Of Mice and Marathons

PM: 3.2-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 72.

Off. 

decided I needed to step back. Took some stuff over to the house just because. I FaceTimed with my parents. My dad is not doing well. He hasn't had a regular meal since May. He has some sort of esophagus hernia and he can't keep anything down. He was very weak and out of it when I talked to him. Needless to say, I had a rough afternoon and evening and responded inappropriately by drinking way too much. 

Off.

Got up late. Took some stuff over to the house. We have movers but it benefits my mental health to be in the house. Back to jogging tomorrow. 4 days seem like a good break. Very surprised I was able to do it.

Lunch: 4.8 miles, averaged 12:15. HR 141.

Rough one and rough day. I almost had a panic attack at mile 3 but kept running because I didn't want to be stuck away from the apartment. Not quite sure what happened. I thought I might have forgot to take meds, but I usually take them after lunch. Luckily I had a physical the next day and my doctor upped my meds. 

PM: 3.3-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 77.

HR was good during the walk, but I think this might have been the night when my HR was 90-100 BPM while just sitting. Very high.

PM: 3.2-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 86.

I didn't dare run. I had to fast for blood work as I never ended up going to Troy Beaumont as I was supposed to, so they took in there. I almost passed out and felt like I was going to vomit (I don't do well with blood and I don't like needles much). They were able to recline me and finish, but I broke out in a major sweat and felt awful. My hands were shaking. They gave me some water and I came around eventually. Talked to the doctor and she upped the dosage. I believe it is working, but things are so crazy right now that it cannot cure everything. They aren't miracle pills.

Lunch: 7 miles, averaged 12:40. HR 137.

I was a little worried about running, but gave myself permission to go as long as I felt okay. Given how slow I have to run, this was long enough by time. Felt better as I went longer, which is more normal.

I went over to the house to drop some stuff off and take a legitimate shower. Pressure, avilability, and temperature issues the last 3-4 months in this dump of an apartment. Other than a post-marathon shower, this was likely in my top 10. I talked to some sprinkler guys who were working on an issue at our neighbors. The real estate person sunk a 4 x 4 post right through part of the sprinkler system and the pressue doesn't fully build. Called his office to see if they could get an order and do it right then, but they were out. They are going to come out next week. They also do gutters, which is great because some of them are very high up and I don't do well with heights and Megan doesn't want me up there.

PM: 3.3-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 80.

Went to campus to do a few things. It was very disoriented to see it empty and students in masks (which is a good thing). It just seems very odd visually. I had a hard time in grocery stores when things first started because it seemed so apocalyptic. I'm used to it now.

After I suggested we go over to the house as Megan hasn't been since closing and I go over pretty much every day. 

PM: 3.3-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 81. 

Lunch: 8.1 miles, averaged 12:41. HR 134.

Slow, but felt really good. Ideal summer weather. Picked up another class at another college. The pay is less than 1/2 of what I get at Oakland, but it seemed like something I couldn't pass up.

Megan got her tenure acceptance the other day, which is security of employment and a nice raise. Of course, someone at the University announced it on Facebook and somehow missed communicating privately to Megan and others.

PM: 3.20-mile walk w/ Megan on the Polly Ann Trail from the house. HR 78.

We took a few items over to the house and went for a walk. The crossing from the main street to the trail is a bit sketchy given that it's about 45 MPH and there's a blind knoll. Might have to take the pathways to the first cross street and enter the trail that way. Not sure why they don't have some sort of signal there. We walked on the shoulder on the way back as there was more room, but it still wasn't as safe as I wanted. And people don't slow down, even for a woman who is visibly pregnant.

Good day today.

Off. Complete rest day.

Took my computer to an Apple store to get looked at. I must say the mall in Troy is absolutely amazing, but I felt foolish going there in such times as these but I have two kids on the way and just bought a house and I wanted a second opinion (Best Buy said it wasn't worth it but didn't bother to run diagnostic). I was thinking about a new computer, but I couldn't stay in the store any longer. People where lined up looking like they were going through airport security. I couldn't believe people are just out shopping, but I guess even though I felt I had a valid reason I was there too.

Megan and I went over to the house and brought some of the highly breakable glass tops for a coffee table and end table. I took a shower. I spent some time playing with the sprinkler system and learned the different zones or "stations" as they are called. Going to need to get a mower pretty soon or the HOA is going to send us notices. Need to figure out how to mow at lawn. It's been quite a long time since I have done one. 

Not sure what this day was. I'm sure it was packing stuff as the movers were coming Wednesday.

PM: 3.3 mile walk/jog w/ Megan. HR 90.

The farwell to Spencer Park where I have done 4400+ laps on the 1-mile loop in the lat 4 years. We stayed up a bit prepping for the movers. 

Moving day. I managed to get out of bed at a decent time (for me). Moving was slightly stressful, but the typical stress of moving (normal concern type of stuff). Megan's uncle Chaz came up from Ohio (he generously paid for the movers). It was nice to see him, as it has been some time. We went to have lunch outside in downtown Lake Orion (not pronounced like the the constellation, but Ore-e-on). 

Megan and I went to th Home Depot to get a few furniture pads. It's the first time we have been in a store together for many months, though we don't often go to stores together.

I didn't feel like cooking as stuff was mostly still in boxes, so we got Mediterranean. We noticed that our favorite sushi place is back open (we haven't been checking for obvious reasons due to pregnancy though I read this varies culturally). We had a nice first nice dinner on the dinning room table we bought from the previous owners. 

Cannot recall. I think we got Chinese food. Should have probably done these entries on the day of, but things have been a blur (in a good way).

Cannot recall what happened this day. Unpacked some stuff.

Went to pick up my bike but the shop missed a service request, so I left it. I went to the Home Depot to get a mower. I wrestled with trying to tie it down to my hitch-mount bike rack with rachet straps that I miraculously left from moving but couldn't get it right. Turns out it fit right it the back seat with the seats folded.

Got it home and assembled it. I've mowed about 5 times in my life and it has been years. I didn't know what to set the mower at, so I took a tape measure and measured my neighbor's lawn as there is no distinct property line and I wasn't sure how picky the HOA was (this is all VERY new to me). Managed to get it done with a few false starts. 

Went to the local grocery store, which is only a mile away and make a light and healthy dinner as we have eaten take out an extraordinary amount even for pre-COVID-19 times.

Learned that a hot water heater has a "vacation" setting as the hot water was out last night. The previous owners were in Brazil the entire sale and I get the feeling they have been out of the house for some time. I knew it was likely a small fix as I turned on the dishwasher and Megan had taken a shower. Lots to learn, but it's quite fun (and really low stress actually). 

Picked up my bike from the shop. They were busy, which was good. I told them to take care of other customers as I was flexible and could wait. 

Programmed the Nest thermostat and Comcast had come earlier as we were unable to get the internet going. Managed to get those devices talking.

PM: 3.9-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 78.

We walked around the subdivision a bit and then tested some different areas to cross the road as the beginning of the trail is not well placed for traffic and visibility.

I messed with the thermostat toward the end of our walk to test the app. Digital technology is freaky but I can see how this particular instance might be useful. 

Lunch/PM: 7.1 miles, averaged 13:01. HR 134.

First run from the house. Ran on the Polly Ann trail, portions of which I have ridden and a few walks with Megan. It was a strangely anxious day. I was worried about a course reduction and losing another class at another insitution that starts in a week. It would be a new course and new prep, so I was panicking. Turns out they had lower than expected enrollment and it wasn't that much money (Oakland pays 2.5 times more per class) and I could probably get a part time job and make the same amount. I was both bummed and relieved. I felt a good deal better after I had an answer either way. I just need to plan accordingly. It also means my summer is 3-4 days longer than it might have been :-)

I went to the hardware store to try to get a mortise lock to replace the one on the pation door. Much harder to install than I thought. There is some sort of internal sleeve in the door that slid down and it is making it impossible to leverage back in. I gave it a solid try. I imagine whatever I pay a locksmith or other contractor will be worth the frustration I went through. Just trying to do some of the small things when I can.

Lunch: 4.3 miles, averaged 12:47. HR 130.

Felt better today. Looked for turtles. Spotted one. There are tons of small lakes and swampy wetlands along the trail. The first dirt road is just over a mile from our place and intersects with the trail (it eventually goes to a divided highway, but picks back up again I think).

We had an optional workshop that I attended. Went to the Home Depot for a few things after that.

PM: 3.5-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 80. 

Weather today was like fall but in a good way. It's been in the 50s at night, so we have been enjoying the open windows and the sounds of the fountain in the small pond at the subdivision playground. We met some of our neighbors. I finally figured out that my car being in the driveway has alerted people to the fact that the previous owners never came back from Brazil. Nice people.

Had a good day. Still a bit of unpacking to do, but thankfully the house is almost 2.5 times larger than our apartment so there is plenty of room to move around and two bedrooms have almost nothing in them yet.

Lunch: 4.5 miles, averaged 12:55. HR 132. 

Did the Polly Ann Trail to start and then down Greenshield Road. Great, smooth, shaded dirt road with minimal traffic.

PM: 3.5-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 98? 

HR seemed quite high, but I wasn't wearing my chest strap and in my experience optical monitors are inconsistent. 

Off. 

Lunch: 4.5 miles, averaged 13:22. HR 150.

HR extremely elevated. Drank 3 liters of Pedialyte. 

PM: 4.2-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 92.

I installed the TV mount with minimal frustration and swearing :-)

Lunch: 4.5 miles, averaged 13:27. HR 130.

Turned off my HR screen and just ran by feel, which I generally do anyway but it's too much feedback at this point. Just kept time and distance and allowed for manual mile splits, which help me to keep a rhythm (don't really care about pace currently). I tried to guess my averaged HR for the run at 138. Pleased it was much lower. Quite dehydrated yesterday I think as this was the same route and pace and warmer weather. 

PM: 3.5-mile walk/jog w/ Megan. HR 93.

Megan did great and I was very happy she still wanted to go out. It's easy to skip exercise, and especially easy to do so when you are 6+ months pregnant. We had a good day. Feeling extremely fortunate and trying to focus on all our blessings.

Yesterday I figured out that we start a week later than I thought we did, so I have some more time to get settled in and get the house in order (it's already very livable and comfortable).

Lunch/PM: 4.5 miles, averaged 13:24. HR off. ~130ish low.

Ran on the trail and then back down Joslyn to explore a bit. solidly warm but not uncomofrtable. 

Lunch/PM: 20.4-mile ride. HR 125.

Decided to ride today. Kept it very easy on the Polly Ann Trail. Enjoyable ride. Beautiful first week of weather we have had at the house.

Lunch: 14-mile ride. HR 136.

Just a short one as my HR was elevated and I just wanted to check on a few areas. Went to Orion Oaks Park, which has about 10 miles of trails (cross country, two track, and other various surfaces). I had all I could do not rush home and tell Megan as I was so excited. I checked out the road that connects the Polly Ann to Paint Creek. Not bad, but one sketchy conrner. I will likely take the gravel road (Greenshield). Either way I need to cross M-24 to get to Thursday Night Dirt. I ended up riding down the shoulder/right turn lanes and it wasn't fun/not sketchy even with 55 MPH traffic (and it's Michigan so speeds exceed that).

PM: 3.3-mile walk w/ Megan @ Orion Oaks. HR 83.

We had a good walk/very light hike.

Off.

Went to some appointments with Megan that took longer than expected (everything is fine). Decided to do some unpacking and cleaning. Going to be hot and likely humid tomorrow, so maybe a ride or short jog. Will decide tomorrow based on feel and what else I have going on.

AM: 4.2 miles, averaged 13:03. HRM wacky.

AM/Lunch: 5 miles, averaged 13:03. HR 133.

Used my Polar HRM and the battery seems okay. The Wahoo is going in the trash. Walk with Megan later if we can catch a weather window. Lots of heavy rain, which was badly needed.

AM: 5 miles, averaged 12:53. HR 129.

PM: 4.2 miles, averaged 12:56. HR 134.

Breezy and cooler. Pleasant really. Spent the day organizing the house a bit. Mowed the lawn and tried to practice getting my lines tighter.

My dad is in the ER. Lots of minor and serious complications. I'm afraid the combination of everything is going to be terminal. Starting to worry I might never see him again. He's not in critical condition, but he has lots of health problems cropping up. He'll be 70 in November. 

Lunch: 5.3 miles, averaged 12:20. HR 134.

Did a little exploring and even ran on the track at Waldon Middle School, where I assume the boys will go. Lake Orion School Systems is fully online this fall. I think that's the right choice, but it's also fairly privledged as I doubt too many in the Detroit Public System are giving grades 1-3 each an iPad. 

PM: 1.6-mile walk with Megan on the track. HR 88.

Our 3+ mile out and backs are working well at this point, so when I found the track the other day I suggested maybe that would be better even though not very exciting. There are some nice wild flowers on the other side of the fence.