Back to Work

Tuesday morning I went back to the big pool. Not only that, but I went back to work. But my class doesn't meet unitl 10:40. That meant I had plenty of time to train and still get to work early. I didn't need a lot of time, however, since it is race week, and I am cutting back a bit. I swam

  1,200 27:33 

  2 X 50 build

  600 countdown

  200 easy

  total: 2,100 long course meters

I felt the difference between the short course pool and the long course pool. I don't remember this being an issue it the past. Maybe that's because I had much more endurance when I was training for the Chicot Challenge. I was surprised when I got a little tired. But it had only been eleven and a half hours since I last swam. Well, that practice should help bump me up some.

Yes, I went to the City. Since I missed Monday, I did both push and pull. On the Bike Erg, I did three sets of 4:00 and shuffled 1.55 miles on the treadmill. I had a good workout at the gym. When I went inside, my muscles were wanting the tap out. 

Thus it was a pretty good day. I even injoyed my class, Comp II, which will be the last one I ever teach at our current location. We are slated to move for Summer II. 

Now if I can get fresh for Saturday. Penny and I are both looking forward to the trip.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was nice, relaxing, and full of fellowship and good eating. What's not to like? Sunday after church we went to Hillbilly Heaven. Monday before noon, we went to Forrest's. Pau and Forrest have a very eclectic group of friends and we hung out and talked. Andrea and Caitlin came. The food was amazing. Nothing fancy but everything top notch. We had burgers, salad, baked beans, chips and dip. Yes, I ate too much.

One of the most incredible things about the day was the weather. When I went outside to hang out with the people on the patio, I was shocked at how good it felt. The dewpoint was 57. How often does that happen in late May in Mississippi? With the gentle breeze, it was so comfortable out there that I went to sleep. Yep, got a genuine nap while people all around me were talking. Mighty nice.

I did go to the pool in the late afternoon. Since there were some people in the big pool, I went indoors and swam

  1,200 24:48

  4 X 300 r :30

    1 - 5:13

    2 - 5:03

    3 - 5:00

    4 - 4:54

  4 X 25 no breath

  2 X 50 fast

  50 back

  2 X 12.5 fly

  total: 2,725 yards

I was pleased with the 300s. Each one got a little faster. For some reason, I like them a lot. They are long enough to build the heart rate and some lactic acid. And they are over pretty quickly. But they don't smash me like a hard 500 does. I think they are a good training stimulus for both the 200 and 500 I swim in Biloxi. In Meridian, I will swim 200 and 400 short course meters.

I didn't do anything else after that. It was an enjoyable day. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

5/22 - 5/28

It was a good but not stellar week of training. Monday I swam, ran, and lifted. The numbers weren't big but consistency is 70% of the training battle. The other 70% is big numbers. I swam 3,400 yards, ran 1.65 miles, and lifted at the City.

Tuesday I was back at it with 2,600 in the water. On the road, however, I knocked off 4.7. While that is not a long run, it was my longest in six weeks or more. Yes, the City was occupied, Pee Wee was happy, and squirrels were scolded.

I was consistent Wednesday with 3,100 in the water, 1.04 on the treadmill, and a serious leg session at Plate City.

Since Thursday was graduation day for our granddaughter, I did not get a lifting session in or a run done. But we did have some nice family time, and I did swim for 3,000 yards.

Friday saw me return to all three, but with a mere 1,400 in the water. That 1,400 was, however, long course meters with my old pal Tyler. On the road, I hit a another four-miler with 4.55 miles. At the City, I did push and pull to make up for Thursday.

We, Penny and I both, were home Saturday. I swam 3,100 yards, ran 1.44 on the treadmill, and lifted weights.

For the week, I

  ran 13.68 miles,

  ski ergged 3:05 minutes,

  lifted weights five times, 

  bike ergged 28:45 minutes, and

  swam 15,498 meters

That was a solid week especially in the water. This week ends with the State Games so it is a taper week. I have not yet decided how much I am going to train. Last year, I did the Games two days after completing Crazy Man Quadrathon. I performed okay. I will definately taper some, but I am not sure how much. I am always looking ahead and what's up next is Pool Fools. Please make plans to donate. The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi set up an Event Page-- Pool Fools-- on Facebook. Search for it. You can donate there.

Another One

We both had one, a regular Saturday. It is amazing how nice that is. I stayed in bed a long time. Not that I slept, but I lounged long and drank lots of coffee. Then I went to the pool, the little one. For some reason, I now shy away from excessive sun exposure. Since the sun was well up, I went indoors and swam

  3,100 1:01:17

  2 X 25 no breath

  50 back

  2 X 25 no breath

  25 dive start

  50 medium paddles

  total: 3,325 yards

That wasn't bad for a lazy Saturday and capped off a good week in the water. 

For the rest of it, I went to Plate City for lifting, running, and cycling. It was raining, and once more I got to enjoy the sound of rain on a metal roof. On the Concept 2 Bike Erg, I did a total of 12:45. That is not much, but I have begun, begun to prepare for Bikes, Blues [,] & Bayous. On the treadmill, I shuffled 1.44 miles. On the weights, I mostly did legs, some squats, and a few trap bar deadlifts.

Thus, I finished out a prettystrong week, was home with my wife, and Pee Wee and the cats weren't disappointed either. Life is good. Thank you, Jesus.

Rich Dog

I met Tyler at the pool Friday morning. Yes, that would be the big pool. To make a short story long, we did not see any monsters. In fact, at one point I said, "I feel safe out here." We swam

  600 

  2 X 50 build

  4 X 50 paddles (small and medium)

  400 countdown

  100 easy

  total: 1,400 meters

That was my first real practice in the big pool. It was nice, a different stimulus. And it was nice to be back training with my old buddy. I think this was the second time we have swum together this year. Life takes turns, and we do what we can.

After the swim practice, Pee Wee had an appointment with the doctor. I got to thinking about it. Pee Wee is a pretty wealthy dog. He has two houses (and he sleeps in them both), a gym, and a backyard. He also has medical insurance, and good pay. After the vet appointment, I took him to the gravel road across from the radio station on Money road and let him run. He is a bit out of shape. In fact, he weighed in at 33 pounds at the vet. He weighed 26 pounds at his first trip to Dr. Johnson and 31 at the trip before this one. He needs to do more than hang out at the gym; he needs to use it.

Lunch was ready when Pee Wee and I got home, so I had to wait until 2:30 to run. I shuffled 4.55 miles. It was warm but not hot. Thank the Lord.

I did go to Plate City, so it was a super big day for Mr. Wee. By the way, he likes going to the vet. He wants to be everybody's friend, and it doesn't matter if you walk on two legs or four.

I did both push and pull or at least some form of that. I did do the overhead press, the reverse fly, the swim pull, some bikerg, some skierg, and something else, I think. It was a pretty full day, and I went in ready to wind down for the night. Thank you, Jesus, for a good day.

The Big Day

Thursday was a big day. Our granddaughter, Caitlin, graduated from high school. Of course we were there. After the ceremony, we-- her mom, dad, brother, and grandparents-- went to No Jay Wose in Cleveland for a meal. We had a swell time with family and good food. There were other graduates and their families there from Caitlin's school. The place was packed and hopping. I ordered the Mexican style hamburger. I barely can get that thing down, and if you know me you know that I have always been a big eater. Try it sometimes, but only if you are very hungry.

When we got home, Penny and I both took a nap. Naps are common now as is going out to eat at 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Don't ever say what you are nor going to do when you get old.

 I went to the pool, and swam

  1,650 34:42

  400 for time 7:07 (slow!)

  100 small paddles

  350 back

  250 broken with medium paddles 4:50

  250 25/25 free/back with small paddles

  total: 3,000 yards

The City sat empty as I was thoroughly through by the time I arrived home from the water. Sometimes you have to tap out and live to fight again another day. That's what I did. Plus, I am not crazy about being out there after dark this time of year. I remember years ago a guy in town contracted West Nile. He was in the hospital for weeks, and one day someone said, "He's having a good day. He knows who he is." I'm not signing up for that. No thanks. I'd rather thank Jesus for good health and a good life.

New at Plate City

Plate City took a giant step forward yesterday. Monday I had ordered a Concept 2 Bike Erg. It arrived Wednesday, I put it together, and used it. But I get ahead of myself. First, I went to the pool. There I swam

  1,300 26:09

  300 back

  6 X 25 no breath

  250 small paddles

  3 X 100 broken (I swam as 50 medium paddles/50 sprint)

  200 broken

  150 25/25 free/back

  50 large paddles

  2 X 75 medium paddles

  50 XL paddles

  200 small paddles

  total: 3,100 yards

Those broken swims were new. I had done broken swims in the past under Cagri. But these were different. I took the inspiration from weight training, a concept called contrast training, where you do an overload followed by a plyometric. The idea is that the overload (heavy weight) recruits a lot of muscle fibers and then the plyometric move uses those fibers in an athletic move thus improving performance. The paddles were the overload and the sprints were the plyo, in a sense. I liked the way it made my muscles feel, especially on the 200. On the third 50 on the 200 (another paddle), I could feel my lats and pecs in an amazing way. Now I want to go back to the pool and do a 250 broken. If you read me, you know I will work that up a little longer each time I go to the pool, thus working strength, speed, and endurance all in one set.

Back home, my Concept 2 Bike Erg was delivered by UPS. I moved the box to the back, unpacked it, and began to put it together. I did corator tuff exercises between bouts of screwing parts together. Also, I mowed the front lawn. After the mowing and with the bike erg and corator stuff complete, I began my workout proper. Since it was leg day, I settled on a circuit of squats, bike erg, and treadmill, in that order. I did a few rounds of that and finished with 1.34 miles of running, 11:45 of spinning, and three sets of squats, not in that order.

It was a solid day of training, and Plate City is better than ever. You might be wondering why not just set my road bike up on a trainer. I could, but then I would have to change shoes to do a circuit, and I like circuit training. With the bike erg, I don't have to change shoes so I can hop on, the off and onto the treamill or whatever. The possibilities are numerous. Thank you, Jesus.

Swim Circuit at the City

It was a full day Tuesday. First, I stopped by the cleaners on my way to the pool. I had been needing to do that for weeks. I finally found one of those round things, you know, a roundtoit. 

At the pool, I was a little pressed because I was scheduled to take my truck to Nash's a little before noon. I swam

  1,100 21:33

  200 back

  200 small paddles

  350 for time 5:47 (1:39)

  200 small paddles

  3 X 50 @ WIFL

  200 small paddles

  4 X 25 no breath

  100 medium paddles

  total: 2,600 yards

That wasn't bad. It beat last week by 200 yards. Monday beat last week by 1,600 yards. Now if I can beat last week today, I will be on the way towards a heavy week of swim training.

Penny picked me up at Nash's. I took the truck in because sometimes the brakes squeel and it has 87,000 miles on it. That has to mean the front pads are worn out, right? Nash called right after lunch and said I have full pads all the way around. Huh? Yeah, those are honest folks down there, so if you need some mechanic work, remember them. By the way, they are the last downtown gas station in Greenwood and the last full service station I know of.

Penny was out of pocket all afternoon and since I had already planned to run and wind up there, I told them I would be in around 4:00. I shuffled 4.7 miles getting there. Two down, one to go.

At the City, I did pull while Pee Wee played with his toys and watched for squirrels. He gives them a scolding when he sees one. I did what I am calling a swim circuit. It goes like this with no rest between sets:

  lateral raise

  Swim Pull

  ski erg

  swim cords

  ball slams

I did that for two rounds. Next time it will be three. That circuit hits the swim muscles in terms of strength, endurance, and reactive time. Yeah, I'm smart like that. The lateral raise gets blood pumping through the deltoids. The Swim Pull overloads the swim muscles in an exact duplication of how they work in the water. The ski erg uses the swim muscles in an aerobic fashion. On the swim cords, I focus of speed, trying to wake up any fast twitch muscles I might have that perhaps have survived my advancing age. The ball slams also mimic the swim pull and are also fast twitch oriented. 

I will probably change it next time, adding reps of course and maybe revisiting the Swim Pull for two sets on each round. By the grace of God, when the Heart O' Dixie rolls around, I will be ready, if He allows me to stay healthy. Last year, I had some issues which compromised my training. This year has been better thus far. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow/ Praise Him all creatures here below/ Praise Him above ye heavenly host/ Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost/ Amen.

Shady Streets and Long Strokes

I'm still in the little pool. But at least I can do my whole practice there. Monday, I hit it pretty hard. I swam

  1,000 20:06

  3 X 300 r 1:00

    1st - 5:08

    2nd - 5:04

    3rd - 5:03

  1 X 50 r:1:00

  1,000 20:02

  50 back

  50 small paddles

  2 X 75 medium paddles

  50 back

  100 large paddles

  50 extra-large paddles

  total: 3,400 yards

That was a decent practice. It included volume, intensity, some stroke work, and strength work. What is missing from that? I know: kicking and butterfly.

The streets were shady when I shuffled around 3:00 p.m. I only did 1.65 miles, but that is more than I did this time last week. So was the swimming. I ran shady streets and swam long strokes. Nothing wrong with that. I'm on the way back.

At the gym, I did a really solid push workout. I hit the overhead press machine, incline bench press, the fly machine, and the seated dip machine. Pee Wee was happy and I was tired.

That always makes for a good day, a happy dog and a tired body. Cats? CC is still acting crazy. They are all acting crazy except Luvie. Luvie is always the same. He wants love, and he is a spot cat. 

What is a spot cat?

A spot cat is one who has A SPOT he or she naps in. One spot and the spot changes about every three weeks. Maybe I'll write a whole post on spot cats sometimes. It's an interesting concept.

5/15 - 5/21

This was my comeback week, my attempt to regain the fitness I lost while being ill and in bed the week before. It began Monday with 1,800 in the little pool. It continued Monday with 1.07 on the treadmill and weights at the City. That was a start. I did not feel particularly well, but I was back at it even if at a reduced pace.

Tuesday I upped the swimming to 2,400 yards, the running to 2.09, and the lifting continued as normal. Add to that that I was feeling a little better made it seem like there was hope. It was Wednesday that I made my biggest jump in training when I shuffled 4.11 miles after swimming 3,000 yards. I added to that some lifting for a complete day of training.

Thursday was the morning I tried to swim the big pool and was escorted out of the water by a monster, so I only did 700 meters. On the treadmill, I added 1.22 miles while getting the lifting done.

I was Billy Big Yards Friday with 3,600 to go along with a trip to Plate City. And Saturday, I swam a simple 2,700 straight, shuffled an easy 1.52, and worked legs at that really good gym while hanging out with that really cool dog.

For the week, I

  lifted weights six times,

  ran 10.01 miles, and

  swam 13,037 meters

Those were not good numbers, but they were numbers and any number beats a zero. I felt like I came a long way in the water, like I regained my lost week of swimming. My running, however, although I rebounded some, seems to be headed south on the expressway. If I lost any in the gym, I can't tell it.

So my fitness is not too bad. I am not running well, but my swimming is okay and my strength has held its own. I have one more week of allegedly being off work before summer school starts. I say "allegedly" because the amount of time I have spent making and remaking schedules is immoral.  

Praise God anyway.

A Regular Saturday

This whole year, Penny and I have had maybe two regular Saturdays. By "regular Saturday," I mean one where we did not go somewhere and disrupt a normal day. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy going and doing stuff. But sometimes I just want to stay home. And after going and doing all year, I ached to stay home.

This Saturday, Penny had a Ladies meeting on the Carmont Association. So she did not have a regular Saturday this time around either. She kind of wanted me to drive her. I begged out. I wanted to stay home and take the day the way Saturdays are meant to be taken, so that's what I did.

I lounged around most of the morning. Then I went to the pool and swam 2,700 straight in 51:28, and after that I went home. Yea, I wasn't feeling too energetic. 

Back home, I rested some then went out for a short shuffle and only went 1.52 miles. Not energetic.

I did go to Plate City and do legs. I went kind of light and not too long. Not energetic. But I did it and got in three easy workouts. And Pee Wee needed some hang time, so we had it.

Who Does That?

Yes, I went back to the little pool where I knew I could get in a good practice. And that I did. I swam

  2,300 45:10

  200 back

  200 for time 3:21

  300 small paddles

  8 X 50 @ 2:00

  200 medium paddles

  total: 3,600 yards

That was a real practice right there; I don't care who you are. And that will put some endurance back into my swimming muscles. When I left the pool, I felt it in my pectorals, my latimus dorsi, my deltoids, my biceps, and my triceps muscles. Yeah, I did. Not only that, but I was tired. In fact, I was fatigued. Furthermore, I was gassed out.

Later in the day, I went to the City and did a pull workout. I was still tired from swimming, but I warmed up slowly-- a trick I learned long ago-- and eventually got some real work done. Pee Wee was on the lookout for squirrels. He saw some and gave them a talking to. He tried to stop them for traffic tickets when they speed down the top of our eight-foot fence. They, however, refuse to stop further adding to their infractions. At the old house, he caught a few and sentenced them to death. He is a tough law dog and judge.

Because it was the eve of our 46th wedding anniversary, Penny and I went to Hilltop and ordered a steak. We left the house at 5:00 o'clock. Who does that? Old people. Old people do that. It was good, yeah. Back home, I drifted off to sleep in short order.

A Monster Ran Me out of the Pool

I went to the big pool Thursday morning, my for my first time of the year. I was on my fifth lap, going south when I saw one of those monster bugs on the bottom just west of my lane. I flipped on the south wall and moved over one lane to put distance between me and the monster. I was looking for him as I swam north. He had moved over and was on the surface. I stopped on the south wall and climbed out and retrieved one of the long pole nets they keep on the side of the pool. I went back to try to find him and kill him. He had disappeared. Finally, I climbed back in and swam 2 X 50 @ WIFL and then 100 small paddles. Then he re-appeared on the bottom by the south wall. He had those huge pinchers and was as ugly as anything I have ever seen.

I immediately climbed straight out on my belly on the concrete and once more fetched to pole net. Once more, he disappeared. They are like that. Sometimes I think they have demonic powers. I left. I will not share a lane with a monster. Call me a sissy if you want to, but I am not doing it. So I only swam 700 meters.

I rested most of the day even though I had not done much. Then I went to the City in the late afternoon and hung out with Pee Wee. While out there, I did 1.22 miles on the treadmill, and lifted really solidly. So the day was not a total flop. 

Today? I'm not ready to do battle with monsters. I'll go in to the little pool where I know I can finish my practice. Pool Fools? I will not be alone.

Higher

I swam the little pool.

Huh?

I woke several times during the night and every time I did, it was pouring raining.

So?

Rain comes out of the sky at 60 degrees or fewer. I didn't want to wade into a cold pool. So I swam 

  2,100 40:16

  100 back

  4 X 50 @ WIFL

  4 X 25 no breath

  300 small paddles

  150 medium paddles

  total: 3,000 yards

That wasn't a bad start to the day. In the mid-afternoon, I went out for a shuffle. I ran 4.11 miles, my longest in at least six weeks.

Crap. I felt like crap.

Pee Wee and I met at the new and improved Plate City Gym. I did legs and some corator tuff stuff. It was nice. He was happy and so was I.

That makes three workouts three days in a row. Yeah, I'm trying to be bad like that. Pool Fools is rushing towards us. I'm trying to make a come back and get ready for a long pool swim. Please think about making a donation.

Bouncing

If I hit the bottom of the cliff last week, I started bouncing this week. Monday, I did three workouts. They might have been weenie ones, but I did them. 

Tuesday, I upped the ante a little bit. Just a little. I went in to Twin Rivers early, a little after 8:00, to swim the big pool for the first time this year. But when I went outside, the pool was low, very low. I told Debbie and she was shocked. Anyway, it was too low for me to flip in the shallow end, so I came back after 10:00 and swam the little pool. I did

  1,850 36:56

  2 X 25 no breath

  50 back

  2 X 25 no breath

  50 back

  2 X 25 no breath

  50 back

  50 fast

  200 small paddles

  total: 2,400 yards

That was more than Monday, so that was a victory. I could feel my lats were a little sore from swimming the day before. Yeah, I am downgraded, but I am bouncing.

After lunch and rest, I went out for some roadwork. I shuffled 2.09 miles. After .7 my legs felt wobbly. Unbelievable. Remember how I started this year? I ran a marathon, a 50K on a trail, a half-marathon, and a 5K. Now an average walker could stroll past me like I am standing still. But I am still too stubborn to stop.

I mowed the front lawn, rested, and hydrated. Then I went to the new and improved City. It really is nice out there now. The added stall matts make it look a feel a lot better. I did a pull workout, hitting the chest-supported row, underhanded lat pulldowns, and reverse flys. Of course I did corator tuff stuff. I always do.

So there is another three. I should be more fit today than yesterday. I will find out. Pool Fools is coming up. Please consider making a donation. This effort supports the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, the state's premier diabetes charity. Look them up on Charity Navigator. They have an extremely high rating with them, and they do lots of work with and for diabetics in this state.

On the Way Back

I just got home from Twin Rivers. But that is tomorrow's post. Yesterday, I went to the little pool after the water aerobics ladies left. I swam for the first time in ten day. Ten days. I swam

  1,650 31:48 (1:55)

  4 X 25 build

  50 back

  total: 1,800 yards

Yes, I could tell I had been out of the water. I almost quit after 125 yards because I was sucking air and felt like I couldn't swim. But I kept stroking and found out I still have some fitness left. And my pace wasn't too bad either. Now I can start rebuilding.

After lunch, I went to the City and did some work and worked out.

Notice the new wall, added stall matts, and the hanging plates. I put those 2 X 4s up and put in the lag bolts and re-arranged the weights between sets of lifing. I love that, working out and building at the same time. Doesn't Plate City look nice? She gets better looking every day.

While I was out there, I not only built and lifted, but I shuffled some on the treadmill. I only did 1.07 miles, but I did it.

After that, Penny and I went to Over 60s in Itta Bena. It was nice. It always is. Yes, I ate way too much food. So all in all, it was a nice day. I trained, not heavily, but I did all three. I'm on the way back. Thank you, Jesus.

5/8 - 5/14

I hit the bottom. Several times I have mentioned falling off a cliff. Last week I fell, and I hope I hit the bottom because I can't imagine it being any worse. Monday, I did not run, I did not lift, I did not swim.

Tuesday, I did not run, I did not lift, I did not swim.

Wednesday, I did a little bit of lifting.

Thursday, I did not run, I did not lift, I did not swim.

Friday, I did a weenie bit of lifting.

By Saturday, I actually did some stuff. I lifted full-body, and I shuffled 1.52 miles on the treadmill.

For the week, I

  swam not a stroke,,

  lifted lghtly three times,

  and ran 1.52 miles

How does one come back from that? One step, and one stroke at a time. Today I hope to do all three, the step, the stroke, the run, the swim, the lift. Uh, that's five. Yeah, I'm smart like that.

But alas, this is the day Penny and I have to go somewhere and eat lots of food tonight. Just in time. Lounging in bed for a week is not good for your weight. At least it's not good for mine. Now "we have to go" and eat big food and hang out when I need to be home resting. Maybe I will survive. Maybe I will actually write something here next week. Pool Fools is coming up. I have to resume training.

The Atomic Bomb

Saturday morning I did something I have been wanting to do for a long time. Besides re-intering the land of the living, I took plate invetory at Plate City Gym. Yeah, that.

I felt one percent better Thursday. Friday I felt forty-six percent better. Saturday, I felt almost well. And I acted like it. About mid-morning, I entered the City with a notebook, a pen, my phone, and the determination to find out how many pounds of plates I had. Bars not counting, dumbbells not included, kettlebells maybe later, once-inch plates off the menue, the purpose of Saturday's quest was to figure out what the current state of the gym's collection of Olympic style plates amounts to. 

NASA had asked me to do this since, according to them, the rotation of the earth has changed due to a redistribution of weight. They offered to do it for me, but I declined because I feared theft. So I got to it Saturday morning. Are you ready? Drum roll, drum roll, drum roll . . . 

                                3,760 pounds

Really?

Yes, really. It is called Plate City for a reason. It took awhile to count plates, and do addition in one section at a time until I finished. But when I finished the invetory, I stood there, pround of myself.

But why do you need that much weight?

Need? Need has nothing to do with it.

Later in the afternoon, I came back out to do some cleaning up, put in some stall matts, and lift a little. I got on the treadmill and went 1.52 miles (in three instalements), my first and only running of the week. I did full-body lifting, and moved some things around. When this is finished, Plate City will be the bomb.

Oh wait, Plate City is already the bomb. So I guess Plate City will be the atomic bomb.

Pictures and videos coming.

Thank you, Jesus.

Maybe Next Week

Friday? I ran a few errands, picked up some 2 X 4s and stall matts, and went to the bank. Not only that, but I went to Plate City in the late afternoon and did a short lifting session. I did machine shrugs a corator tuff stuff. That was it, but that was an improvement. I felt 21% better than Thursday. Right now, I feel 47.6% better than Friday. Yeah, by the grace of God, I think I'm going to make it. I have not run a step or swum a stroke this week, but maybe next week I can get back after it.

That Is an Improvement

It wasn't too bad, my trip to the doctor. I only had to wait 45 minutes past my appointment time before I was taken behind the closed doors. Doc listened to my lungs and didn't like something he heard, so he sent me to GLH for X-rays. But before he did, he had his nurse shoot me in the butt with a shot of antibiotics. That hurt a little bit. It felt like somebody wound up and punched me in the side of the butt. I even limped for a couple of hours. The trip to the hospital went frairly smoothly, and I was home by 12:30 noon.

I didn't hear my phone ring. I never do. But Dr. Hines left me a voice mail at 4:36 p.m. He had seen my X-rays. My lungs are clear and so are my sinuses.

Wow? I was convinced I had pneumonia. Or worse. He said that's what he thought too. And clear sinuses? I am blowing out about three pounds of snot per day. But I guess that's the trick. I'm blowing it out.

He said that means a virus of some sort, and he would order me some meds tomorrow (today). 

So I feel a lot better just knowing that. And I slept pretty well last night. I am damp now, and over the years I have always been refreshed when I woke up sweating. Apparently it has nothing to do with fever.

What's up for today? I hope to get out a little bit. That is an improvement. Maybe this afternoon I will go to Plate City. Right now I feel a little groggy. Groggy is a big improvement. I coughed a lot last night, but I am not coughing now. That is an improvement. I feel like I will do something outside of bed today. That is an improvement. I have hope for the immediate future. That is an improvement. Thank you, Jesus.

The Corner Rounded

I rounded the corner. I think. I felt much better yesterday and got out and about and did some stuff. I even went to Plate City. Simon was there, doing the latest construction. Pee Wee was there, enjoying it all. I was there, feeling like living for the first time in days. 

Oh, I forgot to say that I mowed the front lawn, went to Homefront with Simon to pick up materials, went to Tractor Supply for stall matts. After the front lawn, I did some resting. See, I did not overdo it. That's what you were thinking.

After resting I went to the City and did a push workout. I performed maybe six sets on the overhead press machine, some lateral raises, two sets of incline bench press. I would have done more, but Plate City Extended was closed due to rain. When I sat down to think things over, I noticed that I was very tired, so I went inside for the day.

Although I think I have rounded the corner, I had a rough night. I slept only two hours. That is very uncharacteristic for me. But for some unknown reason, my body only felt comfortable when I was on my back. But staying on my back for even just a few minutes, led to huge, violent, coughing spells. No, I did not overdo it during the day. It was the copious amouts of post nasal snott that would drain into my lungs. Hour by hour dragged by. I tried each side, then back to the back, then back to crazy coughing. I remember looking at my phone at 4:30 a.m. Then I finally went to sleep and woke up at 6:30. 

As I type this, I feel like deep-fried dog doo doo sitting in the afternoon sun while I count down the time to when I head to the doctor. I have an appointment. I hope he can help me.

Rounding the Corner?

By Monday night, I was saying to myself, there is no way I am staying in bed all day Tuesday. I'll go for a short swim. Or maybe I will walk around the block. I could go to Plate City like I did when I had COVID and lift some five pound dumbbells. I can go out there and breath some fresh air, pet Pee Wee, absorb some Vitamin D.

By the time I turned the lights out Monday night, I had a mental list of things to do and possibilities to be active yet cautious. I woke Tuesday morning expecting to feel better. I was sure I'd be well when I woke Tuesday morning.

But it was not to be.

I was worse.

I stayed in bed. All day.

Well, almost all day. I did go outside briefly to show Simon what I wanted done at the City.

Huh?

I am having a little more work done at Plate City. You know I am always scheming on improvemnts, upgrades, and expansions.

And that little bit of movement made me feel better. I will move some Wednesday. I will do something.

I finished that last sentence about two hours ago. In the meantime, Simon showed up Wednesday morning, and we went to the old Homefront to get materials. I sweated a lot while I was up but felt better. After I left there, I went to Tractor Supply to pick up some stall matts. That's for Plate City too.

Oh, Penny made me an appointment with my physician for tomorrow morning. I think I have a sinus infection and something is wrong with my right eye. It is welded shut every morning. So with me feeling a little better and a doctor's appointment for tomorrow, I think I have rounded the corner on this. 

Thank you, Jesus.

5/1 - 5/7

Normally I write my weekly review on Monday. This time I forgot. Huh? Yeah, I forgot. Last week, I fell off another cliff. It went this way:

Monday I shuffled 1.57 miles on the treadmill and lifted weights. Tuesday I shuffled 2.1 miles on the road and lifted more weights. Because of school, however, I did not swim either day.

I finally got in the water Wednesday for 1,750 yards. I also shuffled another 3.15 miles.

By Thursday, I was out of school, but the strain of a heavy training schedule plus a taxing semester at work had taken their toll. I continued to do the things I was supposed to do (besides training), but I was becoming increasingly ill. I did 2.1 miles of roadwork and lifted weights. I also swam 1,450 yards. That was three, but a small three it was.

Friday, I did no training. Saturday, I did no training. Sunday, I did no training. It is Tuesday as I type this, and Monday I did no training. In fact, I was in bed all day, and right now I am coughing and groaning. Just in time for Pool Fools to start looming on the horizon. 

For the week, I

ran 8.83 miles,

lifted weights four times, and

swam 2,924 meters

That is not much and this week has started worse. If you pray, lift me up, please.

Flower Ridge near Estes Switch

With the pastor and 50 percent of the deacons being out, Centerville Baptist did not meet Sunday, May 7th, 2023. Penny and I decided to attend Memorial Day at Flower Ridge United Methodist Church just outside of Estes Switch, Mississippi. That is the closest thing to a family reunion the Hodge clan has. There are not too many of us left anymore, and my lone aunt is now 90 years old. I couldn't waste the opportunity.

We arrived at the picturesque little church just before the start of the 11:00 a.m. service. After depositing food in the fellowship hall, Penny and I made our way into the little sanctuary where we found some kinfolk already assembled. John Walter and Paul Darby were there. The last aunt, Mary Darby, was seated like a matriarch overlooking her brood. Several cousin's whom I had not seen since Mamaw passed in 1983, were there.

The worship service-- after Roche Law's funeral in the Episcipal Church in Greenwood-- seemed refreshingly informal. And the sermon far exceeded my expectations. It was actually good. Pastor Keith Williams preached on sheep and shepherds. After traipsing through the Bible showing us the images of shepherds throughout Scripture, he gave the charachteristics of shepherds and then both showed us how and challenged us to be shepherd to the sheep even though we are sheep ourselves. Yes, I will steal some of that.

Of course we had the noon meal with our loved ones. Church lunchens are the best. It was good, yeah, and there was even chocolet pie for dessert. After all of that, we took a stroll through the cemetery.

This one always tears me up. Our Uncle Bo
joined the Marines and never made it 
home. He has a marker
in the cemetery.

Mamaw and the Granddad I never knew are buried there. My Aunt Johnnie and Uncle Teddy Bear lie at rest there also. So do Mary Darby's baby daughter and another uncle.

Aunt Mary (seated) and cousins Norma, Judy,
and Pam during lunch.

After lunch and the cemetery stroll, we went to Noxapater and sat a couple more hours at Aunt Mary's. The chatter went from memory to memory, from person to person, from year to year. Eventually the talk turned, like it always does, to the Christmas when some of those bad Hodge boys caught a professional photographer's car on fire. No, I am innocent. I am in the picture, but just as a baby in my mother's arms.

While we were there, Mary Darby had a visitor. Her former pastor and son stopped by. She used to teach the boy Sunday School when he was "this high," she held up her hand about four feet high. Now the kid is six foot five at fifteen years old.

A round of hugs saw Penny and me head home around 5:00 p.m. It was a very enjoyable day. Maybe next year we can do it again, and my prayer is that Aunt Mary is still here, and that a few more living ones join us.

The Mount Rushmore of My Mind

Saturday was a full day but not of training. The day started with the Greenwood Mentoring Group's annual Prayer Breakfast. This was an enjoyable event and an important one, but I could have used the sleep. For once, Penny awoke me at 6:30. Usually I awake at 5:30 still needed rest but unable to get it. I could have slept a lot longer and needed it since I am still a bit under the weather.

After the breakfast was Roche Lawes' funeral. I really liked her. She once took my Film as Literature class because I was low on numbers. I have been a fan of hers ever since. She also taught me some things during the course of the class. One of our films was The Man who Shot Liberty Valance. There is a poker playing scene where Liberty wins a poker hand with aces and eights. That went straight over my head, but not Roches'. In case it went over your head, aces and eights is known as "the dead man's hand" because that is what Wild Bill Hickock was holding when he was murdered in a saloon in 1876. Liberty winning with aces and eights was an artistic foreshadowing of his impending death which nothing in the story line had prepared the audience for. If she had not taken that class, I would most likely still be teaching that film, but missing the significance of aces and eights.

I got to briefly see Bad Kate, have a word with Philip (her son and my colleague), and I saw Emily Riser for the first time in five years. That was nice. But the highlight of the day was when Mrs. Deaton sat with me during the funeral service. I called her my sixth grade English teacher, and she did not correct me but upon further reflection, I think she was my eighth grade teacher. I was not always a good boy back then and although I remember no issues with her, I took the the opportunity to apologize for any trouble I might have caused her. She said, "You didn't give me any problems." Before she left, I asked if I could hug her and she said yes.

I am grateful that I had the chance to have that time with Mrs. Deaton. Another former teacher of mine died without me ever telling her how much she meant to me. Mrs. Buford Tubbs was my homeroom teacher in the sixth grade at Bankston. Once that year, she pulled Sanford Thomas and me out of the boys bathroom by our ears. We were fist fighting. It was only many years later that I connected the dots and realized how noble she was in her handling of that incident. Almost any other teacher would have punted the ball and sent us to the principal's office. Instead, she discinplined us herself and not only that, but she never treated my any differently from that time forth. Much of my experience in school was being treated like a bad boy because often I was. But Mrs. Tubbs never treated me like a bad boy. For that, I am grateful. I used to see her once a year when I worked for All Delta Pest Control. I did an annual termite inspection on her house. But it was only after she died that I connected the dots,and she ascended to the Mount Rushmore of my mind. Oh how I wish I could hug her and tell her how special she is to me.

If you run into one of your grade school teachers, or anyone who played a roll in your formative years, let the person know while you still have a chance. The opportunity might not come back again.

Nothing

Nothing.

I did not run.

I did not swim.

I did not lift.

 

Friday I was a bit under the weather. I have been for a few days. Not only that, but we had my cousin Micheal's funeral at 11:00 in Grenada. Penny went with me. Most of the people there we did not know. But it was good to see my cousin Patri. 

When we got home, I went to bed. That night we had the Greenwood Mentoring Groups' Sponsors' Dinner from 6:00 intil 8:00. So that was the day. No training, and not feeling like it if I had had the time.

Today? It's not looking to promising at the moment. Sometimes, if you don't slow down, your body will make you. 

Lately

I went out for a shuffle in the late morning and went 2.1 miles. I sincerely hope everyone running realizes how blessed we are right now with this weather. It won't last. The dewpoint for the past two days has been 41 and 39 respectively. Huh!??!! That's like almost impossible around here. A typicat dewpoint in the Mississippi delta is 71 and up. Meteorologist refer to anything above 60 as "oppresive humidity." A dewpoint of 65 around here usually makes us think of late October. If you have not been outside lately, do what I often tell my students to do. Go to Ace Hardware, buy 25 inches of chain, wrap one end in electical tape, then flog yourself unmercifully across the back. You deserve it.

In late afternoon, I went to Plate City where I hung out with Pee Wee and did a nice push workout. I did the shrug again for the third day in a row. Also I did the overhead press, a set of incline bench presses, some machine flys, and the seated dip. 

By now it was a bit late, and I had not swum, but I like to rest between and lifting session and a swim. I went to the pool with the idea of doing the minimum, and that is what I did. I went 1,400 straight then rolled over on my back for 50. So there you have it. Three workouts, but nothing really big. The story of my life lately. I'll turn it around soon. The mantra of my life lately. It doesn't really matter. The lie I tell myself lately. As long as you do something. My excuse latley.

Still too Stubborn to Stop

I sat down to write a post about my training, but wound up writing a reflection about the death of family. Here is the training for all two of you who like to read that. 

I started with a run. Since my road condition has been compromised of late, I did not go far. Too bad, however, since the weather is perfect for knocking off a long run. The weather, as it has become over the last decade and a half, was cool. Springs now are very cold compared to how they used to be. Cotton planting has shifted almost a month now. I went out Hades Road. I call it that because there was always burning out there. I have not seen any fires, however, in months. Maybe they finally finished. I went 3.15 miles.

Later, I went to the pool with good intentions. But once there, a lazy spirit took over and I swam a total of 1,750 yards. Yeah, I'm sorry like that.

Forrest was supposed to come to the City. I even cleaned up the place a little. But he didn't show. Despite that, I did a touch of upper body and hit the legs mildly. I am rebuilding my leg routine. I did a set of yoke squats, the first one of those in probably over a year. I will build it up to some real weight.

So I got three workouts in. They were not big ones, but I was out there, still too stubborn to stop.

Losing Cousins and Thinking of Death

On my first day off, I tried to sleep in, but I woke up early and got up early. I really needed the sleep but couldn't pull it off. Debbie sent out a text that the little pool was back on line so that was back on my agenda for the day. Add to that shuffling and the gym, and you know how I had planned out my day.

Yes, despite not being able to sleep late, I lounged long in bed and drank much coffee. I also thought a lot. The night before, one of my cousins notified me that one of our other cousins had died. I could not have been more surprised. I didn't know he was sick. He had just come to my mind a couple of days before. I thought that we should at least get together for a meal since he lived in Grenada which is not that far from here. Then, Bam! he is gone.

I am a bit stunned that I have lost so many of my cousins. Several of them have died young. Mike was only 58, and although we were not close, I remember him fondly. From all I could tell, he was a good guy. He was my mother's sister's son. Basically I saw him once per year while I was growing up. The last time I saw him was at his mother's funeral, which I had the privilege to preach.

When I was growing up, we always went to Louisville, Mississippi on Christmas day. Mom and Dad were both from this area. Mom lived in Louisville proper. Dad grew up in nearby Estes Switch. We went first the Mamaw's house (my dad's mother) where we shot firecrackers, caused trouble, and played on the phone. One Christmas, some of the roudy cousins set a photographer's car on fire. The family photograph taken that day is great. All the kids are happy, but the adults all look like their shoes are way too tight. We opened presents and ate lunch there. That's where I got to know all the cousins on Dad's side of the family. Then we stopped by Aunt Barbara's and Aunt Libby's (my mother's sisters). Mike was Aunt Libby's boy. I never knew him to set anything on fire.

Now, all the uncles are gone. Now, all the aunts are gone except one, Aunt Mary, who lives in Noxapater. Penny and I plan to see her this Sunday. Too many of the cousins have also passed. Without straining my brain too hard, I can think of four who have died and all relatively young. Another is ill, and his prognosis is not good.

I guess that is how life is this side of glory. People die, and we are on the list. We just don't know when our name will be called. Love your loved ones. You never know when they are going to leave you or you leave them. 

Another One Done

Tuesday was another long day at work due to final exams. The indoor pool at Twin Rivers was offline, so at least that narrowed my day a little when I did get off. I decided that I needed to go out on the road and run. The little bit of running I have done has all been on the treadmill for the past MONTH. I shuffled 2.1 miles. I must look rediculous out there at my old man pace, but I am still too stubborn to stop. Maybe this week I can get some miles in. Yes, I could tell that my fitness level has fallen.I hope to recapture at least a modicum of it. That should not take too long since a month ago I had real good endurance. 

At the gym, I worked pulling movements. On the machine shrug, I went to 315, a new PR. I didn't do a huge amount, but I was out there and so was Pee Wee. Thus I have had two good days in the gym with two days of light shuffling. Now maybe I can run some more and swim today. The pool is back up. Yehaa. Today is four days out of the water. It's one thing to get out of running shape. To lose swimming too? That is a tragedy I cannot bear at this moment.

Right now, I just finished the semester. Yeah, that. It was one of the most difficult ones I have had in years. I'm not complaining. I love the job. But I need the break. Thank you, Jesus, that I get a break. Summer I starts at the end of the month. Yes, I am teaching, but this suits me much better than last summer when I taught the second semester. That way, you go right out of summer school into the fall semester. Not fun. This time I have a couple of weeks now and I'll have about a month then. Praise God.

You Are Very Welcome

Because it is exam week and I worked late, and because Forrest said he wanted to come to Plate City, I skipped the pool Monday. Not only was Forrest supposed to come, but Tyler mentioned stopping by also. So I went the the City with high expectations. 

Since I am a swimmer, I do a lot of corator ruff exercises, so I went out early and started those. I did four sets of external rotations with the green cords, three sets with red cords, and two sets with dumbbells. Yeah, I'm bad like that. Also I did some treadmill running while I waited on my company. 

Eventually, I started the workout proper. After a few sets, I was getting the idea that no one was going to show up. Pee Wee was there. Thank God for Pee Wee. He is always there. In all, I did a pretty massive workout. When I went back inside, I was pumped up in the old Hans and Fonz fashion. I did a bunch of sets on the overhead press machine and for the first time since I bought it, I wored on percentages. I added two sets of incline bench press with a regular bar. Except for Saturday when the boys were there, that is the first time I have used a regular bar on the bench in months. And I haven't done a flat bench in I can't remember when. 

In addition to all of that, I did a set on the fly machine and one on the seated dip machine. That seated dip put the polish on my punished muscles. I performed 16 reps with a bunch of pounds for me. When that was over, I was finished, ready to be set on a shelf. Then I went inside and set myself in bed for the rest of the night. I deserved it despite what some of you might think.

The treadmill shuffling amounted to 1.57 miles. Yeah, I am still on track to bust the bottom out of my run training. Again. But at least I did something. Something is 489 times better than nothing. I hope you appreciate that information because I stayed up one whole night doing the calculations on it. Get out there and do something, anything. Take a walk, ride your childhood bicycle around the block. Play toss with your dog. You will be 489 times better for it. 

You're welcome. 

Boxes on the Floor: A Short Tribute to my Wife

We have never talked about this, but it has been on my mind lately. Penny has always been very picky about her house. If a package came, the box had to be picked up immediately, not in a few minutes but now. She got that from her mother, I think, or maybe it is just hard wired in her. Somethings are like that. Despite that trait, we have been married a long time. I am not so good at keeping things picked up. 

We have always had cats. (Some of you might already know where I am going with this). She is not really a cat person, but I am. Currently, we share a house with four felines. They all have their own unique personality, but they all share some common cat traits.

Now and for the past few years, if a package comes, she leaves the box on the floor for a week or more. She doesn't have to tell me that the box bugs her. I already know that. But her heart is so big that she will leave a box on the floor so the cats can play in it. 

This makes me proud of her. It reveals the heart of a mother. Mothers are like that. They sacrifice their own comfort and likes for the happiness of others. Since our children are grown and on their own, it is the cats who are the recipients of her largess. But I also receive goodness from boxes on the floor. It blesses me to see her do this for the fur babies. That you, Babe, for being who you are.

4/24 - 4/29

My slide down the mountain continues. Not in the water, but on the road (frag intended in case my students read this). This has been a tough semester for me. They should be a bit better in the future because the Enhancement of Study and Employment Readiness courses are being spit to different semesters. Also, Old Testament Survey, which I love to teach, is one that requires a lot of preperation. I will be offereing it once per year now. Teaching those three in one semester was a load. The other four courses, not so much, but those three kept me working.

That much work had a negative impact on my training. But the semester is almost over, and I am looking forward to stopping the downhill slide. Praise God. Starting today, we give final exams. I will be done before the end of the week. Three guesses what I will do. Yeah, run more, hang out with Pee Wee, and maybe even spend some time with my bride.

Monday I had a decent swim of 3,325 yards. Tuesday was only a little better with 3,350 yards in the water and 1.19 miles on the treadmill. Add to that a little lifting, and you have my day.

By Wednesday, I was thinking numbers, and I upped my game in the pool to 4,500 yards. On the treadmill, I hit 1.69 miles. In the gym, I lifted thoroughly to have one good training day.

I trained with Alaina Thursday, and we did that big 12 X 400 thing and wound up with 5,000 yards. Yeah, we're bad like that. That pracitice, however, gave me a hangover that cut Friday's swim down to 2,350 yards. I also shuffled 1.12 miles on the mill and did some light lifting.

Saturday was the big day with the boys. We lifted heavy, hard, and long. At the pool, I added another 1,500 yards to my total.

For the week, I

  ran 4.0 miles (!!!!!!),

  swam 20,025 yards or 18,302 meters,

  lifted weights four times, and

  skiergged 1:00

That makes four weeks in a row that I have hardly run. I started this year with a marathon, then did a 50K, and folllowed all that up with a half marathon. Now I would probably stuggle to finish a 10K. But life is like that, and it will come back. You can't always be in top form. In fact, it is good for the body to modulate your fitness. The body responds well to an increasing workload. Well just keep adding training and never slow down, you say. That leads to a broken and sick body. You can only do so much. You push to a peak, then back off for a while. Then re-peak. For me, life makes me back off, so I don't have to program lighter loads on the training. They happen by necessity. 

Well, that is all for today. I have to go to work, and give some exams. Move your body, train hard, think up a challenge and do it. Life is more interesting that way.