365 Days and Counting

I woke up at 1:27 and again was faced with the decision: Get up or try to sleep until the alarm at 2?  Of course, I got up.  I'm no sure where this compulsion comes from, but it's just there.  Add to that, I wasn't feeling it this morning and assumed it would be a rough day on the run.  However, just the opposite was true. I took the old route around the lakes and the high school and even took a slightly longer route and I felt strong.  I did a fare amount of running and at times, even ran fast (for me).  The swim was also good and as always, the best part of the morning is when I'm finished, sitting here at the computer with my coffee and crackers. I didn't do a lot today...the usual...played poker on the computer and watched TV.  I had dinner at mom and pop's.  He made tacos and apple pie...both were delicious.  We talked and I told him I know why Mom doesn't want me to watch her because of the whole bathroom situation.  He agreed an...

Went out for my run this morning and was a bit more tired than usual...legs were a bit weak.  However, as I was going west on Prospect, some kid started running next to me.  He was a Latino talking like a gangster (these kids...) asking me over and over why I was running at 2 AM.  I never felt threatened but this guy was certainly high and a bit pudgy, I could have easily out run him, so no harm no foul.  The swim went well and I was surprised there was no cleaning crew.  That's all good in my book. Trash pick up went just fine.  We finished at 7:30.  I played computer poker and read the morning paper.  I went to Walmart and Costco to pick up this and that.  There were a couple of young guys sitting out front with their backpacks and a dog.  For whatever reason, while shopping, I picked up some doggie treats and when I left offered to them.  They thanked me.  I don't like giving things to vagabonds but animals, no problem...w...

For some people, the alarm wakes them up and they can hit the snooze button and sleep another 15 minutes with no problem.  I can't do that.  Once I'm awaken, there's a voice in my head that says if it's not more than an hour, I might as well get up...and I'll keep thinking that until I give up and get up.  I can't just go back to sleep.  That's what happened this morning.  I woke up, look over and the clock said 1:15 AM.  That could have given me another 45 minutes of sleep, but do I do that?  No.  I simply know myself too well.  I just got up and started the day. It was a bit warmer this morning, so I didn't need my gloves.  It turns out, I didn't need my sweat shirt either.  On the down side, my run wasn't that strong.  I walked a bit more that I like but I did make it just fine.  The swim went well too.  The cleaning staff wasn't to the men's locker room yet, but I was there a half hour earlier than usual, so tha...

I woke this morning about 9 minutes before the 2 AM alarm, something I do a lot and as always, there's a moment I think to myself, "I could take today off, I've been very good lately...I could be due for a day off."  Then I pick up my phone, turn off the alarm and get the hell up.  I know that there will be days that I will have to take off: rain days, sick days, Las Vegas days.  I don't need to make up any of my own.  Just get up, get dressed, say Good Morning to Alexa and then ask her what the temperature outside is so I know how to dress (49 and below, sweatshirt and gloves; above 50, no sweatshirt or gloves).  I than take my morning pills and do my 20 counter push ups and I'm off. I get home a little over an hour later and I am feeling great that I didn't take the day off.  Any time I do miss a day, I end up feeling guilty all day long.  I don't need or want that.  The swim also went just fine and oddly enough for a Monday morning, there wer...

This will certainly be a very short post. My run was back to where it's supposed to and went fine as did my swim.  Sundays at 3 AM are the BEST time to go to the gym.  There's usually almost no one there and the cleaning crew has the day off.  Perfect. I didn't leave the house today.  I caught up on You Tubes and TV shows and watched a movie or two.  A total lazy day!  That's okay...I deserve it. 

I did something that I have never done before.  My alarm went off, I got up (as I always do), put on my jogging clothes and just then realized it was the 10 PM security check, not the 2 AM jogging alarm.  I had somehow prepared myself to jogging, so I was wide awake.  I had thought about running after the security check before when I thought I might not be able to get back to sleep, but I've never done it. So...I went for my jog and decided to skip the swim today.  This was a HUGE mistake.  It didn't take long for my legs to say "No more" and I had to walk.  I end up walking about half the route and I skipped the park walk around.  I got home and was hungry, so I made a sandwich and went to bed.  I will NOT do that again.  I went to Fashion Valley via Trolley and saw The Kid Who Would Be King .  This was a very predictable movie designed for kids and it did not disappoint.  It's nothing I'd go see again, but it was enjoyable....

The run and the swim went well.  I felt strong and there were no leg or foot problems.  I decided I'd take the Trolley and the bus to the Airport, just to see if I could and how long it would take.  I parked at the Gillespie Field stop, as usual, and got off where the announcer said the airport buses were at.  That turned out to be wrong.  I end up walking (never a bad thing) all the way through Little Italy and on to Seaport Village.  I had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (turkey club and fries) and took the Trolley back home.  I'm going to have to do little more research next time I try the airport run.  However, I did realize that occasionally I do need to do this.  Get on the Trolley and go somewhere new and treat myself to a nice lunch  I always enjoy myself and I can afford it.  Aside from going to the movies, I don't get out of the house enough.  The rest of the day, I played poker with Terry (he seems to be losing...

I can never tell how my jogging day is going to go. Some days, I don't get much sleep at all and my run feels fresh and strong and other days, I get the right amount of sleep and I get tired out.  The later is what I experienced this morning.  I did manage the entire route, but I did more walking than I'd like.  I did, however, make a strong finish.  The swim went just fine.  I didn't do much on this day. Being Wednesday and knowing that I have to make dinner at my parents house, which has begun to get earlier and earlier...4 PM today, I can't really plan too much.  So, I end up catching up on some of my TV shows and played poker on WSOP (had a terrible session).  We had meatloaf for dinner along with potatoes and gravy.  Mom is NOT doing well.  She's almost deaf now and can't really walk on her own anymore.  She's shaking more and more.  It's sad to see. 

I didn't get as much sleep as I'd like.  Usually, after I finish my 10 PM rounds, I can get right back to sleep but this time I was awake for about an hour and a half.  I assumed this would tamper with my run, but surprisingly, I ran the new route just fine.  I'm still tinkering with how and when I choose to walk but I do like this route better than the old one.  The gym was surprisingly busy at 3:30 AM...more than any other time I can remember.  The last couple of days, as I'm finishing up my last laps at swimming, I'm joined by a lady...she's new...perhaps a New Year Resolution person.  We'll see how long she lasts.  As I mentioned yesterday, the pool's temperature is simply perfect.  I hope they don't tinker with it. I joined Hugh for lunch in Mission Valley.  I took the Trolley and met him at Hooters.  This place has seen its time.  It was very busy for lunch.  I had the lunch menu cheeseburger and fries and an ice tea....

I decided to take a different route this morning:  I went east on Mission Gorge Rd to Cuyamaca, then to Prospect all the way to Mesa Park and finally back to my home.  It turns out the this route is almost the amount of steps as my usual one.  What makes this one better is that it doesn't have the hills (forcing me to walk instead of jog) my regular route has.  Though I do still walk at intervals, I don't need to walk as much and, let's face it, I don't like the hills.  So, it seems I will make this my regular route and on occasion, still go the old one to break up the monotony.  My swim went just fine.  The pool seemed a tad warmer, which is nice because I don't feel I have to swim a couple laps to begin to feel comfortable.  When the pool is warm like this, the very first time I submerge into the pool is like a wonderful, warm bath.  I like that.  I went to the Jamul Casino again, and lost $200 on the Quick Quads.  I expect th...

Well...I woke up this morning to do my jog.  I got dressed, did my stretching and my push ups, got my headphones and selected today's podcast and headed out the back door.  It was raining.  Not hard, but enough that I did not want to run in it.  I have to admit, there was a part of me that was glad to take the day off.  I changed and went to the gym and did my swim...so I at least did something . I decided to give Martin my TV that's been sitting in my bedroom since I moved in here.  I've had it on maybe three times and even then for just a few minutes.  Martin doesn't have one, so along with a cheap DVD player, I offered both to him.  He end up taking the player but wants to pick up the TV when he cleans up and makes room at his place.  He's a hoarder, so who knows when that will happen. We went to Pechanga for poker.  It's been a long time since I've played.  I've shied away from it considering last year's debacle gambling str...

My run was fine though I had a visit from my left foot pain that I haven't had to deal with for a really long time.  It wasn't so bad that I had to stop, but the last thing I need is for that to start flaring up again.  The swim was good but I was surprised to find two guys in the pool this early in the morning; however, they left as I was dressing so I had to pool to myself...I like it that way.  I went shopping at the 99-cent store and loaded up with nuts and such for my munchies and to take to the movies.  For some reason, I felt like a Subway sub and had my favorite, the Spicy Italian.  I enjoyed that a lot, but I end up with a rough bout of heartburn.  I think my body has decided I really can't eat those anymore (well...at least the full one, I could try the 6 inch, I suppose).  That, along with chips filled me up and with the usual crackers with my coffee that was all I had to eat yesterday.  I'm not sure how many calories that was--thou...

I think that when I whine that my legs were wobbling or I was tired during my jog, I should also note when things are going good.  So this morning, my jog was strong.  I ran more than usual and didn't feel tired or worn out when I finished.  The swim also went well.  There was no one in gym but me, the desk dude, and the two cleaning ladies who were, of course, cleaning the men's locker room when I was there.  I honestly don't care, but to be sensitive to them, I walked over to the stalls to change.  I went to the movies again, this time to Fashion Mall where I watched Jennifer Lopez's Second Chance. It was completely predictable, but I like simple human stories with a lot of humor, so it was right up my alley.  I did turn in my time sheet and honestly, that was about all.  Oh, I did go to Walmart hoping to find the sweat pants I like in size and they had one pair...in the same color I already have, of course, but I bought them anyway.  I...

The run and the swim went just fine.  I got lucky again. I was able to complete my entire course and by the time I drove to the gym, it began to sprinkle.  Oddly, I'm usually in the pool alone being that it's 3 AM; however, this morning there were four men there and two more joined in later.  It was okay as I still had my favorite lane to myself and they pretty much hung out in the hot tub. I went to the movie and saw The Upside  with Kevin Hart.  This was an excellent movie...far better than I was expecting.  Nicole Kidman was in this as well and the more I see her, the more I'm falling in love with her.  I am very happy with the January movies this year.  Usually, movies are released in January as a kind of dumping ground for the films not likely to be Oscar material and assumed to be marginal hits. However, this crop has been a nice surprise for me. I drove this time to La Jolla to the AMC theaters there because of the rain.  The Ralph...

The run went okay.  I did have to walk a bit on a usual running route; however, I did pick up the pace and am fine with my overall jog for the day.  Swimming was good as the water was a bit warmer than yesterday.  I do like the Navajo gym SO much more than the Santee location even though I'm constantly dodging the cleanup crew.  It's all good. I had planned on a movie but decided I'd go on Thursday instead, which turned out to be a good move and Papa decided on an early dinner at 4 PM and wanted me to pick up a salad at Lido's.  The dentist visit went fine.  The cleaning was good.  It cost me $60 in copay and they want me to come back in three months for the next cleaning an examination.  That works out to $20 per month dental work assuming no other dental needs and after the examination, you can count on more suggested dental requirements like caps and such.  They are, after all, a business and will try to exploit more work.  I do kno...

No run today.  It has been raining since yesterday morning (I was lucky to get in yesterday's run just before it started).  However, I did make my swim at the gym.  It's a little frustrating in that I was in the gym an hour earlier than usual (2 AM) and maintenance was still cleaning the men's locker room.  I can't seem to find an hour where they aren't cleaning it...of course...it doesn't really matter.  It doesn't interfere with my getting in my swim, but I've got to bitch about something! The trash pickup was a wet one.  This is the first time we've had to pick up trash while it was raining.  It wasn't as bad as I thought, though I did get pretty wet along the way.  I did my best to always put the trash cans back under the trailer's carports so they wouldn't fill up with rain water.  There was a LOAD of trash and we just barely got it all in the four dumpsters.  Hopefully, it will be the last time we have to work in the rain...but I...

I ran a different route this morning going to Mesa Park then on Prospect to Fanita and back to the home.  It's about a mile shorter, but rain was threatening and I didn't want to get too far away.  It turned out to be a pretty good course.  If I chose, I could continue on Prospect to the next turn street and it would likely add that extra mile.  I'll have to take the car around to actually see. I got up an a half hour earlier than usual and with the shorter jogging route, I was at the gym at 2:30 AM.  The swim went well and I didn't have any problems dodging the cleaning crew...always a plus. I went to meet Martin at the Jamul Casino.  I played Quick Quads and, unfortunately, didn't catch any quads, so I lost a hundred.  For some reason, I'm not so concerned.  I am enjoying myself and will continue this Monday trek as it is Senior Day and the $10 free play and free lunch are a nice touch.  I have hope that the losses will eventually even ...

The run this morning was not a problem though I did a tad more walking than usual. Yesterday when I was removing my shoes after the run, I had a pop on my right knee.  It worried me but there was no problem bending or putting pressure on it.  It seemed I might have simply bent it in a strange direction or something.  However, it was sore and is still just a tad sore today but I was able to run and do my swim with no problem.  It now has a strange cracking sound and feel as I bend it but again, no serious problem.  I'm going to assume it's just a cartilage issue and will heal itself, however, I will monitor it closely. Yesterday, was a rain day and though I was lucky to have gotten my exercise in, there was no place to go as I don't like driving in the rain unless I absolutely have to so I stayed in all day and caught up on my TV and You Tube shows.  It was a pretty simple day.  I had my morning crackers with coffee, chicken nuggets, and a ham sandw...

First thing:  Yes, I have changed the days count.  This is because (and as I have now mentioned numerous times) I have missed days writing this blog...never on purpose...but just as an oversight.  I started this diet on Jan 1, 2018 and today is in fact Day 379 (but I'm writing about what I did yesterday therefore making it Day 378--reminder, I write about my morning exercise on the day I type this, but the report deals with yesterday's events).  I will try my best to no miss any more days, but who knows...I'm old. The run this morning went very well in spite of the fact that I assumed it would be raining but it wasn't and it seemed like I might be able to make it on my usual route, so I went.  I was VERY lucky as I made the entire 5.5 miles. I changed clothes, drove to the gym for my swim, and it started raining.  So, this time around, my timing was perfect.  Having the fear that it could start raining at any time, I ran more of the route than usua...

Well...I just notices that I neglected to write a post on 1/9/19, which would actually make this day 372.  No doubt that is how I end up short at the end of the year.  I miss writing on a particular day and don't notice it.  Oh well...it really doesn't matter in the long scheme of things. This morning's run went well.  A sheriff's deputy pulled up along side me while I jog and said I was a very disciplined runner considering it's 2 AM.  I thanked him.  It was nice.  The swim was okay though there was a hose across the the pool, which I dove under each time.  It disrupted my routine a bit, but no big thing.  I went to the movie On the Basis of Sex  and it was amazing.  One of my favorite movies of the year.  The more I take the trolley, the more I'm amazed at how many crazy people there are, most of them talking to themselves or sleeping in the back of the train.  It honestly doesn't bother me too much and I'm getting u...

My run this morning started out a little rough as I was going very slow and walked in more places than normal; however, I picked it up at the end especially when the fire truck and ambulance passed me and went into my park.  It turns out the resident in Sp. 354 was taken to the hospital.  I went back to the Navajo 24 hour fitness and the pool heater has been fixed though I wished it was just a couple of degrees warmer.  It felt good to be back home.  The Santee location has been okay, but the pool is older and more dirty.  It just doesn't seem as well maintained.  SO...colonoscopy day.  I had stopped eating at noon yesterday (more than the necessary 24 hours requested) and I drank "most" the shitty liquid.  You're supposed to drink three quarts the night before and the last quart (four full glasses) four hours before.  I drank maybe two and half quarts that night and only three glasses in the morning.  It simply made me nauseous and wh...

What an odd day it was for my exercise.  First, the run was okay but my legs were like noodles and I end up walking more of it than I'd like.  Secondly, the swim started out okay, then the divider between lanes came unhooked and I couldn't get back on, so I switched to the one lane.  The pool, this morning, wasn't as clean as I like so I stopped a bit early.  Then my shower stall wouldn't drain.  All these are signs it's time to go back to the Navajo facility.  I'm going to have to take tomorrow off as I will be having my colonoscopy and will be drinking that gallon of joy, which will mean I'll need to stay close to a toilet. I certainly don't want any accidents while running or swimming.  I will be SO glad when this is over.  I absolutely dread it. I had some time after picking up a few things at Walmart and so I picked up trash in the park since Jose was doing meter reads.  I got enough trash to fill up an entire trash bin.  I then...

Had a ridiculous dream I was holding a young baby and suddenly I realized it was gone and someone had taken it.  I woke up, looked over and it was 1:28 AM.  Weird dreams are now keeping my body alarm working.  The run went just fine as did the swim.  After taking one day off because of weather, my body seems to be doing good. I just read an article in The Week that reported that aging Americans can improve their health and life span by running and swimming.  Of course, I know this, but it's nice when they do science experiments that biologically prove it.  It just makes all that more determined to keep this up.  According to weather reports, we will have another storm coming in next Wednesday, so I may miss another day next week. So, the weather cleared up and I wasn't doing anything other than watching the Charger/Raven's game and decided I needed to get out of the house.  I went to the movie Mortal Engines , which was a beautiful film, but...

It's storming today, so I have taken the day off. I don't have a problem with this as now that the year long challenge is completed, I can let the 67 year old body take an occasional break.  I'll be back at it tomorrow. It was book club and things went very well.  There was nothing at the breakfast to be worried about.  Along with that and the morning crackers and chicken boneless wings, that was all I ate for the day.  Being that it was raining I skipped the movie and also cancelled the plans to go to Pechanga.  So, it was a pretty lazy day. 

Kudos to me!!  Yes, I don't say that often; however, this morning I got up and just did not feel like running.  I was truly dragging.  But I put on my sweats, gloves, and set the podcast on the earphones and I just went.  The run went fine. I was more tired than usual, but I didn't walk in areas I don't usually and I finished just fine as did the swim.  I should note that my inner alarm clock lately has been a little early. For the past couple of days, I've been waking up a few minutes after 1 AM.  I go to the bathroom and it seems silly to grab another half hour or so of sleep, so I just surrender, turn on the lights and start my morning.  I do end up finished the day's exercise earlier, but there's nothing wrong with that.  I'm not losing sleep as I always manage between 7 and 9 hours of sleep.  For example, yesterday I took a nap for an hour or so and then asleep by 6, up at 10; then up at 1.  Eight hours +.  I had my usual c...

Okay, so I'm still fuming that today SHOULD be Dec 31, but it's about Jan 3.  Missing those two or three days pisses me off.  But it is what it is...moving on. The run and the swim went fine, though it was cold.  I did buy some new gloves and they were great.  I also found some nice new sweats with pockets that I bought.  Even though I could just get the large, I still buy the ExL because I like the looseness and can always tie the waist.  It's only been three days and I'm already missing candy.  That's okay, I expect some withdrawal symptoms for a couple of months.  I'm going to be a good boy. Aside from shopping, I really didn't do much else other than try to finish my book club assignment (still have about 40 pages to go) and play computer poker.  I did stick to just chicken today.  Of course, I still enjoy my crackers in the morning with coffee. 

The run this morning went quite well, especially considering it was 33 degrees outside.  My sweat pants and sweat shirt seem to keep me warm enough (almost sweating when I get home), but my gloves are not doing the trick.  I'm going to go over to Target or Walmart and buy some that will help keep my hands from freezing.  Of course all this cold lately has made it so that when I jump into the heated pool, it's like heaven.  It's hard to explain just how good it feels to swim in a heated pool.  Yes, there is some work to it with all the strokes and such, but I just love it. I went to see Aquaman  once again on the IMAX screen.  I really do enjoy that movie. I for the life of me can't understand why some people are crapping on it.  It's not my favorite Super Hero movie (that goes to Wonder Woman) , but it's up there.  I got a call from Papa while I was on my way home on the Trolley and he wanted dinner at 4 and asked me to pick up salad....

Okay, it's the new year and I'm still irritated that I miscounted my day totals.  I'll get over it.  January 1 and I took the day off.  The gym was closed and I chose to not do my run.  I also went to Buffalo Wings and had their sampler plate along with a beer--so far away from my diet.  Over 2000 calories right there. I knew what I was doing.  It's the new year and I'm going to allow myself occasional fun days, but not too often.  I do have a goal for 2019 and that's to lose between 15 and 20 more pounds.  On Jan 1 of 2020, I want to be between 180 and 185.  I have the whole year to do this and considering I lost 100 pounds last year, this certainly should be within the realm of success. I did get my run in this morning and I did go to the Navajo facility first for my swim but was disappointed that they STILL have not fixed the heater for the pool, so it seems I'll just go back to Santee and stay there for the foreseeable future.  I...

It's New Year's and I took the day off.  It has been raining hard all day and the gym is closed so no swim or run.  It's crazy to start the year off with an off day, but that's okay.  I'll jump right back on the wagon tomorrow.  On the good side, I managed 10+ hours of sleep...think my body needed it. I drove to the Hillcrest Farmer's Market and walked around.  I really enjoy it here.  All of the different cultural food smells and so many eclectic people walking around.  I even donated to a small musical duo (I never do that).  I bought 10 pork and chicken pots (the name escapes me now) and a small bowl of cevice.  I took all that home. Trash pickup went fine and we barely missed the rain.  I also go a flat on my golf cart, which Jose fixed.  I told him that at his leisure, I would like an estimate on a new stair entrance and security door for the back of the house.  I also asked to to give me an estimate on a fence in the ...