Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Inevitable Depression

I don't know about anyone else, but I go through a depression-type thing after Christmas. There is just so much build up, everyone is on board then it's gone in one day. While I definitely still have the rising of Christ in my heart, just the way everyone acts during Christmas is a reason for me to be depressed afterwards. People of all ages act more joyful during Christmas by doing things for others and not thinking twice about it. This reason alone is a part of why I get depressed. The other thing is that everything that I do is related to Christmas for a month: the movies I watch, the songs I sing, and the things I buy.

Today on my ride to Birmingham, I didn't turn on the radio once because I just am not ready to move on yet. I still have a vacation at the beach this week with the Robinson family for their Christmas, so I guess I get a little longer to enjoy the Christmas spirit.

Also, since I'm going to the beach, I can get in some good bike rides.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The eating, ah the eating

I can't think of a time of year where eating is more important than Christmas. There are Christmas parties with work, family, and friends, and not to mention the snacks that people make around the holidays. I wonder if people eat a lot during Christmas because:

A. It's Christmas, so why not enjoy;
B. New Year's is coming soon, so I can make a resolution to lose weight; or
C. Everyone else is doing it.

Anywho, I'm enjoying my share of eating as well. Rosies, Macaroni Grill, Outback Steakhouse, and "Goodies" week at work are just a few of the gorgefests that I'm part of this week. No doubt about it, I must keep cycling!!!!!!!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

The long road back

Well, the doctor released me last Monday to do whatever. Since then I've ridden my bike a few times, swam a few times, and I've even run/walked a few times. I can tell that I'm way out of shape, but will hopefully not take long to get back. It can be a long road depending on the time off, but I'm not trying to step things up too quickly, so I hopefully won't get injured in some other way.

Is there anything better than the Christmas season? I just can't imagine much more. The unseasonably cold weather here in Alabama has really helped spur the feeling of Christmas because normally its 60-70 degrees around here. Although it makes cycling pretty tough to do, it is fun to actually hear Christmas songs and feel cold weather. That is almost foreign around here since most of our cold weather occurs after Christmas. Oh well, be good all 'cause Santa knows if you've been bad or good...

Sunday, November 30, 2008

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Christmas season is now upon us, and I'm pumped! I love everything about Christmas including the food, music, movies, and especially the Christmas message being preached at church. I have my Christmas lights up and running as well as my tree.

Tomorrow I go back to the doctor for (hopefully) my final check up. I'm sure they'll put me through torturous physical therapy, and I hope to pass with flying colours. I am going to ask about the tendonitis in my knee as well just to make sure that it's nothing big. I wouldn't mind if I had to go to therapy here in Huntsville a few more times just to help it to go away.

Lastly, I got in three good rides--Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I really enjoyed each of them and my average for each one increased each day (17.4, 17.6, 18.0). I really hope to start swimming this week if all goes well with my doctor's appointment.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Walking for fitness

I never thought at 28 years old that I would have to start walking in order to start running. I have been doing research lately on getting back to running after injury, and the program I have adopted involves walking and running mixtures all the way up until I can run 20 minutes straight. I have walked 3-4 times already over the past two weeks, and although it takes a long time to go a mile, it is rewarding to sweat again (even though it's much less than when running). The program I'm starting says that if I can walk 45-60 minutes with no pain, then I'm ready to begin the run/walk mix. I go back to the doctor (hopefully to be released) next Monday, 12/1, and after that I plan to get back to my normal exercise routine--albeit with much less miles on my body to this point.

Only a few more days until Christmas music can begin!!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Price is Right!!

I was sitting around on Wednesday morning wondering how much stupidity should cost a person. Rather than performing some statistical analysis, I decided to run into my garage door with my truck and see for myself what the price was. I found at that $120 was the going price in Limestone County, Al for stupidity.

Somehow on Wednesday morning, as I was backing out of the garage, the door malfunctioned and stopped about 3/4th's of the way up. Since I had no reason to expect this to be the case, I started backing up and was met with a horrible screeching sound. To which, I proceede to move back forward into the garage and get out to survey the damage. Since it was 5:40 a.m., there was a shortage of onlookers (thank goodness). I quickly bent the door back inwards so that I could close it manually. I then called the repair place when they opened and $120 later it was fixed. Needless to say, I'd rather of bought a Christmas present with that money.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Thanksgiving food

I really don't know if it gets much better than Thanksgiving food. I made two sweet potato pies today, and I can't wait to get into them. Then there's turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, etc. The list goes on and so does the appetite. I have a work lunch on Thursday this week, and I'm excited to start the Thanksgiving food a week early.

On another note, I rode my bike over the weekend a few times and it seemed to go fairly well. I rode today for 30 minutes, but it was COLD! I checked the wind chill when I got back and it was 28 degrees. Thank goodness for windproof tights, toe covers, windproof gloves...

Friday, November 14, 2008

Artic blast

Tomorrow's weather around here is for an artic blast of cold--especially for Alabama standards. I am planning on getting in an hour of cycling and maybe 20-25 minutes of walking. I have a goal to run a 5K on December 20th (Rudolph Run in Huntsville), but I want to start preparing slowly. I will probably walk for a week or so in preparation for a run/walk mix. All the while, I'm continuing to ride and do strength training for my knee.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Knee update

Today I went to physical therapy for my re-evaluation. It took a long while (1.5 hours in total) to do, but in the end, the therapist still wanted to see me for a few more visits. While I might have been upset with this news, I actually welcomed it because I know when I go to the doctor on Dec. 1st, that he will push me really hard to see how strong I am. Therefore, I have decided with the therapist to go to therapy once each week until I go to the doctor. In the meantime, she provided me with a list of exercises to be working on so that I'll be ready come Dec. 1st.

Have any of you ever used a Bosu (http://www.bosu.com/)? I had to do most of my workout on this tough little piece of equipment today. I enjoyed the challenge though. I definitely sweated the most today of any day so far. So there's an update on my knee and how its going. I plan to get in a couple bike rides this weekend (hopefully an hour or so).

Monday, November 10, 2008

Day before the holiday

Well, yesterday I got some good target practice with my pistol. We had target practice at my parent's house using the old pumpkins from Halloween. I was pleased with my shooting, and I feel confident.

I got in two good bike rides (for me) over the weekend. 35 minutes on Saturday with the rough wind and 41 minutes on Sunday in the frigid cold (at least for Alabama it was cold--30s). My youngest brother, Barrett, had great patience with me because I just had to meet him halfway since I'm not allowed to do many hills yet. Anyway, they were both good rides, and I felt decent as far as my knee goes on both of them.

Today at therapy I did some balance training (finally!!). I feel like I should have been doing these things over the past week already. I feel like my strength is coming pretty well, and if I can just get my flexibility back, I'm ready to rock.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Big day

Well, today was a big day in many ways. The liberal Democrats have control of everything now--thanks to the irresponsibility of the Republicans. Thankfully, I already own a handgun in case I need it for any reason (and I plan to get more).

As for my big ride today, all 20 minutes worth of fun at 4:45 a.m. I was mostly just spinning around 90 RPMs with very little pressure on the pedals. However, this is only the beginning of a big comeback for next season. I plan on riding everyday from here on (at least until I work to a point where I deserve a day off). I'm looking forward to the time when I'll be able to run, ride, and swim again (which won't be far off). I'm supposed to be re-evaluated at physical therapy next Wednesday, and assuming I pass everything it's back to normal for me.

I have been listening to a POWERFUL song this week that I hope anyone needing hope of things to come can rely on. The song is Midnight Cry. It is sang by many folks, but I have the one from the Gold City album. If you know the song, I'm sure you'd agree it is powerful. If not, check it out.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Day

Well, today is a big day in the history of our country. There is a fork in the road and we must choose one way or another. In elections past, there was not much difference in the paths the country would go depending on who won. However, this year I believe there are significant differences, and as a Christian I believe that I will have to answer for what I've done here on earth (and that includes voting for a person who knowingly supports killing unborn and sometimes born children).

On a lighter note, the doctor has allowed me to begin riding my bike this week (tomorrow is the first day) for about 20 minutes at a time. I'm really looking forward to it, and I hope all goes well with it. Although I'm extremely excited to get back on the bike, I am a bit apprehensive to really push down on the pedal with much force on my surgically-enhanced knee.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A cold snap

Today was my first day since last winter to have hot chocolate (of course with marshmallows). I walked outside to get the garbage can, and WOWZA, YOWZA. It was quite a difference from the day before.

Anyway, tomorrow is a big day for me. I go back to the doctor for the first time. I know I will be getting my stitches out, and I'll also be doing therapy at the doctor's office. I don't know what that will consist of, but I'm excited about losing the stitches for sure. Definitely an update will be provided after the appointment.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Another therapy update

Today, therapy finally started approaching what I've hoped it would from the beginning. Starting with riding the exercise bike, then squats, leg extensions, step ups, etc. No "fru-fru" leg exercises where I just sit and tense up my quad muscle. On the downside, the therapist said that I may swelling in my knee up until 2 months after the surgery date (YIKES!).

Currently, I am reading the book of Revelation, and I'm really trying to get something out of it. To assist, I'm reading Revelation Revealed along with my daily readings. I want to know what the future holds, and nothing can say it better than the Bible.

I'm looking forward to resting tonight--I always sleep much better when it's cold, and it is going to be COLD tonight (at least for Alabama in October).

Friday, October 24, 2008

Being adventurous = being stupid

Today I had to take something up to the next floor while at work. Instead of just taking the elevator (which taking an elevator up one floor is a pet peeve), I decided that I could handle going up one flight of stairs. In reality, I could go up the stairs, but at what expense. I went up them slowly and awkwardly, and afterwards my knee didn't feel the same for an hour or so. Thus, the lesson for today is wait until I'm released from the doctor before attempting any more stairs.

As sort of a funny twist, I get new exercises everyday at therapy. Today's new exercise was stepping up on a step and back down again. While this does mimick the movement of going up stairs, the step I used was only four inches tall (half of what I went up already today). My how interesting the universe is.

As for tomorrow, GO VOLS!!! The whole season could be salvaged if we can win tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Brita Pitcher

This morning at 5:45, I went to Wal-Mart to obtain a Brita water filter pitcher for my new office. The reason for getting the pitcher is Boeing's water is AWFUL!!! Anyway, I looked up and down multiple isles trying to find Brita pitchers. After looking for 20 minutes, I decided to ask someone, and what-do-you-know they were in the automotive section. I really don't know why I couldn't have guessed that right off the bat anyway. I mean, when I'm driving down the road I always think of Brita water pitchers. NOT!!!

Needless to say, the pitcher is now installed and was used today. Thank goodness for charcoal filtering.

On a plus note, my knee is continuing to improve. I am very pleased with my improvement today, and I think it has a little to do with me wearing running shoes to the office instead of dress shoes. After Monday, my knee was really an issue and I feel that was partially due to the crappy dress shoes I wore.

As for tonite, go RAYS!!!! (I'm not a die-hard Rays fan, but I do think last place to first place in one season is pretty darn cool!)

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Recovery from Surgery

Today is exactly one week since I had arthroscopic knee surgery for plica syndrome. I have been doing my exercises very religiously, and although I don't feel like I've had much improvement, the physical therapist says I'm doing great. I do have to admit that my range of motion has increased from 84 degrees to 127 degrees since last Wednesday. So, I guess the numbers don't lie.

On the plus side, I got to ride an exercise bike at therapy today for five minutes. That's what I'm talkin' about!!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Ah, the beginning...

Today is the beginning of me sharing myself with the world. Hopefully, it will be an entertaining experience for everyone. Wow, I'm tired, peace out.