Waiting for the Supreme Court

We will soon be hearing what the Supreme Court has to say about the Affordable Care Act.  Does it matter as much as everyone thinks?  I have to say that I'm so tired of hearing both sides talk about the Act as if it's either the solution to the health care crisis or the end of civilization as we know it.  It's neither!  And the worst part of all of this is that we're all spending our time fighting, rather than finding solutions.  How can we have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without adequate health care?  I just moved from Colorado to California and I will have to reapply for health insurance (with the same insurance company, no less!).  Of course, I have to buy automobile insurance, but that isn't an infringement on my personal liberty (I know, it's a state requirement, not a federal one.  State governments can tell me to buy broccoli, but the feds can't)?  There are a bunch of items in the Affordable Care Act that are truly a waste of everyone's time and money, but because an intern in a Senator's office was interested in it, it got put in the bill.  The Republicans came up with many of the core elements of the Act, but now that the democrats support it, they're against it.  Most people that are against the Act can't even tell you what's in it or what it does.  There is no rationing of health care in the act.  There are no death panels.  At the same time, there is really no part of the Act that effectively puts free market forces back into healthcare.  The health care market is presently a free market for insurance companies to make as much money as they want.  It's also set up for specialists and medical device makers and pharmaceutical companies to spend our hard earned dollars on treatments that have not been shown to be beneficial.  We are in the 21st century of snake oil and don't even know it.  So, what are we really waiting for?  The entire legal battle over the Affordable Care Act has been nothing more than another way to kick the health care can down the road.  Neither party is truly interested in solving this problem.  They're only interested in getting reelected. Maybe it's time to throw them all out!

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

So, today I've been hobbling around.  I'm a little embarrassed by that fact, as my wife seems to feel sorry for me.  But it's my fault.  I was determined to do a 5K yesterday despite struggling this past week with some plantar fasciitis.  I was doing a lot better, and didn't really have any pain in the foot yesterday morning.  Last night and today are a different story.  Ahh, but back to the race.  It's a local 5K/10K in Westlake Village supporting an organization called Senior Concerns, which provides service for seniors in the area.  I chose to do the 5K, because I only wanted to suffer for about 21-22 minutes.  In fact, I really wanted to see how hard and how fast I could go.  It was about 65 degrees, but it was humid out.  I ran the course for my warm up, going pretty easy, with four forty-five second efforts fast towards the end.  I sweated a ton and decided that I wasn't going to wear a hat, as all it seemed to be doing was keeping the heat in.  I seeded myself at the front, which was good, as it turned out that over 650 people were doing the 5K (about 250 men, and over 400 women).  I was actually a little hemmed in at the beginning, but quickly made my way out, letting all the young people do their 100-200 yard sprints.  I really focused in on keeping a fast pace and breathing every 3rd step.  One thing was odd today, it almost felt easier to run fast than it did to do my slower warmup!  I didn't wear any electronics, so was just going by feel.  Through the first mile, only a few people passed me, and I found myself passing the folks who went out too fast.  The effort started to get harder, but unlike some of my past 5K's, I didn't feel like I was slowing down as I started the second mile.  In fact, when I got to the turnaround, I was still feeling fairly solid, though it was definitely getting harder!  I passed a few more people and by the time I got to the 2nd mile marker, I realized that my breathing had started to pick up and was just now getting closer to every 2nd step.  I passed a couple of more people and then noticed that I was keeping pace with the woman in front of me.  There was a guy behind me, I pushed a little, he stayed with me, I was starting to hurt, but I knew that I was getting to a slight downhill just before turning to the uphill finish.  The guy behind me passed me, and I didn't feel like I had another gear.  As I turned the corner to the uphill finish, I felt like I was giving it all I had, but didn't really have a "kick".  I did see the clock as I approached the finish line, and knew that I was going to be right around 21 minutes.  I glanced back and there wasn't anyone close.  My finish time was 21:06.  This was my fastest 5K in the past few years.  It was probably the best I could have done.  I always over analyze races, and my over analysis of this one would suggest that maybe, just maybe, I had 20-30 seconds in me.  However, I can't really be sure.  I feel like I slowed a bit over the last mile, but I think I really nailed the pace/effort over the first two miles.  Afterwards, I ate and drank and then went to look at the results.  Lo and behold, I was first in my age group!  Of note, there were two 55+ guys who beat me:).  That said, I was still about 24th amongst the men, and only 4 women beat me.  It was a very solid result.  I waited for the awards ceremony, this may have been the first time I'd ever received a 1st place AG award in a running race.  Standing around was probably not good for my plantar fasciitis, which reared its head later in the day.  This morning, I hobbled around and have been hobbling a lot.  But, I do have that medal!  I guess the Juice is Worth the Squeeze after all.

California Dreamin'

This may end up being a perfect day.  I woke up early, as usual, had some breakfast and went to Home Depot to get some pieces of wood for a step for our jacuzzi (didn't work in the end).  Drove out to Newbury Park to pick up my bib for tomorrow's 5K and then headed to Westlake to meet up with Larry from the tri club for a tempo workout.  It was a group workout, but just the two of us showed.  It was a little cool, and a little humid, but it quickly warmed up and the humidity did lead to a lot of sweating.  I warmed up for about 10 minutes before Larry arrived, then we did a warm up ride out to the starting point for our 4x5mile tempo intervals.  The ride is along a long country road, not too many cars, and we even get to pass by Tom Selleck's house!  Larry and I are probably fairly even on the bike, although I had my aero helmet on and he didn't.  The first interval started nicely, I really tried not to go out too hard and let the effort come to me.  It did, and we were against a headwind with some rollers along the way.  I maintained a solid cadence and pushed fairly hard, leaving something in the tank for the next three intervals.  Took a short break to get our breath back and did the 5 mile return.  Most of this was with a tailwind, but I still managed to push my effort quite solidly.  The third interval was the one I'd been waiting for.  I got up to speed and then held a hard effort that got me nauseated about a mile from the end, but I really worked to hold on to the effort at the end.  Stopped briefly to talk with a couple of 70-80 year old guys who were out riding and were impressed with our bikes.  We were impressed with their engines!  I hope that I'm riding when I'm 80!  The last interval was quite solid, probably not quite as hard as the third one, but definitely pushing into the red zone a bit.  Cool down ride back and we were done with what turned out to be about an hour and 45 minutes of cycling.  Drove back to my daughter's house, they're out of town, so I mowed their lawn (hand mower!).  I managed to break a sprinkler head.  Cleaned up around their yard.  All in all, about an hour's worth of yard work, the mowing was intense.  Got home and spent time in the pool with my wife and daughter.  These days when I'm in the pool I'll swim, do drills (one armed swimming, sculling, kicking), swam some with a band around my ankles.  Hopped into our new jacuzzi and then showered and am writing this blog.  Frozen yogurt is up next, then we're going to see a friend's young daughter in the musical Annie, she has the lead!  My plantar fasciitis is improving by the day, hope all will be ok with the 5K tomorrow.

Yay, my butt hurts!

I know the title of this post sounds silly, but I felt yesterday's run today.  Hill repeats are a great way to work on ones running strength, especially the glutes.  So, that's why my butt hurt today.  But, it was a good hurt!  While I never had time to do any training today (more meetings with people with the new house, more driving for my daughter), all day long I felt yesterday's workout and it felt good.  Every day I realize more and more why my present approach to training is perfect.  I don't feel like I'm having to choose my training over my personal life.  I do what I can do.  Every so often, the thought of increasing training, doing the bike experience, racing, creeps into my mind.  But, I realize, do what I can, but keep the focus on being around for my wife and family.  They deserve it so much!  In fact, I probably could do this for the next 30 years and not give back what they've given to me.  That's why it felt good to have my butt hurt:).  Tomorrow is another busy day with lots of driving, but I do have some plans for the weekend.  The tri club I ride with is doing long tempo intervals on saturday, due to the 5K on sunday.  So, I plan to do both!  The idea of getting some good intensity in this weekend feels good.

I also got some new running shoes today, neutral shoes with some good padding, already feels like it's helping my heel, which continues to nag me.  Also, some self massage of the calf is helping.  Driving sucks, but I try to flex my foot as often as possible.

I'm also incredibly proud of my family.  My wife has been helping to orchestrate our move, provide moral support for both of our daughters, and for the last two days, taken care of our grandbunny.  My oldest daughter is putting in long days for a pretty intense graduate school class, and loving it.  My youngest daughter and son (in-law) is in Philadelphia working for our internet venture, which launches on saturday.  They've been essentially working around the clock.  Genetics, I guess:).

Oh, yes, our new hot tub is up and running.  Guess what I'm doing next?

Moving In

Wow!  Moving in is its own ironman!  Yesterday, I managed to sleep in til about 8am, but then had to meet with contractors, pool people, electrician's, an interior decorator, etc.  We then had to help get dinner for my daughter and son in law who have been working long hours in preparation for the launch of our new internet site.  I didn't get to bed until about 1am and got up at 5:30 am this morning.  Finally, waking up early!  Put on my running shoes and just ran around our neighborhood, really trying hard not to pay attention to time.  The effort was moderate, and I sprinkled in some fast strides towards the latter half of the run, before doing 4 trips up a 1 minute steep hill at all out effort.  It's kind of fun, the first fourth of the hill is moderately easy, the next fourth is moderately hard, the third fourth is very hard and the final fourth is extremely hard.  I walked down to the bottom each time.  Four times felt like enough today, I jogged to Starbucks and then home to read the newspaper.  Then, a 3 1/2 hour excursion driving my daughter and son-in-law to the airport.  Got home and took a two hour nap, this helped, but was still tired.  Did manage to jump in the pool for a short swim before talking to our real estate agent in Colorado.  Isn't retirement fun!  My left heel continues to nag me, last weeks massage helped, looking forward to another one on Sunday.  I think all the driving is putting the foot in a bad position and trying to cause me to have some plantar fasciitis.  I need to keep flexing the foot and keeping it stretched.  So, getting back to training in fits and starts, I am planning on doing a 5k on sunday.  That should be interesting!

Exhaustion, not so much!

Yesterday was a pretty tough day.  I felt completely exhausted, did jump in the pool twice for some exercise and relaxation.  Did some unpacking.  Tried to nap, a few times.  Honestly, I felt like an old man.  I was tired, I was aching.  I began to wonder if I'd ever do another triathlon, much less an ironman.  I went to bed at 8pm, woke up before 6am and was out the door driving to my CV Tri Club Sunday bike ride by 7:30am.  The group is great, lots of really nice people, pretty laid back.  I felt great!  We rode out to Point Magu, then back along Pacific Coast Highway with a 7 person pace line.  I was comfortable with about 1 foot between me and the person in front of me, I know, I can still improve, but not too bad.  I felt pretty darn strong today.  The final part of the ride was a 9 mile climb at about 4% grade, I essentially did it as a tempo workout.  Didn't quite keep up with the two people who went ahead, but pretty much held my own today.  Great day, riding in a group, climbing, riding in a paceline.  I am back!  All in all, this was about 3 hours and 15 minutes in the saddle today (I know, I'm not supposed to look at time, but I couldn't help looking at my clock when I got in my car).  I was thinking of a number of things to blog about as I rode, but decided to focus in on how exhausted I felt yesterday, and how good I felt today.  It's a reminder that I need to train!  It gets my adrenaline going and keeps me feeling good.  The best part was getting home and telling my wife, "let's drive to Malibu for lunch!"  Spent the afternoon with my wife, came back home and took my daughter and son-in-law out for frozen yogurt.  Still with energy...this is a good sign.  Yes, endorphins are good for you!  It was also a reminder how other stresses can tire you out, like unpacking all week, and driving a ton.

Well, enough for today, still have some daylight left, might jump in the pool for a short swim!

The benefits of massage

For the past few years, I have been getting a weekly massage.  I struggle sometimes with the cost of doing this, but with my training schedule, I've believed that regular massages have helped keep me injury free.  In the past 3 week, post Ironman St. George period, I had one massage.  In addition, I've driven from Denver to California twice, then drove to Northern California and back in the course of two days.  Plus, we've been unpacking...need I say more.  I've been noticing my feet hurting every day.  Tonight, I finally got a massage her in California.  I think that every muscle in my body felt tight and a little sore.  Now, it feels better.  I clearly must get back in the routine of taking care of my body.  Also, I think the soreness was beginning to mess with my mind a little in terms of training.  I've been looking forward to getting back to my regular training regimen, but have to admit, the soreness was tugging back at me somewhat.  I was also concerned about finding a good massage therapist, but I think that I've lucked out.  Some members of the local tri club that I've joined recommended someone to me, and she's different than what I've been used to, but seems to be effective.  I've definitely been spoiled over the last few years, and finding the right person can be challenging.  When you train for an ironman, you are pushing your body, it needs to be treated well, and massage is part of that.

No training today, if you don't count getting up at 6am and unpacking until about 4pm.  I even washed some windows in our new house.  My wife is beginning to wonder where her husband disappeared to, or perhaps I've been taken over by space aliens.  It's funny how new surroundings and a new life can help you change an evolve.  Just like triathlon, it's really all about the journey!