Out for a jog.

Biking continues but now I am added a summer goal. In a few weeks I will be swimming and I'm looking forward to that. My summer goal is the be able to indoor jog for 20 minutes. I started out doing for minute jogs 3 to 4 times a day. Now I am doing seven minutes at least twice a day. I started with the minute warm-up walking in place then I start to jog. Every minute I do a squat, push up, or stretch. Then I continue doing the jogging. The biking has helped. 
When I write now I dictate a page standing up. Along with strategies like this I do therapeutic exercises to strengthen my back core. 
If the running is too much for me I will make the goal indoor walking. But I really want to fight back. Keep walking

Beat the heat...thinking outside the box...freeze underwear

I was reading some articles Gretchen Reynolds of the New York Times. Summertime is upon us and we may find yourselves outside in the heat. I was reading where a heat stroke is caused by our core temperature in our bodies being raised. The problem comes when we heat up quicker than waiting get rid of the heat. There is a bit of uncertainty about this but the temperature rises in our bodies 2° for every five minutes. If the body temperature does not cool itself down when our core temperature gets to be about an 105° we are in serious trouble. 

For athletes the problem comes when they are not used to the heat their bodies are ready to handle it yet. They can be hydrated but it may not be enough. 

When I lived in Africa my mentor Louie Orta recommended drinking hot coffee. He swore by it it that it helped him stay cool. Have been water that has been boiled will help you a lot in tropical Africa and prevent a lot of things I can give you fever. 

One day it was 105° and I was outside all day at a pool party. I jumped in the pool with my swim suit and T-shirt and went sat under a tree and when my T-shirt dried I went back and jumped in the pool again. With the cooler filled with cold drinks it was a good day. The wet T-shirt made all the difference in world.

When I was coaching tennis the athletes where in shape but they were not ready for the first hot day. They would be hydrated, bananas etc. but their bodies were not used to get rid of the heat yet. In the middle of summer they would be able to handle hot more heat because by that time their bodies got used to it. 

In Gretchen's articles she gives several ideas to cool down if you're working out in the heat. My experiences with slushes are head busters. The roof from your mouth gets very cold and your brain reacts with intense pain. You immediately remember the many times you've done this and have never learn to slow down. If you do slow it down if can lower temperature. Pouring water over your head and when your T-shirt may also help to cool down your core. Wearing frozen underwear may also help you stay cool little race a little while longer. 

I thought was funny. But if you do feel dizzy, heated, take time to slow down and get to a shaded area. Douce your head and body with water. As it evaporates your core temperature may start to cool down. 

Many of you race or walk during the summer. As you work on your principles of hydration and training it deal with keeping your core temperature healthy in competition. If you tried frozen underwear let me know what what you think. Now I know you laughed at that. Keep walking

Check out for yourself PS. barb thought I flipped with this one.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/how-to-avoid-heatstroke/?em_pos=large&emc=edit_hh_20160621&nl=well&nlid=66362823&ref=headline&te=1

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/slushies-vs-frozen-underwear-for-hot-weather-workouts/?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_hh_20160621&nl=well&nl_art=3&nlid=66362823&ref=headline&te=1 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/15/strategies-for-hot-weather-exercise/?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_hh_20160621&nl=well&nl_art=2&nlid=66362823&ref=headline&te=1

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/29/lessons-from-exercising-in-the-heat/?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_hh_20160621&nl=well&nl_art=1&nlid=66362823&ref=headline&te=1

Happy father's day, think three good thoughts...

Ok I think we all would have liked the name Liam

Today in a few minutes will be Father's Day hear in the United States. For 364 days everybody in America shoots down the dad. Poor old dad takes a beating at work, comes home and everybody is down on him. Poor guy can't even watch a comedy without being the brunt of the joke. You can't say nothing about anybody else, but everybody can take a pot shot at the old man. Political correctness is a one-way street for men. 

Liam my grandson

But for one day year, people sort of take the gloves off and they share a little kindness to the old man. But even there, they might say something like this, “Dad, I forgive you and I hope you have a good day.” Now read that last line and give it your best Jack Nicholson impersonation will you sweetheart. If your dad is still living put away the axe. This week think of three reasons a day why the old man ain't all that bad. In fact, I would go one further visit the old man as often as you can. Each time you see him, just tell him one of the things you came up with. 

When nobody's looking you will be surprise when you think of the things he's done for you. 

If by chance he's gone like my father is gone from my life these past 21 years, think of three things you're glad the old man past your way.

Here are my three:

1. Thanks for the sacrifice of working two jobs so I could put my heel on the floor.
2. Thanks for coming home after work and playing a game of catch.
3. Thanks for telling me about the bad guys and to watch for danger.
4. Thanks for taking me to a Cub game, not only to see the Cub greats, but Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Maury Wills,…

Oh did I give four… there you go

Keep walking

Expanding a note and looking a depression in Psalms 102:1-11

I have been studying and thinking about Psalm 102. In light of my own experiences with depression and anxiety, as well as dealing with post traumatic stress which all of these conditions really do affect our brains. This isn't just psychosomatic concepts, but we are learning how are brains, chemicals both in structure and function can be altered by real events.

Reeves note - versus 102:2-11 speak to a depressed state. If these fears and anxieties we're from previous stress and abuse (childhood abuse)  they would cause be physical reality of depression and anxiety which has its roots in biological response; some them may be irrational or crazy. Why would I lash out in anger over a very small matter? If the fears and anxieties we're based on real events, the biological response to depression and anxiety would be just as real. 

Since this is a Messianic Psalm, this experience happened to Jesus at the cross. The events were horrific and the physical attack out of his body were devastating. He also was taking on the sin of the world. This experience we cannot duplicate nor can we relate to. His body and mind would have reacted and that reaction would've been real. But he never lost sight of his purpose. 

For the first time from eternity past He was separated from His father. This was because He took

Painful thinking

on the sins of the world. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”.  We may feel the same in distressed, vs. 1, 2. For us depression can be very painful. Spiritually grief  and sorrow for sins may motivate us to get right with God. This can be a normal experience. But if we have fallen in a state of depression that has altered our brains and chemicals we may need medical help and support to recover. This is worth going after. Getting medical help can help us recover in weeks or a few months to recover. Progress can be seen in a short period of time.

Jesus forgave those who put him on the cross. He met the spiritual need of a sinner dying next to Him. He looked for the care of his mother. And he put his trust in God. All these things he did despite the horror that he was living through. He experienced every weakness that we do yet He was without sin. (see Hebrews 4:15)

There is recovery

Concerning us remember real stress can cause depression and anxiety. Real abuse and neglect, (betrayal) can cause post-traumatic stress. Our bodies and brains can or can't handle real biological responses. They may be in need of treatments that restore a chemical balance and normal cell response. These are not pretend things. 

It is a good thing to cry out to God even if you can’t figure it out. It takes time and care to recover if your experience bears the reality experienced in Ps. 102.

This is a horrific experience, but it is temporary, verses 12-22 take the longer view that God is in control. Also we may being changes that turn our world topsy-turvy but God himself never changes and his love and care and help us recover. Keep walking

Perspective about a walk in the zoo with children

We went to Brookfield zoo earlier this week and weather was gorgeous. We had such a good time. I especially like the zoo in the later afternoon when most people have left the park. I have been of the opinion for years that Brookfield needs to change its layout. The park has a lot more room to redesign to give it to the animals habitats that could be created for grazing animals like you see at the San Diego zoos or Animal Kingdom, Bush Gardens. Other exhibits could be given a little more space in the park would to create walking on a Safari. Interest would pick up because animals would be in view all the time. I think the upgrade would give the zoo new life an increase in attendance.

Zoos are always a lot of fun when you bring your grandchildren. Two of my grandkids are in preschool age. In light of the tragedy that happen in Cincinnati and not too long ago in San Francisco. Zoos give us a view of some pretty large animals. In the wild snakes, mosquitoes, elephants, hippos, bears, tigers, lions, crocodiles to name a few all over hundred people a year in the wild. There're fewer deaths with the animals in captivity, but they do happen. 

Why we were at Brookfield, we walked by the tiger exhibit and the tiger was walking and prowling, we can see this magnificent animal in motion. Most of our visits the big cat sleeps. But I looked at the moat and fence and wondered if the animal had significant enough motivation could the tiger bound over the barrier? I was glad I did not have any young teenagers taunting the tiger.

How high do the fences have to be? We may lose a beautiful view.

I am probably overprotective with my children and grandchildren, but they do run. The little suckers are really fast. At the zoo children explore as well. I have to admit I am more concerned about the human predator. While we were at the zoo I noticed a lot of school groups and I remembered my own experiences watching mentally challenged children exploring the zoo. I was glad I did not have that responsibility anymore. 

I noticed the fence was raised at the Cincinnati zoo since the gorilla was killed. As zoos are built they have to be built to keep people out of the exhibits and keep animals in. But there is a balance between barriers and ability to see the animals clearly. 

When we are at the zoo there is a difference between preschool children, elementary children, and teenagers. From all reports the parents of the child was in the gorilla area were good people. Something happened between their watchful eye and the child climbing over the fence. What happened may help all us be safer? The zoo has now built a little higher fence. Every zoo should take a walk-through and rethink each area for improvement.

Our kids exploring the world. They need to do it. We have withdrawn into a virtual world and our children do not know shortcuts through the neighborhood. They do not know their neighbors. They don't walk to school and experience the change of seasons where they have to dress appropriate to the weather. They don't know how to recognize danger for themselves. They're too protected, too pampered, they are not allowed imperfections, they may not even know what it means to overcome, to fight back. For a child to grow there has to be imagination, adventure, failure and struggle. We need both good and bad, sin and righteousness, sadness and laughter, sickness and health, life and death. For many of our children we avoid these things at all costs. Our kids need to learn what it is to save, how to do without, inventing their own games, in making do with around them. 

How will they survive the next depression? How can they cope with personal loss? How can they accept that they don't looked like a Hollywood star? How can they learn to play a game not being the fastest, or the strongest and never making it to the big show? 

Every time we go out the door there is a bit of uncertainty. I love to quote Bilbo Baggins as he says,“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,” he used to say. “You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to.”

So zoos have to rethink four-year-olds as well as parents. But that child has a desire to explore their world. We have a bigger problem with our children with predators, drug peddlers, bullies where we need to take back our streets with parents careful eyes who for a time leave their own virtual escape. Keep walking

Bad day on the court.

The old boy looking good. My team was international The US,
India, France, Viet Nam, France, Mexico. I would learn to coach,
but this year I was learning. These kids would have been champs
otherwise. Very good players.

I have follow professional sports all my life. Overtime I am seeing my favorite players going strong and then starting to decline somewhere between 34 and 40. There is so much money in sports that athletes after into science and medicine in an attempt to extend their careers. Overall they have improve their performance to have the ability to play a year we're too longer. Regardless of the effort age kicks in and they lose their ability to play at a high-level. Rising stars soon takeover.

A sport that I picked up and played was tennis. I was never great at it but I love the game. If you like a game where it is just you against an opponent, the wind, the net, boundaries and fitness level tennis is a great game.

Well I'm out on the courts with my son who has come into his own with the game. I knew going that I was done with a competing effort. I hit the ball okay, but the side movement I was totally out of balance. For me it took on a scary experience. A big part of it is out of balance, too top-heavy order be specific too fat. So I’m retired from the game. If I do some serious weight loss, maybe it would be worth working on the balance or I may find my balance is gone. 

Jimmy Connors was a great competitor but he has since undergone various joint surgeries. After his career he is completed in senior events, but now chooses not to play. He remembers how he used to play and he doesn't like the pain and performance in his aging body. So he left the game and is moved on his life.

I know that I can never play the games the way  I used to with the reckless abandonment. And now I seriously think that I can play the game at all. A local doctor was playing in his 70s and fell backwards in his head which resulted in serious impairment.

We can never guarantee our safety or go through life without risk. We live it and hopefully survive our accidents, and move on is best we can.

What can I take away from this experience?

It gives support to the necessary idea to keep moving. Thank God I have a recumbent bike, but I also have to make strides to use in-home walking to build up my movement and challenge my balance.

It is just one more motivation keep my weight loss going down.

It's a good time to give my son my training equipment in tennis so that he can train his children. 

I took a day to say goodbye to tennis. There is no sense in getting into a bad mood about it. There are plenty of things to move on with. Loss is probably the biggest issue in aging. It's a big deal to lose something, but we have to keep growing, finding new things to love, new friends, new interests. What is something that you lost because of aging? What did you find the best way to get through it? I think it helps remind full I'm going through this with little things saw that we get a handle on it when we lose something big. Keep walking!