What a Peetiful Day

Friday came around, and I was left to myself. I drank one cup (a big one) of coffee and hit the road. I had earlier in the week hatched the plot to run a loop south of town, out Old Damgard Road, to the levee, down the levee to Highway 49, then through the industrial park, River Road, and home.

The weather was cold and rainy. I loaded my stuff and left the Hideout at 8:45 a.m. shuffling like the old man that I am. When I got onto Humphry Highway, I had to pee so bad that I ducked into the bushes in front of the Country Club and let her go. That was three miles from home. The Old Damgard Road is two miles past the Country Club. I could not make it that far before I had to descend into the bar pit and pee. I will go ahead and answer the question you will ask before you finish reading this. I consumed a normal amount of fluid the day before. Really.

Once on the Old Damgard Road, I was looking for a place to pee. Finally, I ducked into some woods thinking that I must be drained down pretty well by now. Less than a mile later, I was peeing again. Then about a half mile later, I made it to the Pelucia Creek levee where I let loose some serious urine. The distance between Old Damgard Road and Highway 49 on the levee is exactly two miles. I peed twice. No, I did not take, do not have, nor would I swallow a diuretic. 

The Industrial park road to the frontage road on Highway 82 is also exactly two miles. Just after I got on it, yards past the Humane Society shelter, I found some trees to hide behind and pee. Then between Leflore Steel and the Highway Patrol Station, I went down into the ditch so I could hide and take a needed pee. From there, I made my way to the frontage road, up 82, across the highway, and onto River Road. I went east on River Road, over the bridge and onto the river trail where I was able to once more-- you guessed it-- take a pee.

Finally home, I was able to get out of my wet clothes and take a pee. Then I ate a light lunch and watched TV. For the next six hours I did not drink a single drop of anything, but I continued to pee about every thirty minutes. At this point, I was becoming a little worried. Penny and I went out to eat. I had an eighteen ounce steak, a baked potato, and a salad, as well as lots of salsa. I weighed Saturday morning, which is normally my second highest weight of the week. I was down 1.6 pounds from the day before. Normally I would be up three pounds. Even my face looked thinner in the mirror.

I am not a socket rientist, but I think it is pretty obvious that my body was holding a lot of water and decided to let the excess go. Is this something to be concerned about? Sister, let me know. Thank you, Jesus, that I am alive and feel well today.

Oh, I covered 15.85 miles on foot: run = 12 miles, walk = 3.85.

Wild Wednesday

Wednesday's scheduling gave me time for three. But I did not do it. Why? OK, I'll tell you about it. First, we had the rematch between me and Mary Peyton Rodgers. I was able to hang with BK for the full three miles and narrowly defeat Ms Long of Leg. My pace pleased me at an average of 9:56 per mile. There was a time when that would have horrified me. Now, however, I was as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine. Over our last several races, my pace has dropped thusly:

 12:10

 11:07

 10:40

   9:56

The old, the strong, and (not pictured)
the long.

Despite my precipitous increase in speed, MPR has gotten closer every time. Really, she is frightening. She reminds me of 2 Kings 9:20. Observing from the city wall, the watchman, seeing chariots approaching, announced:

   

     And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not             again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu for he driveth furiously.

Mary Peyton walketh furiously.

Yes, of course I went to the pool. John was a no show as well as a no call. What else is new. I swam 

2,000 42:07 (yes, that is very slow)

brick kick

50 easy 1:03

50 back 1:17

total: 2,100 yards = 1,919 meters.

I went home and it was raining like a furious monsoon. Not only that, but my training buddy and gym partner was in the hospital. That took the steam right out of me. Although I have a top over Plate City, I did not want to get wet, and I did not want to get wet. The second wet was the fear that if I went out there with Pee Wee gone, I would cry and become despondent. He always hangs out with me while I train.

We woke up Wednesday morning to a sick dog. I took him to Dr. Andy. He looked fine by the time we got to the vet, but earlier, we thought he was dying. I called after the race and they told me that he was constipated and had a foreign body in his stomach. A what!?!?!?!?!? I guess he ate one of his toys. Or maybe he ate a banana peel. I have thrown a couple of those into the yard lately. I never dreamed he night eat one of them and cause trouble. You would think a dog's stomach could digest it if he did because I saw some people on Facebook eating banana peels.

Well, he is still there, but it looks like he is going to be alright. Thank you Jesus.

Three on a Hard Day

At work, I have two easy days and two hard days. On Mondays and Wednesdays I only teach two classes and they are the ones I have been teaching for twenty years. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, however, I have five and on Thursday my fifth class meets only once per week which means three hours. It's tough, yeah, almost like having a real job.

So getting three workouts on Monday and Wednesday is not trick. Rarely, however, do I pull it off on Tuesday and Thursday. I did yesterday, Tuesday, and I am proud of that. First, I went to the pool where I didn't do much. I swam

1,200 23:58

brick kick

50 easy :56

50 back 1:13

25/25 breast/free 1:02

total: 1,350 yards

 

My shoulder did not like the breast. Go figure. My teres something (major or minor) did not appreciate the out sweep the breast stroke takes before the pull. So it looks like I will not be doing anymore breast stroke for a while.

At home, I went for a shuffle down on the river trail. My legs are still a bit flat so I only did 2.04 miles. Then at Plate City I did pulls on the chest supported row machine and the lat pull down. It was dark when I finished and Pee Wee was happy.

It was a good day, yeah. Thank you, Jesus.

New Week

I got three, yeah. Not a big three, but a real three. We had another long day at work, training in the afternoon. So I went home and got my run in going 5.44 miles. My legs were not even close to fresh. 

After work, I went to the pool and swam

1,900 37:02

brick kick

50 easy

2 X 25 build

total: 2,000 yards

That is the most I have swum in six weeks. True, six weeks. The shoulder is getting better, but I still felt it a little. The 25 builds were to start pulling the water a little harder, just a bit.

At home, I went to Plate City and benched

  15 X 45

  10 X 67

  10 X 100

  7 X 115

  4 X 130

  3 X 140

  3 X 140

For the first time in weeks, I did some assistance work. Not much, but I did one set of seated dips at 90 pounds. Slowly, I am coming back. Thank you Jesus.

HOD 13

I had a big week on the roads, a big one in the gym, but a small one in the pool. Monday I ran 5.41 miles multi-paced, swam 1,850 yards, and lifted weights. Good training, yeah.

Tuesday I shuffled a mere 2.52 miles. I even forgot that I do not swim on Tuesday and went to the pool and hit 1,150 yards. Also, I hit the gym for some heavy pulling.

Wednesday is my day to swim so I did 1,900 yards, rans a total of 4.11 miles, and did not lift weights because I am lazy like that. 

Thursday, I ran 2.04 miles and lifted weights while Friday I hit the road for an 11.4 mile run and the gym for some more fun.

Saturday, I shoe scooted out the gravel road for 2.01 miles and did some real leg work at Plate City. Sunday, besides preaching and napping, Penny and I went to Forrest's play at Davis Elementary (Crimes of the Heart), and I shuffled 1.24 miles. Yeah, that was really short. I rest on the Lord's Day. So the streak now is at 21 days.

For the week, I

  swam 4,477 meters,

  lifted weights five times, and

  ran 28.73 miles.

In addition to all of that, I chatted with Penny about my next dream. I am not yet ready to reveal it here, but I am thinking of something really big for 2023. For the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi fundraiser for 2022, I have created a new sport, which I have not yet revealed. For 2023, the Lord has hatched a new, bigger dream in me. Penny should be retired then and can crew me if she will. When I told her, she said, "Is that all you do, sit around and think up these things?" Then she added, "You better start training now."

I have. Thank you, Jesus, for dreams and schemes. 

Only One Day

I didn't post yesterday. Instead, I drank coffee and hit the road early. But first, there was Thursday. I ran 2.04 miles and then lifted weights. Remember I teach a class on Thursday night so I have only been getting in two workouts at best.

Back to Friday. I went out for a long, multi-paced run. I did 11.4 miles with some pickups in there, which exacerbates the fatigue. In short, my endurance is coming back, and I am starting to dream so crazy stuff again. I already have a crazy plan for my DFM fundraiser next summer, Likely to be completed on my birthday, June 2. I will be 66 years old.

I have other challenges running through my head like the action of an awesome movie I just watched that won't leave my brain. I have enough thoughts to take me into my 70s. Some involve running alone. Some involve running and a bicycle. Some involve running, a bicycle, and a pool or pond. Some even involve a gym.

I did lift Friday but I did not make it to the pool. Penny got off early, and we went to the Yazoo County Fair. Kathryn Ledbetter gave me the heads up on it so I asked Penny if she wanted to go. We rode the Farris Wheel, and I was frightened. We ate food like we were deprived. I had two hamburgers, Penny had a giant corndog and a hamburger, we had a funnel cake, and I bought two boxes of popcorn. It was all good, yeah.

So now I sit here, peck on this computer, and plan the next twelve hours. Who plays college football today? How far will I run? Will I swim? Will I lift? Am I prepared for tomorrow? Will I go to Monroe and move some stuff? How much attention do the cats need? Pee Wee, how much petting does he have to have? Saturday is only one day. Thank you, Jesus, that I get to live it.

Three, Not!

I got another three. Yee ha! A match race was scheduled between MPR and me for 2:00 p.m. on Greenwood's linear park. She didn't show. But Bk and I ran, and I hung with her for 2.35 miles before I dropped off. On the way home, I shuffled along at a 14:30 pace with my heart rate at or over 160. What!?!?!? Yeah, I don't know what's going on with that. Maye it is my body trying to clear the lactic acid I dumped into it by running at a higher pace than I can hold for three miles.

Anyway, I went to the pool and swam

1,800 37:31 (Yes, that is slow)

brick kick

50 easy

brick kick

50 easy

total: 1,900 yards.

OK, I was wrong. I did not do three workouts. I remember now. I got home from the pool, and I was tired and my legs were blown out. Since it was leg day at Plate City, I stayed inside with the cats so I could run today. Thank you, Jesus.

Controversy at Match Race 2

Controversy at Match Race 2

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi)  After the special match race last Wednesday October, 13, 2021, where Zane Hodge dealt Mary Peyton Rodgers her second consecutive defeat, the long-legged, high-spirited athlete immediately filed a complaint against Hodge. She made a formal charges to the Big ASS office of "irregularities in the race" that, she argued, should result in her being granted an immediate rematch. Dr. Timothy Nomann, president and CEO of Big ASS, granted the rematch.

Ever since the Association of Sports Swimmers, the Association of Sports Syclists, and the Association of Sports Shufflers merged in 2010 to form Big ASS Endurance, Hodge has been at the center of almost every race and controversy. 

Hodge was perturbed but surprisingly relaxed when I visited him a few minutes before he was scheduled to walk to Greenwood's linear park. 

"You seem not so worried as you did last week," I remarked.

"I'm pretty confident I will beat her again. The only thing that bothers me is the so-called "irregularities in the race." I was never told what those were. So if I did something wrong, I don't know what it was and I might do it again out of ignorance."

That was about all he said before he walked out the door and headed downtown. I followed in my company supplied golf cart so that I could observe the race both for oversight purposes and for reporter access. 

When we arrived, right on time for the 2:00 o'clock scheduled starting time, Hodge received a text message that BK and MPR were running late. At that, Hodge turned red in the face and began to pace. "MPR is messing with me. She is sitting in air conditioning while I am out here sweating."

A few minutes later, BK drove up. When she exited her truck, Hodge asked "Where is MP?"

"She's not going to make it."

"What!?!?!?! She filed a complaint on me and the race, secured a rematch, and she's not coming!"

At that, Hodge proceeded to go into a rage and throw a fit. He turned beet red in the face, growled, threw rocks, yelled, and just about looked like he wanted to commit murder. He fell to the ground and kicked and screamed and pounded the pavement with his fists. 

A Greenwood police officer in a squad car drove by, slowed down, rolled his window down and asked if everything was OK. BK and I managed to assure him that all was well, and he drove away slowly.

The ancient of days, the strong of arm,
and (not pictured) the long-of-leg

Eventually Hodge exhausted himself and we got him into a sitting position and began to give him Pedialyte. BK gave him a Snickers. "Here," she said, "you are not yourself when you're hungry." Finally, we got him to his feet and started the race.

This time, Hodge hung with BK for 2.2 miles. Then she slowed a little to accommodate him and he held on another .15 miles. In the first race, he hung on for .9 miles. For the second race, he lasted for 1.9 miles before he fell off pace. Making it for 2.35 miles marks a real improvement in Hodge's fitness.

When it was all over, however, Hodge announced that it wasn't over. Turning to me, he snapped, "I want to file for an In Abstentia victory."

I shot him a look.

"I mean it. If you don't have a form in that gold cart, you better go back to the office right now and get one or I might get violent."

"OK. OK. Your call."

And that was all I said. I got in my cart and rode away while BK drove away and Hodge began a slow shuffle home.

Nice Forget

Tuesday I did a good thing. I think. I didn't think. I didn't remember that I am only swimming on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and sometimes Saturday. I did that one time when I quit running about forty-five times. I tried to quit because the emotional pain became more than I could deal with. I had Achilles tendon problems for four years. FOUR YEARS!!!! I would vow to quit forever, go home from work, and put on my running shoes and head out the door, then remember that I had quit. One day, I started shuffling and didn't stop. After four years of pain and tears and forgetfulness, God gave it back to me.

Tuesday afternoon, after another long day at work, I realized it was not my swim day while I was stretching my pecs in the pool. Nice forget. I only did 

  1,100

  brick kick

  50 easy

  total: 1,150 yards.

But it felt good and it felt right to be so habituated as to forget. Not a problem.

It was short day for the road. Last week I did 2.51 miles. I wanted to beat that so I ran 2.52 miles. No joke.

Yes, it was dark when I went to Plate City. Well, almost dark. It was dark before I left. Again, I took it easy and hit the chest-supported row machine for

  21 X 40

  13 X 65

  12 X 70

  10 X 75

  8 X 80 

That 8 X 80 is a PR on that exercise. And I did other stuff to. A little. Yee haa. If you are counting, that makes three workouts per day for two days in a row. That used to not be a big deal, but certain powerful forces are trying to prevent me from training like that. I did it anyway. Take that, powerful forces. Thank you, Jesus.

Powerful Forces

Monday used to be my easy day at work, but powerful forces are at work to make sure that it does not stay that way. i got off work at 4:00 and rushed to the pool where John was still twenty minutes late, and I swam

1,800 34:30

brick kick

50 easy :55

total: 1,850 yards.

Back home I grabbed my stuff and headed to Money Road. I should not admit this, because if those powerful forces find out, I will not have time next week. Yes, I have to work late next Monday also. I had time to drive to Money Road and do my run and get back to my truck about dark. Why drive out there? Because it is my interval running day, and I like being able to run unhindered by sidewalks and traffic and kids on bicycles and all that other stuff. I did 5.41 miles of quality running.

When I got home, I was undecided if I was going to Plate City in the dark. When Penny told me that Pee Wee was waiting on me, I decided that I could not let my partner down. I kept the workout to the latest reduction of only bench presses. I pushed

  15 X 45

  10 X 67

  10 X 100

  8 X 110

  7 X 120

  6 X 130

  4 X 140

So I got my three workouts done. Next week, I know I will have to work way past 4:00 so I will be in mortal danger on Money Road and will have to stay up late to get my three done.

Sigh.

Still I write. Still I strive. Still I get it done. Still powerful forces do not like that. Too bad. Take that, powerful forces, and thank you Jesus.

HOD 12

I had a good week on the road, and I am still in the water. Monday, I started with a multi-paced run of 5.3 miles. Yeah, I am still running scared of Mary Peyton, the fierce walker. After that, I swam 1,550 yards. Then I went to Plate City Gym and lifted weights, still with lower volume and intensity, but slowly I am easing that up. 

Tuesday I did a mere 2.51 miles on the road, and as my custom of late is, I did not swim at all. I did, however, go to the gym and lift and hang out with Pee Wee.

Wednesday I was back in the water, but not until I had shuffled 3.88 miles. We had the match race on the linear park, and I ran the 3.0 miles way faster than two weeks ago. I kept up with BK for 1.9 miles as compared to 1.1 miles the last time we did this. Then I walked and ran home, and my legs were gone. I did another .88 miles at a pitifully slow pace. In the pool, I swam 1,650 yards before going home and doing leg work at Plate City. The weather is nice now, and I can now lift without feeling like I am going to die.

Thursday, I shuffled a very short 1.61 miles. My legs were really trashed from Wednesday. I did my gym work then went back to work. Brian Waldrop came in for me to speak to my Employment Readiness class. He did an excellent job.

Friday was big day, big on the road, and big in the pool. Well, not really big in the pool. On the road, I did 10.55 miles multi-paced. That is big, I don't care who you are. At the pool, I swam 1,700 yards, and at the gym, I hit my second pull workout of the week. 

Saturday was another three-workout day. I shuffled 1.61 (with no intention of matching Thursday's big 1.61. Funny how that worked out. At the pool, I stroked along for 1,750 yards and did a brick kick, my first one of those in a while. At the gym, I did legs and farmers' walk, taking the weight to 127 per hand on my top set. 

Sunday, we went to church, out to eat, and then  did lots of napping. Around dark, I went out for a short 1.51 miles of tipping around the neighborhood.

For the week, I

ram 26.97 miles,

swam 6,076 meters, and 

lifted weights five times.

That is pretty good training, overall, but far from what I need to compete at the National Senior Olympics. The main thing is, however, I have to get well and stay that way. The shoulder is better, but not 100%. Prayers appreciated. Thank you, Jesus, for the opportunity.

Back to Back Triples

Friday I busted out a multi-paced run of 10.55 miles. Yeah, the endurance is coming back. At the pool, I am still easing things up. I did 1,700 yards. I had just enough time in the day left to get home and lift some weights before Penny came in with groceries. That is a pretty strong training day right there, I don't care who you are.

Penny and I went to Larry's for supper. It was good, yeah. Then I woke up Saturday morning and studied for Sunday and later went to the pool for a short 1,750 yards. Since I did not do any doubles at the gym or skip any workouts, I had the whole of the day for legs and strongman stuff. I took a run, watched some college football, then went to Plate City where I did squats and farmers' carries.

I took the farmers' walk up to 127 pounds with each hand. That is 254 pounds that I  carried for 65 feet times two. Not bad for a small, old man who is not a strength athlete but an endurance one. Also, I did some deadlifts with the trap bar and wagon wheels. I went up to 215 pounds on that. There is more there. Over the next few weeks, I plan to keep easing the weight up.

By the grace of God and good health, I hope to complete a new sport that involves both endurance and strength this summer for my annual diabetes fundraiser. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me goals.

MDCC Friday (Thursday) is another one of my busy days. I have most of the afternoon off, but I go back to work at night. So to keep the day from being too busy, I don't even try to get to the pool. I do a run and go to Plate City. Plus prepare for class and try to rest and pet cats and hydrate.

I only ran 1.61 miles. The hard three of the match race plus the .83 that I shuffled home left my legs wobbly tired. Then at the gym I did squats. So Thursday I was tipping around like an old man. Oh, I forgot, I am an old man. Well, I was tipping around like an old man whose legs were tired and sore.

At Plate City, I did bench presses. The shoulder is about 1.5% better. Sigh. At least we are headed in the right direction. We are just headed there slowly. I pressed

  15 X 45

  10 X 67

  15 X 100

  12 X 110

  10 X 120

  6 X 130

  4 X 135

Notice that I keep easing the weight up. I will, by the grace of God, get back to where I was, physically and spiritually. Thank you, Jesus, for that hope.

Match Race

Match Race

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) Since the Association of Sports Swimmers, the Association of Sports Syclists, and the Association of Sports Shufflers merged in 2010 to form Big ASS Endurance, epic rivalries between Association athletes have raged. A new one has taken hold.

Long-time champion Zane Hodge is being threatened by new comer Mary Peyton Rodgers. The two had their first showdown September the 29th when the MDCC Greenwood Center held its homecoming 5K. Although Rodgers was only walking, she was barely beaten by a shuffling Hodge who seemed relieved not to be walked down by his co-worker.

A furious Rodgers threatened to "walk that little turd down, run over him, and leave footprints on the back of his shirt." Hodge was frightened by the ordeal and rapidly left red faced and trembling. 

Yesterday, October the 13th, a special match race was held between the two with the Association of Sports Shufflers sanctioning the event as the October Road 5K title. I went by Hodge's residence before the match to catch up with him and follow him to the linear park where the race was held. He was sweating profusely, while clipping his hair and finger nails to save weight. Not only that, but he cut an inch off the draw string of his shorts, and sprayed the top of his head with sunscreen so he could forgo a cap. "I will save weight on the cap, plus the aerodynamics, plus the heat trapping element of the cap."

"You're really worried about this aren't you?" I asked, surprised.

"Did you hear what she said about me, about walking me down, running me over, and leaving tracks on my back?"

"You don't think she will really do it do you?"

"Heck yeah, she'll do it. If she can. Have you ever seen her walk. She is fierce."

The contestants: Hodge the ancient
of days, Katie the strong of arm,
and Mary Peyton the long of leg

Scheduled for 2:00 p.m., the race started on time with Mary Peyton striding out to an early lead. Hodge had a look of panic on his face, but he and BK (Bad Kate) slowly reeled her in and passed. Hodge, who hung with BK for 1.1 miles in September, was determined to last longer this time. He did, going 1.9 miles with the young champion before falling off pace and almost falling down.

Nevertheless, he shuffled on, motivated in part by fear in part by pride. It was sad to see the aged champ being hunting like an old male lion on the Serengeti. He ruled for years, now he is prey and subject to a takeover.

Hodge struggled in just ahead of MP. He looked so distressed that the paramedics rushed him only to be pushed away by a still proud Hodge. Mary Peyton came in quickly.

"Uh oh. Here comes Momma and she doesn't look happy," Hodge said trying to inject some levity into the situation. MP smashed into Hodge and BK, sending the smaller woman pirouetting off the track. Hodge promptly left apparently fearing a fist fight.

Later, I went back to Hodge's home only to find the aged athlete with his feet propped up and sipping a glass of Kool aide at his backyard gym, Plate City.

"Well, I'm still champion," he said toasting me with his Kool aid. 

"No you're not. BK is."

"Well, I wasn't walked down and walked on."

"Congratulations," I said and left him there with his smile and his dog basking in his victory.

Typical Tuesday

Tuesday is one of my long days at work so since my shoulder is still a bit gimpy, I am swimming only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday right now. I got home late from work and went out for a short shuffle. I did 2.51 slow miles and then tapped out on the running. By the way, this was day number nine on my streak. We are supposed to do a 5K at work tomorrow today. Last time, I was fresh. This time, not so much. But still I hope to perform much better and stay ahead of Mary Peyton Rogers. I have been training and even lost a tiny amount of weight.

I ate a few peanuts, petted some cats, and rested a while after the run. Then I went where? Yeah, Plate City Gym, the best backyard gym in America, heck, in the world. It was pull night, and on the chest supported row I did 

  21 X 40

  16 X 50

  15 X 55

  12 X 60

Last week, I was wondering why I was so week on that move. Those were the numbers I wrote in my training diary. Or at least those are the weight numbers I put down. My reps were way off. Then I realized that on my second set I did not put on a ten but a twenty five last week. What!?!?!?!? Yeah, I'm smart like that.

So that was it. Two workouts, and I am still in the game. My weight this morning was 2.8 pounds under what it was when we did the last MDCC 5K. Maybe that will make up the difference with the unfresh legs. Thank you, Jesus, for good health and for losing 2.8 pounds. 

Strong Start

The MPR fear is still real and still motivating me to train hard. Monday, I started my workout by driving to Wade Road so I could run Money Road and do my tough interval session without traffic and the bridge that I would have to deal with if I ran from home. I did 5.3 miles with five .25 intervals at sub 5K pace and a .1 mile interval. Yeah, I am serous like that. Ain't no walker going to pass me in another race. 

I hope.

Yes, I went to the pool, and John was already there. Huh? Our meeting time right now is kind of -ish ish. I swam 1,550 straight. The shoulder felt OK, but I still did not want to push things either in terms of distance or pace.

Of course. Plate City was marvelous with the October air allowing me to train hard and only sweat a little. Since it was push day, I benched pressed. I have still not added the accessory work back to the program. On the bench, I pressed

  15 X 45

  8 X 67

  14 X 100

  12 X 110

  9 X 120

  5 X 130

That and some very light shoulder work was it for the day. I went inside, took nutrition, and hung out with the cats. Life is good. Thank you Jesus.

HOD 11

Monday I did it all. I ran 5.18 multi-paced miles. Then I went to the pool and swam 1,350 yards. Back home, I hit Plate City like it was my job. I benched but cut the accessory work out. Tuesday, I ran an easy 2.24 miles plus pulling at Plate City.

Wednesday I was back to all three. Remember Monday and Wednesday are my short days so I have more time. I shuffled 3.2 miles, swam 1,400 yards, and . . . and -- awe shucks. I did not lift. I mowed the front lawn. Staige Roberts fixed my lawn mower, and the yard really needed it. But we are getting close to the end of the mowing season and that will give me a little more time and energy.

Thursday, I shuffled 2.47 miles and hit the gym for more bench pressing. I have cut the weight and the sets while my right arm grows back on. It didn't fall all the way off like it did before. It was hanging on by a flap of skin so I took measures to keep things from getting worse. I duct taped it back on and started taking it a little bit easier.

Friday was a big run day. I did 9.42 miles with some multi-pacing. Then I went to the pool for 1,500 yards of swimming. I wanted the gym, but I ran out of time.

Saturday, Penny and I went to the festival at French Camp. When we got home, I shuffled 1.43 miles and then went to Plate City. I did a bunch of stuff but for the first time in months, I performed Farmers' Walks. My yard in my Farmers' Walk lane has been wet for months due to a neighbor's plumbing issues. That has finally been rectified and there are currently no wasps residing in the handles so I had some fun. I worked up to 116 pounds per hand for 2 X 50 feet. That is 232 pounds total for a little, old man as my wife likes to call me. I can go higher, but that was my first time with that exercise in a while. I like that one a lot. It works everything including the cardio. My trapezius muscles were sore the next day.

Sunday I shuffled 1.46 miles. What!?!?!? Yeah, for some unknown reason, I have decided to start a streak. I have never been much of a streaker. If memory servers me correctly, my all-time record is sixteen days. Sunday made seven, seven days. So I will be interested to see how recovered I am today. The leg work I did Saturday was the first in weeks, and the Sunday run was the first in years.

For the week, I

  swam 3,937 meters,

  ran 25.5 miles, and

  lifted weights four times.

The 25.5 was my first twenty-mile week in seventeen. Yeah, seventeen. I was pushing the swim until I couldn't anymore. Now I am pushing the run and even dreaming of a winter marathon. Huh? Just a dream, but dreams have a way of becoming reality. We will see. I do like the idea of running a full, official marathon at the age of 65 plus. What do you think? It's a goal, something to keep me busy. Thank you, Jesus, for good stuff to dream about and do.

A Good but Emotional Friday

Fridays are great. We have been on a four-day schedule for maybe twelve years now. Or more. It never gets old. My quality of life skyrocketed when we made the switch. Thank you, Jesus, for this tremendous blessing. What did I do? you ask.

First, I took a long run. Right now, a long run is anything six miles or more. When I was really fit, a long run started at ten miles. Well, I did 9.42 so that was pretty close to one of my old-fashioned long runs. I even did some multi-pacing. The prospect of Mary Peyton Rogers walking me down in another MDCC 5 K has me running scared. Literally. 

After eating and showering, I went to David Pentecost's funeral. I first met David in May of 1959. Yeah, that's pretty close to knowing him my whole life. We moved in at 422 West Harding. David lived at 418. He was three and a half years older than me. We grew up playing Tarzan, Cowboys and Indians, and war. He helped me build a tree house. He played baseball with me. We caught bees and lightening bugs together. We ran behind the mosquito spay truck together. We called it the fog machine. We rode bicycles together. We went to movies together at the old Paramount Theater.

He was there when I fought Mike Moses. He was there when I stubbed my toe. He was there when we used to go to the country and swim the pond. He was there at all my birthday parties. He was there when I had to go to court for crashing his dad's car. He was always there. 

When we got a little older, he used to wag me around like I was his little brother.  He took me places downtown that I would never have gone on my own. We raced little cars somewhere on Howard Street. We ate a steak sandwich at a motel restaurant on the bypass. He took me fishing on the Yazoo river. He taught me how to ride a motorcycle, his motorcycle. He taught me his paper route. When he quit his route, he passed it on to me. That was my first job, and it taught me a lot about life, how to be responsible, and how to deal with people.

After we grew up and married our lives took different courses, and our paths rarely crossed. When I worked for All-Delta Pest Control, I inspected his mom's house for termites every year. She always invited me in, poured me a cup of coffee, and told me about David, where he was living, what was going on in his life. 

The last time I saw him was when I voted for president in November. He was working at the polls. He looked healthy then, and I remember thinking how good it was to see him, and how those early childhood bonds never die. Time does not dim them a bit.

While I was out running one day a year or two ago, he drove up beside me and said, "I used to do that with you." 

"I remember," I told him. We had a 2.5 mile route that we measured with a bicycle that had a odometer on it. I remember the time my dad took the whole neighborhood on a bicycle ride to McIntyre Lake where we jumped off the bridge, and swam, and ate hot dogs. David made the trip. I remember the time at the cabin when we took a walk in the dark. I saw something that spooked me, screamed, and outran David back to the safety of the cabin. 

I remember David, who usually told me the truth, coming back from camp and telling me how they had to put their knives in their mouths and climb up into the rafters of their cabins, and defend themselves against bears that came in to kill them. I believed him, and when my parents stated talking about sending me to camp, I was terrified. I remember him telling me how the Russians would bomb us one day. There is no way that people who did not live through the cold war can know how frightening that was. I remember him telling me that he and I were going to ride our bicycles to Africa. I believed that we could and would. I'm sure now that David knew he was telling me a tall one.  

In short, David was a major figure in my life for a long, long time. He was good to me. My only regret is that I never told him that not only are those some of my best memories, but that I am grateful for the time he invested in me. I was just a kid. He had other friends. He could have hung out with them, but he spent a lot of time with me. As I reflect on those days, I sorely regret that I never expressed my appreciation and gratitude to him.

After the funeral, I went to the pool and swam 1,500 straight. The shoulder gets a little better every two days. I wanted to go to Plate City afterwards, but the day was gone, and Penny wanted to eat. We went to Hilltop and got a steak. It was good, yeah.

With supper past, there was nothing left to do but go home and watch Gold Rush. Well, I didn't really watch. I took naps while it was on. It was a good but emotional day. Thank you Jesus. When I turned the lights out and started drifting off to sleep, I was thinking of David.

A Little, Old Man

I waited for John to call me to go to the pool. Then I grew weary of waiting and went on by myself. He never called. He never does if he does not come. He just leaves me hanging. I no longer wait long on folks. If you will wait, that is all you will do. I swam

1,400

50 back

total: 1,450 yards = 1,325 meters.

As you can see, I am still easing the swimming back up a little at a time. I have paid my entry fee to the National Senior Olympic Games. I qualified for six events but only signed up for two. Why is that, you say? Because I have no chance as a sprinter or backstroker. I have little chance in the 200 and 500 free, but those are my best events, and I have decided that I am willing to get beaten in them.

After swimming, I went out for a run. My wife saw me and when I got home she was bending over laughing and slapping her knee and saying that I "looked like a little old man out there." Well, I am little. I am old. I am a man. So why is it so funny that I should look like what I am?

No, I did not go to Plate City. Why? Because I finally got my lawn mower fixed again, thanks to Staige Roberts. The front needed mowing pretty bad so I did it. I hate my yard to grow up.

How far? I shuffled, like a little, old man, 3.2 miles. That is three days in a row. I have it going again on the road, and I wrote a bunch of events down on the inside flap of my training diary. One more time, I am going to try to get my old form back. Thank you, Jesus, for hope. Without it, I am just a little, old man.

I Didn't Quit

I didn't. I did not swim Tuesday, but that was by design. Tuesday is my longest day at work. I go from 8:00 until 4:00 with no lunch break. So I told John Monday that I was resting the shoulder Tuesday. I ran, short and easy, going for 2.19 miles. That was enough after the 5.19 multi-paced workout I did Monday.

After running, I lifted weights. At Plate City, I only did my main movements. The accessory work will come back when my shoulder is fully well. It was pull day and since the chest supported row machine is not under the cover, I did seated rows to stay out of the rain. I did five sets and then two sets of lat pull downs. That plus some external rotations for the shoulder gave me all I needed for the day. 

Inside, I took nutrition, and then graded papers. Grading is always stressful on the cats because I get aggravated and the cats don't like that. Sorry CC and Baby Kitty. River was hanging out with Penny, and Luvie was in his spot in the kitchen. So it wasn't a bad day. Any day we have health and salvation is not only not a bad day but a good one. Thank you, Jesus, for a good one.

Don't Quit

I busted out some good training Monday. Sort of. I ran a bit, 5.18 miles, and it was multi-paced. I ran five .25 intervals at the pace that Katie Jones burned me out at during the last Greenwood Center 5K. It was tough, yeah, but that is what it's going to take -- that and some weight loss -- if I am ever going to regain some of my long lost form. 

Then I met John at the pool. I am still trying to get healthy so I only did a straight swim of 1,350 yards. I felt good and wanted to crank things up a bit, but even I am too smart for that. I held back and got out early. 

John tried to tell me not to lift weights. A few years back, Brett Freeman told me I was too old to run. John told me yesterday that I am too old to lift. I am not buying what they are selling. I might be a shell of what I used to be, but I am still out there doing it, still too stubborn to quit.

In the gym, I took it easy. I have dialed it back. I only did bench presses and external rotations. That. is. all. The pressing went like this:

 14 X 45

 10 X 67

 12 X 100

 10 X 110

 8 X 120

That is way down in both volume and intensity, but I am still too stubborn to quit. I have no plans to quit. If I am ever on a walker, I plan to scoot out there on that thing and do something. I read this somewhere and I believe it to be true that people don't get old and quit, they quit and get old. Think about that. Don't quit. Don't let a number in your head tell you that you can no longer be active. No, I am not one of those who believes age is just a number. Age is real, and it will win in the end. But you can beat if for a long time. Beat it while you can.

Thank you, Jesus, for the hope of eternal life where, I suppose, age will be just a number.

HOD 10 (Rough Side of the Mountain)

At least I got back into the water. I did not swim a lot, but I swam. Monday, I stroked an easy 1,100 yards and lifted weights. Tuesday, I tried to build on that, but was only able to do 650 yards before I tapped out. It was the biceps tendon that was a little tender. I lifted weights again.

Wednesday we had the Greenwood Center 5K. I ran a hard 3.04 miles. I performed pitifully, but it woke me up and frightened me. MPR told me that she was going to get in shape and beat me. That had me thinking and running for the rest of the week.

Thursday I was back in the pool for 1,200 yards. I shuffled 2.6 miles. Friday I swam 1,250 yards and ran 8.28 miles. That should put some endurance back into the legs. Saturday, I swam 1,300 yards. Do you see a pattern here? On the road, I did 2.54 miles and in the gym I did both push and pull. 

For the week, I

lifted weights three times,

swam 5.025 meters, and 

ran 16.46 miles.

That is the most I have run in a couple of months or more. The MPR threat has me worried. Praise God. I hit the bottom after falling off the cliff, and now I am climbing back up the mountain. As the old Early Wright song used to say, "I climbing up the rough side of the mountain/I'm doing my best to make it in."