S.A.D.

Life sucks! I've been wondering what has been wrong with me. NO energy. Huge appetite. Weight gain. Pessimistic. My candle of human kindness, put out. All the things that used to bring me pleasure seem absurd and joyless. I can't count how many times I've wanted to pack my backpack and just walk away and keep on walking. Work is monotonous and  I can't seem to get enough sleep. I've been trying to exercise but I find I don't have the energy to keep myself going. I have barely had enough energy to do the little runs I do at night. Then I have to sleep all I can. I've been dreaming and waking up at night. The weather stays cold enough to prevent riding my bike but I don't seem to have the enthusiasm I once had for it. I was almost ready to go see a doctor when I thought about SAD.

Symptoms of SAD may consist of: difficulty waking up in the morning, tendency to oversleep as well as to overeat, and especially a craving for carbohydrates, which leads to weight gain. Other symptoms include a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating on completing tasks, and withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities. All of this leads to the depression, pessimism, and lack of pleasure which characterize a person suffering from this disorder.

I know very little about seasonal affective disorder but I believe I must have it! The treatment calls for 30 minutes exposure to sunlight daily. I think I need the maximum dose but that may take until August to pull off. 7 days on Navarre Beach should do it.

Coccoon

The movie Cocoon is one I really loved It evoked the same sense of introspection that must come with the inevitable sense of ending that all older folks must endure. There too is the wistful belief that some kind of technology may come along and save us from our demise. In this case friendly aliens arrive to spare the heroes from their impending doom. For others, they must play the hand they've been dealt. And with time there is the hope that our knowledge may improve our life spans. Right now we live with the benefit of the generations before who have made advances that have improved our own. We, in turn, may contribute to the knowledge base that extends the life of generations to come. And of course our actions may produce an opposite effect. The other thing about the movie that was particularly moving to me was the relationship between the Grandfather (Wilford Brimley) and his Grandson who was named David. Especially in light of the courageous action of the boy, I didn't believe I could leave him to behind even if the prize was some kind of eternal life. And now, I have my own "David" and I absolutely know that I could not leave him behind.

Frigid

27°F | °C Current: Partly Cloudy Wind: N at 9 mph Humidity: 42% Sun 41°F | 21°F Mon 39°F | 19°F Tue 39°F | 21°F Wed 43°F | 26°F

Detailed forecast: The Weather Channel - Weather Underground - AccuWeathe

Can you believe this forecast? The whole of next week is FRIGID! Here I am waiting to get out and start serious training for cardio and the weather turns arctic. It is aggravating. I'll have to get some running done at the gym. I'll try to go later. 

Data from Sylaward Trail Run 1/1/10

Max speed 6.5
Avg speed 4.3
Time 1:20:25
Max HR 166
Avg HR 151
Distance 5.769 mi

This was a run from the parking area along the trail to the COGS loop, around it and around the Bill's Creek Loop then back along the trail to the parking area. I should stick to this distance for a while. Next I can add the Lakeview Loop for an extra mile. I wore tights with underarmor with moisture management t shirt and was a little cold. Temp was around 42.