"3862.4256 Meters"

Actually I'm not sure that they actually use this exact conversion of 2.4 miles or just round it off to 3800 but I'm not going to take any chances. That's why I swam it to the 4th decimal place today. And in case you think I was bullshitting about the wetsuit advantage I can tell you that it took me exactly 1 hr, 14 mins and 38 secs. That compares to the unwestsuit swim of a month ago which took just over 1 hr, 42 mins, and which was of course 62 metres shorter! Anyway, I felt quite good about that even if it feels like cheating. After all everyone does it, and it's within the rules. I needed a good day to get my spirits back up.

So here's what I learned from the physiotherapist today who seemed quite knowledgeable. The problem is his mind is weak quadraceps muscles especially those to the inside of my leg. As a result I am getting some poor tracking of my knee cap which is of course causing abrasion and inflammation. When I say weak I mean relative to my hamstrings which are super strong from so much running. Actually he thinks the tracking problem is fairly minor and with the right stretching and strengthening I should be able to correct it in not too much time. He assured me that all tendons and ligaments seem good and sound. They also did some kind of voodoo with a contraption they called an Electro-Myopulse machine. It's supposed to reduce inflammation and speed healing....probably a bunch of malarkey eh? I am feeling better already but I'm sure it's from the 2 days off as well as the Naproxen. So he gives me these exercise to do which are primarily strectching and then specific strengthening for my quads, particularly leg extensions. Then the funny thing is tonite a get a beautiful e-mail from my friend Burt who's been running since the old king was a boy....and guess what Burt says..."just do leg extensions peter and your problem will go away" I should have just asked him first. Thanks Burt.

While we're on the subject of this guy, my friend Burt, please think of him. He's also a survivor but he's maybe not quite out of the woods yet. I wish also to share a quote with you that he sent me and which he says describes me. See if you agree. It is from long time running guru George Sheehan, and goes like this,

"WHEN I AM ILL, I BECOME A SKEPTIC. WHAT HAS HITHERTO BEEN A CERTAINTY BECOMES PERHAPS; WHAT WAS PERHAPS BECOMES MAYBE; AND WHAT WAS MAYBE BECOMES PROBABLY NOT"

Well he may be right but I also know I'm not a quitter. I was only whining a little bit Cory. I have no intention of quitting.

Speaking of quitting however and since I now have Corys attention I must remind my big sister of something. I was looking at some old posts yesterday and I came across a comment you made. You had publicly stated that you had quit smoking and you added and I quote..."please hold me to it"...just a friendly little reminder my dear. They were your words not mine.

So today was a good day because even though I couldn't run or bike I could cross train a little. So I put on my antlers and built a Christmas tree with my other favorite reindeer. Whadda ya think?







I wish to dedicate day 91 Tabitha. As neices go she is very special, because she came to us in a special way.

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."--- Larry Wilde

love
peter