"Burnt!"

I couldn't figure out why the back of my neck felt so sensitive at the end of my run, only to finally realize it was sunburn. It kinda snuck up on me. I have always been a little arrogant about the sun preferring to never use sunscreen. Apparently that can cause cancer, but I think I'm immune now though don't you? Isn't that how it works? All the freakin radiation they gave me should be good for something.

Anyway, as to that run, it was marginally successful at best. I had planned on 37 kms and barely survived a very tough 30. Oh well, I don't really care. There were probably a few factors one of which might have been that little pink pill that Claudette gave me this morning. It was supposed to be for my anxiety, but it could have been anything just to get me off her back about my stress level. It looked remarkably like those little pills that she used to take that came in a little wheel, good for one month at a time??? Besides all the training manuals tell me that I don't need to run longer than that from here on in. I just wanted to get one more long one in before the marathon in 13 days. I think another factor may have been dehydration. I couldnt believe what I weighed when I came back. I thought I drank enough but I obviously need to adjust my intake for the warmer weather. And I did my weights last night as well. Peter has stepped me up to 3 sets, which is a much tougher workout. I hate it actually but thanks to Peter for keeping me going.

I did however have a decent swim this morning. Not spectacular but a steady 2 kms in my wetsuit, and without too much effort.

One thing I am worried about is my lower back and my hips, the left one particularly. It has bothered me ever since my illness from spending so much time in bed and I think all the biking is making it worse. I will try to get in for some massage therapy to loosen things up a little. I can live with the way it is now but I worry because the long bike rides have only just begun. Maybe it's just old age but I'm not ready to accept that yet.

I wish to dedicate day 222 to my old friend Paul Nieman. The tallest and one of the nicest Dutchmen I've ever met.

“Old age and sickness bring out the essential characteristics of a man."---Felix Frankfurter

love
peter