I could tell if she had known that I would not have been treated so royally. I finished giving exams Tuesday. Now I need to finish grading and get the grades into Canvas.

I guess I logged into Canvas 15 or 38 times. Maybe more. I'm waiting on online students to finish the final exam, and for the slothful to finish. I am in bad shape. I don't have a single course I can put the grades in. My patience, however, is running thin. 

I know what you are thinking. I am too nice for my own good. In the past, I have made such a big deal out of getting everything in that I could finish up pretty quickly after exams. This year, teaching 42 semester hours, I had no clue who was outstanding on work. By outstanding, I mean who owed me something. While I was giving the finals I was grading work from the semester.

One piece of work came in. One. And that was a student who drove to the Greenwood Center and took a final essay exam. The counselor, who proctored the test, sent me a photo of the four sentences the student wrote. This class knew for weeks that the exam was going to be one essay and they knew exactly what that essay would be. They knew. So most of the students knocked it out of the park. There is always one, however.

So I went to the pool at 2:00. John was not late. John never showed. I did a straight swim of 3,650 yards in 1:11:44. That made for a 1:57 average. At 350 yards I was 7:23. Yeah, unlike running, I get faster as a swim goes on.

Then I went home and logged in to Canvas a few more times. Since no one had done anything, I went to Plate City. I squatted

11 X 45

  4 X 95

  3 X 115

  3 X 115

  3 X 115

I also did leg extension, leg curls, a set of standing calf raises and a set of seated calf raises. Of course I performed the ubiquitous corator tuff exercises and did lots of stretching.

So it was not a bad day. It did need some running and some student activity. Thank the Lord for what I got.

The Big Day

Tuesday was the big day, the day I gave four-- count them-- four examinations. That had me working until 4:00 p.m. I know what you're thinking: Poor baby. But grading, or beginning to grade, all those papers is not an ordinary chore. I have read so many bad essays that my eyes have developed a lisp, I walk now with a limp in my hand, and my writing fingers refuse to hold a pen. I am wrecked.

But that much is done. The testing part. Now I work from home today and attempt to finish grading, try to enter grades, and attempt to herd up a few wild sheep. I have contacted several students about work they need to finish. They drag. They try to see how far they can push it. The administration has given students so much power this semester that I am afraid of them, the students. I feel like I have no authority. I have no authority. 

I came home and got into bed. About 6:00 p.m., Penny asked me if I was in for the night. Translated: You're not working out! So I got up and went to Plate City in the dark. It was pull night. I performed a set of one-armed bent rows, and then did four sets of Lenny rows. Not only that, but I did reverse flys and corator tuff work. I enjoyed the darkness and Pee Wee loved me being there. Now school is almost over for a while, I will really hit the gym. Thank you, Jesus.

Hades Week Has Begun

Hades Week has begun. Actually it began last week. Fridays for me are sacrosanct. However, I worked on MDCC stuff for five hours Friday, four hours Saturday, and two and a half hours Sunday. No, I do not like to work on Sunday, but an ox was in the ditch. A whole herd of them, actually.

Monday I gave three exams at Moorhead. I graded a bunch and then I went home. I called John and told him I could be at the pool by 3:00. When I got there, John was already in the water. 

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?

After the swim, I found out that he thought I said 2:00 and he got there at 2:45. I spoke with him again about his funeral. "Next time you talk to your daughter," I said, "tell her about the casket. If it is not rolled in twenty minutes after I start the funeral, I am not preaching." I was not kidding.

I swam 3,400 yards with some fast 25s thrown in. My average pace was 1:57 per 100.

At home, I rested some and then went to Plate City. It was bench night. I pressed

13 X 100

  8 X 120

  7 X 130

  5 X 135

  5 X 135

I did some other stuff but probably not as much as I needed to. I did do two sets of triceps pushdowns. But the day had taken its toll so I went in the eat supper and relax for the rest of the night. Thank you, Jesus, for a pretty smooth start to what is always a hectic week.

11/16 - 11/21

It was a disappointing week  as far as training goes. I did swim a bit, but my goal has been to de-emphasize swimming and increase the running and lifting. Monday I swam 2,200 yards and shuffled 3.88 miles. I did lift, bench presses and assistance exercises.

Tuesday I shuffled 3.82 miles. Before that, however, I swam 2,250 yards. At Plate City, I did pulls and light legs. Wednesday I continued my slight increases at the pool. This time I went 2,400 straight. I took off from running because of that small issue I have alluded to from time to time. I did go to the gym and did some more leg work since I did not run, and I worked corator tuff and core.

Since my running is on the decline right now, I pushed to swim up to 2,500 yards. At home, I benched for reps and did dips for the first time in years. Dips are going to be a staple for me. I can already tell.

Friday was full of work and water. I did not run. I did not lift. I worked for MDCC five hours then went to the pool. I swam my longest swim since the Chicot Challenge going straight for 3,350 yards in 1:04:43. That averaged 1:55 per 100 yards. Not bad. Not good, but not bad. Saturday, I shuffled a short 1.57 miles and lifted pull and legs.

For the week, I

lifted five times,

ran 9.27 miles, and

swam 11,605 meters.

For the year, I am at 982 miles running and 646,766 meters of swimming. I am still overweight, but I have goals. Thanks be to God who has put eternity into our hearts.

Eating at Church

Of all the things that COVID changed, this one hurt the most. We have not had an eating at Centerville Baptist Church since Christmas 2019. That is until today, November 22, 2020. Our people rose up and asked for it. I had no problem with that. I thanked the Lord above.

When the shutdown hit, a storm came through and toppled a huge, beautiful oak tree in the church's front yard. The tree must have been 150 years old. I knew it was on the decline, but hoped it would continue to live. It's felling was oddly symbolic of the interruption that COVID has brought to our world, our way of life, our customs and habits. 

The dessert table. About half the ladies
with their wares had not arrived yet.

I still miss that tree and every time I drive up I look longingly at the front yard and remanence about the huge moss covered limbs that stood sentinel over our little church for the past century. Despite its loss, the surrounding woods are gorgeous displaying the glory of God. The colors are busting out into a chorus of synchronized praise: yellow of various shades, red, and orange

On the drive to church, Penny and I see birds, squirrels, sheep, sometimes deer, and occasionally a racoon or other small wild animal. A couple of times we have even spotted an alligator in a ditch we cross in the delta. The journey is an edifying experience that never grows old. While we driven I quote in my mind Psalm 122:1 -- I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.

We had our Thanksgiving service. I preached about thanksgiving, being thankful for God, family, and country. After the service, we feasted on chicken, turkey, ham, and vegetables too numerous to list. A whole table of desserts tempted us all. I, however, never made it to the table of sweets. Five pieces of fried chicken and a pound and a half of Frances Barrentine's fruit salad left me able to chew but unable to swallow.

It's about to go down.

While we ate, Junior Barrentine quipped, "See what we've been missing?" I didn't need convincing. It's a wonderful thing when the family of God sits down in peace and love and feed and fellowship. Everyone was so relaxed and we enjoyed being in each other's presence. Before the feeding started, Jason Campbell passed out some index cards with scripture written on each. The numbered cards were then read by the congregation. Each verse was about thanksgiving.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Our tiny congregation grew a little. Jason joined the church. He has been a huge blessing to me. He soaks up the Word while I preach. That gives me courage, which is the root of the work encouragement. To encourage is to put courage in.

It was a good day, the Lord's day on the 22nd of November. Thank you, Jesus.

Saturday

None of the good stuff. Well, I had coffee. But mostly I worked.

I spent another four hours doing school work. The silver lining there is that I am in pretty good shape. Finally. I hate to work on Sunday, but I will this afternoon. If I can get finished with all of this extra English Department stuff that they always afflict us with at the end of the semester, I will be able to swim Wednesday. This semester is almost over, and I am counting down the days.

I took a run, a short shuffle, on the Yazoo River Trail going a mere 1.57 miles. That little issue I mentioned several posts ago is still not totally resolved. It felt good to run, though, and the colors in the woods on the trail are magnificent.

After that, I watched some football. Even watching the games has lost some luster. I know we should be thankful for every bit of football we get, but no inter-conference play, plus the truncated season, in addition to the lack of fans in the stands, not to mention conferences starting their seasons at different times has everything feeling off. That's because everything is off.

Yes, I went to the gym. I had to do a twofer: legs and pull. I worked out for over an hour. Usually I finish in forty-five minutes, but to double up takes longer. What I failed to do was farmers walks. By the time I finished all the pulling and squatting, I was tuckered out and it was dark. So I went in and watched Mississippi State barely lose to Georgia. I did not expect that. It was a nice surprise and one that makes me think our program is not all doom and gloom. 

Thank you, Jesus.

Not Late Enough Again

John called. "I'm leaving right now," he said definitively. 

I can make the drive in seventeen minutes. I drive slow. John drives fast. So I gave him twenty minutes. See what I did there?

After I got to the pool, I stalled and went through an elaborate stretching routine to wait on John. We had already agreed to swim for one hour. I wanted to start at the same time. 

Thirty-one minutes after he called, I started swimming. I swam three and a half minutes before he came through the front door. How do you know? you ask. The far end of the pool is by the door. Every time I get there, I take a peek, flip, then check my watch. Yes, I can do all of this while swimming. My Garmin has big numbers that I can see underwater while I am gliding off the wall.

Have you done the math? John was only fourteen and a half minutes late. Sure enough, just like yesterday, he must have glanced at the clock on the wall and realized that he was not late enough. He went into the bathroom and stayed there for seven minutes more bringing him up the a full twenty-one minutes late.

He says I am preaching his funeral. I have told him more than once to put it in writing that his casket is to be rolled into the sanctuary twenty minutes after the start of his funeral. I am not joking. I have told him this and I mean it. If the funeral does not last twenty minutes, he misses his own funeral.

Before we get to the swimming, however, let me flash you back to the start of the day. I spent the first four hours of Friday working. No, I did not mow, although I have two yards that need it. I did not move although I need to work on that. I did not do stuff to Plate City, although I have stuff I want to do. I worked for MDCC. Yes, I am one of those lazy teacher Tyrone Jackson complains about.

Not only did I work the first four hours, but I worked an hour after lunch. I will work all day Saturday. I will work Sunday afternoon. Then exams hit and I will be crazy next week. Pray for me. Just another week, and I will be off.

At the pool, I did a straight swim of 3,350 yards in 1:04:43. Yes, that is my longest swim since Chicot. No, I did not do anything else. There was no time. After the swim, I showered, dressed, and took my wife out to dinner at Hilltop Restaurant where I saw my big boss and was tempted to try to explain some things to her. She, however, left before I could. She probably did not want to talk shop on an evening out anyway. I did not really want to but felt the need to. She will probably be calling me next week anyway.

I at least got something done. I swam. Saturday I plan to work in some training between bouts of study and school work. That is the plan, the hope. Thank you, Jesus, for hope. 

Not Late Enough

John called me at 3:00. "I'm getting ready now. I'll meet you at the pool at 3:30."

I started swimming at 3:38. John, of course, was not there. He did come in two minutes later. I suppose he saw the clock (he does not own and watch) and realized that he was not late enough so he went into the bathroom and was there for a bit over eight minutes. That brought him up the 18:27 late getting into the pool.  

I swam

1,300

400 small paddles

6 X 50 medium paddles as 25 easy/25 hard

250

250

total: 2,500 yards = 2,285 meters.

Once more, I did not run. I am trying to get that little issue ironed out before it becomes a big deal. At the gym, I did bench presses as

20 X 38

15 X 88

12 X 108

10 X 113

For the first time in years, I did some dips. At the old Plate City, I built a dip station and hurt my shoulder the first time I used it. My recent purchase of a back extension machine came with a portable dip rack. I used it Thursday night. Wow. Big triceps bomber. I was careful not to go too far down. I also set my feet on a bucket to take a little weight off. It was still a solid move.

Since I am not running, I did one set of high-rep leg extensions and curls.

So all in all it was a pretty decent day. I finished classes. Now comes the hard work of grading papers, entering grades, and giving exams next week. Lord, I need help, energy, strong motivation.

Dreaming and Scheming

I've been dreaming and scheming of late. First, I have been dreaming of a replacement for the Chicot Challenge in 2021. I have not announced it yet because it is still so tenuous. Many things have to fall into place for me to pull it off. The thing is, I have grown just a tad bit bored with Chicot, and I want another challenge. I came up with something. It will make me train hard, keep me excited, and it even frightens me a little. If your dreams don't frighten you, they are not big enough. When the time is right, I will reveal the dream.

Not only have I been dreaming, but I have even been scheming on 2022. In fact, I created a new sport, a sport I have not done yet. The sport? Quadrathon. This involves power lifting, swimming, cycling, and running and is capable of multiple variations. For instance, remember my challenge from last Friday? I maxed out on the bench, ran a mile for time, and planned but failed to run a 10K. In the quadrathon, I will do an entire powerlifting meet on my own, maxing the squat, bench, and deadlift. Then I can choose one of several options. I can do a mile for time, run to the pool and take a long swim and run home, cycle for many miles, and then do some more running.

The variations are endless. This concept fulfills all the necessary functions I need: it will make me train hard, keep me excited, and it even frightens me a little. Right now, it is just in the scheme stage, but I expect I will make a couple of practice attempts at it during the break.

One really good thing about this new sport is, since I created it whenever I do one, that will be the world record. I already hold all the world records in the Association of Sports Strongmen. Now I will begin to collect a whole new set of more records, beating Randy Beets and putting him to shame.

Can't wait.

Body Part

John did it again. He called me at 1:43 and said he was at the pool. I arrived at 3:00. He is either way late or way early. John time. Did I tell you that he does not own a watch? He doesn't. Sigh.

Knowing I was not going to run, I swam a little farther. I went 2,350 yards straight, racing John on some of those laps. Why did I know I was not going to run? I have had a slight issue with one of my body parts the past few days. I decided to take the day off from running and do a little rehab. So I swam longer and purposed to go to the gym.

Remember I did legs and pull on Tuesday, so ordinarily that would mean I was off on Wednesday. But I went to the world's best backyard gym and worked core, rotator cuff, a wee bit of legs (since I did not run), and did some rehab on my mildly wounded body part. It was dark while I was out there, and once more I loved it.

So it was a light day but a good one. Thank you, Jesus, and help my body part to get well.

Ambiences

The weather has been unbelievably gorgeous of late with blue skies, lots of sunshine, and cool temperatures. It makes me want to be off work now so I can train like a madman. Wednesday John called me while I was still at work. He was at the pool. What?!?! Yeah, he could not wait. I went in when I got off work and swam a straight 2,250 yards. He raced me some so I had to push a little. He runs in the water and tries to beat me to the wall. That is particularly irritating when he starts right away and I am not warmed up.

So I had a nice swim and went home for my run. It was getting dark when I started. I shuffled out the gravel a little and then came back and got on the Yazoo River Trail. After the trail, I ran downtown, and down Howard Street. Howard Street is becoming one of my favorites. The sidewalks have all been redone making them both attractive and easy to negotiate the sideroads. Not only that, but now there is music from outdoor speakers. All of that creates a nice ambience that I find refreshing. I did 3.something miles. 

It was totally dark when I finished. That means lifting at Plate City in the dark. I like that the same way I like running in the dark. The moon in the western sky, peaking through the limbs of our neighbor's huge oak tree, creates another ambience. I am all about ambiences. Ambiences ambience me. I did pull and light legs. On the pull, I performed only three sets of one-arm rows as

  19 X 40

  10 X 55

    8 X 60

In addition, I did a bunch of reverse flys, three sets of squats, and leg curls and extensions. It was a solid day of teaching and training. I was tired when it was all done and went in to eat and hang out with CC and Baby Kitty. Thank you, Jesus.

Break

We have a break coming up, or more accurately, the end of the semester. Because of COVID, like everything else, it is different this year. Instead of going back for two weeks after Thanksgiving, we are working right up to Thanksgiving day and then are off until January. Yes, I have plans. Thanks for asking. What? OK, I'll tell you about them.

First, I aim to hang out with the cats, drink lots of coffee, and blog. But you already knew that, didn't you. What else do I plan to do? Well of course my goal is to do lots of training. That is primarily running and lifting. I might swim a little more, but not too much. Why so much training? It's what I do now. It is my hobby as well as the means to certain goals I have. What's that? what goals? I think I will save that for another post. I have been hinting at a big challenge coming down the road, or one I have dreamed up. We'll talk about that one later.

I do hope to pull off some more of those one-day challenges like I tried to do Friday. I have a number of those on my list. Some are multi-events like Friday's was and some involve long running or big lifting or maybe even lots of swimming.

What else? I, we, are still trying to move. Don't get smart with me. If you have never moved after forty-three years in one place, you are in np position to judge me. Yes, I know you judge me anyway, but please be polite and keep it to yourself. We have been moving since May, and I think I can faintly see a little light at the end of the tunnel way down there. I think.

Another thing that is high on the list is to work on Plate City. There are a few things that need to be rearranged. I still don't have the dreadmill set up like I want it. I need some stall matts to create the platform for the treadmill so the impact can be lessoned. I also need my electrician to come back and get me some lights out there. I have been lifting in the dark of late. Lights, even just a few, will be a nice upgrade.

In addition, I plan, need, must lose some weight. This has to be accomplished first of all for my health. Secondarily, getting lighter will improve my running times by a lot, not to mention my looks. And fourthly, shedding a few pounds will help me accomplish the big challenge I am dreaming of. Being lighter and stronger than I am now will greatly enhance my chances of success.

When am I going to reveal the big challenge? Probably a week or so after the semester ends. By then I should know if my legs look like they will hold up to the training I need to do. Stay tuned, the announcement is coming.

Good Start

Hades Week started with a bang. I could not do anything but work; however, I have decided I am not going to let the job job me, but I will continue to live live. I started my workout day in the pool. I swam

1,000

200 small paddles

100 back

 900

total: 2,200 yards = 2,010 meters

John did not make it. I found out later that his wife, Patsy, was taken to the hospital and is in intensive care. Please pray for her because her situation looks dire.

I went home and instead of running next, I went to Plate City for bench pressing. I did

13 X 100

  8 X 120

  6 X 130

  6 X 130

  6 X 130

Also, I used my new machine. I'll tell you about that later with some pictures. After the lifting, I went out for a shuffle in the dark. Did I mention that I love running in the dark? I shuffled for 3.88 miles and called it a day. Thank you, Jesus, and heal Patsy Misterfeldt for Your glory.

11/9 - 11/15

I feel like I am back to normal. With restored health, I trained relatively hard last week, and I am excited about the upcoming break from school. My hope is to do a lot of things. In fact, I plan a separate post on that alone. 

Monday I swam 1,900 yards in the little pool at Twin Rivers. After that, I did 3.37 miles of roadwork. Then I hit Plate City for a bench press and shoulder workout.

I have already forgotten why I did not lift Tuesday. Maybe I was too tired? I swam 2,000 meters, and shuffled 3.25 miles. I might have still been suffering from the lingering effects of my recent illness. Since lifting is usually the last thing I do, if anything gets left off, that is the thing.

Wednesday I was back to all three workouts. In the pool, I amassed 2,100 yards. On the road, I hit 5.07 miles, and in the gym I did pulls and a very light leg workout.

Thursday I only swam 1,150 yards. I have also forgotten why that one was so truncated. My road work was even on the short side with a mere 2.13. My gym session, however, was full blown.

Friday I attempted my challenge of a max squat, a mile for time, and a 10K all in one day. I did the squat early in the morning. Ran the mile just before noon, and as I have already written, I was prevented from doing the 10K by some business that I needed to attend to. It was still a solid day.

Saturday I unloaded a bunch of books out of my truck that I loaded into it Friday before I sold my old pickup. Then I went for a shuffle but stopped after 5.8 miles because I had a little niggle in my body. I don't even want to say what or where. I also did a big session at the gym to finish a solid week. 

Sunday, I drove to Water Valley and purchased a back extension apparatus and a dip rack. I was getting ready to purchase a back extension machine from Titan, but saw this one on Facebook Market Place for half the price plus I got the dip rack. These two items were needed at Plate City and take up little room, hence they are a nice upgrade for what is already the world's best backyard gym.

For the week, I

ran 21.27 miles (my first 20-miler in five weeks)

swam 6,539 meters, and 

lifted five times.

Now I am ready to break new ground, so to speak, hit new levels of fitness. Thank you, Jesus for good health, good desire, and a good gym.

Strongman Saturday

Saturday has become my strongman day. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I have a little more time. Right now strongman means mostly farmer's walks. I love farmer's walks. It is a full-body exercise as well as a conditioner. I'll tell you about it.

First, I slept in, drank coffee, and hung out with the cats. Then I wrote not one but two blog posts. The second was my 2,000th on this blog. That means this is my 2,000 and oneth post. How about that?

I eventually dragged out of bed and went for a run. I only did 5.8 miles. There was a little niggle in my body so I cut the run down to middle distance. If I am going to do the big thing I have been hinting about, something new to replace the Chicot Challenge, I must remain healthy.

I tried to watch some college ball after the run. Is it just me or has the crazy re-arranged season taken some all lot of the luster off this season? I can't find an SEC team humiliating another conference's team with the announcers pulling for the other conference. I miss that. The whole enterprise feels different. It's better than a poke in the eye, of course, but I miss normalcy. Sigh.

I finally went to Plate City for pulling and strongman about mid-afternoon. I did one set of one-armed bent rows, fours sets of reverse flys, and three sets of lat pull downs. Add to that one set of leg extensions, one set of leg curls, and some face pulls and you have a pretty good workout. But that was not all. Then I went to the farmer's walk station and did

2 X 85 with 114

2 X 85 with 124

2 X 85 with 134

2 X 85 with 144

2 X 50 with 154

2 X 50 with 164

20 second hold with 174

25 second hold with 174

So, I am rebuilding the farmer's walk. I had laid off it for a long time. The reason for the layoff was I had wasps in my handles. It took a bit to convince them that their rent was past due. I had to send the mafia not once but twice to collect.

So that was Saturday. A good day. Thank you, Jesus.

2,000th Post

Who woulda thunk it? This blog, which is about so little, has now hit the mark of 2,000 posts. To celebrate, I will give you a few pictures of Plate City, that always evolving, always improving best-in-the-country backyard gym.

This is the new seated leg extension/leg curl machine. The acquisition of this piece of equipment was a major improvement to Plate City.

This is the safely squat bar. I normally squat off the the side, but to max out, I set up in the rack so I could be safe. Notice the Swiss bar in the bottom right corner. Also notice the Randy Beets safely fence equipped with radar, electrical charges, and IEDs.

This picture is not too recent. The gym is a bit neater now, but this gives an idea of the size and the amount of equipment that Plate City holds. There is even a whole section of strongman stuff that is not under the covering. If you look closely you can see that purple barrel along the far fence. That is where all the strongman stuff is.

I'll finish up with Pee Wee. He is co-owner of Plate City, sheriff of the backyard, and a Randy Beets-protection dog. He loves it when I come out to work. We hang out and he likes to show out by finding squirrels and barking at them. In this picture, he is looking for one. See that intensity in his eyes. It's always there.

So I hope you enjoyed this little tour. Plate City is still changing. I have more ideas. It takes time. Thank you, Jesus, for providing such a nice place to work out.

Challenge Day

The day of the big challenge has come and gone. I'll tell you how it went, if you really want to know. The challenge, just to remind you, was to max out in the squat, run a mile for time, and run and 10K all in one day. It went like this:

I did not get up early, but I did get to Plate City by a little before 8:00 a.m. I am going to reveal my weights. If you have read this blog, you know that I have never revealed the weights on anything involving the legs. The reason for that is I am ashamed. I am and always have been very weak in the legs. No, running long distances and riding a bicycle have not rectified that.

It's a genetic thing with me. I am a small man and inherited very thin legs. I did not walk until I was thirteen months old. To exacerbate the problem, over the years I have shied away from leg work for several reasons. One reason is squatting is it is not fun. Another is it conflicts with running which is fun. A third reason is I sometimes ride bicycles with my buddies. Very often I would leave the leg work off because I was planning to ride with the guys the next day. To do a bunch of squats today, meant getting dropped on Money Road tomorrow.

Over the past year, however, I have made a commitment to leg work. That has meant some uncomfortable runs. It has also meant that I got dropped several times this summer. I decided that the long term goal was worth the short term embarrassment. So yes, I got dropped several times this past summer due to my legs being blown out from the gym the day before. With that background, I will reveal what I squatted Friday morning.

   6 X 45

   3 X 75

   1 X 95

   1 X 115

   1 X 125

   1 X 130

   1 X 137.5

   1 X 140

   1 X 145

That was it. My PR at the first of the year was 120. I know, an average man with no training can beat that by a lot. So what? Somewhere along the way, I upped that to 135. And now it is at 145. Still pretty light, but Friday morning, I was not peaked. In fact, I had just come off a case of COVID. Thursday doing bench presses my strength was way higher than the week before indicating that I was still recovering from the disease. So I am proud of my 145. It marks progress, real progress. If you are wondering how I came up the the 137.5, I have two 1.25 pound one inch plates that I tied a string to and hung on the Olympic bar.

By 8:42, part one of challenge day was done. I went inside, ate my second breakfast, studied for Sunday and for school, and rested. The plan was to run the mile just before noon.

At around 11:00, I left the Hideout shuffling to the Yazoo River Trail. The plan was not to run in the woods, but on the paved part of the trail. This would keep me out of traffic, was just far enough from the Hideout to warm me up on the jog over, and it had trees I could duck into if necessary. I had drunk coffee all morning.

My goal was to break 10:00 minutes. I know, but I am 64-years old, overweight, and still coming back from two years of injuries and a deadly disease. Secretly I had hoped to break 9:50. I would have been thrilled with a 9:49. The quarter miles went like this:

   1 - 8:53 (these numbers are the per mile average)

   2 - 9:06

   3 - 9:37

   4 - 8:54

The total mile was in 9:11 so I exceeded expectations by a lot. To say that I was pleased is an understatement. I shuffled home, ate lunch, and began the process of resting. I wanted as much time as possible between the mile effort and the 10K. No, I was not going for a time in the last run, just to complete it. 

Around 12:00 noon, I received a text. It was from the man who bought my boat motor a couple of months back. "Do you still have that truck?" he asked. 

"Yes," I replied.

"Will you take ____ for it?"

"I will if you put the battery in it." The truck had been sitting for a year (Penny and I figured last night that it was actually a little over two years). It needed a battery. If he would supply the battery, I would accept his offer. He asked if they (he and his wife) could come today. I said sure. I needed to sell this truck.

They were coming from Vicksburg and were supposed to be there by 2:00. I'll still have time, I thought, this won't take but thirty minutes. If it takes an hour, I'll have time.

It took all afternoon. I'll spare you the details, and I am not complaining. This needed to happen and is part of our moving process. So I did not get to run the 10K. I will, however, do this challenge again in the future. I will wait until I know I am stronger. I should also be more fit by then. This gives me something to work towards and the squat record and the mile time give me some bench marks to gauge my fitness by.

Lessons? I think there are a couple. One is that if the squatting interfered with the mile, I could not tell it. Unfortunately, I did not get to run the 10K so I don't know if there would have been noticeable fatigue then. My guess is a bit, but I felt like I could have done it.

So it was real. It was fun. It was even real fun. Even without doing all three, I am pleased with the day. Thank you, Jesus.

Day before Challenge Day

Everything was late Thursday. I was late getting to the pool and John was later. Not only that, but I was supposed to meet someone at the Hideout to get shed of a couple of benches. So I only swam 1,150 yards. Hey, it's better than a poke in the eye.

After that, after swimming and the visitor, I took a short shuffle out the gravel road. Short because I ran sort of long yesterday and because Friday is the day of my big challenge. Remember? I want to max out my squat, run a mile for time, and run a 10K all in the same day. So I shuffled 2.13 miles. Then it was time for Plate City.

At the gym, it was push day. On the bench, I pressed

12 X 108

10 X 118

  9 X 123

  7 X 128

That beats the same workout last week by a rep each on the first three sets. That is a considerable improvement. I guess COVID had me down pretty low. In addition to the bench, I did six sets of lateral raises, one set of cable raises, and one set of triceps push downs. 

So I had a pretty solid day. Tomorrow is the challenge day. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you, Jesus.

A Good Three

Workout one started when I met John at the pool at 3:00. Before that, I stopped at Tractor Supply when I was driving in from Moorhead. I wanted to purchase some stall matts for Plate City. They did not have any, but are supposed to get some in some day. Really, some day.

In the water, I am still keeping it simple: straight swims. I went 2,100 in 41:02 for a 1:57 average. Then I went out for a shuffle and did 5.07. It got dark on me, and I enjoyed it. I like running in the dark. The lack of light gives me a feeling of anonymity. I am not so conscious of my slow pace.

After the swim and shuffle, I went to Plate City. I did one set of leg extensions. That's all I did for the legs. I am trying to save them for the big challenge Friday; the rest of the workout was pulling. I did one set of one-armed bent rows as a warmup. I did 17 X 40 and then three sets of reverse flys. The rest of the pulling was seated rows and one set of lat pull downs. 

So I got three workouts. I feel like I am coming back because my calves, which were the limiting factor last week, are not sore this morning. I hope to get the twenty miles in along with some quality lifting. Thank you, Jesus, for returning health.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning we took Penny's truck to the shop. Penny then took me to work so I was on foot for the day. And it was a laborious day. I lectured much more than I usually do. In World Lit we just hit the New Testament. In the Old Testament, we arrived at the Wisdom Literature. When I had finished my four straight courses, I was tired. 

Nevertheless, I changed clothes in my office and hit the road. I brought my goggles and thought I would run 'till time to meet John. While on the road, I decided I had enough time to shuffle to the mechanic shop and get Penny's vehicle. I did that and made it to the pool just in time. 

The road work amounted to 3.25 miles. In the pool, I swam straight and slow for 2,000 yards. I am just not motivated to swim right now. I have no events coming up, I am even doubting that 2021's Senior Olympics will come off, and I have other goals that involve spending energy doing other things.

So after workout number two, I drove home, took my shoes off, and got into bed. I did not get up for the rest of the night except for necessary business. I had intended to do legs at Plate City, but I was truly tired and took the rest of the night off.

Thank you, Jesus, that we got Penny's truck fixed and at a reasonable price. Thank you for two workouts. I pray for more today.

Weekend Plans

I told you that I have been dreaming, scheming, and plotting of fun and adventures. This Friday I have arbitrarily set as the date of one of my challenges. I was rethinking this when on Facebook Memories, a picture of my son and me popped up. We were coming back from Batesville where we ran a ten mile race. I could do that this Saturday. But the more I thought about it the more I determined to stick to my original plans.

For one thing, if I forego the Batesville run, I will save the entry fee and save the drive to Batesville and back. That is both money and time. Furthermore, I don't need anymore T-shirts. So it is set. Friday I do one of my physical challenges.

What's that? you ask. I plan to max out my squat, run and mile for time, and run and 10K all in one day. No, this idea is not original with me. I was poking around on YouTube and found someone who did that. Actually, he did the squat, the mile, and then ran a marathon. Since I am not that fit at the moment, I am cutting the last event off at 6.2 miles.

Why do something like this? One reason is for fun. I can, however, hear myself thinking now. Do it, they said. It will be fun, they said. Why am I doing this? I know those thought will go through my brain. They always do when I attempt something difficult. But I also know that after it is over, I will be glad I did it, and will only remember the good stuff, the good emotions, the flittering scraps of success. That always comes after the pain passes.

Another reason to do it is for the workout value. Having never done anything like this before, I don't know how my body will respond. But it has to be a good workout. Furthermore, it will establish a benchmark, some numbers to compare myself to in the future. I can repeat this and hopefully get better somewhere down the road. 

So, I will do a write up and let you know how it goes. For the 10K, I don't plan to push the pace at all, just shuffle through it. But I do hope to set a PR on the squat and run a lousy mile. If I break ten minutes on the mile, I will be happy. I don't know how much the squatting will affect that, so I might be disappointed. 

I can't wait.

Trying to Get Back

I tried. I tried several things. One thing I tried was to run to the pool. I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 3:00. I was shuffling along trying to figure my route. I was two miles in and figured I could get a little over three. Then I noticed. I did not have my goggles. I still got in 3.35 miles, not a bad start on what I hope is a banner week.

So I shuffled home, retrieved the goggles, and drove to the pool where I swam 1,900. John likes to race me, him running while I swim. This time he did not give me time to warm up. So I was swimming hard early and the lats, shoulders, and triceps hurt like they had been bitten off my a hyena. 

Then I tried to get someone to get Penny's truck to the shop. It has not been cranking the past few mornings so failing to get a mechanic, I had to drive to city hall and boost her off. This pushed my lifting back into the dark. I tried to lift in the daylight. I don't mind lifting in the dark except that it is warm right now and that mean mosquitoes. I don't like getting bit by mosquitoes. That, I figure, is a bigger threat than COVID. We had a guy in town a few years back who got West Nile. After he had been in the hospital for several weeks, someone said he was having a good day: he knew who he was. I don't want any of that.

At Plate City and in the dark, I benched

13 X 100

10 X 120

  6 X 130

  6 X 130

Then I did a set of log presses and some triceps push downs. Not only that, but I did lateral raises and cable raises. So I got all three workouts in and even refrained from snacking that night. I have to lose some weight. Have to. 

Jesus, thank you for what I got done. Now help me lose this weight, please. I need your aid. I can't do this alone

11/2 - 11/8

It was a stronger week than the one before. Monday I swam 1,400 yards and lifted weights but was too tired to run. Tuesday I won the MDCC Greenwood Center 5K, swam 1,500 yards, and lifted weights at Plate City.

Wednesday I shuffled 4.65 miles and lifted weights. I did not swim, however, because I had an appointment with the tooth dentist. Thursday, I swam 1,550 yards but cut the shuffling to 1.21 miles. I did not lift because a fatigue.

Friday, I went long, or long for my current fitness level and ran 7.29 miles. I lifted lots. Saturday, I did legs but no swimming and no shuffling. My calves were terribly sore from Friday's frolic.

For the week, I 

swam 4,203 meters, 

lifted weights five times, and

ran 16.35 miles.

I wanted to run more, but the seven-miler did the calves in. Next time I will walk more afterwards and stretch a bit. Now I hope to resume real training this week. I have a big plan, but I am not yet ready to reveal it to the world.

Thank God for dreams. They push me out the door, give my mind something to think about, and cause me to hope for the future.

PSA

Have you ever noticed that once your gas hand hits the half tank, it's like the bottom half of the tank disappears almost like you have a hole in the bottom? Years ago, I had someone tell me that it's not an equal half. I never forgot that. This morning, however, I had the opportunity to put that idea to the test.

I knew when I arose to go to church that we had to get gas before leaving town. Since I was dressed before Penny, I went to buy fuel on my own and save us some time. When I got to the station, the gas gage was on empty and the warning light was on. 

While I pumped, I opened the driver's side door and turned the key on. It took five gallons to move the needle to half a tank. I kept my eye on it and was curious to see how many gallons it took to go from one half to full. What do you think? I took

   a. five gallons

   b. four gallons

   c. ten gallons

   d. eight gallons

If you answered c, you win the prize. Put your address in the comments below, and I will send you your gift. After the needle was on full, the tank held two more gallons.

Imagine that, from a full tank to a half tank, is twelve gallons. From a half tank to empty with the warning light on is five gallons. Why? I can only guess. I suppose it is to make motorists think they are getting really good fuel mileage by going a bunch of miles on a half tank.

Now you know. 

I hope this information sticks in your head. It could save your life if you are driving across a desert. If you make it 200 miles on the top half of your tank, don't think you can drive 200 miles across that uninhabited desert on the so called bottomless half. It ain't happening.

Pass this information along. You could save a life.

Sore

Saturday came and I had planned to run four miles to give myself a twenty-mile week. But I was too sore to try it. Yeah, Friday's run left my calves in a mess. My thighs feel OK, but the calves are protesting my every move.

Penny and I did some moving. I hauled some more blocks and at least seven boxes of books. Things are coming around, however, and by 2023 we should wrap it up. I know what you are thinking. Keep it to yourself.

I watched a little college football. Mississippi State tried to lose to Vanderbilt, but Vandy was having none of it. They made it close, however, and only lost by three points despite five turnovers. How do you do that?

Although I did not run and I did not swim, I did go to Plate City. It was leg day. I let the calves off, but I did five sets of squats and some farmer's walks, four sets worth. Maybe next week, I can pick back up my pre-COVID training. My weight is high and my fitness is suspect, but I have dreams, plans. I am hoping to do one of my fitness challenges Friday: max out on the squat, run a mile for time, and run a 10K  all in done day.

Thank you, Jesus.

Back to Friday

After being sick for two straight, I felt like I finally got my Friday back yesterday. First, I did the typical stuff like sleep in, drink more coffee, and hang out with the cats. Then I ran some errands, paid bills and whatnot. After that, I took a run. I did the Wade Road/Radio station loop. From the Hideout, it amounted to 7.29 miles. That was a pretty good run, my longest since COVID. I did not get too tired, but my calves are sore now, very sore.

After lunch, I went to Monroe and loaded a few concrete blocks and a box of books. I have just begun to move my books. It will be a chore. But at least the grass was mowed for the last time last week. Now when I go over, I can get stuff done. When I got back to the Hideout, I hung our bicycles in the new outbuilding and unpacked the books.

Yes, Plate City was next. I had to do double duty, push and pull. On the bench press, I pushed

11 X 108

  9 X 118

  8 X 123

  7 X 128

I did a set of one-armed bent rows and three sets of lat pull downs to go along with the reverse flys I did. In short, it was a good workout and paired with the fairly long run, made for a productive day. Thank you, Jesus.

Post Tooth Dentist

After the tooth dentist day, I was ready to get back to three workouts. But Jesus, who is right ten times out of nine, said, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." When I got off work, I could feel the fatigue of the weak (pun intended). I went home and took a short nap then met John at the pool. I swam

1,550

3 X 50 small paddles

total: 1,700 yards = 1,553 meters.

I then went back to the Hideout knowing that any run I took was going to be a truncated one. It was. I shuffled 1.21 miles, giving me a whopping 9.06 for the week. Last week, I did 6.41 so I am moving forward. By next week, I should have the shuffle back to where it was. 

What was up next was Plate City and bench day. I lay down first, turned on the TV, and never got back up. I was tired. I'll have to double up today or tomorrow. 

It was still a pretty good day. The comeback is continuing. Praise God.

Tooth Dentist

The MDCC Moorhead campus 5K was Wednesday. Normally I do them both. This time, however, I had an appointment with the tooth dentist so I could not run. I did run when I got home and slogged out a whopping 4.65 miles. I managed to fall one time and skin myself up. Ouch. But I am on the way back.

It was leg day at Plate City. But I was lazy. So instead of doing squats, which are never fun, I worked out on my new machine. I did four sets of leg curls and four sets of leg extensions. That was it. I then went inside and hung out with the cats.

Better than a poke in the eye, I thought. Yeah, better than that. And better than election coverage.

Thank you, Jesus.

400th Post

This is my 400th blog post of 2020. Whatever else 2020 has been, for me it has been the year of the blog. I write now everyday, sometimes a couple of times per day. Last year I posted for a personal best of 428 times for 2019. I thought then that that would be my all-time record, that there was no way I would ever exceed that. Now I see that if I slow down a lot, I will still break the 428 of last year.

One unexpected result of my excessive posting is that I have fewer readers. My readership seems to have dropped some. I guess I am putting too much stuff out there. That, however, does not matter. I write for myself. If anyone else enjoys it, that is OK. Anyway, that is all I have to say today. I just wanted to commemorate the milestone of 400 posts with a full month plus left in the year.

Dreams

Now that I am back training, I am also back dreaming. The one thing that has been a constant in my life if play. Since I was a little boy, my chief desire has been to go outsides and play. After being inside for two weeks because of COVID, I am enjoying getting back out which even includes work. I am back at work for three days in a row now. It feels good. 

I have also been back in the pool, swimming twice this week. Today I will not swim due to an appointment with the tooth dentist. But I do plan on running and lifting. Since I went a whopping 3.2 miles yesterday, I hope to go just a bit farther today. Plus it is leg day so I will do some squats and workout on my new leg extension machine. 

Concerning dreams, I had a lot of them. I still have them, I just don't know how quickly I can get to them. I did a few of my dream runs alreay. Now my fitness is down a bit, and I am gun shy of coming back too fast. That is one reason I want to take yesterday's 3.2 up a little bit today, maybe all the way to four miles. That will move me back towards the kind of endurance I need to fulfill some of these dreams. 

One of my dreams is to go to Biloxi and do their 5K and marathon in mid-December. Yes, I wanted to do both the 5K on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday. Will I be fit enough to pull that off now? That depends on how my mileage comes back up after being in bed for so long.

Another dream is the Parks Marathon which has been in my mind for several years. This one involves running to and running a miles in thirteen parks in Greenwood. Also, I have yearned to runs some big loops from Greenwood. A couple of them I have done before, but it has been years. In addition, I have some challenges in mind. One is to max out my squat, run a mile for time, and run a 10K all in one day.

I have other things on my list. Always, I have a list. Life is good when you have a list of things that keep you excited and training and thinking and planning. Thank you, Jesus.

I Won

I did. My first one is several years. My last? I hope not, but . . . .

I'm talking about the MDCC Greenwood Center 5K. I used to win them every year. Or twice per year. We have one in the fall and one in the spring. I would win the one on the main campus also. But, I am not as fast as I was and on campus we now have the LETA folks (Law Enforcement Training Academy). They are young and fit and they all smoked me last year. The Moorhead campus 5K is today, but I will not be able to participate because of a dental appointment. I need to see the tooth dentist because I have some teeth issues.

Back to the Greenwood 5K. I just got over COVID and was happy to be able just to run it. My goal was to finish the thing, that's all. The participation was way down. Katie Jones, our counselor who has been drubbing me the past few years, decided to walk. With her was Mary Payton Rogers and Anita Horn. I ran unopposed. 

But that is not fair, you protest. Tell that to a person who runs in an election unopposed. If they get votes, they win. Yes, I would have liked to have had some competition. But I could not have beaten anybody. I used to have some people running against me and it always felt good to win. But at my age and at my current fitness level, like a politician running unopposed, I will gladly take the victory. I shuffled not 3.1, but 3.2 miles since I made the course up as I went. That is my longest run since I came down with the illness.

Later that afternoon, I was supposed to meet John at the pool. Remember that he was early Monday. He was twenty-one minutes late Tuesday. At my current fitness level, he does not have time to be late. I only swam twenty-eight minutes. I did 1,500 yards straight at a 1:54 per 100 pace. Better than Monday. 

Yes, I went to Plate City for workout number three. What do you think about that? Randy Beets. To warm up, I did some reverse flys. Then on the one-armed bent row, I pulled

15 X 40

10 X 55

  8 X 60

  6 X 65

  4 X 70

Also, I did two sets of Lenny rows, some facepulls, and some stretching to go along with the tibi dorsi work. It was a solid day. I am on the road back. After all of that, it was time for cats and election results. I stayed up way too long and did not know who won when I went to bed. I never turn the TV on before noon, but I had it on before 6:00 a.m. this morning. We still do not know who won. 

God bless America, and may America bless God. 

Back in the Water

After two and a half weeks of not swimming, Monday afternoon saw me back at work and then back in the water. John was there. He was early. Yes, you read that right. He was early and grinning like a dead pig in the sunshine. He had not swum since I had been sick. I was grinning too.

I didn't do much. I swam 1,400 yards straight at a barely 2:00 per 100 yard pace. I felt it, my lack of condition. But it was nice to get wet again and use my upper body muscles in an aerobic way.

I went home and rested some before going to Plate City. It was dark when I got out there. I enjoyed the ambience of being out there with the sun down and Susan Montgomery's huge oak trees being up. I love gazing into those giant limbs. Monday is bench day so I pressed

15 X 100

11 X 110

10 X 115

  8 X 120

In addition to that, I did three sets of lateral raises, some cable raises, a set of log presses, and some triceps pushdowns. That was a pretty good workout for an old man coming back from a serious disease. All of that left me pretty tired. I went inside and hung out with CC for the rest of the evening. Thank you, Jesus.

10/26 - 11/1

I did a little more this week than the week before. A little more. I was a little more well, thank God, and felt like doing more. This week, I hope to be back not to normal but to near normal.

Monday I walked .47 of a mile and did some light lifting at Plate City. Tuesday I did some more lifting and actually shuffled some on the dreadmill at the gym. That made me feel much better, and I slept well that night also.

Wednesday I did legs and shuffled an entire mile on the treadmill. Thursday I mowed the front lawn, walking .85. Later between sets at the gym, I walked another .25. lifted, and shuffled 1.3 miles.

Friday I was feeling like a will man. I lifted heavier and slipped out on the gravel road east of the Hideout and ran 1.68 miles. Also, my new Titan leg extension machine came in. I put it together and tested it out.

Saturday, I acted like I was well. At Monroe, I mowed and moved stuff and walked 2.65 miles doing all of that. At the gym, I put the new machine through its paces, working legs really hard. I then slipped back out east of town for 2.3 miles of shuffling.

For the week, I

swam not at all,

walked 4.19 miles,

lifted weights six times, and

ran 6.41 miles.

That was not bad for an old man coming off the COVID. Now maybe I can resume real training. I am at work now. Praise God. Today I hope to swim for the first time in weeks. Thank you, Jesus.

Lazy Sunday

It is Sunday morning. The early sun is coming though the bedroom window announcing to all, "It's time to get up." Penny has Christmas music playing over an ancient boom box. Max is singing along. Two cats, CC and Luvie, are on the bed with me while I sip coffee and enjoy just being alive.

Since the wife and I are both getting over a bout with COVID, we are staying home today with plans to resume church next week. My goals for the day? Do as little as possible: take naps, drink lots of coffee, hang out with the cats.

Since I started typing this, River has gotten on the bed with us. So now I have three cats hanging out with me. Life is good. Enjoy your day. Worship God. Be kind to animals.

COVID 11

Saturday I went to Monroe and mowed the lawn and moved a few things. In the process, I walked 2.65 miles. That was not a bad start on a day of post-COVID training. I then took a nap and watched a little college football. After that, I went out for my evening shuffle and did 2.3 miles, the most since I have had the Rona.

Of course I could not wait to get to the new and improved Plate City. It was leg day, and I am still rebuilding so I only did four sets of squats. I also did a bunch of leg extensions on the new machine and leg curls on top of that. I love the new equipment and the gym is less cluttered. These legs are really going to get into shape now.

I still have dreams for some fantasy runs when the break starts and some big training for a huge surprise event this spring. I will make the reveal later, but for now I have to keep the comeback going. Thank you, Jesus, for good health and good dreams.