I've got to get out more

Hum drum. For a while I have been exercising using DVDs from Shaun T., Tony Horton and Debbie Siebers. Each provide magnificent exercise routines and they play well to my “I don’t like the winter” philosophy. I must confess, though, I am feeling a hint of Cabin Fever. Although I’m as fit as a fiddle these days thanks to the above programs, I miss being outside. Another irritating thing is that the DVD workouts just don’t make for good blog material.

Mentally, I need to get out and see the world, to see what’s going on around me. Our weather forecast for the week looks amazing. I plan to log some miles on the open road and break out of the exercise room.

Get up. Get out. Get going.

Tom

Make Yourself Known

At Shannan’s request (actually at her purchase), I recently got an identification bracelet to wear when I go out running. Generally, I never tell anyone in which direction I plan to run or for how long I expect to be on the road. Often, when we travel I make it up as I go, and more times than not I choose the road less traveled.

Last year a runner in South Carolina was hit and killed by a plane making an emergency landing on a beach. Many runners fall out from the heat, exhaustion and other causes. All sorts of unfortunate things can happen. I know this all too well. I’ve been lost, chased by people on foot, in cars, on bikes and by animals. I've also had an assortment of things hurled at me while out running.

All that said, it took far too long to get on board with keeping an ID with me while out and about. Recently, we watched the movie 127 Hours. I’ll spare my commentary and movie review, but the plot of the film really helped me to decide to cover my bases. All kinds of things can go wrong, even in my own neighborhood, and all the more when out of town. An ID bracelet will not prevent anything from happening, but it certainly will be helpful in rendering aid and information.

Be safe. Be responsible.

Tom

Earth Exercise

Yesterday, early in the morning I completed a resistance workout using a Tony Horton DVD. Later in the afternoon, I exercised and burned calories the old fashioned way, by working the earth. Health and wellness continue to evolve for me. Each year it becomes clearer than in the one before that I can make better choices related to food, what I eat and how it gets prepared. To that end, this year we are planting a kitchen garden. We have previously grown cooking herbs and tomatoes. This year we hope to increase the harvest.

Make no mistake, it’s all part of the plan to live in harmony with the earth. We’ll add composting to our “green” household habits as well. Along with the nutritional benefits, I look forward to lowering our carbon footprint by reducing the amount of fruits and vegetables we purchase that had to be shipped in to our local market from outside the state, or even the country.

We’ve read and planned through the winter. Time to make progress arrived, so I set out to break ground for the garden. We have a small roto-tiller. It failed to do the job, so I decided to do it the way farmers have for time immemorial, which is manually. I took out a rake, shovel and pickax and worked the earth for just shy of two hours. I have a nice garden bed laid out, a sore neck, back and shoulder, a couple of annoying calluses and a blister to show for it all.

No pain, no grain???? :-)

Tom

Arrington, again

Another amazing day in Arrington, TN has yet to end. I'm listening to rustling leaves powered by a slight breeze as I write and enjoy the spring afternoon. Somewhere beyond my field of vision a woodpecker steadfastly goes about its work. What a tough job to build your home using your face. Ouch!

After a nice run, with a couple of fairly steep hills, my day's labor has come to an end, unlike my friend the woodpecker. Generally, productivity is the means by which I measure a day. If that held true on this day, then I'd have a low score on any scale. Shannan, on the other hand, loves low-key days. We spent the morning with our cousins driving to and around Murfeesboro provided wonderful views of stunning farms and countryside in Middle Tennessee. We followed that with a visit to Bell Buckle's Daffodil Day and a lingering lunch in a small town cafe in Eagle, TN. No rush, no agenda, just a taking in a spring day. Shannan was in heaven.

Following the theme for the day, I had no prescribed fitness program today. Last time we visited Arrington, Shaun T.'s Insanity set the grueling pace for my day. Oh, but not this time. I went out for an astounding lingering slow-paced run. I love days like these where everything seems so perfect. I hope yours is the same or better.

Tom

March Thaw

March didn’t bode well for Caesar, and I approached it with a touch of trepidation myself. February gave way to weeks of unseasonably warm weather, especially after an icy January. As much as I wanted the predictions of Pennsylvania’s groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, and our very own General Beauregard Lee to be correct about an early spring, I feared another blast from the old sour puss, Mr. Winter, would blow our way in March.

Stashed away in the back of my mind the idea lingered, but I’m truly not the worrying type. I planned to make the most of the sensational weather, which gave way to several great runs. Foremost among them included a return to the riverside park which has been cleared of storm debris from more than a year ago, thus allowing for an extraordinary outing by the water.

Also, Shannan and I have ventured out for several walks to take in some vitamin D during these sunny days. Good thing I didn’t stress too much. Let the joys of spring stay!

Tom

Good Eats!

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be all P90X?" Alyson, a friend and colleague asked. Our encounter took place inside Krispy Kreme. I had a cream filled glazed doughnut in my hand and

Shannan was at the counter completing our order.

"This is why I exercise,” I responded. We both laughed.

As it turned out, Alyson was there to buy two dozen doughnuts to use in a bread pudding that also included condensed milk and rum. Yeah, come on!

You might have noticed in my previous postings, I never follow suggested meal plans with exercise programs. The reason is simple. I am a very bad dieter. Generally speaking, Shannan and I make good meal choices. We cook at home most nights and we both eat leftovers for lunch at work.

But boy, do I love doughnuts. Of course, I have favorites, like coconut and cream filled, but I'm not really too discriminating. I'll eat about any doughnut. At home, I once made maple frosted doughnuts topped with bacon crumbles. Let me tell you, they made for delectable, calorie filled, artery hardening, heart stopping eating!

Our recent trip to Krispy Kreme took place because several students gave me Valentine's Day cards with coupons for free doughnuts. Whatever happened to an apple for your teacher? Let's make sure it never comes back.

Enjoy goodies with moderation.

Tom