Tag: gratitude Page 2 of 3

I ran again today. The first time in over 6 weeks. I ran so slow it makes me laugh, but I ran.

I was like all Forrest Gump out there once I got past the fear of re-injuring my knees. The first mile was very cautious, but after that I didn’t want to stop! Just a little more… just until the next intersection… just go until the next mile is complete…

Before I started the run, I had made a deal with myself to pay attention and listen to my body. Don’t over do it! I did listen, but it was so amazing being able to run (even slowly) on my knees where I was concerned I’d never run again. I did listen… mostly…

Perhaps you’re not a runner and think this is crazy and maybe it is a bit, but as a runner, this is a big deal. It’s like being set free from a long captivity, like getting outside on that first warm Spring day after a long cold and dark winter. It’s refreshing and I’m grateful!

I ran 5 miles. I stayed close to home, just in case. I believed the knees were doing better when I could feel other body parts start complaining louder than my knees had previously. The patella, the plantar, the quads all started to chime in as if to say “hey wait, where have you been?”, it was great.

I forced myself to quit at 5 miles, then did a 2-mile walk to celebrate.

The bike has been a great way to keep my cardio in shape as there were no issues with breathing or heart-rate. I’m going to experiment with mixing the bike in my routine going forward as I have felt the benefits from it.

Happy Fall 2019! Running is back on the menu! 🙂

4-Cemetery Route

By Jerry Schotz

On August 10, 2019

In Blog

I like Cemeteries, not in a weird or spooky way, I like the serenity and peacefulness of the majority. They also remind me to be grateful, grateful I’m still just a visitor and not a resident there, but also I’m mindful of the lives of those folks that are now out-of-mind with the passing of time. We don’t think enough about the folks who were farmers, teachers, soldiers, laborers, etc. which helped form the amazing civilization we have today.

I get to ride on paved, straight roads (well, mostly), I get to purchase a new bicycle easily at a store or online and I can get accessories to make that experience safer and more enjoyable. So many little things we take for granted today which someone in our past had to build, support, or contribute to in order for us to make significant transactions from a device in our pocket. It’s amazing if you stop to think about it.

One big plus of riding the bike while my running injuries heal is I can expand my travels out in the open air. This morning I didn’t have any time-crunch pressure so I just ventured “wherever”. As I started out I thought about the cemetery just up the road, which helped me decide to ride to four different cemeteries which turned into a decent ride (see below).

The Outdoor Cyclist?

By Jerry Schotz

On July 31, 2019

In Blog

It finally happened… a knee injury I couldn’t run through. The first time in seven years of contiguous running where I had to stop. It was a blow I had no choice but to receive. However, I have a bike collecting dust that I’ve been saying I should get used to riding for exercise and now is my chance.

Tomorrow will be my 4th day riding the bike in the morning instead of my usual run and I think I like it. Shocker to all those cyclists out there. It is a lot easier on the knees and I sweat a lot less than running, but I get a good workout by keeping the pedals moving. The image below is from the ride this morning.

I have discovered I can get 18-19 miles in the same time I was running 8-9. I find the bike rather amusing though because in the first mile the bike feels light as a feather and the last few miles feel like it has flat tires and going up-hill against the wind. Sheesh! You really do notice small hills (heck, inclines too) a lot more on a bike.

Another difference from running is that I went from a pedestrian to a vehicle, albeit a man-powered light-weight vehicle. Still, the rules of the road are different, the speeds are faster, the height from the ground is greater, etc. I went out and purchased a helmet and light kit. Wow, lights for bikes have come a longways from the 70’s when I was a kid. These LED lights are bright and allow a standard on mode and a flashing option, for both the headlamp and rear.

The knee is getting better each day but I’m guessing it will be another week before I can attempt to run again and that’s okay now that I’m all into this bike thing. I still get to experience those beautiful morning sunrises and be out among the hardy green Midwestern fields breathing in that fresh air that makes you grateful for what you have. Keep on moving!

The first significant heat advisory this summer (July 19, 2019)

By Jerry Schotz

On July 19, 2019

In Blog

A lot of folks still exercise outdoors when the weather turns hot, that doesn’t make it easy! Wow, my running clothes were as wet as when I get caught in a rainstorm.

Yet, still, I am grateful to have the opportunity to run, and to sweat, breathe, and the freedom to move about. Many people don’t share the health and freedoms I am thankful for. So yes, the next several mornings will be wet-n-sweaty so let’s make the best of them. Be safe and enjoy your blessings!

The January 2019 “Alberta Clipper”

By ps401t3

On January 30, 2019

In Blog

Central Illinois isn’t the worst place to spend the winter as there are colder and snowier places in North America. This week an Alberta Clipper has made it’s way to our area, and without a doubt, it’s cold!

screenshot from 2019-01-30 07-32-54

The wind is painful on exposed skin, so I leave very little exposed while I’m out there. My gear did its job and protected me from the brutal weather. I did have a new first for me, my longest lash-cicles! Of course, I could see the ice hanging off the eyelashes, I just didn’t know how big they actually were so once I arrived home, I grabbed a phone to catch a selfie before they melted.

20190130_072242

I kept my run confined within the residential areas to gain as many wind-blocks as possible. The route below is a bit more twisted, with several overlapping streets than my regular field-runs, but I am so grateful to be able to get out there and run!

screenshot from 2019-01-30 08-21-23

A few other notable things: Yes, my water bottle froze pretty quickly, my iPod Shuffle, which was in an inside pocket in my coat was covered in frost when I pulled it out at home. Apparently, the condensation was freezing inside the first layer of my coat. One of the clasps on my running belt snapped off. They are plastic, and I’ve had this belt for 5+ years. Still, it’s interesting how things deal (or not) with the cold.

I had 4-layers beneath the coat today. The outer layer was an old navy zip-collared v-neck sweatshirt. These are relatively thick and also had frost accumulations on it under my jacket when I got home. Below that was a 100% polyester short-sleeve. This layer was a moisture barrier from the condensation externally and the sweat internally. Layer three was just a cotton t-shirt and at the bottom was a sleeveless t-shirt.

I had my Clava over the head and face, then my IceArmor (by Thinsulate) mittens over my hands. I always add a scarf around the neck for additional warmth and ventilation control, plus as an emergency device in the event of some other equipment failure like a tear or seam split. Of course, the hood was on, holding in heat and blocking the wind.

In the end, I was glad to see I had around 8 1/4 miles in when I got home, an acceptable run, especially on such a cold day!

Lessons learned from a habitual outdoor runner

Tag: gratitude Page 2 of 3

Gratitude on the 1st day of Fall – I ran again!

4-Cemetery Route

The Outdoor Cyclist?

The first significant heat advisory this summer (July 19, 2019)

The January 2019 “Alberta Clipper”