Prostate Cancer: Real Talk Episode 8

 Listen to how prostate cancer survivor Jim Schraidt battled from suicidal depression to helping other survivors deal with anger and other mental health issues.   

Prostate Cancer: Real Talk

Notes on Running Goals

womenwholifeweights.com

Busy this morning with my 2021 running recap. Last January, I totaled up my 2020 stats—ran 363 miles, etc,—then totaled the mileage on my various running shoes,* then wrote seven goals for 2021. Here they are:

1. Run consistently with excellent form. 
2. Increase cadence to 170.
3. Postpone Mesa 10k
4. Lose 30 pounds
5. Run a 10k by July
6. Run 10 miles by December
7. Use info in old running log

How did I do?

1. In 2021 I ran 623 miles. I only slacked off post-marathon and due to recent illness. My form—chi running form—wavered in its excellence. As I entered double-digit miles, I would lose focus, run sloppy, and tire myself out. More attention on form this year.
2. By September my feet were hitting the ground 170 times a minute. (I measure with a metronome.) Jogtunes explains why cadence matters to runners.
3. Race officials canceled the 10k because of COVID. I only had to call and cancel my hotel reservation.
4. By marathon week I weighed 220 pounds, down from the 250s in January. 
5. Missed July, but ran a 10k in September. (First since April 2008.)
6. On August 17 I reached the Elmer Smith Bridge, slapped the metal sign, and returned to my starting point at Lot K for another first. 
7. Rattled by the rumbling approach of the marathon, I would leaf through my old notes in an emergency. But just because the info is old doesn't necessarily mean its dated. I've got plenty of data and training tips from my TNT days. All hard-earned. I need to take better advantage of that.

Nothing in 2022?

Stlll calculating as well as checking the calendar. Since I'm already on record as stating I wanted to break 30 minutes in the 5k, consider that goal number one. Goal number two will be to break 5 hours in a marathon. (4:59:59 if you please.) That's a pace of 11:27 a mile. All I need now is select the marathon and work backwards, charting out my training weeks. (Then train properly and not get injured.😎) Let's say five more running goals will be forthcoming.

God willing, I'll update in early 2023.

prischew.com

Now, I need to show the same goal-setting dedication with my writing.

*Like cheap tires, the cushioning of running shoes wears thin after several hundred miles. And, like tires, its best to rotate your shoes during training. Replace as needed. (Or when you can afford a new pair.)

Happy 2022!

 

poetryclub.com

Go joyfully forth in this newest of years. 

On the Eve of a New Year

 

writemag.com

Always a good resolution for writers. I do my share of time-wasting. My problem historically isn't the inability to write. It's lack of finishing power. I'll certainly publish my marathon book, but it's all the tales in the dug out that cry for completion. I shall heed their call in the upcoming year.

Best to you and your dreams in 2022.

Update: Click on the link below the above image and read Nicki Porter's tips on how organizing your time will help you bag those dreams.

Memories Hurt

theconversation.com

Writing a non-fiction ebook about my long journey to once again run a marathon. Fascinating trying to remember back. Time obscures much. I have this blog and my running logs but there's big gaps in other areas as I try to reconstruct the years without boring the crap out of readers. Basically my life revolved around no money, no work, trying to run, and fascinating medical complications. 

I'm depressed just recalling it all. 

Good progress overall. Probably less than a hundred pages. I'm looking to launch early next year.  

Eternal Cold

findatopdoc.com

 This one won't be shaken. I'm into my second week now of sniffling and sneezing. My wife's COVID test returned negative. That means I'm also negative since California is a community property state and we share everything, including pandemic viruses. It's the law.

My main issue is not being able to sleep. Since I have sleep apnea and use a cpap machine to push air into my nostrils, a head cold negates the machine's best effort and I wake up tired, with a dry mouth and a headache just like I did for most of my life.

Not so runny today and I'd like to think it's a sign of better days ahead.

Feel free to think the same thing.