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Gavin and I have been going to the gym together for 4 years now. Lifting only. We go 3-4 times a week at minimum.

But a few months back, I realized (as an old guy who eats what he wants and will always be set to that) I had to do a bit more. Enter Cardio.

Last time I did cardio (barring the Peleton I bought during the pandemic, which Tina uses regularly) was years/decades ago. The best I did was when Tina and lived near UNM and ran a mile around campus. I still smoked during that time, so I wasn’t a great partner. I think I did it more to impress her more than anything. I hated it. Abhored it. All along, I have never never understood anyone who ‘runs’. Why?

So I faced a partial reality over the summer that I had to do something. I decided to run on the treadmill at the gym. Why? I don’t know – I just really enjoy facing things that scare me, intimidate me, or make me feel weak. I think that’s it. I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on it while treading through the agony of using this machine. The first 15 minutes is trying to endure my legs through the pain. The second 15 minutes or so is ‘hey, I’m doing it. I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve got a pace going.” The last portion is watching the clock … the minutes and miles tick away. “I’ve come this far, I’m not quitting.” In the end, it’s elation. I did this. Come at me, bro. And then I go home and eat gummy bears and have half a pint of ice cream. I earned it, biotch.

I started with a half mile. I would then add 5% every visit. I don’t use headphones or watch TV. I let the clomp clomp clomp of my run and watching the meter go to antagonize and motivate me. I wondered why, today, why I don’t just run in the neighborhood? I realized it is because I’m agro-competitive: anyone in my lane of treadmills I must outlast. I silently clop away while side-eyeing their pace and time. I can beat them.

Today, I did 3.1 miles – a 5k, if you will. Wow. Felt fucking great! Still agony, but I reached a point I would have never imagined. And this is the 3rd in the week (the other 2 were 2.9 and 3.0 miles). I feel at this point a 5k 3x a week works (plus the other 3 days of lifting) for me. Not phsyical or any midlife thing – just so rewarding mentally for me.

And I can still eat gummy bears and ice cream with no worries.

Teaching Gavin to drive (stressful …).

On a recent jaunt, he asked for more time (has to have 50 hours with me before he’s ready for a permit).

I asked Why The Hurry?

“I want to go to the gym, work out. I’m bored.”

I simply said – “Why the wait?”

We drove to our local gym that was just built. Signed up – both him and I.

We are now lifting. Wow – it hurts …

But so awesome to see him doing this and him inspiring me.

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted … whatever.

Today is a day within a week and month where I (and I’m sure you) say … WTF?

Feels like 9/11 to some extent. I’m not panicking – just feels like the world is, right? Where is the grip?

Umph. That’s all. Umph.

Curious where this all goes …

Stay safe – sanitize those hands (jeez – mine are dry. Yours?)

I get my annual bonus check in 15 days … dumping in stocks. BOOM!

Interesting article. This is where you have to weigh your options if you are bald and want to pursue this: Hair or Health?

Your call.

Alright – I’m not old. Just getting older. We’re all getting older. Get off my lawn! er, Get off of my rocks (I live in the desert). No, that sounds bad. I have digressed into a twisted chasm.

I’m getting older.

I hate it.

Yesterday I sneezed and I pinched a freakin’ nerve in my back. I am not kidding you. All day I was hobbling around carefully and whining and moaning about my back – when it started with a sneeze. I woke up this morning with the pain at a much lower threshold and feel great. I feel normal. I feel younger. I take these moments now when my body doesn’t hurt and am so happy and appreciative of these ever-minimizing windows. As such is this morning as I drink this huge cuppa coffee and feel so much better. Which leads to my second point about getting old that I thought of this morning, prior to firing up the beast …

I seem to be getting up earlier and earlier, and going to bed earlier and earlier. By Choice.

My Friday night is spent reading my tablet in front of the fire (oh – old(er) people don’t like to be cold, either), listening to the TV about our president’s latest faux-pas on the news … waiting to when Tina and I determine it’s ‘bed-time’. It’s a glorious hour, folks. Those of you who are old(er) know this.

But slumbering past 7am is practically impossible the next morning, and 5am is now practical. Jeesh – this is crazy. I’m scared that soon I will be approaching (as a wake up time) the hour which (earlier in my life) was my actual bed-time after a night of bar-hopping and almost-illegal activities!

All of this just serves as a reminder to Seize This Day. I don’t want to get all philosophical here, but it is so very true. I’m going to finish this up (it’s still before 7am and the sun is not up yet), so I still have some time to finish this cuppa joe and get things planned for the day … I have a lot to get done today and I’ve got an early bedtime tonight, yo.

Gavin came home this week from school a little disappointed. Apparently he missed national rankings with his Shuttle Run exercise by 1/2 a second. Below is his multi-step action plan to overcome this gap …

So Gavin had an eye-test at school that didn’t go so well; consequentially, we had him re-tested at a local doc’s. Looks like he will have to wear glasses for a little while. Here he is trying on some diplay specs … Looks real happy, huh?

Found out how long you will live here.