Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Stepdown Week

This is going to be a step down week. By that I mean I will reduce the training volume by twenty to thirty percent. Or more. Why? My body needs it. 

Monday I swam
 
2,000
5 X 300 @ 6:00
100 medium paddles
50 back
total: 3,750 yards.

I mowed the front lawn on Monroe and lifted some weights afterwards. On the one-armed bent row, I pulled

11 X 55
  9 X 60
  8 X 65
  6 X 70
  2 X 75
  2 X 75

Also I did four sets on the curl machine, some chinups, and some reverse flys.

Tuesday, I took my first run of the week. I only went 6.25 miles. I have been doing ten or more on Tuesday, but this is the stepdown week. That should be enough distance to keep me from detraining but not enough distance to further wear my body down. That was all I did that day. Thank you, Jesus.

Monday, March 29, 2021

3/22 - 3/28

I had another strong week of Geezer training. Monday I swam 2,742 meters, ran 3.5 miles, and lifted weights. Tuesday was my long run, and I went 12.34 miles. That is the kind of mileage I need to hit often to prepare for the Geezer. Really, I need some back-to-back long runs, but I have feared doing them. 

Wednesday I swam 2,833 meters. I did not run, but I did lift. Thursday I was back to all three. In the pool, I hit 3,199 meters. On the road I shuffled 3.22 miles. In the gym, I did nothing. Sorry, that makes two not three.

Friday I went long again. I did 13.03 miles of roadwork and lifted for a long session. Since I was off work, I was able to get the gym in after running long. The 13 brought me up to 30+ for the week, my seventh in a row and eight of the last nine weeks. 

For the week, I

swam 8,774 meters,

ran 32.09 miles, and

lifted weights three times.

I am on track to be in the kind of shape I need to be in if I can keep the mileage up. I am, however, thinking of a drop back week to let some things get better. Those are the kinds of decisions one has to make constantly when training for something really big. Thirty miles is big distance for me. Really, I need a forty or more at least once preferably twice before the Geezer. But better sorry than safe, as they say.

Saturday, Penny and I went down, measured the course, and established the last few miles. The last miles are good with all of them on a walking/bike trail or with a bike lane on the road. I now know where the DFM office is and the best way to get there on foot. The excitement continues to grow. Thank you, Jesus.

Ezell's Pulpwood Truck

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Major Training Day

Fridays are for training and that is what I did. First, I started with the usual slow start stuff: coffee drinking, studying, hanging with the cats. Then I got up and put on my running clothes. I ran the Yazoo Trail, crossed the Popular Street bridge, and ran to and down the Linear Park. After that, I crossed the highway bridge and went out Claiborne extended. I crossed the highway at Fort Pemberton and then did the behind Wal Mart thing and the Sargent John Pittman Drive to Medallion Drive to Riverside Drive to Robert E. Lee to the gravel road to home thing. There were some zigs and zags thrown in to add distance. I finished the run with 13.03 miles.

A thirteen-mile run is usually a days work. This time, however, I rested and ate and then went to Plate City. There I benched

26 X 38

16 X 88

11 X 108

  6 X 113

  6 X 113

  6 X 113

  8 X 88 narrow grip.

In addition to that, I did two sets of dips, one set of the Swim Pull, one set of dumbbell overhead presses, and fourteen sets of lateral raises. Huh? Yeah, fourteen sets of the lateral raise.

I call all of that a major training day. Thank you, Jesus. We are now one day closer to the Great Geezer Run for Diabetes. Remain in prayer please.

Friday, March 26, 2021

Big Day

Thursday was a big day, an exciting day, a full day. First, it was Friday at work. That always makes me feel good. Second, I spoke at a joint meeting of the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs at lunch. That always puts a little pressure on me. The talk went well. I thought. I told them about how the Geezer Run came about, why I do these things, how I am training, what the plan is, and what I expect to be the biggest challenges. I also encouraged them to set physical goals for themselves and go out and achieve them. The Kiwanis gave me a check made out to the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi for $250. 

That is a nice donation and helps get the fundraising going. Bethany Theilman of the DFM set up a Go Fund Me page and it has already brought in $275. I know a few other people have already donated by mail so we are off to a good start. Now I just need to stay healthy and keep training.

At the pool, John was there but late. I swam

2,000 38:00

4 X 350 @ 7:00

 1 - 5:58

 2 - 5:57

 3 - 5:57

 4 - 5:57

100 medium paddles

total: 3,500 yards = 3,199 meters.

This time, instead of the run getting away from me, the gym did. I shuffled an easy 3.22 miles. But when I finished that I was finished. Nevertheless, that makes two good back-to-back days of solid swimming. My weight is easing down and my fitness is creeping up. Thank you, Jesus.

The One that Got Away

Wednesday I had a good day at the pool. John didn't show. I swam

1,800 36:48 

3 X 400 @ 8:00

 1 - 6:56

 2 - 6:58

 3 - 6:58

2 X 50 back

total: 3,100 yards = 2,833 meters.

Back home, I hit Plate City like I was mad at it. I went back to the one-armed bent row for

10 X 55

  8 X 60

  7 X 65

  5 X 70

  3 X 75

I also did reverse flys, chins, the Swim Pull, and four sets of machine curls. As usual, I went right inside and fixed my supper. Normally I run first then lift. But this time I lifted while it was still daylight in an attempt to stay out of mosquitoes. So when I went inside, I did not think, but just acted. Consequently, the run got skipped, got away from me. I thought to myself, I'll run later. Later never came; sleep did instead.

Still, it was a good day. I swam seriously for the first time in a while. I lifted heavy and hard. I just did not run. Thank you, Jesus, for good training.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

As Hard as I Dare

Tuesdays I do one thing. Besides working and petting cats and mowing grass and paying bills that is. I run. Long. I run long, or longish. I went out Money Road and decided to go one way a few minutes longer than last week. I turned around at 1:20 and headed back towards town. But on the way out, I did a little bit of multi-pacing. Not much, but I am so tired of being slow. I know I have to begin to make myself run a little faster. I need to make those leg muscles remember what it is like to stretch out a bit.

I finished with 12.34 miles. One mile of that was at a sub-10:00 pace broken up into little pickups. The pickups actually made my legs feel better. I think they were becoming zombified with all the slow plodding. I also know from past experience that I cannot push the pace too much or I will break down. But every know and again I need to make the legs stretch out and turn over faster

When I got home, it was late, I was tired, and the cats were love hungry. I packed it in for the night. Tomorrow I will swim and lift in addition to the running. My fitness is coming up. Will I be ready for the Great Geezer? All I can do is all I can do. I am pushing the training as hard as I dare. Thank you, Jesus.

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

I hit the ground running Monday and despite being busy at work, I ran, swam, and lifted. First, I met John at the pool. Well, sort of. He was late by a mere forty-five minutes. So by the time he got there, I was almost done. I swam

1,650 33:46

brick kick

200 medium paddles 3:55

1,000 for time 17:25

150 back 3:51

total: 3,000 yards = 2,742 meters.

That was a pretty good swim. Then I went to the big pool and did some marking. Debbie wanted me to mark the drained outdoor pool for some markings so lap swimmers will be able to do flip turns. Without markings, it is extremely difficult to judge distance and make a flip. She plans to do some paining on the bottom and on the walls.

After I got home, I shuffled 3.5 miles. I usually start the week with a short shuffle. That was it. I went to Plate City and only did my push workout. On the bench, which is now set for incline, I pressed

10 X 45

10 X 50

11 X 100

10 X 105

  9 X 110

  5 X 115

I am working back up slowly, giving my shoulders time to adjust to the higher incline. After the benches, I did fourteen sets of lateral raises and three sets of triceps pushdowns. So it was a pretty full day of training. Thank you, Jesus.

Monday, March 22, 2021

3/15 - 3/21

Last week was another solid week of Geezer training. Monday I shuffled 3.34 miles but did little else. My new bench came in and I worked on putting it together and did a bit of shoulder work between turning nuts.

Tuesday I did my mid-week long run. I enjoyed the daylight savings time for 11.29 miles. 

Wednesday I ran another 2.16 miles and did some actually weight training, which included my 20-rep squat set. It was not until Thursday, however, that I got back into the water with 1,450 yards for one of my only two swims of the week. I did not run nor lift. 

Friday I went out for a very short 1.55 miles trying to get a bit a taper in for the Viking. Saturday I ran the Viking, adding another 13.17 miles to my weekly total. Also, I lifted weights and swam 1,100 yards. 

For the week, I 

swam 2,330 meters,
lifted weights three times, and
ran 31.51 miles.

That made my sixth straight thirty+ mile weeks and seven of the last eight. I need to maintain that and hit one or two forty-mile weeks to finish my conditioning for the Geezer. 

My boss told me today that if I was scheduled to work graduation that she would work in my place if need be. That is a leader that I will follow. Renee Moor is top of the line in my book. I think she is in God's book also. She is the most selfless person I have ever known. She and her husband raised nineteen children. They pastor a church. She has always treated me right. I can't say that about everybody I work with. God bless her. Thank you, Jesus, that you put her in my path.

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Big Saturday

Saturday was a big training day. First, I got up kind of early to do the Viking Half Marathon. It started at 7:00 and I walked over there. I left the house at 6:30. It was a bit warmer than I expected and I was overdressed. 

I started at a better pace than I did for the Mississippi River Half. I kept up with Katie Jones for twelve yards and maintained a sub 11:00 pace for four miles. It is amazing that that is bragworthy now, but it is. At the Mississippi River, I never got under 13:00. 

Around five miles Wilson Carroll, who was running his first half, pulled up beside me. We pretty much ran together the rest of the race. I say pretty much, because I ducked into a porta-potty then it took a full mile to catch back up with him. We slowed, of course, but our overall pace never got slower than the mid 12s. Compared to the River, that was practically speed work. 

After eating some Larry's fish, I walked home and took a nap. Then I studied for Sunday. Around mid afternoon I hit Plate City for another double workout. I hit the weights hard and mowed the back yard. 

I had not planned to do anymore, but Debbie at Twin Rivers wants me involved in measuring and marking the big pool for some flip turn signs to be painted on the bottom of the now drained 50 outdoor pool. So while I was measuring the markings at the little pool, I took the opportunity to swim just a bit. I stopped after a mere 1,100 yards, but with the weights and the 13.1 miles of running, I was all tuckered out.

Saturday was the capstone to a solid week of training. I am getting very excited about the Great Geezer Run. The DFM sent me notification of someone from Minnesota who has already donated. Also, I received a check from North Carolina that I need to put in the mail to them. In addition, the DFM has been asking a lot of questions about the run, way more than they ever have about the swim. I take from that that they plan to be involved in some way. Bethany mentioned press and refreshments. That would me absolutely awesome.

Continue to pray. I need good weather, which primarily means cool. May can be hot. The higher temps not only make running more difficult, but it makes staying hydrated more of an issue. Also, I need to get off work, that is, be excused from graduation duties. I will additionally have to get all my grades in by Wednesday night. The plan is to leave Thursday morning, May 6.

Friday, March 19, 2021

Chillin'

I finally got into the pool Thursday night. I went in after 6:30 and there was an old man in there. He was the best swimmer I have seen in that pool besides me. I counted his strokes and he takes 18 per 25 yards. I take 19. He was about my speed and about my age. When he got out, I stopped and spoke to him. His name is Allen G _______. I forgot the last name already. He talked like a Yankee, and I bet he swam in college.

When I got home, I watched TV and hung out with the cats. I needed a short run and some time in the gym. But my fatigue level was high. I just chilled. Thank you, Jesus, for a chance to rest.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Viking? Yikes!

Tuesday was another long day at work. It is always long, but with registration going on it was even longer. To make matters worse, I got home and realized I had left my phone at work. So by the time I retrieved my phone, got back home, and changed clothes, it was almost 5:00. I headed out Money Road and hoped to determine how long I can run one way before I need to turn around. When I was out there five miles, I realized the this Saturday is the Viking Half Marathon. Well, so much for a taper.

I ran 11.29 miles total. Yes, it was still pathetically slow, but I still pathetically enjoyed it. When I made it back home, it was dark already and I did not want to lift weights. If my bench was put together, I would have anyway, but I can't see out there well enough to put together exercise equipment. 

Thank the Lord anyway for a good day and a good run.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Long Work; Short Workout

Monday I went back to work. Not only that, but we are in Priority Registration which means we stay long hours and do nothing. Something had to get dropped from the schedule. It was the pool. 

I ran when I finally got home. The shuffle was a short 3.34 miles, but that is better than a poke in the eye. I ran downtown which I like to do occasionally. Then I crossed the Popular Street bridge and ran the Yazoo River Trail. I saw some unsavory looking characters hanging out on the trail. I am sure they were not exercising so ladies beware. 

Then it was gym time. I had a package arrive from Titan Fitness. It was my new adjustable bench. I need a new bench because my old one rusted up and will no longer adjust. That happened when Plate City was outside in the weather on Monroe Avenue. Now that I have a top, this bench should be the last one I buy.

I went out to lift and put the bench together. The mosquitoes were so bad that I bundled up like it was winter. I started warming up and doing shoulder work while I unpacked the box and started on the bench. I wanted to do some incline bench presses on my new equipment, but it grew dark on me before I could finish putting the thing together. Hence, I only worked my shoulders. I hope this is not the beginning of a Bro split, but that probably would not be that bad.

Maybe I can finish the put together today and do my benches. I am, however, planning a long run so I might not finish today either even though we are now on Daylight Savings Time. we'll see. I'll let you know how it goes. Wait with bated breath. 

Thank you, Jesus, for a job and training and plans.

Monday, March 15, 2021

3/8 - 3/14

Spring Break week was a banner one. Monday I did my big loop run up Highway 49, through Bledsoe Plantation, across the Tallahatchie Bridge at Money, and down Money Road back home. I texted Penny for a pickup. It's not that I could not have finished, but my feet were getting pretty sore and I had a big training week planned. Best to tap out and train the rest of the week, I thought. Anyway, I got a total of 23.62 miles in of which 18.38 were running.

Tuesday I shuffled a short 3.05 on feet that did not feel too bad. I swam 2,010 meters and lifted weights. Wednesday I continued my assault on the mileage with another 3.08 miles. Also, I went to the pool and swam another 2,376 meters.

Thursday I swam 2,467 meters and went for a long run. I say long, but I have always defined a long run as ten or more miles. I went 10.02 giving me 34.69 in only four days. Friday, I slowed it down with a 2.34 mile shuffle. In the pool, I did a mere 1,600 meters. The fatigue was beginning to build upl. 

By Saturday, I was not feeling too energetic. I lounged, studied, and was generally worthless. I did finally go to Plate City for only my second lifting session of the week. I did push/pull/legs all in one day. My 20-rep squat hit 75 pounds and is not fun anymore, but I believe it will pay off down the road. Also I did some Swim Pulls. Since the date has been set for the Senior Olympics, I need to do this exercise at least twice per week and maybe even everyday. 

For the week, I 

swam 9,823 meters,

lifted weights two times, and

ran 37.03 miles.

That is my biggest run week in two or more years. Probably three, but I am not going to look it up. It was a good week, the kind I need to be able to run to Ridgeland. Thank you, Jesus, for opportunity, time, and motive to pull it off. 

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Four in a Row

Friday saw me make my fourth straight appearance at the pool. I had planned a bunch of 50s but got lazy once there. All I swam was 

1,350 26:07

250 medium paddles 4:36

1,600 yards = 1,462 meters.

I needed a big session at the gym. Penny and I, however, were scheduled to leave town with Gerry Johnson at 3:45. By the time I rested some and then did a short run of 2.34 miles, it was time to shower and change clothes. 

We went to Marshal's Steak House near Holly Springs. It was good, but my steak was a little too salty. If it had not been, I think I could have finished the whole 30 ounce porterhouse. 

All in all, it was a good day. Thank you, Jesus.

Friday, March 12, 2021

Three in a Row

I made it to the pool a little after 10:00 a.m. The ladies aerobics was just wrapping up. There was some sort of cleaning apparatus in the water that I partially removed to the north pool deck so that it would not drift into my lane. I started warming up when a young woman came in. The cleaning thing (sort of like a long vacuum cleaner hose) was in what would be her lane. I rolled over on my back and said, "You can take the rest of that thing out of the water." She turned and I saw that it was Tabitha. We used to swim Masters at DSU and have swum together once at Twin Rivers. "Hey, Tabby," I said. "Warm up and let's do 3 X 500."

She agreed, but I wondered about her enthusiasm. I swam

1,200 25:13

Then we chatted about what sets to do. I offered three choices: 3 X 500, the Meet, or 1,000 for time. She chose the Meet.

I have done this one once before. This is where I do my entire Mississippi Senior Olympic Meet in 18 minutes. I swim the four events for time on a 2:00 minute base (longer for the backstroke). So we lit out on

200 @ 4:00 (3:15)

100 @ 2:00 (1:32)

100 back @ 3:00 (2:11)

500 @ 9:00 (8:31)

She beat me on the back stroke. I was not surprised. With her being in the water, I had a little extra drive to swim hard. She held up well until we got to the 500. She is more of a sprinter so I lapped her in the 500. That gave me a push. After that set, I swam

300 medium paddles 5:29

brick kick

200 medium paddles 3:38

100 long paddles 1:56

total: 2,700 yards = 2,457 meters.

Penny and I had a ministers and wives banquet that night so I left the house in the early afternoon for some roadwork. It was warm, my first real warm weather training of the year. I shuffled for 10.02 miles giving me 34.69 for the week. That is the most for a week since 2016. And I am not through. For the next two days, however, I will not run much, maybe one more really short shuffle. You don't make huge jumps in mileage. 

So it was another good day. With the ministers' meeting, I did not get to lift. I have some making up to do there. Thank you, Jesus.

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Two in a Row

I went back to the pool Wednesday. That makes twice this week. Imagine me saying that. Well, one thing that spurred me on was the announcement of the Mississippi Senior Olympics Swim Meet. They had announced earlier that the games were going on. They had even announced the date for the whole thing, April to October. There were no specifics, however, and that left me a bit directionless and without motivation in the water.

I know what you are thinking: Just train like the meet is next week. I would have except for the Geezer Run which is getting most of my time and almost all of my energy. I am so irritable right now that even my cats are beginning to avoid me. That is what happens when you are in heavy training.

A couple of days ago, the word finally came forth on the exact dates for the events. The swim meet will be held May 22. That is a bit of a clash with the Geezer Run. I had been hoping they would shove it back into June or even July. That would give more time for more people to be vaccinated. When I informed Penny of the date, she asked, "Are you going to be able to do that after running that far?" 

Good question. 

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is yes, but. . . . I answered her, "Yes, but my performance is not going to be as good." I'll spare you of all the reasons for that. But the news did put a little wind in my sails. I went to the pool for the second day in a row. Once there, I swam

1,100 21:37

10 X 50

500 medium paddles 8:56

3 X 50 back

100 large paddles 1:40

250 small paddles 4:52

total: 2,600 yards = 2,376 meters.

When I got out of the pool, I did some errands and then went home for a shuffle. I only ran 3.08 miles, but that was pretty good when added to the big miles I have already piled up this week. I was waiting on a phone call and by the time it came, it was late and I was lazy so no gym time last night.

Still is was a good day. I weighed this morning and was under 170 for the first time in several years. Thank you, Jesus.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Need of Wisdom

My second day off work when I would normally be at school was a good one. I lounged in with CC and drank lots of coffee. Then I mowed the lawn which had been needing it for weeks but it has rained and iced and snowed so much I have not had the chance. The yard looks better. Then I went to the pool. Last week I only swam once. Huh? Yeah, one time for a mere 2,200 yards. So Tuesday I swam a mere 2,200 yards. The plan, however, is to swim several times this week.

After that, I met Simon at the old house. He fixed the front door, helped me move the last piece of furniture we had over there, and he loaded a couple of things Penny gave him. Not only that, but I stuck a few books into the back seat of my truck along with a pair of swim paddles, and my TRX system that I have been looking for for months.

When Simon and I finished unloading the furniture, I lit out on my run, going out the gravel road. It was a short one, 3.02 miles, but with Mondays 18.38, I have a strong week started. After lounging inside for a bit, I went to Plate City in the dark. I benched

15 X 100
  9 X 120
  5 X 130
  4 X 130
  4 X 130
  4 X 130

I also did one set of log presses, three sets on the curl machine, a bunch of sets of lateral raises, and some seated rows. All in all, I hit the whole upper body hard.
I am still and always in need of prayer. My body is mildly protesting the increase of roadwork. I am pushing things as hard as I dare. My dare might be too much. Give me wisdom, Lord Jesus, and thank you for its need.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

International Women's Day

For International Women's Day I thought I needed to celebrate in some big way. So I chose an adventure run, one I have made before but it has been several years. Five years to be exact. Really, I was not sure which way I was going when I left the Hideout. I had two routes in mind. Both went west and then north up Highway 49. One would turn back west and eventually come out at Itta Bena. The other would continue north until I could exit the highway and follow the river going through Bledsoe Plantation. Then I would follow the old highway to Money, cross the bridge, and head home.

I chose the later.

The levee road on West Claiborne Ext.

I did not leave home until almost 10:30. Yeah, I'm lazy like that. While I ran, I debated which way I should go. I pondered crossing the bridge at Poplar and running River Road. That way I would have more time to cross the Highway 82  and the bridge. Instead, I wound up running the levee on the north side of the river. That put me running a few blocks of Claiborne with no shoulder and going straight across 82. The 82 crossing, however, proved smooth and easy since traffic was light. Then I was on that old rough levee top road until I got back to the highway at Fort Pemberton.

Crossing the bridge there at Fort Pemberton has always been a bit hairy to me. This time, however, with light traffic, I made it across without ever getting on the catwalk, if you can call it that. Across the bridge, I made it to the north side of 82, then headed north on 49.

Running on the side of a busy highway has never been on my list of favorite things. When I got past that tupelo gum brake, I was able to get off the highway shoulder and onto the turnrow which was flat, smooth, and soft. I stayed on that until I finally came to the old boat landing where the Tallahatchie River comes very close to the highway. There, I crossed, and got on the turnrow there and ran it until I hit gravel at Shellmound Plantation.

I thought of Horace Greeley: 
"Go North, old man."

Shortly after Shellmound, I came to Bledsoe Plantation, and by then I was starting to feel like I was away from home, getting away from people, heading into the wilds.

The old commissary at Bledoe Plantation

At Bledsoe Plantation, after one passes the houses, the road angles off into the vast farmland. I always think of Siberia when I get here. Why Siberia? It is so vast, isolated, and in the past, cold when I have made it this far. This time I pulled my shirt off in the warmth. 

"He needed wide open spaces/
room to make his big mistake/
he needed new faces/
he knows the highest stake/
he knows the highest stake."

It was here that I began to think of an old man I knew when I was a young boy. When I was fifteen/sixteen, Dad and I used to dove hunt with an octogenarian who would talk incessantly about local history. At the time, I was not really interested, just mildly amused. Now I wish I could go back in time and hear it all over again. Some of his stories, despite my lack of intellectual curiosity at that time, have lodged themselves permanently into my memory.

He told of a Scotsman who took a Choctaw bride and raised five sons with her: Akir, Bairn, Camron, Edom, and Gilmat. Gordon Torey settled on the banks of the Tallahatchie River and eked out a living hunting, trapping, gardening, and selling moonshine. The old man had a bad disposition and took offense anytime anyone referred to him as a Scotchman instead of a Scotsman. He would demand an apology, and if the apology was not rapid and sincere, he would fight and often cut off the right ear of the offender. On his cabin door were nailed the partially mummified ears of twelve men. 

His sons, who were not only Scotsmen but half breeds, as they were pejoratively called at the time, like their father were not only mean, violent, and quick tempered, but had a "well developed capacity for mayhem." (The old man was a Southern aristocrat and could turn a phrase like no one I have ever known.)

In the summer of 1862, the 2nd Mississippi Cavalry passed this way headed to Chattanooga. Not yet having reached its full strength of 400 men, they were recruiting as they travelled. Some even say they stooped to conscripting any able-bodied man who had no wife and children, but that cannot be found in any history book. The then 100 plus strong cavalry stopped at Gordon Tory's house. At that time, besides Torey, the area has a small hotel, a store, his sons houses, and a few others homes, and a union church. Torey called the settlement Scotsdale. Most of the other locals derided it as Scotchhell. Since the 1920s, the settlement no longer appeared on the Official Mississippi Roadmap.

The commanding officer demanded Torey's sons, who were grown, married, and had children of their own. Torey told the officer that even if his sons were not family men, they were not entering this fight because "Ain't no Yankee ever called me a Scotchman." 

To make a short story long, when soldiers dismounted to take the Torey boys by force, guns were drawn and seven cavalry soldiers were immediately killed. Since there were only six Torey men, one of the wives must have been involved in the first volley of shots. The cavalry immediately retreated to the woods across the road while the Toreys retreated inside the old man's cabin. A three-day gun battle ensued which saw heavy casualties inflicted upon the soldiers. Finally, the Torey cabins were set ablaze killing all the men, women, and children.

See that greenery in the woods, that
is the site of Gordon Torey's cabin.

The commanding officer was so enraged at the licking his troops took, that he posted a wooden sign in front of the smoldering ashes of the Torey homes saying that if any of these cabins were ever rebuilt, or if any of the dead's remains were ever buried, whoever did such would suffer the same consequences when the cavalry returned that way after the war.

Since there were witnesses to the mayhem, word eventually spread to Greenwood where the Ladies Missionary Society heard the sad saga. They prayed, gathered help, and travelled to Scotsdale, where they buried the remains of the Toreys in an unmarked grave. 

I ran on with all of that bouncing around in my head. Eventually I made it to the pave road, crossed the Tallahatchie River, and stopped at my office in Money. I did not stay there long, but stretched some, added water to my pack, and consumed an energy gel.

Then I headed south on Money Road. By the time I made it to the Missionary Baptist Church where Robert Johnson is buried, I decided to text my wife for a ride. She was at work and I knew I would have to wait. I did not sit still, however, but continued to shuffled onward. But by now my shuffle was as slow as a walk, and my walk as slow as a crawl.

I looked hard at every vehicle that came over the Tallahatchie Bridge onto Money Road. Finally, when I was in front of the Wittingtons', Penny popped up in her SUV. Seeing me she pulled over onto the gravel road and waited while I shuffled the last quarter of a mile.

"You are so close, why didn't you just finish?" she asked when I climbed into the passenger seat.

"I forgot to put on my liner socks this morning. My feet are getting sore, and I need to train the rest of the week," was my honest answer.

So what does all of this have to do with International Women's Day? While I was out running, besides thinking of the Toreys, I remembered Katherine Switzer, the woman who in 1967 illegally ran the Boston Marathon. Illegally because women were not allowed to run marathons then. She proved that women could and should run them. I thought I would run a marathon in her honor. I did not quite make it, however, being picked up at 23.62 miles. Still, I honor her, a real American hero.

Monday, March 8, 2021

3/1 - 3/7

I had another pretty good training week starting Monday with 2.8 miles of running and 2,300 yards of swimming. Tuesday I continued with 2.91 miles of roadwork and a solid session of upper body work at Plate City Gym.

Wednesday I went for a long run and did 13.31 miles. That fatigued me to the point that I went inside afterwards and retired for the night. Thursday I was still tired and did not swim, or run. I did, however, drag out of the house long enough to do my twenty-rep squat set and a few other leg things. 

Friday, I made my trip to Jeff Busby State Park, ran up Little Mountain, and did 11.02 miles of exploring on foot. It was a nice day with lots of hills and one big surprise. I already wrote about that, about meeting Bo Duke. What a day.

Saturday, Penny and I had breakfast at Acy's. We were on our way to one of my stops on the Great Geezer Run for Diabetes. Gloria Hathcock has graciously agreed to let me overnight with her and husband George. They live in Durant. We found their house and had a nice visit with them.

Things are starting to take shape. She offered to pick me up, house me, and take me back to where she got me the day before. She even offered to do that for two nights. That solves a big logistical issue. Once past Durant, there is no where to stay until you get to Canton and Canton is too far for me to make in a single day from Durant. 

So things are working out. My exact departure date is still not yet set. I am trying to get off work that Friday which is our graduation day. If I can get off, I can leave early the morning of May 7th. In fact, if I get off, I can even leave the 6th because I should have my grades by Wednesday night. One day can make a difference. That time of year, the chances of it getting really hot increase with every passing day. It can get so hot that you literally cannot haul enough fluids to stay alive so the earlier I leave the better.

For the week, I

only swam 2,102 meters,

lifted weights a mere three times, but

ran 30.1 miles.

That makes four straight weeks at thirty or more miles. I need to keep the streak going and hit some new highs. Also, I need to must stay healthy. I have been battling some small issues. But small issues can turn into big ones. Pray for me. I am off work this week, and as I type this I am trying to plot out my day. Part of me wants to be aggressive. Part of me wants to be cautious. Lord help me to make the right decision.

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Adventure Run

Being in the mood for some adventure, I hatched the idea to drive over the Little Mountain at the Jeff Busby State Park on the Natchez Trace. With an elevation of 603 feet (the second highest in Mississippi), I thought a run to the summit would be a good workout. It was. But first, let me tell you what happened on the way over.

Several times on my drive, I passed up chances to stop for another cup of coffee. Finally I did stop when I got to Stewart. There is a nice service station there and though I don't go that way often, I always stop there. They have that good movie house popcorn. This time I only wanted coffee. I knew if I bought popcorn, I would not wait until after my run to eat it.

I parked and went inside lamenting having to leave the Led Zeppelin song, "A Stairway to Heaven." Inside, there was only one other customer, John Schneider who played Bo Duke on The Dudes of Hazzard. I recognized him instantly and asked, "What are you doing in Mississippi?"

"Shooting a movie," was his answer. Then he said something about coming from the Natchez Trace a road his has traveled a lot for the past twenty-five years or something to that effect. 

Almost always I have my phone with me, but this time I had left it in the truck. He left. I left a minute or so later. Outside, I saw that he was on his way to a large motorhome at the adjacent pumps that the eighteen wheelers and big campers use.

"I know you're busy," I yelled out. 

He stopped and turned around.

"But could I have a selfie?"

"Sure," he said and walked back.

"My wife will never believe me if I don't get a pic," I told him.  

I thought that was awful nice of him. I'm sure he gets tired of being bugged, but I'm glad I asked, and I was pleasantly surprised at his graciousness. I have since heard of lot of really nice things about him.

The sign at the bottom of the "mountain."

Yes, I made my way to the foot of Little Mountain. It is a pretty good pull up that thing, but I'm not sure it's any more difficult than the big hill on Humphrey's Highway. They are definitely in the same class. Little Mountain is just a touch longer and gets steeper towards the top whereas the one in Carroll County flattens out towards the top. So why make the seventy-mile drive? One, you are out of traffic at Little Mountain. Two, there is a nice trail that I ran down. The woods are beautiful. Three, There are some bathrooms here and there that add some comfort. Four, there are other roads in the area, and I shuffled some of them.

After the hill run, I went under the Trace and onto a gravel road and ran and ran and ran. I found an old Baptist Church that had a Confederate veteran buried in the cemetery. I did not pass a single automobile on the gravel roads, but saw trees, old house places, and spring flowers breaking out of the thawed ground. Spring is coming.

I finished with eleven miles. It was nice. I got to meet Bo Duke, spend some time alone, and run new roads. What's not to like. Thank you, Jesus, for a good day.

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Week Off

I'm as excited as I ever was before Christmas when I was a kid. Next week is Spring Break and since I am broken, I need the break, the rest, the recreation. Lately, I have been looking at Google maps in an attempt to get some big runs going while I am off work. My hope is to be Billy Big Miles next week as I prepare for the Great Geezer Run for Diabetes. I don't know the exact distance-- maybe that's one of the things I will do during my off time-- but from the Hideout to the Ridgeland city limit sign the way I will go is a hair over 100 miles. I am guessing it is another six miles to the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi's office.

Right now I am planning on doing the run in five days. That is down from the six of my original plan. I may even go four before it's over with, depending on my fitness, weight loss, and motivation. I figure I should be able to cover twenty-five miles per day. The fewer days it takes me, the less I spend on food and Gatorade and motels. Not only that, but fewer days means less time away from our cats. If I am away from the cats too long, I go into withdrawal, cat withdrawal. I am told that feline withdrawal is somewhat analogous to the DTs an alcoholic may experience if drink is stopped cold turkey. I want to avoid that at all costs.

Furthermore, I might do a little moving somewhere between Monday and Saturday. Yeah, we are still in the process. If you have been in one house for forty-three years and decide to move, pack some clothes, set your old house on fire, and don't look back. It can't be done. You can't move after that much time. Burn and leave, it's the only way.

Also, I hope to move a lot of weight with both upper and lower body. In addition to the weights, I plan of swimming a fair amount. The Mississippi State Senior Olympics has announced that the games will be held. They even gave the dates of April to October for the fun, but so far have failed to give us anymore information than that. I don't have a clue when the swimming will be. My hope is it will be June or later because right now, the Geezer Run is getting all the attention, top priority in my training and thinking and dreaming. Actually, my swimming has fallen off. A date for the swim meet would be a big boost to get me back into water shape. 

If you are reading this and have any whim that you might like to help in some way, let me tell you how you can. First, pray. I need the coolest weather that May can offer when I begin this run. Second, prepare to donate. Right now my goal is to raise $4,000 for the DFM, the best charity no one has ever heard of. Third, if you are off work and want to drive down, bring me some Gatorade and ice-cream. 

Ice-cream? 

Yeah. Ice-cream sandwiches, melted ice-cream in squeeze bottles, or a pint of ice-cream and a good spoon. Believe it or not, ice-cream is the ultimate endurance food. I know this for a fact. It exclusively fueled my longest swims, 22.38 and 23.8 miles. Furthermore, I like pizza, fried chicken, Moon Pies, and a good sub sandwich. 

How to find me? I plan to post my progress on Facebook each night. After the first two days, I will be on Highway 51 all the way until I pass the Natchez Trace. Then I will hit city streets as I make my way to 800 Avery Boulevard. Oh yeah, besides praying about the weather, pray for my training. This 64-year old body needs to endure a lot before then and especially during the run. On an adventure like this, nothing is guaranteed. When I did the swim, I knew that all I needed was good weather and time. I could do it. With a run of this length, one is dependent on the body not breaking down. Like a piece of machinery, sometimes the body breaks and the gig is up. So in some regards, this is a journey of faith as well as a journey of physical endurance. Pray for me, please. And pray for my wife who always worries about me when I do crazy things.

Thank you, and God bless you. Thank you, Jesus, for this plan that has me training, dreaming, and planning like I have not in years. 

Tuesday on Wednesday

We had a division meeting on Zoom after work. My wifi was like a yo yo. I found out that our division chair is retiring in June. I cried a little. I like her. She is one of he best persons I have ever known. She and her husband raised 19 children and have pastored a church for many years. Being the only guy in the English Department has meant that I have sometimes been treated differently. But Renee Moore has always done me right. Always. 

After our meeting, I went out for my mid-week long run. I hit Wade Road, some turnrows, and Money Road for 13.37 miles. I got in, sat down, and chatted with Penny. Then the lazy hit. Yeah, I took a shower and got in bed. CC hung out with me a bit, but when the lights went out, she ran. It was day four of my treatment by her. Just like a woman, I have one more day to go. She gives me the treatment for five days at a time.

Thank the Lord anyway.

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Stubborn

A while back I mentioned that while out running I had not frightened any women since 2016. Something must have changed. I guess I look harmless now. At work the other day, Katie Jones mentioned that she saw me "out shuffling." 

Huh? 

Later, when I mentioned to her her choice of words, she replied, "Did I say 'shuffling'?"

Indeed she did.

My wife drove up behind me one day last week when she was coming home from work, and I was out running. Later she said, "I don't see how you are going to run to Jackson. You looked like an old man out there trying to run."

Ouch!

I asked Katie Jones if I looked like an old man out there when she saw me "shuffling." She hesitated and remarked: "You looked your age."

Ouch!

I guess it's true. I'm an old man. But I'm still too stubborn to give up. I'm out there everyday trying to do it, putting in the miles, hoping for a return to my previous form. Maybe it will happen. Maybe it will not. Either way, I will be out there as long as my body allows, shuffling, running, doing roadwork, whatever you want to call it. Sometimes stubbornness is a good thing.

Change of Days

My early week longish run has been on Tuesday for the past couple. This week, however, has seen it necessary to make an adjustment there. Because of low temperatures and rain, I pushed the longish run back to Wednesday when the forecast is for clear skies and warm weather. 

Tuesday I did not attempt to go to the pool. Usually I don't this semester because Tuesday is the day I meet my film class, and I get home late. I went to the gym first because of the rain which was supposed to move out around 6:00 p.m. On the bench, I pushed

15 X 100

  8 X 120

  4 X 130

  4 X 130

  4 X 130

   4 X 130 \

For the first time in months, I did a couple of sets of the log press. It felt OK with no soreness in the biceps tendon. I also did lat pull downs, reverse flys, and lateral raises. 

After the gym, I went out for some roadwork and did 2.91 miles. When I got in, I pulled out the sled and pushed it .25 miles. I am thinking and hoping that this is going to help me get my running back where it used to be. I'll keep working and see. Thank God for hope. Without it, life goes south in a hurry. Thank you, Jesus.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Two

John was supposed to meet me at the pool. He did not show. He was on time twice last week so he had some making up to do. I swam

2,200 43:53

50 back 1:12

brick kick

50 medium paddles :58

 total: 2,300 yards = 2,102 meters.

Despite the sprinkling rain and the cold weather, I went out for some roadwork. I only did 2.8 miles, but that is a wee bit more than Monday of last week. After the run, I pushed the wheel barrel .25 of a mile with 102.5 pounds added. My grip failed after the halfway point. I guess I will have to start using straps. 

I did not lift because I was lazy and just did not want to do it. Praise God for what I got done. 

Monday, March 1, 2021

2/22 - 2/28

I had my third straight thirty-mile week. That's the kind of training I need for the Great Geezer Run for Diabetes. Monday, I shuffled an easy 2.65 and swam 3,400. I did not lift, and I do not remember why. Tuesday, I lifted and ran 9.35. The run was an out and back on Money Road. The days are now long enough for me to do a longish run out there during the week. In a fortnight, we switch to Daylight Savings Time, and time will no longer be an issue. Yes, I sometimes run in the dark, but I don't like to be too far out Money Road when a light is needed.

Wednesday, I swam a mere 1,200 yards, ran a merer 2.68 miles, and lifted some merest weight, leg work. I used the Tank for the first time. It's a big glute buster. John was out Thursday so I skipped the pool and hit the road for 3.8 miles and the then hit the bed. Exhaustion had overtaken me from the training and the school work.

Friday I went out on a rainy day and shuffled for 11.61 miles. It was a good shuffle, but it left me without the will to do anything else. I neither swam nor lifted. Saturday I swam and lifted. The water came in for 3,300 yards. The gym saw me do both push and pull but let the legs rest.

For the week, I

swam 7,219 meters,

lifted weights three times, and 

ran 30.09 miles.

That was a pretty solid week. I hope to run more miles next week and lift more and swim more. The sled and the wheel barrel will come in for some heavy use. Thank you, Jesus. 

Late Sleep

Saturday morning was a late sleep for me. I met John at the pool at 10:30. Yes, he was on time for the sixth time in eight and a half years. Wow, that's twice in one week. I swam 2,150 straight and then 950 for time. The 950 was in 16:43. I cooled down with 150 medium paddles, finishing with 3,300 yards. 

After that, I went home and lounged. CC is giving me the treatment. Friday, she fell on an attempted jump onto the dresser, and I made the mistake of trying to console her. By doing that, I called attention to her mistake and her embarrassment was multiplied. I have three more days and nights to go before things are normal again.

I lifted both push and pull. I let the legs slide, however, since they were pretty beat up after the thirty miles and the lifting and sled pushing they did throughout the week. So it was a solid day. We were invited to Hillbilly Heaven for pizza and fireworks. Normally, I would have run out there, but the legs needed a break. I gave it to them.