Long ride

Today, despite experiencing persistent pain, I embarked on a cycling journey. I sustained a severe injury on the outer lower portion of my right calf, accompanied by substantial ankle and foot discomfort on my left side. Given the high temperature exceeding 90 degrees and minimal wind, it was not the optimal day to exert myself. Nevertheless, I carried 50 ounces of water and consumed it entirely.

My ride was 33.84 miles long (2:43:50) and had 1,483 feet of elevation gain. I seized the opportunity to identify the most efficient route to the assisted living facility where my mother will reside in a few weeks. The initial 17 miles presented a formidable challenge, yet I managed to conserve battery power effectively. Conversely, during the return journey, I had to rely on the battery for approximately half of the ride. I was particularly impressed by the comprehensive statistics recorded by Bosch during the ride.

Overall, the experience was satisfactory. My ankle and calf exhibited no significant discomfort, and I intend to assess my condition tomorrow morning. Given the inclement weather forecast, I anticipate taking a break from cycling tomorrow. Subsequently, it will be August, and it isn't easy to comprehend that I have been retired for six months.

Upon retirement, I resolved to refrain from obsessing over my weight and experiencing emotional distress in this regard. I will allow things to unfold naturally and evaluate my progress at my upcoming primary care checkup in December. During my April follow-up appointment, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I had shed 14 pounds over the eight weeks of my retirement. I was delighted by this achievement.

Carry on my friends!

Old age or dormant lifestyle

Over the past month, I have experienced significant challenges in maintaining my fitness routine. Each day, a new pain manifests with intensity, while an existing pain gradually diminishes. My last workout took place on July 22, seven days ago. Concurrently, my preferred bicycle, the Surly Long Haul Trucker with the BIONX D500 has been unavailable. I am hopeful of its timely restoration, as it allows me to ride with electric assistance without excessive strain.

Furthermore, I have been grappling with stress and demanding work as I prepare to relocate my 81-year-old mother from our North Dakota farm to a new residence in the vicinity. My father passed away on May 6, 2023, while engaged in farm work in a remote location. I refrained from mentioning this earlier due to strained familial relations. I often wonder whether I should have tried to resolve the tension, but I didn't. Raised in a remote area, my parents resided there for nearly five years.

My 80-year-old mother expresses reluctance to leave her long-standing home. However, due to memory impairments, we are compelled to make the move. Her safety is compromised in rural North Dakota. Over the past few months, my sister and I have diligently searched for a suitable new home, provided care for our mother, and prepared for the relocation. The numerous extended drives to North Dakota’s countryside have taken a toll on our emotional well-being.

Save bags and boxes of empty treats

Huge box of unused dog medicine

Recently, we undertook a significant endeavor to declutter my mother's living space. The task proved arduous, and the extent of the hoarding was disheartening. I anticipate that once our mother is settled, the stress will abate, and some of the pain will alleviate. Additionally, I eagerly anticipate the return of my Bionx-equipped Surly bicycle and the resumption of a regular exercise regimen.

Recently, I have commenced attending Minnesota town ball games and reviewing Minnesota Town ball Fields. I have always been an avid enthusiast of townball and its storied history, finding it an effective means of escaping the complexities of my daily life.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Grandview 2024

Annually, Shelley hosts her kids and all the grandkids at Grandview Lodge each July.  They always have a blast, and today marks the start of their adventure. We kicked things off yesterday when three little ones were having a blast in the park, while the rest of the gang got ready to head over to Grandview!

On a recent day, Shelley and I accompanied Vera, Faye, and Maeve to Costco to procure provisions for the upcoming week. To our astonishment, the three young girls (ages 4, 7, and 9) proved to be remarkably helpful. However, loading the already-filled car presented a challenge. Despite the difficulties, we completed the task. Unfortunately, Vera was positioned between two watermelons and bags of chips. Fortunately, the remaining distance to our destination was only 12 miles.

Eric, Taylor, Allison, Leslie, Jack, and the Guillory grandchildren had previously visited Roadhouse Brewery until our arrival. At 5:00 PM, we were all checked in and settled for the week. Given the inclement weather, we decided to engage in indoor activities and prioritize rest for the days to come, allowing for enjoyable experiences.

We kicked off the day with a yummy breakfast of French toast, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fruit. Shelley nailed it with the food prep—we only had a couple of French toast slices left after Eric was totally hooked on the eggs! The group hit up the Grandview “north pool” for some fun, while I (Londell) dashed to the store because I’d totally forgotten the spices for the ribs! Shelley gave me a heads-up twice, but I totally spaced. When I got back, I decided to tidy up and chill out.

They got back around 12:00 Noon. Some went for a stroll, others took a nap (both adults and kids), and some got creative with arts and crafts. The little ones were super tired, so it was time for a break.

At 1:30 PM, I started cooking the ribs for dinner. I was planning to slow cook them on the grill for a 5:00 PM feast. The grill was a bit of a handful, so things didn’t go exactly as planned. But hey, it turned out to be a fantastic meal! Even little Jack discovered a love for ribs and watermelon! After dinner, we gobbled up a homemade mud cake (kind of like an Oreo cookie cake with ice cream). Once we were done, the group did a quick tidy-up before heading to the pool. There was a chance of rain, and right when they stepped outside, a massive downpour started! It was like, less than 10 minutes earlier, the sky was a brilliant 80 percent sunny, and then it just “popped up”! So strange!

I stayed and showered, followed by a deep clean of the place.  This will help reduce the stress when they return.  At about 7:30, the 4-year-old MH returned and cried in pain.  She did not take her goggles; the chlorine was a painful experience.  Nothing could comfort here!  That was too bad! 

The kids sure love the slides!

Once they all returned, they continued trying to start a fire. This was difficult as the hard rain soaked all the wood!  After using 1/5 a roll of paper towels, it was a success.  We started out and enjoyed the fire until the Mosquitoes drove most of us in by 10:15 PM.  Eric and TG stayed much later.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Posterior ankle impingement?

My left ankle has been experiencing intermittent severe pain, particularly during spasms. This has persisted for several weeks, with an increasing frequency of spasm-like pain. I have been investigating the potential causes, and based on my research, posterior ankle impingement is a likely diagnosis. This explanation aligns with the fact that the pain is most intense when I point my toes away from my knee or shin. However, stretching by leaning forward with my foot against the wall does not alleviate the pain.

Given the current circumstances, it is challenging to manage ankle pain, especially with the arrival of my girlfriend’s seven grandchildren and daughters, aged 18 months to nine years old, at Grandview Lodge. The presence of these children creates a chaotic environment, as three are from one daughter and the other. Due to their infrequent interactions, tension, arguments, and frustration have arisen.

My mother requires assistance with daily living, prompting me to research options with my sister as we plan to relocate her closer to us. She has resided on the farm since my father’s passing approximately 15 months ago and is experiencing significant loneliness. Engaging in social activities would undoubtedly enhance her well-being. Although it is difficult to ascertain the exact situation, we have identified a suitable residence approximately 13 miles from my location, which enables me to visit her conveniently by bicycle.

Reflecting on my recent retirement, I acknowledge that the initial excitement has diminished. While I remain content with my decision to retire, my days are now filled with numerous tasks that necessitate rest. These tasks include sealing the driveway, thoroughly cleaning the gutters, trimming trees, repairing deteriorating steps, and addressing various landscape edging issues. The list of functions continues to expand, resulting in increased exhaustion. This situation mirrors a common American experience, characterized by an inability to achieve a harmonious balance between happiness and health.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Grandma's Marathon - 1st time spectator

My son finished Grandma's Marathon. As usual, we left around 2:00 PM on Friday, but we had to dodge some construction and traffic. We finally arrived just before 6:00 PM, checked into the hotel, and then headed to the expo. It was super crowded, so we grabbed dinner at Michelena’s grandma’s feast. It wasn’t the best, and the food felt a bit too commercialized! We went more for the vibe.

Earlier this week, the forecast indicated that there might be a cancellation due to the weather. But, as always, the forecast is never totally accurate. It predicted colder temperatures (54 degrees) and a good tailwind for most of the race.

When we woke up, it was chilly, but thankfully, the rain held off! His day didn’t start great because the train was running late, so he started at the back of the pack. It took him about nine minutes to cross the start line. He passed 2471 runners in the first 5K and another 865 in the next 5K. He was feeling good, keeping a pace of around 7:45 minutes until about mile 12, when a cramp started to set in. I caught a glimpse of him just past the halfway point, and he ran the half-marathon in 1:43:46, which was just 7 minutes off my personal best pace! If he could’ve kept it up, he’d have been close to my PR, but the cramps put that possibility at risk.

He took off at Mile 14 in 9:21, followed by 14:19 and 12:25 miles. After recovering from a cramp, he picked up the pace with a few 9-minute miles, reaching Mile 23. His pace dropped to 11:33 and 12:20 miles before he kicked it up with a quick burst to a 9-minute average mile, finishing in 4:07:27. This was a personal best for him, landing him in the top half of his age and gender group.

After the race, we checked out of the hotel later than planned, so my son took a shower, and we hit the road. The drive home took about 1.75 hours, and it was a tough one—we got caught in a bad thunderstorm. But other than that, it was uneventful. We were both exhausted, so we turned in early.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Long drive - end of short trip!

At 6:00 AM, I promptly packed my car and prepared to depart. Unfortunately, I experienced a poor night’s sleep due to the hotel’s parking lot lighting, which illuminated my room throughout the night. After a brief complimentary breakfast at the Holiday Inn, I commenced my journey at 7:45 AM. My initial destination was Kansas City, where I made a stop to refuel.

The remainder of the drive proceeded without incident until I encountered storms and congestion in Minnesota. Throughout the duration of the drive, I diligently monitored the storms and made an effort to avoid its path. I utilize an application named “On the Way,” which displays the storms on my car’s screen.

I was home by 5:15 PM.  I was tired, but it was a fun, short trip!

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Long day - four games

At approximately 7:15 AM, I awoke, but unfortunately, I did not achieve the restful sleep I had desired. I proceeded to have breakfast and departed on the road by 8:30 AM, heading towards Devon Park, the venue for the NCAA Women’s World Series of softball. Upon arrival at approximately 9:30 AM, I discovered available free parking.

Surprisingly, the weather conditions were favorable. Although overcast, there was a palpable sense of impending heavy rainfall. Rather than utilizing the shuttle bus, I opted to walk along the bike path, approximately ¾ of a mile to the stadium. I arrived at the stadium at 10:00 AM and explored all the available attractions.

Realizing that the weather was about to deteriorate and that I had not secured a parking spot in the designated free parking area, I returned to my vehicle to retrieve my raincoat and relocate it. Just as I returned to the car, the rain commenced pouring heavily.

Upon consulting the Internet, I discovered that the 11:00 AM game had been postponed due to inclement weather conditions, which included rain, thunder, and lightning. Consequently, I decided to remain in my car and read a few chapters of “Running with Sherman.” The weather conditions gradually improved, and by 11:45 AM, I boarded the shuttle bus back to the stadium. Upon arrival, it was announced that the first pitch would be scheduled for 12:46 p.m. Therefore, I proceeded to walk the entire stadium before settling into the left-field outfield bleachers.

The inaugural game, featuring Alabama against UCLA, was exceptionally well-played. The score remained tied at 1-1 throughout the sixth inning, which was characterized by intense competition. Regrettably for Alabama, in the bottom of the sixth inning, a three-run home run propelled UCLA to a commanding lead of 4-1. Despite the exceptional pitching displayed by Alabama, it proved challenging for them to overcome this deficit.

 

The second game, pitting Oklahoma against Duke, was rather uninspiring. Oklahoma was unable to participate for the initial two innings, and Duke held a 1-0 lead. However, this is a common occurrence during Oklahoma’s season, as they require three innings to warm up thoroughly. In the third inning, Oklahoma unleashed two home runs, effectively securing a lead. Subsequently, they accumulated sufficient runs in the sixth inning, ultimately clinching victory through the 8-run rule.

 

Due to the ample time between the conclusion of the Oklahoma game and the start of the evening games at 6:30 PM, I returned to my vehicle, where I had consumed lunch and relaxed. At 6:30 PM, I re-entered the stadium, and the game commenced approximately 10 minutes behind schedule due to the need to vacate the stadium for the day session and subsequently allow the night session to enter.

Texas (#1) faced Stanford (#8), followed by Oklahoma State (#5) versus Florida (#4). The Texas game witnessed approximately 60 percent stadium occupancy and lacked significant events, resulting in an unremarkable 4-0 victory for Texas. The subsequent game was closely contested, and the stadium experienced heightened activity with Oklahoma State on the field. In the concluding moments of the fifth inning, Florida’s Katie Kistler executed a home run, marking the sole run scored.

I returned to the hotel just before midnight, took a shower, and recognized the importance of getting sufficient rest for the extended drive home on Friday.

Carry on my friends, carry on! 

Only my way to Oklahoma

I woke up bright and early at 8:30 a.m. and peeked at the weather forecast for Oklahoma City. I was torn about whether to go to the NCAA Women’s Softball World Series. The forecast was a bit of a downer, with rain, hail, and potentially damaging winds forecasted for the entire week, and it remained unchanged on Wednesday morning. I wasn’t sure if I should brave it. I was a bit superstitious, thinking that if I went, it would rain out, but if I didn’t, it would be gorgeous weather! So, I might go!

Next, I checked if I could snag some tickets. Luckily, there was still one $35 ticket left for the morning session, which includes two games. First up, at 11:00 AM, Alabama (#14) was playing against UCLA (#6), followed by Duke #10) versus Oklahoma (#2) and Alabama versus UCLA. For the night games, a resale ticket ($48) was available: Texas (#1) vs. Stanford (#8), followed by Oklahoma State (#5) vs. Florida (#4). I also looked into hotels, and they were reasonably priced at about $80 per night. Since I’m retired, I decided to go!

So, I packed quickly and hit the road by 10:00 AM. The hotels looked good in case it started raining. I packed the car with the bed and all the essentials so I could sleep in the car if needed.

As I drove toward Oklahoma City, the drive was smooth until I reached Kansas City. My timing could have been better, as I arrived in Kansas City during rush hour. I lost about an hour in total travel time just crawling through the traffic!

At the Missouri-Kansas border, I discovered that Interstate 35 had become a toll road.  It was going to cost me $17 to cover the next 123 miles, which is about $0.14 per mile. To dodge those tolls, I added about 45 minutes and 21 miles to my drive. I thought I’d take the scenic rural route, but that turned out to be a bit of a misstep. I had to pass through several small towns, which added about an hour to the trip. By the time I was a few hours away, I was super tired and decided to look for a hotel. I found a Holiday Inn Express in Perry, Oklahoma, for about $90 a night.

I got to the hotel around 9:45 PM, so my drive had taken 11 hours and 45 minutes. I was completely exhausted and fell asleep after midnight. 

Carry on my friends, carry on!