Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Climbing gym


I think a lot of middle-age men and women look at rock climbing as something they may like to try, but they may be hesitant to get started because the sports seems to be owned by 20-something kids. I didn't start climbing until I was in my 40s and now I do just fine at it -- for an old guy. I don't have the flexibility, strength or stamina of those who climb every week, but when I go I enjoy it. My daughter and I went climbing at the local gym last evening, which was the first time in a year for both of us. It's a great workout because it works your arms, fingers, legs and core muscles, and can also give you a good cardio workout.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Travel woes for diabetics?

Oh great. In a news story about the terrorist from Nigeria who tried to ignite an explosive while aboard a Detroit-bound flight on Friday, I heard that he was using a syringe to try to trigger the chemical reaction to set off the explosive. Because of this guy, diabetics on commercial flights may be subject to even more suspicion when we inject insulin. Who knows, some well-meaning but misinformed fellow passenger may report us to the flight crew. It will be interesting to see if there are any such instances of perfectly innocent diabetics being denied use of their syringes.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Running in the snow

People at work ask me if I run outdoors throughout the winter and the answer is "yes" with just an occasional day off because of slippery roads or sidewalks. Today light snow was coming down during my noon hour run but I was able to find bare cement most of the distance. The pavement was wet but not snow covered, and I've found that to be true over the past four winters that I've been running. Don't let winter be an excuse to not get or stay in shape.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

First cross-country skiing of the season

Thanks to a snowstorm this past Wednesday, conditions were excellent this weekend to get the x-c skis out. This was an especially nice change of pace because the single-digit temps kept my indoors on the treadmill for my daily runs during the week. Saturday I hit the ski trails at about 11 a.m. and skied for a couple of hours. I was soooo glad to make it back up the final hill to the parking area. Not only was it great exercise, it also gave me a chance to take my Christmas present for a test run -- a new sports camera. (Yeah, I opened it early.) It's an HD video GoPro camera -- the upgrade of the original mini sports camera that I have owned for the past couple of years. The video is simply outstanding for such a small package. Here's a sample. Be sure to click on the "Watch in HD" option. It's much sharper video clarity when viewed on my computer.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Playing together leads to staying together


One of major reasons I try to stay fit is because I am motivated by my wife. Like me, she is also a 50-something person who likes to stay fit by exercising every day -- either running, bicycling or on a fitness center stairmaster. Before I met her nearly seven years ago, I was in reasonably good shape because of my weekend recreational warrior activities but I was not into a daily fitness routine. She never directly urged me to become a runner like she is, but after seeing her get up every weekday morning at 4:30 a.m. for her morming run, I admit it inspired me. I don't run at that hour of the morning, but I do run nearly every noon hour during my work days. Not only is it great for my cardio vascular system, I find it's also mentally refreshing to get away from the office for an hour. But back to my thesis for today: Sharing outdoor recreation activities with my wife is a great way to share our lives. (That's the two of us in the kayaking photo.) While we motivate each other to stay in shape, we are also are also sharing conversation and sharing our lives with each other. I came across this article from USAToday that spells it out quite well: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-15-fun-in-marriage_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Surprising the doctor

Some of my runs this past week were indoors on the treadmill, although I did run twice outdoors this week. The weather definitely took a turn for the chillier this week. I had been kayaking up until Thanksgiving weekend, but I'll probably get out on the lake less frequently now that winter is about to arrive.

Had my annual physical yesterday. I've known my present doctor for a few years now, but he must have forgotten my age until he read it again on the chart yesterday and acted very surprised that I was as old as I am. Whether or not he was actually surprised or just practicing a positive reinforcement, it was a nice moment for me.