365 Days and Counting

This won't be much of a post.  It's raining in San Diego...a lot and hard and will for the next day or two.  I'm also STILL dealing with this cold, so no, I'm not running again.  I didn't go anywhere.  I stayed home, watched TV and played poker on the computer.  Terrible, I know, but it is what it is.  Hopefully, this will be just a small blip. I did finish season two of Star Trek Discover , and yes it was very good.  However, it's going to be a long time before they post another season, so I'm going to cancel my CBS All Access.  Now that I've placed Dish back on the TV, I just don't need it and their original programming isn't all that important.  I am SO far from up on my Amazon, Starz, and Netflix shows, I simply don't need anything else. I have been fairly good about the food intake during this lull in the exercise.  But when you're stuck in the house all day, that's a tough order as well.

Trash pickup went without a hitch and as planned finished just after 7 AM, so I could shower and make my doctor's appointment.  I've had the same doctor at Kaiser for a very long time now, and though I rarely have a need to see her (it's been more than two years), she is still wonderful and caring and takes her time.  The good news is that I'm in excellent health.  The bad news is I have been scheduled for my next colonoscopy appointment next month...shit.  I know it's only every ten years, and I know it is very important.  However, I HATE taking that liquid and this time, I'm going to tell them to make sure I stay under until they are completely finished.  Last time, they woke me just a shade too early and it was very painful.  But overall, at 67, I am very happy to be healthy.  I did get another Cortisone shot for my arm.  So far, it hasn't taken, but I sort of remember it took a couple of days last time.  Speaking of which, my col...

I'm happy to report that my cold is almost gone.  There is small traces still hanging on, so I will not get back to my routine until tomorrow, but it feels great to not be sick.  I did go see the move Instant Family , and yes, it was predictable but I really enjoyed and was moved by it.  Highly recommended.  I also picked up as much trash as possible (a whole dumpster worth) so that I could be assured of being done in time for my doctor's appointment.  I went to sleep at 6 and didn't wake up for the security check until 12:40 AM and then slept until 3 AM...geez...too much sleep.  I will have to start setting my alarm once again. 

An absolute no nothing day. I am STILL fighting this cold.  I never left the house.  I'm sleep ten hours or more a day.  Horrible.

So, it has been disheartening to not be on my program these past three days.  I knew that getting sick was very likely to eventually happen and now as this cold lingers on for its third day, I'm starting to get a little anxious.  I know I'm doing the right thing by not forcing myself to run at this point because I could make it worse, but today I'm starting to feel like it may be on the back end so the plan if for tomorrow to get back on the horse.  Cross your fingers. 

For the second day in a row, I will not be doing my running or swimming (3rd day swimming).  This cold is still lingering, but it seems to be on the backside.  Sore throat gun, but the runny nose is still happening and overall body weary feeling.  Barring a setback, I'll be back on the road and at the gym tomorrow.  Needless to say, in the attempt to get better, I've stayed home all day with the exemption of a fast run to Costco to get the chicken popcorn that is only on sale for a couple more days.  Other than that, just watching TV and computer poker and trying to get better.  9 hours of sleep each day shouldn't hurt.

Well, I suppose it was going to eventually happen and it has.  I've come down with a cold.  At this point it's just taking hold so for the first time this year, I'm not going to run (yes, I missed that one morning in Las Vegas, but I more than made up for it in steps).  I'll I can hope for at this point is that it's just a 24 hour things.  We'll see.  It was Thanksgiving, so I picked up my parents and we went to my sister's (Donna) house for dinner.  She has struggled at cooking most her life, but she hit a home run this year.  Everything was delicious.  I was a good boy and though I did have gravy with my turkey, I kept the food amount down.  Only small portions of everything, though I doubled up on the turkey itself.  I got my parents home fine and after a couple of You Tubes, went to bed.  Here's hoping I'm back to my routine tomorrow.

I got very lucky this morning.  As usual, I got up at 2 AM and did my run.  The run itself was uneventful (one coyote sighting) and after I got into my home, it started raining.  I just made it.  I'm sure it's just a renegade cloud, but it rained pretty hard.  With all my sweats on, I would have been soaked.  No swimming for the next couple days because of the Thanksgiving holiday.  That's okay.  I don't swim when I go to Las Vegas but I do still try to get my run in as best I can, which I will do again when I go on Dec 10. I went to the movies via Trolley and saw Ralph Breaks the Internet .  I thought the theater would be packed but it was only moderately filled.  It was the first showing of the release.  This was a very good movie for me.  I laughed out loud in quite a few spots.  Of course, to get the jokes, you really do need to know the Internet. Papa called they preferred to eat at out Chinese place instead of ...

The run and the swim went just fine.  I am still having problems with my right shoulder.  However, the pain isn't as bad as when it first hit a year and a half ago.  Next Tuesday is my doctor's appointment, and I'm hoping she can relieve that. I'm also going to have her take a look at my back.  It is constantly itching, so there might be something there.  Years ago, I did have a tape worm (that sounds SO terrible) in my back and some pills took care of it within days.  This time, it's not that bad but I certainly think something could be done.  Of course, I live alone so applying a cream or ointment is out of the question.  We shall see. All of these little nuisances, of course, are just that.  Overall, I am feeling very good.  I thought about it this morning during my run and I realized I haven't given enough credit to my overall good mood to the fact that I pretty much live a stress free life.  The only responsibilities I have...

There simply is no way to come up with a more creative opening to these daily blogs.  Let's face, 321 days of "My run went well" can be quite monotonous, but it's what starts the day.  There have been occasional coyote sightings (one this morning) and every so often a white owl flies from one light post to the next...I like seeing them.  They are quite majestic in their own way.  This morning's run was the usual, but not what I'd consider a strong run.  I took the shorter route considering trash day. I don't need to do this, but it's the only day of the week I do and it breaks up the week a bit.  I know I'm going to get more than enough steps in for the day with the trash pick up. I went to the movies once again taking the trolley to Mission Valley Center and I saw Widows , which I assumed would be a formulaic revenge/heist flick but with the ladies.  I was completely wrong.  This movie had some great twists and went in directions I'd never w...

Had a strong run this morning.  I can't quite figure out why some days are poor and others strong, but I've been very lucky that I have had no problems lately with calves or my left foot.  Unfortunately, the shoes I'm wearing are getting very shoddy, and I don't think will last much longer.  The shoes I've been breaking in to take their place are still very iffy when it comes to running in them.  The shoes I bought specifically for running are a bust as they make my left foot flare up just walking in them.  The swim went well.  I was earlier than usual getting there at 3 AM so there was no one in the pool, which is always a bonus.  As crazy as these hours are, I'm enjoying this routine.  Sunday was a complete bust.  Other than the run and the swim, I never left the house.  I did enjoy a couple of my movies on VULU, which works great on my TV as there is an app.  I still need to work a little with the You Tube TV to figure everyt...

I woke up early at 1:15 AM, but that's not surprising as I went to sleep at 5:30...I was just falling asleep watching TV anyway.  So, I finally got out of bed at 1:40 and had my run.  There were no coyote sightings this morning.  The gym was practically empty this morning, me and one other guy in the whole place besides the one staff guy who now greets me by name as I come in the door--that happens when you come literally every single day.  The swim went just fine and yes, I'm STILL have some pain in my right shoulder.  It's not terrible, but just enough to piss me off.  I'm really hoping I can get a cortisone shot when I see the doctor this week.  Movie Pass finally offered me a movie at Regal so I went to see The Girl in the Spider Web  once again.  I enjoyed it even more than the first time as I could catch a lot of things that I missed the first time around.  It's pretty much all I did aside from playing poker on the computer and...

I had a strong run and swim today; however, I was surprised how many coyotes were out and about.  I came across two singles, and down my Santee Lakes, there was a pack of four adults.  The singles don't concern me, but I do get nervous when there's a pack.  I don't believe I need to worry about an attack, but truth be told, I just don't know.  I'm considering getting a compressed horn blower to put in my pocket just in case.  Usually, I'd catch one coyote every couple of weeks or so, but to run into a total of six is unprecedented.  By the time, I finished my swim, all three lanes were being used.  Rather unusual for 3:30 in the morning.  I realize that the media talks a lot about the increasing weight of Americans, but if the gyms are any example, I'd have to question that.  All the gyms seem to be busy all the time and there are joggers everywhere all the times of the day and night.  Granted, living in Southern California makes a dif...

A somewhat ho-hum day.  I did my run and swim in the morning.  I tried to nap a little but it didn't work.  I got on the Trolley and went to Fashion Valley to see Overlord , which was a bit silly story wise, but was still entertaining.  I'm loving the AMC subscription.  Movie Pass doesn't offer me any more movies with no explanation.  I'm sure that because I bought the yearly pass from Costco, that they have limited me in favor of their monthly subscribers.  That's okay, I suppose.  I got more out of it seeing more than 50 movies for $90.  The downside is that all the AMC theaters are in Mission Valley and La Jolla but with the Trolley pass...that's okay too. Something  unusual happened on the way home.  The Trolley went out of service half way home and had everyone leave the cars and wait for the next train.  I decided to walk around and wait for the following train after that.  I discovered a very nice little coffee ho...

I managed to get my run in just fine; however, I decided to not do the swim as my shoulder was hurting more than usual, possibly because of the shot.  However, the day did end with almost 15 K steps. I went to Tracy's at 11 AM where I met Javier, who made a wonderful fish dish for lunch.  I gave him the girls a lot of my storage stuff from school I knew I'd never used including some good audio and visual gear along with some assorted supplies.  I also took them the package of cookies that I damn well knew I should not eat. The plan was to go to the movies in the afternoon to see Overlord , it would have gotten out too late and I needed to meet Tracy in front of Aubrey's high school where she's starring in A Midsummer Night's Dream  at 4 PM.  So, I just did walking around and hung out at Dave and Buster's and had a beer. I met Tracy and we watched the play.  Though the first act was a little slow, it was wonderful seeing my grand daughter on stage....

As noted in earlier blog entries, there are some days that I simply don't do much of anything aside from TV, computer poker, and other ordinary nothingness.  However, there are days like today that questions if I'm retired at all! Did my run Did my swim Wrote the blog entry Picked up trash Worked on gluing the scooter Took packages from the weekend to the office Bought groceries at Costco Bought sweat pants from Walmart Went to Papa's to check a suspicious letter (it was a scam) Got my haircut Did my laundry Deposited my ROTH check at the bank Went back to Papa's to set the time on their new bedroom alarm clock (took 20 seconds) Did my security check It was simply one of those days filled with errands.  I like them more than the days I never leave the house...but those aren't so bad either.

I've mentioned this a few times before but it bears repeating.  I write these on the morning of today and the day I'm writing about it yesterday.  What happened on Day 314.  Now because I have information now about yesterday (as you will see here), the lines get a little blurred about what happened yesterday and what happened this morning.  For example, as I write this, I've already done my run and my swim (It's 4:30 AM right now), so the reports will take about today's run and swim (Day 315) but the rest of the report is what happened yesterday.  In the big picture, it really doesn't matter, but just for clarity, I occasionally feel I need to point this out. It's Veteran's Day, so Cindy and the office is closed.  I took this opportunity to go and get some medical tests done being that I have a full physical next week.  So, I had blood drawn from each arm and then had my flu shot and a pneumonia shot, again one in each arm.  The nurse said that ...

I woke at at 1:20 AM this morning, and I mean really woke up.  I tried to lay there thinking I had more time, but I finally just gave up and got up.  I did finally put on my heater for the first time this year.  Santee was in the 30's this morning...it was time.  The heater in my place works great even though the white glove heating company once said it needed replacing (at almost $10 K) and that was three years ago...didn't trust them then...don't trust them now.  I again wore my sweatshirt and gloves that did the trick, though I now know I will need to buy some new sweatpants to get through the winter.  The run went just fine as well as the swim and I was back home finished by 3:45 AM.  Crazy...I know, but I seem to like it just fine.  Yesterday, I put the scooter together and after throwing all the packaging in the dumpster, I notices the the back fender was broken.  This isn't normally a problem except that the back fender hold the ho...

It is so odd to me that today I felt unusually strong while running and end up running more than usual.  There are those days I barely jog and my legs feel like noodles, and then days like this where not only to I run more, I can run faster.  Go figure.  Fortunately, my calf problems seem to have gone and my shoulder, though still giving me small twinges of pain, is much better as well. I will still keep my doctor's appointment but I'm glad that I'm feeling better.  I must admit I am not feeling like I'm losing any weight.  This could be because of the higher calorie intake, though I am still staying in the negative compared to expended calories.  But I suppose I will see on Dec 1.  Perhaps I'm feeling stronger BECAUSE of the extra calories.  Again, who knows? I went to the movies via Trolley to Mission Valley and saw Girl in the Spider's Web  with Clair Foy.  It was a tad slow at times, but I really liked it and she is really impres...

Today, it was cold enough that I wore a sweatshirt hoodie and gloves during my run.  I'm glad I did.  Wearing my shorts hasn't proven to be a problem yet but I have some sweats just in case.  The run itself went well with no unscheduled stops.  I tried a new podcast, Vegas Playground with Luella Chavez, an aspiring actress who lives in Henderson.  So far, I'm not impressed.  The swim at the gym went fine, though the crew cleans the pool and locker areas when I'm there.  I had just finished when two more people showed up to swim...at 3:30 AM.  Crazy! I seem to have hit my ideal routine.  Go to bed at 6 PM and wake up whenever I wake up and go do my security check (it's been anywhere between 9:30 and 11:30) and then back to sleep until 2 AM.  I have the alarm set, but for some reason, I rarely need it.  This morning I woke up at 1:45 AM.  Now this seems nuts, but when it's all said and done, I'm getting 7+ hours of sleep and ...

The run this morning felt pretty good.  I've been worried about my calf cramping up, but though I felt a tug here and there, it was fine.  I had the entire pool and locker room to myself this morning, which makes the swim great.  This pool is also heated perfectly so it's like jumping into bath water.  I love it.  I am getting some tugs in my right shoulder, but nothing that stops me from the swim. Thursday was a no-nothing day.  I napped a bit and finally decided to simply stay home and catch up on some of my saved programs on my DVR.  I lose the DVR in six days, so I'll need to pick what shows to watch and I picked Westworld , which I had kept all of season two.  I was able to get in five episodes and I'm not sure I'm enjoying it as much as I did the first season.  I have five more to go, so we'll see if I bother to continue or not.  I'm running out of time.  So, I'm enjoying cookies with my coffee too much!  I'll need to...

My run went quite well and the swim as well.  There's one other guy in the pool at 3:30 AM along with me.  He's been there before and it's funny to watch him swim.  He seems to be in his late 20s and in pretty good shape, but the guy seems to have no clue how to properly swim. He wears goggles but never puts his head under water.  He swims 25 meters (the length of the pool) and then stops to rest.  I, on the other hand, swim 500 meters with a variety of strokes and never stop.  I'm not saying this to construe I'm better, but rather to point out that the swim is for a workout, which doesn't appear to be his goal.  Oh well...takes all kinds. So, Jose was going to finish the porch and screen door and was making a super racket, so I noticed that the movie First Man  was available on my Movie Pass at Parkway Center.  I drove down there and when I arrived at the theater, the movie disappeared and I couldn't get in for free...forget it.  Movi...

The run went okay, better than yesterday.  I also got an earlier start leaving the house at 2 AM.  Believe I look at it and can't believe it either...how did I ever get into this rhythm?  But I enjoy being finished with my exercise early so much, I just want to continue.  Of course, it means living a life of double shift sleeping.  Going to sleep at least by 7, getting up at 10, and going back to sleep for another four hours.  So, I am getting in the hours.  For whatever reason, I really get more done in the early morning than I ever do during the day.  I suppose it's the enjoyment of computer surfing and writing these blogs with a cup of coffee and peanut butter crackers...I don't know.  It just works.  Swimming went well as I was the only one in the pool.  I was home and enjoying my morning coffee by 4 AM.  Of course, I will finish all of this a lay down for a while.  Sometimes, I nap, sometimes I just relax.  ...

The run today was under par.  My legs simply weren't their best and I end up walking a bit more than usual; however, the important thing is finishing which I did just fine.  I went to the pool at the new gym on Navajo and was surprised to find two others using it at 4 AM like me.  That's okay, but I'm thinking the place has only been open three days and already, more and more people are showing up.  The swim itself went great.  I really do enjoy that part of the routine.  I finished up my new Will and got it signed and off to Jon Jr., so that's something that's been on my mind and done.  I jumped on the Trolley and went to Mission Valley this time to see Bohemian Rhapsody, which was terrific.  I saw it in IMAX and the sound was cranking...almost too loud, the seats vibrated from the volume.  I'm enjoying the extra steps I'm getting in and the walking in general.  I put in over 13 K yesterday.  My steps count for these past couple ...

The run went well.  The swim went well.  I realize I start each day's blog entry with this but it's important to understand that this is such a major accomplishment for me and I don't take it for granted.  For 306 stays of walking and then jogging every day without an injury or sickness is something very special and I don't take if for granted.  This morning I was earlier than usual as I didn't sleep very well and got up at 2 AM, got dressed and was out the door by 2:15 after the daily stretching and counter push ups.  It was very foggy and a little cold, so I wore my gloves.  For whatever reason, when it's cold, my hands get numb but I still wear shorts and a t-shirt and it doesn't seem to bother me and after I finish, I am in a sweat regardless of the temperature outside...go figure. I'm loving the new gym and I was surprised that at 3:30 AM there was another guy in the pool but he didn't last long.  I did my 500 meters, showered and was home b...

I had a good run this morning and then went to the gym for my swim.  Here's something--it's a Sunday and it's 4 AM; one would think I'd have the pool to myself.  No.  All three lanes were taken.  What the?  I got dressed (my fault--I should have checked before dressing out), and went to the newly opened 24 Hour Fitness on Navajo, which used to be an LA Fitness that I once belonged to.  Well, it opened just yesterday and though there were a few people working out, the pool was completely mine.  So, let's call this good fortune because I came to this gym out of necessity, but now I've discovered a MUCH better place to swim.  Not only is everything rebuilt new, but the lanes in the pool are wider and happily the water is just as warm.  The showers are better and just everything about the place screams for me to make this my new gym to swim.  The drive is just a smidgen further but all freeway, so I'm good there.  I'm having a hard ...

My run today was a chore, though I did make it just fine.  My legs were tired and I jogged a lot of it like I used to in the beginning days but I did finish.  I then went to the gym for my swim.  I got here earlier than I ever have, around 3:30 AM, and was surprised that two of the lanes were being used, which is okay as my lane 3 (my favorite) was open.  In lane 1 was a very heavy man, who has been there every morning since I started going this early, who with water weights just walks back and forth.  He's doing it when I arrive, and he's still doing when I'm done, showered, and headed home.  I'm not sure if he's getting much out of it, but it's nice to see that he's working at it.  I made a huge (for me) decision and I cancelled my Dish subscription.  I had been thinking about it for months.  At $160 per month, I found I simply wasn't using it very much as I ten do watch Netflix, You Tube, and Amazon--all online sites.  However, firs...

This morning's run was not as good as usual.  My legs were simply tired.  There were a couple spots I had to walk for a bit, though I made it overall just fine.  The swim went great. I would like to say the day was a good one, but truth be told, aside from shopping a bit, I didn't do anything other than play poker on the computer and finish the Sally Field book (very good).  Other than that, just not much.  It's problematic that I'm not doing as much as I could during the day.  I will need to work out something that gets me going.

Almost missing yesterday's post is indicative of me changing my routine as I will explain.  I fully acknowledge that I am a routine guy.  I crave it and live in it.  I don't know where, how, or why I became that way--perhaps the Air Force training or simply because I do not like surprises.  I enjoy structure, which is why I always made such a perfect employee.  I did what I was told and was always prepared and on time.  I have changed my routine and also how I am going to post these blogs in the future.  Because I write these the morning after and discussing the prior days events and thoughts, I find myself always trying to keep today's events out so as to wait for the following day.  This has proved to be difficult.  So, I'm going to place the events from the time I post the previous blog until when I write this.  For example, it is now 5 AM, November 1 and I will write what's on my mind as of now along with yesterday.  This way,...