"Virtual Reality"

I took riding inside on the computrainer thing to a new "virtual reality" level today....I got a flat! I first realized something was wrong when I started feeling my rear wheel slipping on the drum it drives, and I actually smelled rubber burning. For a second I thought it was my brain but then realized that this would imply some brain activity was taking place. I'm honest enough with myself to admit that my normally marginal levels of cerebral activity dwindle to almost nothing when working out. There was still enough happening however that I figured out I was no longer going anywhere, and as such called it a day after just over 2 hours. It pissed me off because I was riding the second half of Ironman Canada and had 25 km to go, and the last 25 is all down hill. Oh well, I guess it would have been enjoyable but wouldn't have done much for my fitness anyway, so no big loss.
And I felt great as well. No knee pain at all.

Speaking of virtual reality I really hope they come out with the filmed version some time in the New Year. I have watched clips from other courses that they've already released and it is really, really cool.

So I know I still have to be careful but since I have to go to Mexico next week I want to make sure I get some good workouts in over the next few days. Depending on the weather conditions I will consider a little longer run tomorrow. Hopefully in the 20km range, then a long swim on friday, and barring more technical difficulties a longer bike on saturday.

I'm hoping that the New Year really sees me moving forward quickly. I admit it's a little tough to stay pumped during the winter months, but If I can stay disciplined I know it will pay off. I'm also quite sure it will get easier come spring time.

A few odds and ends...
1)Hey....5 chinups today!!
2)Roo went to the doctor today and heard what we wanted to hear.
3)Before I forget again....Hi to you too Bernie!
4)Tomorrow's a New Year, and it's gonna be all good!
5)I saved my blog to a word document yesterday. It currently runs to 153 pages and just over 63,000 words!

I wish to dedicate day 105 to Doctor Scott Hansen who I will always be grateful to for having the good sense to do a biopsy.

On the New Year...
"The proper behavior all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year's Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you're married to."---P.J. O'Rourke

And this one I think is brilliant...
“You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do."---Anne Lamott

love
peter

"Good Advice"

I generally believe that I know most things I need to do to get the very most out of my life, whether it's related to my work, my training, my mental health or my family life..... but rarely do I listen to myself. Perhaps that's because of the nagging little uncertainties or maybe fears associated with actually carrying through with the actions you believe make sense. I think I've hit on a way to improve on that shortcoming. Find someone else who you trust and who can perhaps relate to your challenges and sound out your ideas by presenting them to that other person. I found that in doing so my stupid ideas quickly seperated themselves from the better ones simply as a result of speaking them out loud. Not to mention the added value of that persons reaction as they either support or question your reasoning.

So today I'm really grateful to sister Mary for listening to my ramblings. I had one of the most rewarding days I've had in months just because of the time we spent together. I see things more clearly than I did this morning. I'm still afraid of my own advice, because inevitably the smart thing to do has some short term pain associated with it, and I don't like pain! Of course that's why we don't do many of the things that our gut tells us is the smart thing in the long run. And yet despite those fears I have a greater confidence in my own instincts, and a greater resolve to live by them than I did yesterday.

It actually started out as a good day even before I met with Mary, as my run went just super this morning. I wore that lighter brace I mentioned and it was barely noticeable. My knee pain was negligible enough to be considered non-existent. So as promised I declare myself "off the shelf". Of course we'll now see if I learned anything through this little trial. The clear message is that I absolutely need to maintain the discipline to stretch and strengthen my old muscles if I expect them to take care of me over time. I have not done my routine yet today but I promise to drag my butt to the basement before I crash for the night. Tomorrow I intend on a bigger test by riding for 2 1/2-3 hours.

And that's about all for today. Rest well my treasured friends and family.

I wish to dedicate day 104 to Mary's Denise who has become such an important part of her family.

and for today at least......
"I can see clearly now the rain has gone; I can see all obstacles in my way"---Johnny Nash

and one I have half accomplished.....
"One's first step in wisdom is to question everything - and one's last is to come to terms with everything."---Georg C Lichtenberg

love
peter

"Patience Now!"

Things continue to improve every day. I went to pyhsio and also had a massage and along with my continued stretching it seems to be mending. I just need to be patient now and make sure I don't rush back too quickly. I rode for about one hour, twenty minutes with practically no discomfort. Tomorrow I will run again, and if it goes well I am going to officially declare myself off the shelf. Strange as it may seem I consider it a positive indicator that my legs are sore everywhere....a good kind of sore...

One place I do have lots of patience is in the pool. I used to really enjoy swimming but it always seems a chore now. I have to force myself to get in there and do something. I splashed around for a 1/2 hour today but achieved nothing of significance other than managing to get wet. I think that in the next few days I will have to get back in there with my wetsuit just to get my motivation back up.

I wish to dedicate day 103 to my friend Curlena....massage therapist and person extraordinaire!

“Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears."---Barbara Johnson

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."---Ralph Waldo Emerson

love
peter

"So Far, So Good"

Just a brief report. I ran 1o k today with the neoprene brace. I would give it a mixed review. It is quite restrictive and prevents me for running naturally. However the discomfort was manageable. I went out and bought a very light compression sleeve which I will try next time I run. The good news is that I believe I can keep on moving forward at least for now. Tomorrow I will swim and also try to bike for a couple of hours. If that goes ok thenI will run again the following day. My legs are generally sore and achy but I think that's a factor of many things including all the strengthening stuff I'm trying to do. So I'm cautiously optimistic while a little afraid at the same time.

Thanks to everyone for all their support, ideas and kind words.

I wish to dedicate day 102 to my brother in law Bert, a man who I always admired for his utter fearlessness.

"A thousand fearful images and dire suggestions glance along the mind when it is moody and discontented with itself. Command them to stand and show themselves, and you presently assert the power of reason over imagination." ---Sir Walter Scott

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us." ---Marianne Williamson

love
peter

"Charging Ahead"

Claudette has convinced me to try to get going more seriously again. She believes that if I continue my stretching and strengthening stuff, I will be able to recover actively. Perhaps I learned something in the last day about my injury. As I mentioned yesterday I put that neoprene brace on for a few hours while sitting around and was surprised to feel some relief. Today I put it on right after my bike ride and again it seemed to ease the pressure. My hope is that the discomfort comes primarily from fluid buildup, and that the compression of the neoprene reduces this. Of course I'm only guessing, but if it allows me to workout while it heals that would be great. I will try running again tomorrow. Maybe even go for 10 kms. Today I actually felt like I got a bit of a workout in...2 hours on the bike for a total of 55 kms.

Of course fluid on the knee is a much bigger problem than water on the brain, because that can be easily cured by a tap on the head!

I find the mental challenge of this whole thing one of the biggest considerations. It also occurs to me that as we age it becomes an even bigger issue because of the need to deal with the deteriorating body. For me it becomes a battle between maintaining a high level of commitment, while not letting physical setbacks get me down. In the last few weeks little thoughts have crept in that I'm not sure whether they're good or bad. I find myself considering "what if I can't do it" because of health issues like this knee thing? While that sounds like all bad I also consider all the positive that have already come out of this experience. My overall improved health, the fact that I will surely be able to do shorter triathlons, and generally just feeling good about my appearance. I think those are good things but the question that remains is "am I compromising?" I know I'm glad that I made a very public statement about my intentions up front...other wise maybe I would be quietly talking my way out of this. I know that's not going to be alllowed eh?

Cory....I don't know what your last comment was referencing? Please explain.

I wish to dedicate day 101 to my neice Megan, who I barely know but appreciate anyway.

“Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another--too often ending in the loss of both."---Tyron Edwards

And this one because it made me laugh.
"Why do granparents and grandchildern get along so well?....They have a Common Enemy!"---Anon

love
peter

"Boxing Day"

"Supposed to be a down day and that's kinda how I feel. Claudette convinced me I should try a run today and it didn't really go very well. I managed an uncomfortable 7.4 kms. We went to a movie late this aft and by the time we came out the knee was really sore. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be learning from this, but of course If I knew what it was I wouldn't have to learn it eh? I just keep telling myself that this is only a test to see if I really have the courage necessary to do what I want to do. Time will tell I guess. Tomorrow I will try riding for a couple of hours and see what the hell happens. One positive thing which surprised me is this brace Peter gave me for Christmas. He didn't know that I had already tried 2 different ones without any satisfaction. So I thought I would just give it try while sitting around and it really eased the discomfort before I went to bed. Maybe I could even run with it and might give it a try on Sunday. I'm pretty sure I can't ride with it because it is too restrictive to allow the knee bend necessary.

And that's about it for today. I have 10 minutes left in order to be able to post for the 100th day in a row without missing once!!!

Oh by the way....4 chinups today!!

And I would like to dedicate this 100th day to my neice Jessica. And doesn't that make her even more special than she already is.

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.--- Dale Carnegie

“If I had more skill in what I'm attempting, I wouldn't need so much courage."---Ashleigh Brilliant

See you tomorrow.
love
peter

"She Said I Can Keep It!"

I think it's in her purse right now. I'm glad she liked it but just so you know this was much more than a luxury for her. You simply can't go through grandparenthood without a decent functioning camera. Expect many more videos and pics on her facebook!

Jon called today. It felt both good and bad. Damn!

A Christmas story. When I talked to Colby on the phone this morning he told me what he got for Xmas and then proceeded to ask me what I got. When I said, "a camera" his response was and I quote..." I think Santa must have brought that to the wrong house, because I asked for a camera and didn't get one!!!" That freakin Santa Claus!!!

I hope everyone had a great day. We sure did here in St Thomas

I wish to dedicate day 99 to my wife, because who else on Christmas day.

“My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me."---Winston Churchill

love
peter