Kid in a candy store...

After given the green light to workout I immediately decided my first workout would be to climb Camelback Mtn. a tough 1.5 mile scramble up a mountain in the middle of town. The 95* heat would be the added bonus to a great workout. I conspired with myself, ferreting gear aside so Mistress would not be suspicious of the training I had prepared.

The next morning I took some time to meditate on my plan and decided that it would not be prudent to challenge myself so strongly. I convicted myself once again for not paying attention to reality. I still have so far to go in this process. The dozens of admonishing emails and texts to 'take it easy' only cemented my resolve to reign it in.

Instead I planned a much simpler workout at the park next to my house, resting as necessary:

25 Pull Ups
50 Push Ups
50 Sit Ups
50 Floor Wipers, using two stable poles
50 Reverse Push Ups
50 Jumping Jacks
50 Burpies
20 minute run

Honestly I think the run 'hurt' me the most, though the screaming triceps today may disagree. Eight weeks ago I ran 3 hours at a moments notice with little effort. This week I am so glad I didn't stop running and really glad I only went for 20 minutes.

But hey I've been through a lot physically and had a long rest. So I'm not to beat up about it. I am just glad to not be hooked up to dialysis machine or be on a permanent training hiatus. As I have mentioned and try to constantly remember, statically I shouldn't be allowed any training right now and with it being conditional there is still a vast chasm to cross before understanding my true limitations and finding the sweet spot between itch and scratch.

Today I am going to OW swim a klick (military jargon for 1 kilometer or 1,000 meters), and attempt a 2.5 mile run. Each one lap of the underground duathlon the aztriclub is holding this Sunday. Jeff and I are going to check the run course out.

Friday I may ride to work, which is 30 miles RT and do that more regularly from now on when scheduling allows.

Have Fun.

A Systems Go

Productive phone call Tuesday with the Seattle doctors. I have been given a Green Light for all things fun, or in this case exercise. And I have an action plan for the next few months from them. To begin with I can swim and use weights. I can bike and I can run. I have to self-monitor (uh-oh) and gradually build back up. Nothing long yet. I can go to altitude.

I am being sent a couple of test kits. I need to see some other doctors down here for specific exams. They want me to eventually come up and while there do a lactate threshold and resting metabolic test with a power to weight ratio thrown in. I said I can do that here no problem.

We talked about training volume and nutrition and different scenarios I can look into down here to help me out.

I asked if there was any conditions I need to place on my training and he was pretty straightforward, nothing to hard. He has a client on the Slipstream cycling team that has a similar condition to me and is now doing very well but it was a process.

I am ready for my next big adventure...I just gotta find my running shoes.

Paying Myself

I bought light bulbs yesterday. 100 watts. Not CFL's. Get over it. The illumination of CFL's is terrible regardless of the model. And from practical application I can tell you they last no longer than regular bulbs. In fact I have thrown out at least three this year after getting some for Christmas. I am not into paying more for something that gives me less of what I want.

I have begun recycling aluminum cans. Part of it is a by product of my own stewardship of the environment but I have an ulterior motive. It's going towards my 'buggy fund'. Yes I would love to own a dune buggy like this one.

A friend had one in college and I really enjoyed it. One has been on my wish list since moving to the SW a decade ago. I finally decided to do something about it but the discretionary income is not there so I will let my habits pay for it, drinking diet coke and picking up trash. I already pick up trash at the lake when I go up there so separating cans is not a problem, nor is collecting the family usage. A pound of cans, roughly 25 of them, is worth between .85 cents and a dollar. Eventually I will make the purchase and the instant upgrades just from my recycling and collecting. It will take a while but I got time.

I also picked up a very small, powerful solar charger and modified it to accept USB plugs. It cost me a fraction of what I'd have to pay for a battery operated system, plus no batteries! I have enough adapters to charge just about any small electrical device like my cell phone, iPod, gps, laptop, portable DVD and camera. Did you know charging your cell phone eight hours every night at home equals about $7 of your monthly utility bill or about $80 annually?

While I know this is silly, I pay myself to read books. I love to read and realized that when I am in a book I am not in a store spending money on impulse stuff. Depending on my training and work load, I'll read two to four books a month. I pay myself $20 a book. Its silly but an effective way to put some money aside. I only imagine how much I'd have if I started this two decades ago.

Memorial Day

To many of our citizens, this day holds little of the importance it once did. BBQ's and a three day weekend now cover the solemnity of remembering, memorializing, our sons and daughters who have given given their life while in uniform.

In our great experiment of freedom brave souls have stood upon the battlements ready to defend its principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The very protections we are blessed with today are due to the sacrifices others have made for us and this day is set aside to recognize them in a tribute of selflessness.

The men I have known, or been told about, the men of history I have studied, all had similar traits. They cared little for the battle they fought rather it was the cause that captured them. A desire to defend their family or protect the weak. On this day we hold in memory those that died holding the line.

In this age most of our holidays are nothing more than an edifice to commercialism. Memorial day is one of the few that is largely untouched, aside from car and furniture companies creating their three day sale blitz. For those that are deeply cognizant of this day, there is no card or gift that can remove the sadness from the heart. This day does not lend credence to what possession we want next when what we desire most is the return of someones life we held so dear. We dream of never having to hold ourself accountable to someone who we felt left this world too early. God save those that blame them self for the lose of life.

Today is meant to honor duty to county. It is meant to hold in memorial those that gave their full measure of devotion for freedom.

The return of photos?

Mighty Mo asked and asked and asked all week if he could reach his hand in the peanut butter jar and eat with his hands. Mistress did not expect him to be so....exuberant. I expected no less.

Topper, our Red Fox Lab, did in fact pounce mightily on the Mo and cleaned his face amongst the giggles.
Summer is officially here.

Have Fun.

A New Shiny Thing: Stove

Oops I did it again. Can't help myself. I bought a new Shiny Thing. I have been listening to my Godfather discuss his plans for what was to be OUR backpacking trip this August. But due to my current condition that is not going to happen. Damn it!

My new Shiny Thing is a REAL. SHINY. THING. It is an alcohol stove for backpacking. Here is the official ebay site. It uses denatured alcohol not gentleman's booze.

I have been trying to find ways to cut down gear weight and work towards a greener posture at the same time. The stove weighs one ounce and is made from a recycled energy drink can.

I am not a gourmet chef in the bush, crap I can't even cook in the house, so mostly I just heat water for drinking and heating up meals. There is no such thing as saute or simmer in my repertoire.

The stove has holes drilled 3/4" from the top all the way around. The fuel goes in the body but when a pot is placed on top it creates pressure which forces the flame through the side holes in a manner not unlike a blowtorch. A wind screen is necessary to protect the flame from the elements but also heats the pot faster by reflecting heat. Its recommended to use a wide bottomed pot or even a tea kettle based on the way the jets distribute the flame and provide balance.

The fuel, denatured alcohol, is very inexpensive and common to find. Alcohol burns extremely clean compared to propane/butane mixed one use fuel cans or what white gas puts out, the most common types of camping fuel. To save additional weight I will most likely carry my fuel in a recycled 20 oz soda bottle.

FEILD TESTING.
Field testing took place over several nights in my backyard with my co-pilot Mighty Mo. Each test used two ounces of alcohol. I used an older six inch wide camp pot with no lid. The first test it took over a minute for the flame to ignite the fuel and prime the jets. After that I wrapped a fiberglass candle wick around the body and add a bit of fuel to the wick when I fill the body. By lighting the wick and not the fuel in the body it warms up the fuel faster, thereby igniting the vapor faster. This dropped the priming time to about twenty seconds and saves a lot of fuel.

Without the lid I heat two cups of water in an average of 5.5 minutes. I have read that with a lid it can be done in three minutes. Makes a great cup of tea or morning cup of coffee (french press).

Weighed out I am saving at least one pound for every couple days I am in the field. I would recommend this as a gift for an outdoors friend or family member. It may never replace their established norms but outdoorsman like back ups and its a proven field tool.

A New Shiny Thing: helmet

Its the return of Shiny Thing segments. For the uninitiated, Shiny Things are usually very cool objects, though not necessarily shiny. (Though if you think about it most shiny things are pretty cool). They can be expensive or not. Shiny is a figurative frame for getting something you want or didn't want but you got it anyway because its cool to you.

I finally found a helmet for "non-biking" activity. For those unfamiliar as to why I would need a helmet for activities other than cycling please click the 'TBI' link below and read up on my unusual life of head injury's. I chose the Pro Tec Ace Freestyle SXP.

I had certain demands when making my decision. It needed to obviously protect my head from the knocks that will give me yet another concussion. It needed to have a classic, multi use look as opposed to a specific shape like a helmet. Lastly, due to my location, it needed to be well ventilated.

Pro Tec has mass popularity in groups that demand head protection like skaters, BMX'ers and special operation military units. They are light weight, take a beating and depending on the model is quite well ventilated. When I worked in urban combat scenarios in the 1990's we used this type of helmet or a hockey helmet. Neither of them had any ballistic protection, but the opportunity for injury was greater from hitting or falling down something in a busted up building.

There are helmets on the market that are more and less expensive than Pro Tec models. The deciding factor for me on this particular helmet is two fold. First it is CPSC which means it is fully complaint as a cycling helmet. Second it uses a new technology inside called SXP, which allows for multi impacts without decrease in protection. I hope to never put this technology to the test but if I do, its nice to think that the helmet may be stronger than just a basic model.

Some other positive considerations; the helmet is molded for goggles. There are a dozen vent holes on the front, back and top which will help in desert climates. Each helmet fits a bit differently so I do suggest that if anyone is looking for a multi sport helmet they try several models. The 'water' models have a liner that allows the helmet to float and provide ear protection. Some models use an additional strap that attaches around the throat to provide additional connectivity to your head.

What will I use this helmet for? Good question. Right now watching tv and yard work. Just kidding. Actually I will use this for quite a lot. I sometimes pretend to water ski, each time I fall pretty hard. For Mexican vacations I like to use ATV's and a personal helmet is better piece of mind than a rental. Mistress would like to take me horseback riding at some point. I have a full suspension mountain bike and would rather use this helmet than my over priced tri-helmet. When I do desert runs, I have been known to boulder and having this in my pack would be a benefit. I am invited to 4-wheel a few times per year and there is the potential to hit the head when being rocked inside a vehicle. I owe Bolder a trip to his town and I am sure he will try to get me to snow ski if its next winter.

In the end, this will give both Mistress and I peace of mind and that is worth a lot. I don't mind the looks I may get looking out of place. But its worth it.