The title really says it all. After last year’s serious bout of pneumonia and the realization that life is perhaps worth living after all, several major changes were put into action. First up, the last cigarette hit the ash tray on 11 Nov 2015 at 1700 and 2 days later Brenda followed suit and we have been smoke free ever since.
Age 69, smoking for 62 years…… 11/11/15 “The Last One!”
Next in line was another dose of the Nutri System Diet and the plan was to come down from 220 lbs to about 190-194. That has been achieved but in truth I would like to just get under 190.
That would be my next goal
In order to keep breathing, and being on nighttime oxygen, I decided that I can improve most functions by getting back on the old bicycle again. It was duly pushed outside on 28th Feb and despite the cold, a massive 3.39 miles were put in the book to open the account.
Very true
Not that old and cost a lot when I bought it in 2002
Since then, and it did snow on many days from March through early May, I have been trying to up the ante and once I could get up to my target distance of 10 miles a day things started to look like I was actually achieving something.
More non cycling days! April-May
With my birthday just around the corner on 7th August my next goal is to hit 1000 miles cycling around Dolores and never having left the town limits.
So from 28th Feb through 2nd June when I had my last visit with my lung Doctor I managed to crack the 400 mile level and since then have seen the numbers climb up to today’s total of 840. So now I need 160 miles in the next 18 days Which should be feasible unless its too windy! I don’t much care for headwinds!
This weekend is Tucker’s Ranch and one of my favorite venues in the Trials calendar but this year with all the boat building and gardening I still haven’t got to prepping either of my bikes. Fear not, I’m not giving up just yet so I should have it all together by Sipapu which is one week after my 70th birthday.
Coming soon
Workshop cleaning and a lot of reorganization is the number one priority and indeed yesterday was a good start with a load of junk carted round to the dumpster. After building shelving for the boathouse the leftover components made some good units and will be fitted over the weekend and then next week I should be in good shape for the bikes.
Boathouse shelving complete
With the Tour De France coming to a close and watching their exploits it certainly encourages me to go for the 1000. The week started at 756.69 covered, and after yesterday’s double header of 26.38 I’m at 866.39 with 109.70 pedaled this week. Bit windy this morning but I suppose I could do another 10.30 to make a record 120 for the week.
Sunday 7/24, two weeks to the birthday and 133.61 to go. Off again after a dull F1 race so a later start and clearly short of a major accident Chris Froome will win his third TDF.
Fabulous win
Better get in the saddle and knock a few more off the hit list. Pretty windy again and a spot or two of rain as I pound my way round sleepy hollow. Another 16.23 goes in the book for a total of 882.62, will I make 900 on Monday?
Odometer reads 17.57 and the 900 is cracked so the target is in sight! I do get asked some dumb questions!
Being alive mon ami
TONY DOWN