12 Oakdale

Back in the spring, when I signed us up for the local 5K, October 11 seemed way, way off. Yet, so much of life, it found its way to us. Fortunately for Grant, he’d been walking each morning. So far, only about a mile, but still. I, on the other hand, had done absolutely no training. I did walk home from Town Hall Thursday, the only walking I’d done in weeks (months?). Yet, this morning, we got up and drove over to the start - absolutely no way were we adding that extra .5 mile over and back to our day. 7:30, the 5K is off and running. I say goodbye to Grant and start walking. My competitive nature kicks in, and I start to try to catch the next person in front of me. Soon I’ve finished 1 mile, then 2, didn’t see the 3 mile mark, turned the corner on Fifth, and was at the finish line. Because of the stupid tariffs and backup at Customs, no medals for us.* Leis instead. I roamed the tents, getting 2 chicken sandwiches, candy, popcorn, a delicious kale smoothie. Sitting on a bench in front...

Up early for my second Run Among the Lakes 5K. Since I hadn’t trained, I planned to walk at a brisk pace and enjoy myself. 75° when we started, so a little warm, especially since I’d acclimated to the New Zealand and Sydney weather. But still pleasant enough. Clear skies.  The local Baptist pastor prayed over us, he led a very few of us in singing the national anthem, and we were off. I always start at the back so I don’t get trampled by the fast runners and those who think they are. There is always a few that have to bull their way through to the front. Your time doesn’t start until you cross the start line, so I don’t understand this need. The route had changed from last year, staying more in central Windermere rather than heading south to 13th Avenue. As usual, I hadn’t bothered to learn it, figuring I’d follow the herd. I figured right. I kept up my steady pace, focusing on a person in front of me to catch up with. I learned this technique from Coach Howard when I first started...

I am absolutely thrilled. My latest Dexa bone density scan shows improvement in both of my hips and my femurs. February 27, 2023: Spine: Total BMD of the spine L1-4 is 0.774 g/cm2, with a T-score of -2.5 and a Z-score of -0.2.  Left Femoral Neck: BMD is 0.557 g/cm2, with a T-score of -2.6 and a Z-score of -0.7.  Left Total Hip: BMD is 0.768 g/cm2, with a T-score of -1.4 and a Z-score of 0.3.  Right Femoral Neck: BMD is 0.520 g/cm2, with a T-score of -3.0 and a Z-score of -1.0.  Right Total Hip: BMD is 0.689 g/cm2, with a T-score of -2.1 and a Z-score of -0.4.  FRAX evaluation calculates 10-year probability of fracture: Major Osteoporotic: 19% % Hip: 6.4%% March 1, 2024: Spine: Total BMD of the spine L1-4 is 0.780 g/cm2, with a T-score of -2.4 and a Z-score of -0.1.  Left Femoral Neck: BMD is 0.584 g/cm2, with a T-score of -2.4 and a Z-score of -0.3.  Left Total Hip: BMD is 0.779 g/cm2, with a T-score of -1.3 and a Z-score of 0.4.  Right Femoral Ne...

I thought about running Saturday, but fortunately it rained. Sunday we were the morning shift of ambassadors at LAWD. I briefly thought about jogging when we got home, but came to my senses. Monday, MLK Day, we decided to actually visit LAWD, so were up and out too early for any jogging. Whew. Early this morning, I heard rain, but by the time it was light, even though the skies were still gray, there was no rain and no reason to avoid my run. I am at the last outing of Week 4 in my second time through the Couch to 5K app. It’s getting tougher and isn’t as novel; I need to be wary of calling it quits. I remind myself I am grateful I can still jog. I’ve also packed on pounds through my thorough enjoyment of Christmas cookies and candies. Time to bite the bullet, not Hersey’s Kisses. It’s 5 weeks until my next 5K. Easy enough to gnaw off 5 pounds with the old eat-less-exercise-more. I’m still convinced that eventually scientists will find that lying on the couch, eating potato chips is th...

17:24 was my pace at the Run Among the Lakes 5K here in Windermere, my first race in 9 years. Another of my “seemed like a good idea at the time”, back when I signed up. I have been trying to walk more ever since I got such a dismal score on my Dexascsn bone density test. My back and hips are none too good, my femores, especially the left, are osteoporotic. Meh. I thought the challenge of a 5K would spur me on. Grant and I strolled occasionally around the neighborhood, but it was so hot, I didn’t have much enthusiasm to do it often. I also walked inside once or twice a week, in the air conditioning, following a YouTube video. I thought I’d been making progress, until I hustled along the sand blocks of Oakdale Street to a meeting at Town Hall. (The block in front of our house is one of only a few streets paved in Windermere.) My hips were really sore after that. Perhaps I should walk the course a couple of times before the race. My first time was at a 22:21 minute per mile pace. At leas...