Legs Got Theirs

Vicki and I took a long ride Wednesday morning. Or long for her. She has been whinning about not knowing whether or not she can ride the 27.5 of the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon bike leg. So I thought, let's solve this problem. We went 31 miles, and now she can mark that off her list of things to worry about. She even did a transition run after the ride so she knows she can ride that far and then run.

I did a little bit of book moving. I found two more boxes of books that I did not know I had and some of these were really good stuff. I gave two boxes of Civil War books to my old friend DC, and I carried four boxes to be stored for another friend I have been giving books to. Not only that, but I got all the books off the floor in the outbuilding.

In the afternoon, I worked legs and did a little bit of shuffling on the treadmill at Plate City. I did a warmup set, a high-rep set, and two heavier low-rep sets. Also, I hit the calves a little and ran 1.11 miles. With the morning's ride, my legs got theirs.

At the pool, I noticed that both of them were empty. Vicki was getting out of the big one and since I had not swum in there in weeks, I got into it. But I was not feeling it. Tired, I suppose, from rising early and working hard all day. I swam

  4 X 100

  2 X 150

  200

  250

  50

  total: 1,200 long course meters

That wasn't much of a practice, but like I always say, something is a thousand times better than nothing. Thank you, Jesus, for something. Thank you, Lord, for everything.

More Good Shooting

Well, my threats, vows, and plans to return to some good training are finally coming to pass. Monday, I did four workouts. Tuesday I did three. They went like this. First I took a longish run of 7.26 miles. The lower dew point made it not too bad for a longer run. In the afternoon, I visited Plate City Gym, which is one of my favorite places on earth. I did a pull workout, not a huge one but a little more substantial than Monday's pusher. During that time, Vicki came over, and I helped her fix a flat on her bicycle. That went OK, unlike Tyler's flats where we almost never got the tire off the rim.

Next up was the pool. I drove over with the idea of swimming outdoors, but it looked too busy over there to me. I went inside and saw Dr. Nause. We chatted a bit on why we do these things (swim and run). Once I started, I was still being cautious about my shoulder. I swam

  1,500 28:54 1:56

  350 back 7:59 2:17

  3 X 50 25/25 back/breast

  100 25/25 back/free

  total: 2,100 yards = 1,919 meters

I'm still not well, but that was a little bit better than yesterday. Thank you for that, Lord.

A Typical Day Swimming with John

I thought I'd give you a glimps of the swimming John and I used to do. Sometimes, particularly in late summer, we would swim for hours and that is no exageration. I This was several years back when I would do Swim the Suck, a ten-mile race in the Tennessee River in the late fall. Since my main goal was to beat Randy Beets, John would help me train. I did two types of practices for the Suck. One practice was 100s @ 2:00. I would build that one up to 25 reps and that was after a long warmup of 2,000 meters or more. The other practice was a straight swim. Each summer, I would build the time until I swam four hours straight without even a water break. When I could swim four hours, I could swim all day. Literally.

What would John do? John treaded water in the deep end of the Twin Rivers outdoor pool. Usually, I would say to myself, "I'm going to make that old man get out of the pool first." John was tough, though, and more times than not it was I who would get out first. When I began to tire, I would stop at the south wall by the deep end and give him a look. Most of the time he would aske me where I was, meaning how many meters I had swum. No matter how many I had, his answer was "Don't you want more?"

If I said no he would respond with, "Well, swim till I get out." It took him eight minutes for him to swim to the other end. But on these occassions it would take 20. Then he would stop and ask again where I was. If I said, "11,700" his immediate response would be, "Don't you want 300 more?" Sometimes I would swim the extra and sometimes not.

That was John. He pushed me, he pushed himself. I performed much better at Swim the Suck because of him. Only over the past two years he began to slow down. He often remineded me. "Remember when we used to swim for four hours?" he asked me several times this year. There is no way I am going to forget. There is no way I am going to forget John. "There was a man sent from God whose name was John."

Bull's Eye

Boy did I sleep well last night. I got up at 6:26 to use the bathroom. I had been asleep at 6:25. That's unusual to me. I normally wake up around 6:00 or before and never go back to sleep. Not this time. And over the years I have noticed that sleep at that time of the morning is the best.

Little wonder that I rested so well. I was tired, worn out from a day of workouts and other activity. If I missed the target several times last week, I drilled the bull's eye Monday. I started with rising at 5:17 to get ready for workout number one. Tyler, Vicki, and I rode out Money Road for a total of 20 miles. While out there, I was pulling and heard the unmistakable sound of bicycles crashing onto the pavement. Tyler and Vicki both went down, but fortunately the speed was slow since I was the one in front. Several cars and trucks passed, maybe eight. One stopped to check on them. That's about right.

When I got home, I changed clothes, hopped in my truck, and found a high gear. I went to the pastors' breakfast in Winona. That might be the last time I get to do that in months. I am supposed to teach summer school starting in July and regular school starts back in August.

After the ride and after the breakfast, I resumed work on the mountain of books under the carport. The mountain is down to a small hill now. I worked on that for the rest of the morning, and now I am almost finished. I still have some books on the back seat of my truck, some ring binders under the carport, and a pile on the floor of the outbuilding. The pile on the floor is so large that the lawnmower slept in Plate City last night. But today I should finish. This project has been like painting the old house. I never thought I could finish, but thanks be to "God who teacheth my fingers to war." By the grace of God, I am going to finish, and next summer my training will be off the chain. 

After lunch, I blogged and rested before getting up to go to Plate City. I did a mild push workout at the City for my second one of the day. It was not as hot out there as it has been lately, but it was still hot. Pee Wee didn't move around much.

I took a very short run for my third workout. I only went 1.29 miles, but bear in mind that I already did 20 on the bicycle. The third workout plus the heat made it real. Besides, there was still the late afternoon left, and I had plans for that.

The plans were to meet Tyler at the pool if it rained. He plays church softball and their first game was scheduled for that night, but he hoped for a rainout. He didn't get it so I was alone. Actually, Bubba Nause was in the pool when I arrived. Remember that last week I had that shoulder flareup so I didn't know how it would go. I took it easy and swam a slow 1,350. Then I did 300 on my back for a total of 1,650 yards. I decided to leave well enough alone and went home.

That was four full workouts, and I was like a good grilled steak: I was done. Thank you, Jesus, for a good day.

6/20 - 6/26

It was another less than stellar week with my training partner out of town and Penny and I spending lots of time trying to finish moving. Huh? I thought y'all finished moving. Well, actually, we finished moving out, but we have not finished moving in.

Monday, I rode an easy 11.4 miles on the bicycle. I spent a good bit of time trying to move in, specifically, get my books arrainged.

Tuesday, I lifted weights, push and pull, swam 3,050 yards, and ran 2.11 miles. That was a decent day but nothing was world class.

Wednesday, I rode 17.29 miles and hit the legs at Plate City. I did one of those weight/treadmill workouts that I have become fond of. I finished with 1.39 miles of running in and around several hard sets of squats. Also, I went to the pool and hit a solid 3,400 yards.

Thursday, I only did one thing: swim and I did little of that. My shoulder flared up so I stopped after 1,250 yards of mostly backstroking. 

Friday I did no training, but I did move a lot of books.

I lounged late Saturday before I went out for a run at 3:00 p.m. The heat index was 105. Yes, I enjoyed the run. Maybe it was because I have not been running much lately. I knew I needed a longish run to put some endurance back into my legs. And since I have not been beaten down by the hear over the past few weeks, I enjoyed being out there moving for that long. But that war all the training I did that day.

For the week, I

rode 28.69 miles,

swam 7,036 meters,

lifted weights two times (!?!?!?), and

ran 11.71 miles

The cycling was a little low. The swimming was a little low. The running was a little low. The lifting was a little low. I think that means the week a little low. Maybe this week I can bust it out big and have a week that is really high. Lord help me.

Shot Long

If I missed the target Thursday, and failed to even shoot Friday, I fired a long shot over the bow of the lazy ship Saturday. Heck, I think I hit the moon.

For the first time in I don't know how many weeks, I had a normal Saturday. I used it several ways. Number one, I studied for Sunday morning. While doing that, I drank my share of coffee and yours too. Why not?

Next, I worked on the book pile under the carport. I made some progress. Now I am thinking that one day I will actually finish. Next year, I am not going to be moving, I am not going to be fooling with books, I am going to be training. Yehaa.

I dragged out for a run around 3:00 p.m. Actually, it was exactly 3:00 when I started. The temperature was 98 and the dewpoint 68 for a heat index of 105. I had not run long in weeks. I went 8.21 miles, and I really did enjoy it. I needed to put some endurance back into my legs. When I was nearing the end, an oldish woman pulled up to me and rolled her window down. She gave me a look like I was unbalanced or something. "Do you know how hot it is out here?" she asked. 

Penny told me my response was less than proper. "It was 98 when I started," was my answer. If that is a smart aleck answer, then I am a smart aleck. OK, I am. She turned into a drive a little bit ahead of me. When she exited her car, I told her, "Thank you."

"Be careful," was her response.

I needed a session at Plate City, but the Ole Miss ballgame came on. I know, I have a TV at the gym, but my seat was good, the room cool, and I just could not make it happen. I never thought I would pull for the School Up North the way I did, but I enjoyed the game immensly. Yehaa.

Didn't Shoot

If I missed the barn Thursday, I didn't even shoot Friday. Heck, I didn't even pull my rifle off the rack. So what did I do?

First, I drank coffee and lounged a bit. Then I got up and moved books for the rest of the morning. I made a huge dent in the small mountain of books under our carport. We are going to finish one of these days. At least we are totally out of the other house, sold it, and just this week I paid the last utility bill over there.

After that, I had lunch with my sweet wife and then rested. Yes, I was tired. I kept thinking I would get up and take a run in the oppressive heat or maybe go to Plate City. Eventually, I gave in to my laziness and finished reading a biography of Gertrude Ederle. 

Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel (1926) and for several years she was the best swimmer in the world. Her range was and remains unmatched. Was and remains. She swam world class times in everything from 50 yards to 22 miles. Her 22-mile swim from Battery Park to Sandy Hook was the fastest time for that swim for 81 yearrs. Did you read that? That is unmatched in the history of athletics. It would be like Husain Bolt-- who won the 100 meter race at the last two Olympics-- also winning the 10,000 meter race, the marathon, and then going on to win a 100-mile footrace after the Olympics. That has not and never will happen.

She was one of those once in every five generations kind of athlete. I have worked up a PowerPoint presentation on her that I hope I can share with some audiences at some point.

I Missed the Barn

I shot low. No, I missed the whole target. No, I missed the barn. Actually, I missed the broad side of the barn. 

The day started with me trying to sleep late. Somehow I just can't do that anymore. I suppose it's the product of getting up and going to work for so many years. But I can still lounge, blog, and drink coffee. Oh yeah, and pet cats. I can pet cats with the best of them.

But wait, that's not what I did. I and one of my old friends went to Acy's for breakfast. I have said it before and I will say it again, if you have never been to Acy's for breakfast, why deny yourself one of the simple pleasures of life? Go, do it, live life a little.

After breakfast, I got to working on books. I cleared up one long standing load of books that covered up our dining room. I got a few stored in the outbuilding in the backyard. And I took a few hundred to the public library. Sigh. We still have a problem.

By the time I was soaking wet from moving books and all the coffee was drunk, it was lunch hour. Penny came home with a plate lunch from somewhere. It was good, and CC ate with me. She always wants me to share my food with her and I always do.

After lunch, I alternated between napping and reading. I was finishing up and biography of Gertrude Ederle. Who is that? you ask. She was the first woman to swim the English Channel. She was one heck of a swimmer, and I find her story fascinating. Her big breakout came in a 3.5-mile open water swim in New York City where she went up against a couple of America's best and the world's best, Hilda James of England. Ederle won easily and in an interview the next day said, "I didn't know I could win. I just wanted to have some fun." That pretty much sums up her approach to swimming. She just wanted to have some fun.

The story was so good, I decided to forgo running. I decided to forgo the gym. I decided to go to the pool fresh and "have some fun." At the pool, I did not have any fun. Remember that shoulder that flares up every now and again? Yeah, that one. It didn't hurt terribly bad because I did not let it. I stopped after 450 yards and thought, I am not going to wreck myself in here today. So I switched to backstroke and did 700 straight. Then I did 2 X 50 as 25/25 back/breast. After that, I decided I didn't want to have anymore fun.

So I finished the day with one simi workout, 1,250 yards swimming. That was it. But thank you, Jesus, for that.

A Touch Higher Still

I took a bicycle ride the first thing Thursday morning. This one was a touch longer than Monday's with 17.29 miles going into the fitness bank. That, along with some blogging, coffee drinking, and book moving, occupied the rest of the it.

After lunch, I went to Plate City. It was 98 degree with a high dew point giving a heat index of 108. That is a little warm. I was due for some legs and decided to mix some treadmill running in with it. I peformed four sets of squats with a short treadmill run between each set. I finished with 1.39 miles of running. I called that one workout despite the fact that it invovled two disciplines.

I went to the pool and once again opted for the little one due in part to water temperature. Although for most of the year the little pool is the warm one, right now at 86 degrees it is the coolest water we have. Since I have temporarily misplaced my old Garmin watch that has my practices programmed in it, I can't do my 50s set on the really short turn around. There remains, however, much that I can do. I swam

  2,100 41:07 1:58

  3 X 50 @ WIFL 46, 44, 47

  500 for time 8:05 1:37

  100 back 2:29

  3 X 30 @ WIFL 45, 42, 45

  400 small paddles 7:56

  total: 3,400 yards = 3,107 meters

That was a solid practice. On the long warmup swim, I worked on basic fitness, low end endurance. The 50s worked pure speed which is always nice to have. The 500 for time is a stamina set that works heart rate and lactic acid buffering. The back stroke worked the back stroke, added a touch of volume, and allowed for some active recovery. The 400 cool down with small paddles, added a touch of strenth training and volume to the whole practice. In short, this was a practice that will make a difference the next time I get into the water.

No way, you say. One practice cannot make you more fit.

Yes way, I say. I will get into the water Friday and with no additional effort swim my long warmup probably three seconds per 100 faster or maybe more. I have always responded quickly to swimming which is one reason I am so fascinated by it.

Well then, why not do a practice like that everytime?

Because one simply cannot. One would shoot oneself first. The effort is too much.

So how do the world class swimmers do it?

They have teammates who are doing the same thing. And they have a coach on deck who is barking orders at them. That makes a difference. I am alone with no one to yell at me and no one in the water to push me. Sometimes I have Tyler and when we swim together, my average pace is much faster. But more times than not, I have to write my own practice and execute it by myself. Sometimes I write an aggressive practice only to decide once there that I don't have the fire inside to pull it off and I do something easier.

I was faster when I trained two days per week at DSU. Under Petya, we swam the 20 X 100 set at least once per month, and we swam it on sendoffs that I can't even make anymore. Under Cagri, we always did fast 50s and we also did sets that involved changing gears a lot. Swimming one 50 at one speed and the next at a different speed all within the same set. The other guys, all two of them, were always trying to beat me and as a consequence, I swam hard evertime there.

I am just thankful that I have constant access to water now, and I have it year round. Thank you, Jesus, very much.

The Bullet Hit Higher

I came up on the target a little bit yesterday. It all started late in the morning when I finally dragged out of the house for some yard mowing and weight lifting. I love to do gym work and mow the lawn at the same time.

Explain, please.

Between sets, I crank the mower and do a few passes at the lawn. I love that. By the time I finished cutting the front, I had done six sets of bench presses and a few sets on the chest supported row. At times like that, I wish we had a larger yard.

After lunch and some rest, I went back to Plate City. 

Back?

Yeah. It was so hot that I decided to run on the treadmill.

Why?

Because, one, I am in the shade, and two, I can turn a big fan on me and stay fairly comfortable.

Neat. How do you beat the boredom?

T.V. That's why I put that big TV out there.

What did you watch?

I channel surfed. 

How far did you go?

I shuffled 2.1 miles. Then I went to the pool.

What did you do there?

Nothing of quality. I swam

  475 (I stopped to talk to Wade Litton)

  1,025

  200 back

  350 medium paddles

  150 back

  350 small paddles

  100 back

  350

  50 back

  total: 3,050 yards = 2,787 meters

Anytime I get three workouts in one day, I count as a victory, even if they are short workouts. The running was short, the swim lacked quality, the gym was OK, but three workouts equals improving fitness. I am sure of it. Thank you, Jesus.

Still Aiming High and Shooting Low

My streak of doing too little continued Monday despite my vows to train like a man possessed this week. I did get up and ride a bicycle for 11.46 miles. It wasn't fast, and it wasn't long but I did something and I always say something is a thousand time better than nothing. Later, I needed to make a trip to WalMart, and I took my swim bag with me. But when I stopped by the pool, it was full of kids, inside and out. So I went back home.

I was scheduled to speak to the Over 60s group at First Baptist in Itta Bena. When I have a speaking engagement, I do as little as possible beforehand. If I am able to pull it off, I spend my time praying and preparing. Monday was no exception. I did a presentation on "Christ-figures in the Movies." That's a topic that thrills my soul. I brought my computer and through a HDMI cable was able to use the really large TV so the crowd could see slides I had taken from the movies I used. 

What movies? Cool Hand Luke and The Journey of August King. I did a show of hands and almost everyone had seen Luke. One person claimed to have seen August. I was surprised that anyone had seen that second film although everyone ought to.

I woke up this morning thinking about all of that, all of the elements of those powerful films. Then I remembered something: the pastors' breakfast. I had planned to attend. I forgot. After the bicycle ride, I got in bed, pulled out my computer, and started reviewing, looking up Scripture, getting reading for Over 60s. I even spent time getting my clothes out, shining my shoes. And praying. I did lots of praying. I thought it went well even though poor Ricky Wheet spent most of the evening trying to get the sound system to work. Then my PowerPoint would not advance when I clicked the computer. Ricky had to run the computer for me. 

Sigh.

But I enjoyed it, and I think they did too. I even picked up another $100 for the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi. I mailed a check yesterday. We are over $8,000 now. Praise God and thank you, Jesus.

6/13 - 6/19

I had another subpar running week. I started Monday with a weight workout that included 1.53 miles on the treadmill. In the pool, I hit the big one for 2,500 meters.

Tuesday, I did my longest run of the week, going 5.27 miles. This was after riding 17.24 miles that morning. For some reason, I did not lift and I did not swim. I did, however, hit the gym again.

Wednesday I swam 2,600 yards, but I did not run and I did not lift. Thursday I shuffled 1.36 miles on the treadmill, lifted weights, and swam 3,350 yards.

Friday I lifted, swam 2,850 yards, and ironically, I ran 1.36 miles on the road. That was exactly how far I ran on the treadmill the day before. Saturday all I did trainingwise was to lifted weights, upper body pull, and lower body deadlift. 

For the week, I

  ran - 9.62 miles,

  lifted weights - five times,

  cycled 17.25 miles,

  swam 10,541 meters, and

  skiergged - 6:00

That wasn't a bad week, but my running has been down now for several weeks in a row. Thank God for good health and the opportunities to train.

Hope

I haven't had a normal Saturday in I don't know when. This past one was no exception. We buried John Misterfeldt yesterday. .I can't remember why I missed his wife's, Patsy's. funeral. I think I was teaching that day. 

I was pleasantly surprised at the prettiness, and quaintness of the cemetery in Richland. Patsy and John have a nice headstone on the top of a hill that overlooks a pretty neighborhood. I rode down with Jim and Cynthia Philips and back with Hal and Virginia Williams. Both trips were enjoyable.

I was also pleased when John's physician, Paul Sheffield, showed up. John thought he was the best doctor in the world and spoke of him often. After the funeral, Hal drove me to the house where John grew up. It's on old Highway 49 and there is a huge sign announcing the Historic Misterfeldt house. That was John's granddad. John grew up next door.

Back home, I needed and took a nap. Then I had to make some choices. Do I run, swim, or lift. I had not time and energy for all three. I chose the gym and hit a pull and deadlift workout. It was hot out there. Even Pee Wee was suffering. But I did it and pulled some real weight in the deadlift.

Now I'm looking forward to next week when I hope to get in some big numbers in all disciplines. Thank God for hope.

Not Big

Friday was one of those good days, not a stellar one but a solid day of training and coffee drinking, not necessarily in that order. I can't remember what order I did things in. I think I swam first. I swam

  2,000 36:59 1:51

  400 for time 6:20 1:35

  50 back 

  400 small paddles

  total: 2,850 yards = 2,604 meters

I ran, a little, into the teeth of the heat. Only going 1.36 miles, it wasn't too bad, but I could feel the heat even in my lungs. It has been warm here with dew points hitting 76 today.

Either before or after I ran, I went to Plate City. Yeah, I can't remember, but it certainly was not at the same time. Yeah, I'm smart like that. I did push and had to call it at that because Penny was coming home early and I had to clean up. We went to Hill Top, one of our favorites. And that answers the question. I lifted after I ran. Wowzer.

So it was a solid day of three workouts but none of them big. Maybe next week I can do big. Thank you, Jesus.

Stop That!

I put the stick in first gear Thursday and spent the day just idling along. In the morning, I went to Plate City. Being due some leg work (which I should have done Wednesday), I decided to mix squats with some treadmill running. Well, maybe I wasn't in first gear all day. I did a set of warmups and then shuffled .25 on the mill. Then I did my main set of 20, only this time I did 21. The treadmill lasted .3. From there I did another set of squats and another .41 of running. I finished with a set of seated leg curls and some more running. I finihed with 1.36 on the dreadmill along with some real leg work.

OK, that was one workout because of the way the two disciplines were intertwined. But I got two things done. A little before 6:00 I went to the pool Some kids were in the big pool with some large air mattress or something. I really don't know what it was, but it was almost as wide as the pool. I am not a nice man when I swim so I decided not to risk it and went to the little pool instead. I swam

  1,800 35:09 1:57

  3 X 300 @ 5:28

  1 X 200 @ 3:44

  1 X 150 @ 2:45

  300 medium paddles

  total: 3,350 yards = 3,061 meters

That was a strong practice. For some reason, I have always liked 3 X 300. It hurts good. Sometime in the past, I had programmed an additional 200 and 150 into my watch. In my Garmin Connect, I was able to get all my splits. Bear in mind that the 3 X 300, the 1 X 200, and the 1 X 150 are all one set. The splits are as follows:

  300 - 1 - 5:04 - 1:41

  300 - 2 - 4:59 - 1:40

  300 - 3 - 5:06 - 1:42

  200 -      3:14   1:37

  150 -      2:31   1:41

See it? The 300s are all pretty close to the same per 100 yard pace. The 200, as it should, drops the pace a little bit from approximately 1:40 to 1:37. The 150, however, which should drop the pace some more, slows to 300 pace, back to 1:41. That is instructive. That shows me where my fitness ends. Hence, I need to do this set again, and the goal will be to drop the pace on the 150 as my stamina rises. 

Notice I did not use the word "endurance." I used the correct term "stamina." Endurance and stamina are not symonyms although ten out of nine people don't know they aren't. If you are one of the ten out of nine who don't know the difference, slap yourself across the face and yell, "Stop that!"

Praise God, and please, Lord, make them stop that.

What Did I Do?

I'm trying to remember what I did yesterday because what I didn't do is pretty strong in my mind. I didn't ride. I didn't run. I didn't lift weights. So what did I do?

First, I wrote that piece on John, and I drank the whole pot of coffee. That took a good bit of the morning. I do remember thinking that it was too close to lunch to run so I bailed out on that idea, at least before noon anyway.

After lunch, I rested some. Drinking all that coffee wore me plum out. And then mid-afternoon I had an appointment with my financial advisor. That seems like a strange sentence for me to write.

I remember the time when I was a student at Wesley Biblical Seminary and our Septuagint Greek class met one morning at the Ramada Inn on County Line Road. The motel had a good buffet breakfast, and we ate and read Greek. I went back to get some more gritts, and a table of business men were nearby talking about putting $200,000 in this and $300,000 in that. The contrast hit me, and it hit hard. They were wheeling and dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we were parsing Greek verbs. I had made the trip there in a $200 pickup truck. I thought, "I am always going to be poor." But I also thought, "This (this knowledge) is what I want."

Well, by the great grace of God, I got my education, and I am no longer poor. The $200 truck is gone although I wish I still owned it. I loved that truck, and there was no way to be anything but humble when I drove it. I was humble and proud of it.

Some good people came by the house to pick up some Quadrathon T-shirts. Besides paying for the shirts, they made a nice donation. Crazy Man Quadrathon will be over $8,000 when I send in the next batch of money. Last year, the Great Geezer Run hit a new high for me at $7,000. 

By then, it was time to think about lifting. I talked myself out of that. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I mowed the front lawn again. That makes two days in a row, and it looks like palace.

After talking myself out of lifting, I talked myself into swimming. I went to the little pool and swam

  1,650 32:45

  10 X 50 @ :57

  250 medium paddles

  2 X 50 25/25 back/breast

  100 small paddles

That was a pretty good practice. I am still training with the State Games 400 meter free in mind. That set of 50s totalled 500 yards which is a little over the 400 meters of the State Games. The pace I was swimming them will get me the State record. But, I have to put them all together, or eight of them, with no rest. Can you do that? you ask. I will keep working these until the stamina is there and keep shaving time off the sendoff until my body can handle the huge dose of lactic acid this kind of swimming produces. Then the event, the adreneline of the competition, will bring it out of me on race day. Answer, yes, I can do it. That is my goal, and it will move me for a year.

Of course, there is a lot in between that and now. Up next is the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. I am the swimmer on a team that should win that division. So I have to be able to go a half mile at a really hard pace. For that, I need some hard, long course 100s. I think I will work on that today.

Thank you, Jesus, for a good life.

A Man Named John

The Bible says, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John." John Misterfeldt. I met him at Twin Rivers ten years ago. We became friends and training partners. We swam together two to six times per week for ten years. So when I say we swam together hundreds of times, that is not hyperbole. More like over a thousand. 

I have not written about anyone in this blog as much as I have written about John. For years I have lamented, complained, and vented about John being late. Once, my wife mentioned John in the presence of our daughter. "John!" she repsonded in surprise. "You mean he's real?" Both our daughter and son thought John was a literary device. I mean, no one can be late that often, can they?

Out of the hundreds of time we swam together, he was on time six. That is six out of probably a literal 1,000. I fussed about that a lot. I fumed about it, in part because John always called me and wanted to know, "What time?" 

Once I told him to just guess that he would be more likely to get there when I got there if he took a wild guess. That made him angry. Well, that made two of us. I was always mad at John. He was obssessed with when I got to the pool and would always ask me, "When did you get here?"

That question annoyed me. "I got here when we agreed to get here," would be my angry response. But he always asked, my annoyance notwithstanding.

One day at home, I was fussing about John. I was always fussing about John. My wife said, "You're going to miss him one day." That day is now. I knew she was right, but I did not know it would be this soon. John died early Tuesday morning. His cousin, Hal Williams, called and gave me the news. I cried like a little kid. It's hard for me to believe he's really gone. 

Besides swimming, we went to Alabama football games together, we talked together, and we argued with each other. I've never had a friend I fussed with so much as with John. In our last argument, we wound up yelling at each other. Yelling. He was raging about NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness; college football players can now be paid for these things). It is destoying the country, he told me. I told him it was not destroying the country because the country was already destroyed. He yelled that I could not believe that and go to heaven. 

What!?!?!

That was John. He was opinionated, argumentative, and intollerant. But he was my friend, and I loved him. The last couple of years had not been easy for him. But now, his battles are over. He 'fought a good fight, he kept the faith, he finished his course.' Yes, there is a crown laid up for him. There is a reunion with his beloved wife, Patsy. He is home. Congratulations, my friend. You made it.

John and I at an Alabama football game

Three out of Four

Tuesday I had a good training day, but I did not swim. Tyler and I rode early, and I got in 17.24 miles. Back home, I blogged and lounged awhile before heading out into the heat to run. 

It was hot but not the crazy hot of Monday. Tuesday's dewpoint was 71. Monday's was 76. When the dewpoint hits 74 or more, you had better be careful. It doesn't matter what the temperature is, with high dewpoints, you suffer outdoors. I ran 5.27 miles. Yes, I got hot, but that was good training.

After lunch, I went to Plate City. It was time for some pulling. While working out, I mowed the front lawn between sets and moved some blocks. To deal with the 93 degree temps, I turned on the big fan and would stand in front of it. Yes, it helped a lot.

When all of that was over, I was pretty much gassed out. I lay around and tried to encourage myself to go to the pool. Then I received a text from Vicki that they would not let her swim at Twin Rivers big pool. Someone found something unsavory in it. When I asked about the little pool, she said people were in it. That was the out I needed. There was no energy left, and when energy goes out of town, desire leaves with it.

So I did three workouts but no swimming. Hey, how mad can you get about that? Not a bad day. But there was another bad/good thing about it. My boss texted me about teaching Summer II. Huh? I wanted off this summer. It would be a good payday, but to me time is more important than money. I asked for twenty-four hours to think about it. That expires today. Sigh. Two classes. If I do it, I could buy some gym equipment and save some money.

Help me, Lord.

Two or Three?

I think I am finally free a little bit. I trained some Monday. First I went to the pastors' breakfast in Winona and then to French Camp to donate a bunch of stuff from our move. After lunch I visited Plate City. Between sets, I mowed the back lawn, and since it was Monday, I did push only. Then I got on the treadmill. The dew point was 75. That is getting in the truly dangerous zone. Since the treadmill is in the shade and I now have a large fan, I was able to run 1.53 miles without dying.

Then I went to the pool and swam

  1,200

  800 countdown

  4 X 50

  300

  total: 2,500 long, course, meters

So the question is, was that three workouts or two? I lifted, ran, and swam. But the run was joined to the gym work, hence the query. Usually, the different disciplines are seperated by an hour or two so there is no confusion, it's three workouts. But even total meatheads sometimes get on a treadmill after pounding the weights. I don't think they would conceive of that as two workouts.

In conclusion, I guess that was two workouts. But I worked three disciplines. So there is that.

Short and Bitter

The BBU writeups are over. The Big Build Ups were my weekly reports on the Crazy Man Quadrathon training. Now I am training for the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon swim and next year's swim meets. In addition to that, Tyler and I have already settled on our fundraising challenge for 2023. I am not revealing that at this time, but it will be different.

Remember, last week was the final push to get moved. We did it and finally the move is over. Well, sort of. We have a carport full of stuff that we have to do something with. Because of all of that, I did not get much training done last week. Monday, I swam for a big 2,300 yards. Tuesday, Tyler and I rode early, I went 2,375 yards in the pool. It was not until Wednesday that I lifted weights, ran 4.42 miles, and swam 2,250 yards. Yeah, that was almost training again.

Thursday, we rode again, and I swam 2,500 yards. Friday I did my biggest pool practice with 3,300 yards. And Saturday, I celebrated us moving the last few boxes with a full-body session at Plate City gym and 1.15 miles on the treadmill.

For the week, I

cycled 29.67 miles,

lifted weights two times,

swam 11,817 meters, 

ran 5.57 miles, and

Skiergged 6:00

So there you have it. The training was short and sweet, or maybe I should say short and bitter. I grew frustrated as the week wore on. Only the swimming numbers were good ones. But it wasn't a total bust, and we needed some recovery from the Quad. This week, by the grace of God, I hit it hard.

It's Over!

We did it. After two years, one month, and eleven days, we finally finished moving. Really, I am not kidding. Last week, I stopped living and moved and moved and moved. By the end of the week, I was in a foul mood. I got to preach a funeral Saturday. While I was doing that, our daughter and son-in-law came from Cleveland to help Penny with the last of the indoor stuff. When I came home in the late afternoon, we went back over to the old place and moved a few remaining boxes.

When Penny asked me how I felt, I told her I could not beleive it. I kept waiting, maybe I'm still waiting on something to happen. But we sold the house, closed the deal, deposited the check, and cancelled the insurance. It is over, but I only feel it a little bit. Next week, I plan to train like a man possessed.

What did I do last week. I'll save that for tomorrow's post. Saturday I did do a little. I stayed in bed with my Bible and prepared for the funeral until late morning. When I got home and we finished up at the old house, I went to Plate City and lifted for only the second time of the week. I did push, pull, and legs. Yeah, all of it. And I ran 1.15 miles on the treadmill, only my second run of the week. But, the moving is over now. Next week I train.

Thank you, Jesus.

Choose

The great move continues, and my training continues. To suffer. Yesterday, I spent the day at the old place. For the past twenty-five months I have been moving books. For the past two weeks, that's almost all I've done with the exception of Quadrathon and the swim meet. I think I finished, but I'm like Pavlov's dog, and I can't really believe it. I can't accept it. I don't feel free. 

There is still some stuff in the house. Maybe when all of that is out, I will feel like it's finally over. We are close, and I want the freedom to choose to do something totally worthless like get in my truck and drive for hours only stopping to buy hamburghers and coffee. I want to be able to choose to drive to Little Mountain at Jeff Busby State Park and run up and down that hill. I want to be able to choose to stay in bed most of the day and hang with the cats, drink coffee, type on a computer. I want to be able to choose to go to the pool and swim until I can't take it anymore. I want to choose.

Speaking of swimming, that is all the training I did yesterday. I chose to do a pretty compilicated practice. I chose to swim

  3,100 1:00:08 (1:56)

  200 back 4:49

  total: 3,300 yards = 3,016 meters

Today, Penny and Andrea and Paul Turner are going to try to finish up. I have a funeral out of town. All I will do between now and then is prepare. Then I am going to choose to do something. Maybe I will choose a nap. Maybe I will choose Plate City. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

On the Track

No, we are not through. But I am working everyday and we are getting really close. We should be through Saturday or Monday at the latest. 

Huh? 

Moving. We are almost there. It has only been two years and a month. Once more: if you live in one house for forty-three years, you can't move. Forget about it.

Training?

A little. Tyler and I rode Thursday morning. I got in 14.12 miles. I swam Thursday evening.

What did I do?

  1,600

  9 X 50 @ :57 (first @ :55 and second @ :56)

  200 small paddles

  2 X 50 25/25 back/breast

  2 X 75 25/25/25 back/breast/free

  100 small paddles

  total: 2,600 yards = 2,376 meters

Well, looks like you're tearing up those 50s.

Not so much. I hit 46 on the last three. I will not go up in number or down in interval until I can hit them all in 45 or better on that sendoff. But I am on the right track.

And what is the track?

Well, the Heart O' Dixie is coming up. I want to swim well there. Then next year, the State Senior Olympics roll back around. Not only that, but next summer the State Games of Mississippi come back up, and one of my main goals is to set a new State Games record in the 400 meter free.

So you think you can do it?

I think I can if I work hard and smart for the next year.

Good luck.

Don't wish me luck. Pray for me.

Will do.

Back to Training

Wednesday I took time to go back to training. Not having run a step since the Quad, I knew it was time to go for a shuffle. Yes, I'm still moving, and I took time to do some of that. But around mid-morning I put on my running shoes and hit the road. It was hot, but I shuffled along for 4.42 miles. My legs didn't feel too bad. They are recovering nicely.

After a short rest, I went to Plate City Gym. That is something else I had not done since the Quad. I did push and pull but I did niether very hard or very long. But I got a workout in, I enjoyed it, and Pee Wee was happy.

Yes, I went to the pool. I had some intentions but I got lazy once I got there. I was tired and when I get tired, the quality goes out the door. Or it never makes it inside the door. I intended to swim a 400 for time and some other fast stuff. I did nothing fast, instead I swam

  1,500 28:51

  50 back

  200 small paddles

  50 breast

  250 small paddles

  2 X 50 25/25 back/breast

  100 small paddles

  total: 2,250 = 2,056 meters

So there you have it. Three workouts, none hard but soid and needed. And that makes three swims in a row. By the grace of God, today will make four.

Post Quad

Well last week was the big one. Tyler and I did the Crazy Man Quadrathon, and I did the State Games swim meet two days later. Did the Quad affect the swim meet? I think it did. My times seemed a little slow to me, especially in the sprints. They "seemed" slow, but I had never before done a short course meters meet. So there's that.

This week? I have been extremely busy. Penny and I have been trying to move for the past two years. Two years? Yeah. We were at our last house for 43 years. Moving after 43 years is virtually impossible. Anyway, we closed on our old house this week, so we have been in a mad dash to finish up. Consequently, training has taken a hit. Monday I swam doing this:

  1,400 26:13

  7 X 50 @ :58

  25 back

  125 back

  3 X 25/25 back/breast

  250 medium paddles

  total: 2,300 yards = 2,102 meters

Tuesday morning, Tyler and I rode 16.55 miles. A gentleman's ride it was. After moving books for most of the day, I swam

  1,450 27:10

  8 X 50 @ :57

  200 back

  25 fly

  2 X 50 25/25 back/breast

  300 medium paddles

  total: 2,475 yards = 2,262 meters

At least I'm swimming, and I am doing it with next year's State Games in mind. Did you notice the 7 X 50 @ :58 Monday and the 8 X 50 @ :57 Tuesday? That's progression and density training. I am shooting for a new State Games record in the 400 meter free next year. There, I said it. I have made it public. Now I have to do it. 

Today, I need to run and lift and swim and move stuff. 

Sigh. 

At least we are almost through. 

Thank you, Jesus.

State Games Swim Meet

It's hard for me to believe that the State Games of Mississippi have been going for twenty-nine years, and I am just now hearing about them. Twenty-nine years. My cousin, Shay, mentioned them a couple of times so I did what everybody does now: googled. Wow. Forty two individual sports plus team sports and all ages can compete. I decided to jump into the swim meet which was held June 4, two days after Tyler Kirk's and my epic Crazy Man Quadrathon.

Friday morning, after the big Quad, I slept in and then drank coffee like it came down from heaven itself. Penny and I had reservations in downtown Meridian and a search of my memory convinced me that I had never even been there. I am 66-years old, have lived my whole life in the state, and had never been to Meridian, Mississippi.

Penny and I finally dragged ourselve out of the house, into her truck, and found a high gear. First we headed south then east. We stopped a little while in Jackson so Penny could hit three of her stores, then we hit I 20 East for M town. I was surprised when we got to downtown Meridian. It's bigger than Greenwood, and the downtown area has some really tall buildings. The hotel we stayed at, The Treefoot has thirteen floors, if I counted correctly.

The pool at Meridian Community College

We got checked in, which is a story itself. A few days ago, my bank contacted me about a charge on my card. I did not make the charge so they shut my debit card down. Until then, I had no clue how dependant I am on a debit card. Suddenly going back to cash and checks seemed like stepping back in time, back to the Stone Ages. 

When I attempted to check us in at the Threefoot, the lady behind the desk asked if I wanted to leave it on the same card. I told her the story and she told me that they had to have a card on file. We have a credit card, but we had not used it since 2019. When I handed her that, she punched in the numbers and said, "This one will not work." Our account had been closed. She repeated that they "had to have a card on file."

When I asked, "How about cash on file?" she said no. Huh? You're kidding, right?

To make a short story long, we eventually checked in on my wife's debit card.

Now, get this. When we went to check out, we were told that we weren't in the system. Finally, the girl found my name but told me that the record said, "Did not arrive."

Huh!?!?

Again, to make a short story long, she told us to forget it. After she repeated that a few times, I said, "Thank you," grabbed my wife's hand, and hustled us out of there as quickly as possible. We did not have to pay for the room. THANK YOU JESUS.

The swim meet was held at Meridian Community Collge. I typed the name of the pool into my phone's maps and let it lead the way. We wound up in a parking lot at a Mississippi State University extension. We had passed the college on the way to State, but I did not think the pool was there. From the pictures I found on the internet, it looked like it sat by itself off a highway. Eventually, we drove over to the Community College campus and started asking questions. We found it. The poo, is a six lane 25 meter job. I had never swum short course meters before. Looking at it, I could not tell the difference. Warming up, I took two strokes more per length than in a short course yards pool. Also, I notice that the T on the bottome to clue you when to turn looked farther away. I measured in by stepping it off in the water. It was six inches farther from the wall.

The meet started at 11:00. My first event was the 100 free. I was in the pool with several other guys in different age groups. I won the 65 - 69 age group, but was beaten soundly be a guy in the 60 - 64 group. He was Les Goff and will age up into my group next year. I have some work to do if I don't want to lose to him next year. I don't. I'm proud like that.

Next up for me was the 50 meter breast. I am a slow breast stroker. The only reason I signed up for this one is I was trying to improve my breast stroke, trying to broaden my range as a swimmer. I had a guy on each side of me. When we started and I broke the water on my pullout, I was suprised when I did not see anyone else. I thought, something is wrong. As I stroked down the pool, I was waiting to see the other guys pass me. I made it to the wall without seeing anyone. I turned and saw the guy on my left on his back. What!?!?!

After my turn, the other guy, now on my left was breast stroking but was behind me. I won. That was a huge shock to me that I actually won a breast stroke event. I was now two events in and had two gold medals. 

The 50 free was next. I was in the pool with Les Goff and a 52 year old who had been a scholarship swimmer for four years at Delta State. They both beat me, but I beat the other 65-year old in the pool for gold number three.

Again, for the 200 free, I was in the pool with the good guys, and the results were the same. The former DSU swimmer beat me badly, but he was not in my group. Gold number four.

My fifth individual event was the 400 free. This is one that I am suited for. Les Goff did not swim this one. The old DSU guy (everything he swam was a new State Games record) lapped me. But I won my group for number five in the gold medal department.

The guy announcing the meet then said anyone wanting to swim relays, come to one end of the pool. Since I did not have a team, I didn't walk down there. Penny and I were preparing to leave when Jack Malette, walked up and asked if I wanted to swim relays. I didn't know how to answer him. "We need ya'" he said, so I went down there.

I did not know until the whole thing was over with, but the relays there is a very impromtu event. They don't even show up in the official results and everybody who swims in them is given a gold medal. That's how I wound up with nine golds.

About to swim the relays

Once down there with the other relayers, it was like being a kid in the backyard again. We quickly divided up teams, drew our plans up in the dirt, and swam. I had a blast. We only had three men on my team, so someone had to swim two legs in the Medly relay. The someone was me who swam butterfly and free. I did it. It felt ugly. I asked one of my teammates when it was over if it looked as ugly as it felt. He said he wasn't watching, which means he saw it and it looked very ugly. But I did it, and I feel really good about that. So we swam the 100 free realy, the 100 Medly, and then we moved some women around and did it all over again with mixed teams. Between the warmups, events, and cool downs, I swam 1,950 meters. A pretty good training day.

I have not had so much fun since I was on my honeymoon forty-five years ago. I am already thinking about next year. The State Games record in the 400 meter free is 6:22.49. I swam 6:36.52, and I felt like all my times were a little slow. Hey, we did Crazy Man Quadrathon two days before. I am going after that record. I think that with a year of training for it, I can break that record. That is one of my goals for 2023. Thank God for goals. They make life interesting.

The medals I won.

The swimmers who stuck around for a picture.

5/30 - 6/5

This was the big week, the week of Quadrathon and my first competition at the State Games of Mississippi. It started with a Monday morning bicycle ride of 12.3 easy miles. Now was not the time to train, but to do just enough not to detrain and get fresh at the same time. Also, I ran 1.78 miles and put in 3,050 in the little pool. 

Tuesday, I ran an easy 1.29 miles and swam 2,350 yards.

Wednesday I did nothing. At least I tried to do nothing. I mowed the lawn and a bunch of other stuff that I can't even remember right now. But I did no training. 

Thursday was the big day, Crazy Man Quadrathon. We powerlifted four events, swam one mile, cycled 55.2 miles, and ran 6.8 and walked 3.2. As I told Tyler, "We almost got a good workout."

Friday I tried to sleep in. Then I got up and packed. Penny and I headed to Meridian for the State Games of Mississippi swim meet. I had a blast and won nine gold medals. Between my races, warmups, and cooldowns, I swam 1,950 meters. I'll do another post on the meet.

For the week, I

swam - 8,509 meters

cycled - 67.5 miles

lifted weights - one time

ran - 9.87 miles

walked -3.2 miles

It was an interesting and fun week. Quadrathon was a new experience. The State Games swim meet was fun, and I want to go back. Thank you, Jesus, for a nice trip with Penny. We both enjoyed ourselves. 

Crazy Man Quadrathon: the Report

Bethany wanted a video of us running, I took three "strides" and doubled over in pain. That was not going to work. I could barely walk. Running was out of the question. I took a few steps walking and felt stupid. I could not straighten my torso. Not only did I bend forward, but I bent to the right side, and no amount of effort would allow me stand up straight. My back muscles were in a spasm and any movement caused pain. I did not want to be seen like that.

It was June 2, 2022, and Tyler Kirk and I were beginning the last leg of our Crazy Man Quadrathon, our fundraising effort for the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi. We had started at 5:33 a.m. from 722 Crockett with a 2.8-mile run to the end of Hades Road and back. That was to get us awake and get a few miles in before the sun was up good. Normally, on June 2, doing endurance events requires a great effort to stay hydrated and to manage body heat. Splitting our ten miles of running up was one way we planned to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.

With the first run over, we went to Plate City Gym for the powerlifting meet. Since a powerlifting meet starts with the squat, I checked the j-hooks on the power rack. They were a little high for me, set there the last time Tyler squatted heavy. When he goes heavy, he likes the hooks high, too high for me. We lowered them, and he suggested that I squat first and get mine out of the way so we could raise the hooks and leave them there.

I worked up quickly and put on a pair of .25 pound plates to give me a PR. Really, .25 pound plates? Yes, I had recently ordered a set of fractional plates from Titan Fitness, and they came in the day before just in time for our meet. I had been looking at them online for two years but they were always out of stock. Finally, I found them in stock and immediately ordered a set. Besides the .25 pounders, the set includes a pair of .5s, a pair of .75s, and a pair of one pounders. These allow for very small increases in weight instead of the minimum of five pound jump if 2.5s are the lightest plates you have.

After making the half pound PR, I knew I was good for a bit more so I took off the .25s and put on the one pounders. I made the lift and decided that was good enough although I felt like maybe I could have done a little more. Why am I not revealing how much I squatted? I am ashamed of how pitiful my leg strength is. My wife does not even know how much I squat. Tyler Kirk is the only person on planet earth who has the security clearance to have that knowledge. We raised the j-hooks and set Tyler loose who went to work and maxed out at a nice 355 pounds.

Next was the bench press. Again, I went first and worked the weight up rapidly. Just like with the squat, I went .5 pounds above the last time I maxed out on the bench. After making that lift, I knew there was more. Again, I took the .25s off and added the one pounders to take the weight to 162. The bar stalled about three inches above my chest and Tyler was reaching down for it when I felt the bar move ever so slightly. I grunted "No," and grinded for about ten seconds before I locked it out. That was a true max. I don't think I could have pushed another ounce. Tyler then took possession of the bench and maxed out at 305 pounds.

Next, we moved to the deadlift. I hit an all-time PR at 270 pounds and decided not to try for more. A pulled back muscle would make the rest of the event impossible. Tyler also PRd at 430. Up next, the log press.

I quickly maxed at 25 pounds over the log weight which I think is 63 pounds. Titan no longer makes this particular log, and I don't remember its specifications. If correct, that would give me a total of 88 pounds which ties my all-time max on that lift. Tyler hit the log plus a full plate on each side for 153 pounds. If you are figuring that Tyler is twice as strong as me, congratulations, you win a cookie.

With the powerlifting meet over, we headed out running to Twin Rivers for our swim. We shuffled two miles over and got into the pool. Like our run and like our lifting meet, the swim would have four parts: four quarter mile swims. The first quarter was a warmup in Twin River's big pool. I know everybody thinks it's a 50-meter pool, but actually, it's a yards pool, a 55-yarder to be exact. It's true. I went in one morning with a wheel and measured it. So down and back four times is exactly a quarter mile.

The first quarter was a warmup. The next two we swam for time. I think I went 7:25 and 7:28. We cooled down on the last quarter giving us one mile of swimming. Between the four swims, I kept looking at the sky which was growing dark and angry. Once I pointed it out to Tyler. He said, "We have been training for this since December. I don't care if a hurricane comes. I'm finishing." That's the stuff it takes, and Tyler has it.

After swimming, we put our shoes on and ran two miles back to Crockett Ave. Now we had 6.8 miles of running on our legs in addition to a max squat and a max deadlift. Next up was 55 miles on the bicycle.

Bethany Theilman of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi had arrived. To our pleasant surprise, she informed us that she intended to accompany us in her van. That would give us some needed safety. Not only that, but Brett Freeman and Richard Beatty had agreed to meet us at Bankston and maybe do some pulling for us. Pulling? Yeah, riding ahead of us breaking the wind and making our pedaling a little easier. When we approached Bankston, however, we noticed a cyclist leaving, heading south. I hollered as loud as I could, but he kept going. We lost our puller only being twenty minutes behind schedule.

Once on Money Road, the skies opened up and showered us with heat-killing rain. It did not feel bad at all. Bethany was ahead of us by a good 100 meters or more. I asked Tyler if he thought he could close the gap and pull up beside her. "Tell her to let us get on her bumper." T said he could do it and did. She dropped back and we proceeded to motor pace for the next ten miles. We were going fifteen to sixteen miles per hour at and twelve miles per hour effort. It was nice until Tyler hit a pot hole and blew a front tire.

It took us a long time to change that tire and when we did and aired it with a CO2 cartridge, it immediately went flat. I found a tube in my bag, and we did it all over again, but this time we aired it with a small handpump that I carry but had not used in years. It worked and after probably thirty minutes we were back on the road.

All was well for about three miles until T hit another pot hole and blew another tire. I pulled out my last tube, and we fixed the flat. We were fifteen miles into a fifty-five mile ride, and we had already gone through three tubes, which was all we had. That's when we decided that Bethany should get behind us. The motor pacing was nice, but you can't see the road. If you hit a dead racoon, you crash. If you hit a pot hole and you weight 240 pounds, you blow a tire. That's just the way it works.

So we started back pulling our own wind. We were out of backup and still had forty miles to go so we watched the road closely and avoided all holes. It rained on us steadily. Tyler and I both remarked how it wasn't bad, in fact it was better than being hot. We never got hot that whole day. When we got to Highway 8, we decided to turn west instead of east. A few tenths of a mile west and the highway crosses the Tallahatchie River. We turned off there and hit the county road that leads into Minter City. We rode through downtown Minter City. I'm sure Bethany feels cultured now. We went south and decided to turn at twenty-five miles. We were running out of road, and turning at twenty-five would leave us an even five to make up on the way back.

We cycled all the way back to Money and stopped so I could let Bethany know we were in that infamous town. Also, I needed to pee and took one on the side of Ben Roy's Service. We then pedaled out Coleman Road to get our extra five miles so we would finish with fifty-five miles. That's what we promised the people, and that's what we did. 

After we got back on Money Road, we started a pattern of pedaling for a few minutes, then standing up on the pedals and freewheeling for a while, a sure sign of tired riders. One thing I have learned about Tyler: when he gets tired, he turns red. I looked over at him. He was red. "Are you feeling it?" I asked.

"I'm feeling it," he answered. "What about you?"

"I'm feeling it too."

We stopped at Little Zion MB Church so we could tell Bethany about Robert Johnson and The Help. Bethany had not seen the movie. We showed her the Whittington house where Skeeter lives in the movie. In town, we stopped at the corner of Poplar and East Jeff Davis where the film ends. We made our last stop at Little Red Park where the busses pick up the maids in that movie. I hope Bethany watches the film.

We made it back to Crockett Ave. We had run 6.8 miles, swum a mile, maxed out on four lifts, and cycled fifty-five miles. Now only 3.2 miles remained. I sat in a chair behind my pickup truck's tailgate and ate a Payday and drank some Gatorade. "Come on Z, let's finish this thing." Tyler said with urgency.

I changed shoes then I had to go inside for another pee. Back under the carport, we gave Bethany the bag that contained $5,360.50 mostly in checks with a few pounds of pocket change. She had informed us that what I had already mailed in and what was given online had amounted to $1,120. So we had raised over $6,000, but our goal was and remains $7,500.

Bethany wanted pictures and took a few. Then she wanted a video of us running. This is where you came in, where this narrative started in the first paragraph of this blog. Three strides and I could not do it. I bent over and tried to stretch, but my back was exacting its revenge for the powerlifting and the four hours bent over on the bicycle. I can't say what I did was even walking. I waddled. It was ugly and painful and embarrassing. But Tyler and I moved our feet down a lot of side streets and alleys trying to stay out of sight. But we did it, we finished that last 3.2 miles. Tyler and I did a fist bump, then he got into his truck and drove off. That's how we do it. Thank you, Jesus.