Miles to go before we sleep...

Last week was a big week for exercise for me. It was also a continuation of a goal I'd had since 2005. Back then, when I'd become inspired with cycling, I researched many trails around the region within driving distance and discovered the Virginia Creeper and the New River Trail. Then in 2007 when I accompanied Bev to the first quilting retreat there at Camp Cheerio, I brought a ATB tandem that we rode on the Virginia Creeper from Abingdon to just outside of Damascus. She was hooked. It was some of the most beautiful Autumn scenery anyone could wish for. Then we rode again from Galax toward the Fries Junction and back. That day we pledged to return and ride the rest of the trails. Work schedules intruded so it took until this year for us to have the chance to go back. But we made the most of this trip. We rode every day leading up to the retreat. We finished the unridden portion from Damascus toward Abingdon and then rode the portion from Damascus to Whitetop and back. Then we rode the portion from Foster's Falls up to the Dora Junction and back. Then we rode the Galax to Fries Junction portion leaving only the Fries to Foster's Falls to do when we return another year. Total miles on the tandem mountain bike this week for Bev and me, 115.06 miles.

Thursday evening we drove over to Roaring Gap to Camp Cheerio there. Without my cycling partner and with weekend leaf peeping traffic increasing, I elected to add to my trail running totals. I managed 9.3 and 9.4 miles on the next 2 days. So 18.7 miles running in addition to the 115 miles riding. Not a bad week for exercise. Unfortunately I had great food and negated all the calories burned.

Effigy of Grief

Effigies are used in grieving by providing a tangible representation of what has been lost, allowing a mourner to connect with who or what they've lost , which can help with the process of acceptance and emotional expression, particularly when the loss is sudden or traumatic; they can be used to focus grief and memories around a physical likeness, offering a sense of continued presence even in their absence

Altras

So I've gotten around to buying those Altra Zero Drop running shoes and have begun the transition program to get used to them. My only problem so far has been that sore gluteus muscle I got from the scooter falling on me. But I've managed two days of running and will continue to extend my distance until I get up to something near the training program for the Half Marathon. I don't know if Joe has signed us up for the run or not.

There is an African proverb that says "when death finds you, may it find you alive".

On July 31st, I died.... After having several weeks of discomfort in my neck and jawline, I made an appointment to see my PCP to determine what was going on. The consensus seemed to center around a gall bladder problem. But he suggested that we should rule out cardiac. Once I got over to the hospital, I had a wait of 20 minutes or more before I was sent up to my room. Immediately I was taken for a chest x-ray. Once I got back I saw my nurse and the lab tech were there and I lay down to let her get the blood. As I leaned back, I felt a wave of nausea and everything went quiet and dark. I became aware again after a short period of time, I'm unsure how long. and from there it was a lengthy process to be transported to Grandview where I received a heart catherization and ultimately, bypass grafts. It was literally like hitting the off switch on your computer.

diddlee

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