Day Off

Took the day off. I'm planning on riding about 70 miles tomorrow, so thought I better take it easy. I got on the scale today and was at 178.2. It's nice to have lost some weight, but being this sick would not be my first choice on how to take it off.

Stronger Still

Another improvement in my workout. I'm still coughing a small amount of stuff up, but I'm back to the intensity that I had in my weekday workouts before I got sick. The only thing I worry about now is the duration of my workout and the intensity on Saturday. I'm good for two hours now, and I assume that I could go for 60-70 miles on a bike without too much of a problem. It's so cold right now that it'll be hard to judge this Saturday how far I can go. But, if I can get in at least 50 miles at around 17mph, I'll know I'm back on track. I was about a week ahead of my training schedule, before I got sick. Now I'm about a week behind, which is not really a problem, because I've got about 6 weeks before I'll race and start up my hammer rides.

It's amazing how the simple things in life like, swallowing, no aches, and a comfortable body temperature can make life worth living. It sure feels good to feel good.
2hr/2170

Stronger

Another 2hrs at the gym on the elliptical. I'll be ready to be outside by Saturday for sure. It's going to be pretty cold tomorrow, so I'll play it safe and stay in. 2hrs/2120

Feeling Better

Got over to the gym and put in 2 pretty easy hours. I think I got this beat. It's predicted to be cold through Saturday, so I'll stay inside for my work outs until then. I think I'll be feeling OK enough by Saturday to ride outside, even if it's unseasonably cold.
It really felt good to be able to get a work out in. 2hrs/1950

Boredom

No energy. Haven't worked out or ridden for 4 days now. I'm going nuts.

Improvement?

My intent in starting this blog was to only write about my riding experiences, and things that relate to riding. I've veered from that in the last few days, since I haven't been riding. So, since I'm a little off track anyway, I thought I'd introduce you to the most important things in my life. The picture above is of my family taken February 17, 2008. My son and his wife are directly to my left. My two daughters are on my right in front of their boyfriends. Standing on either side of my ex are two of my grand kids, and my youngest grandchild is being held by his mom. Pretty cool huh? Nothing comes anywhere near the joy that I've gotten from my kids and grand kids over the years. Nothing!

OK, back to the tedium that is my blog.

I woke up this morning feeling much better. The most significant improvement was my throat. I don't dread swallowing any more, and am not afraid that it will swell shut. I even had a bit of an appetite. Don't get me wrong. There's still plenty of snot, raspy throat, and achy muscles, but my death wish has ended.

One of the difficulties of being sick is boredom. I did venture out this afternoon for a short drive, and even got out of the car and walked along Lake Harriet for a little. It felt so good to breathe real air, even if it was only for a mile. It seemed to help. Maybe it was just the excitement of being outside, but that first breath filling my lungs...I could feel it going through my entire body.

I was surprised how invigorating it was to be walking outside, but kept on telling myself, "nice and easy...don't over do". I turned around and headed back for my truck still feeling strong. By the time I got back to the truck I was wiped out. It's amazing. Last Sunday I rode for over 50 miles and didn't want to stop. Today I walked very slowly for one mile and was exhausted. Where did all that energy go? Does it really take that much energy for the body to fight off illnesses?

I hope I'm past the worst of it now, and that I'll be back in the saddle soon.

Sick Sucks

Just didn't feel good enough to get out on the bike today. Beautiful and sunny wasn't even enough of an enticement. No fever, but just no energy. What do most people do with themselves on Saturdays? In the last 10 years, I think the only other time I missed a work out or a ride on a Saturday was when I had surgery on my shoulder after a bad crash.
Rough night again last night. Didn't sleep well, and soaked my bed again with night sweats. No fever stats to report so far today, other than normal.
I got a note this morning from a friend who thinks she's coming down with something again. This will be the 4th time she's been sick since December. She's pissed. I guess it could be worse. Thanks for the nice notes and advice, it makes it easier.
I had like a bowl of cereal today! That's it! I'm not even hungry!
No cycling! No Food! What's the point!

Update as of 7:30pm: fever 99.8 the Osmonds are on channel 2 and I don't have the energy to change the channel. Just fuckin' shoot me.