tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38649826724987271872023-11-16T08:40:52.551-08:00Running in the NorthMidway between Lake Superior and Hudson Bay there's a mining town called Timmins.
I'm a runner. I live in Timmins. These are my thoughts...Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-16550763571468591382009-05-19T20:46:00.000-07:002009-05-19T20:58:56.835-07:00Back in training.<br /><br />I may run a full marathon this fall, or it may be a half. But I'm building miles and am starting to do some speedwork. I realize that I'm off to a late start, but I still have a good 4 months to get into shape. <br /><br />Last week, I ran 40 miles, including a speed session. That's the most I've done in 2009. I'd like to qualify for Boston again and perhaps run it at the age of 50 next year. But we'll see how training goes. I don't want to go back to the 60-plus painful miles each week, beating my legs and back down rather than getting into marathon shape.<br /><br />An adjustment in form might help out the left quad problem. All of the slow running last year altered my biomechanics which lead to the back problems. I'm hoping to get this nailed down so I can train with a little more confidence.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-40204605038639944972009-03-23T06:02:00.000-07:002009-03-23T06:04:30.824-07:00<strong>UNTIL I'M HEALED AND THE WEATHER WARMS UP I WON'T BE BLOOGING HERE...HAPPY SPRING, RON</strong>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-48547278279357472652009-02-26T07:10:00.000-08:002009-02-26T07:31:14.130-08:00In the 2 1/2 months I've been waiting around for my neurologist's appointment, I've run around 100 miles/month. Not much, but enough to be prepared to start building miles once I have a better fitness plan.<br /><br />Thus far, I've been at around the same weight, which is good, and have been doing daily core and leg strengthening exercises. I don't see much in the way of results from these recommended lunges, crunches and recumbent stretches, but Rob-the PT says to do them until I get tested. So I do. After all, who's more compliant than yours truly?<br /><br />I do not, however, believe Spring racing is on the docket, seeing that May is a cold 8 weeks away, and I haven't run long and hard in months. On the Feb/March cusp, it's a crisp 3*f outside, with cooling in the forecast. <br /><br />A note to myself: don't leave the cold in December--holidays notwithstanding--it's too difficult to survive the next three months of brutal snow and wind. And I still have a month to go!Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-72763815641029572992009-02-17T20:42:00.000-08:002009-02-20T18:50:50.550-08:00I'm choosing to run and train through the back and leg discomfort I've been fighting since last September. To me, it's more fun training to race than running for health. So, I'm starting to jack-up my treadmill runs so I might run a competitive race this spring.<br />I've only run an average of 80 miles per month since October. But I can and will soon do more. Sometime, I may need surgery on my back or legs, but it won't be due to excessive running. We'll see what the problem is, but in the meantime I'll train until I can do a competitive HM .Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-23317842227096345162009-02-10T11:27:00.000-08:002009-02-12T20:09:23.312-08:00It's been awhile since I've had a real desire to write about my running. At this point, I'm waiting STILL for some testing to be done; I'm also beginning to run nearly daily again to rebuild the fitness.<br /><br />It's difficult to run knowing something is wrong with a leg, but resting doesn't help and avoiding excessive mileage can keep me ready for the thaw--maybe 6 weeks out. After that, I can start to run and test myself. No marathons planned for the year, unless there's a magic bullet to the nerve troubles I've had. I ran through them last year...I just ran too far. Now, I'm strength training and stretching. I'll focus on the HM with 15 mile long runs and 45-50 mpw with more speed.<br /><br />Chances are good this is my last winter living up here. There's no work for me and it's crazy cold here. But who knows?Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-72099608564681488572009-01-20T18:54:00.000-08:002009-01-20T19:10:35.698-08:00<strong>Progress Report</strong><br /><br />Today I went to the sports medicine clinic for the first time. My trainer, "Rob" seemed to know what he was doing expertly testing and examining me. <br /><br />The conclusion (for now): my back is messed up. I knew that, but the MRI showed otherwise. Rob could see the imbalance of muscle on my back. As far as the weak left leg goes: it's not really weak, yet is an inch smaller in circumference. BUT...it does <strong>not</strong> have good reflexes and shows many signs of nerve blockage. I can strengthen it for now, which will help. <br /><br />Ultimately the neurological testing will show where the problem lies and how it might be treated. Then, it might be possible to resume normal training if I can get back some of the muscle tone and feeling back. It could also help with the back. <br /><br />So at least I have a plan. I'll keep with the 4-mile runs until I get going with the therapy. But after that I should be able to train. <br /><br />Who knows, maybe the absence of pain will motivate me to make a run for another Boston!Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-3355452920515314082009-01-11T11:07:00.001-08:002009-01-11T11:23:51.756-08:00My cold weather PR is -29 degrees F. That's the coldest temperature where I was living at the time. I hit it twice, first in Madison, WI in 1/97 and again last winter here in Timmins. I check temperatures a lot when it gets in the extreme range, hot or cold.<br /><br />This week the record may be shattered. Low temp predictions are for around -35 on Wed. and TH. There's not much you can do when it's that cold. Locals, here in Timmins, might moan a little but they take it in stride...no local sympathy. Obviously there's no running outdoors (it's always windy here as well), so the treadmill will be in full use. And a week ago I was running outdoors in the California sun.<br /><br />Tomorrow I go to the doc's and get more feedback on what's up. Running on the treadmill seems so my easier on my legs, so the cold won't affect my running. I'm just going 3-5 easy miles/day right now, hoping to get a little stronger.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-67897505124855105672009-01-07T18:31:00.000-08:002009-01-07T18:49:59.883-08:00<strong>Will I ever race again?</strong><br /><br />As an adult, my first race was a 2002 5-miler in a 4th of July festival. It was 90 degrees and I ran it in 42 minutes. My last race was last August in a half-marathon on the trails here in Timmins. I ran it in 1:32, but was hurting the whole race.<br /><br />Now, I'm hurting when I don't even run. 2008 was a year of high mileage on a bad left leg. I still don't know what the problem is with it, but it's too weak to run on very much.<br /><br />At 43, in 2003, I shattered all my expectations and BQd for the first of 6 times. It's difficult for me now to imagine the zeal for running I had back then. In Sept, 2003, I ran a sub 38:00 10K and was certain I'd run way under 3:00 in a marathon within a year or so. <br /><br />At age 48 I ran the highest mileage I'd ever done and my body started breaking down along with my running spirit. By now, I'm just hoping to get my healthy legs back for a racing season. But I know it's iffy.<br /><br />At the Runner's World site there are so many excited runners in their first 2-3 years of competing. I remember that time well. Running seemed to be all that mattered and I loved it. Everyone deserves the joy I got out of my early years running. It frustrated me to see how troubled some were at not BQing. I don't believe any non-elite runner expects to marathon very well when they first lace up. It's an unfolding of the body's hidden potential.<br /><br />Have a good running year everyone. I hope I can join you.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-63735602739878106342009-01-06T20:05:00.000-08:002009-01-07T10:53:43.600-08:00<strong>UCSB lagoon: I ran here during the 1980s.</strong> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7pEKrRa4azjZ88mF82MezxdmN8vMYSL9sDoKR846bHUNGkg8G1wS2WAnxixn32XNhT6PCj5qWU61YfJ8S9tOw9xWZVygk-cr6SElV1MPBZZEH5QPtwrTrHUbt0FGFpKEwDOVw1JZt6oB/s1600-h/IMG_0405.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7pEKrRa4azjZ88mF82MezxdmN8vMYSL9sDoKR846bHUNGkg8G1wS2WAnxixn32XNhT6PCj5qWU61YfJ8S9tOw9xWZVygk-cr6SElV1MPBZZEH5QPtwrTrHUbt0FGFpKEwDOVw1JZt6oB/s200/IMG_0405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288400296583645186" /></a><br />When I consider past decisions I've made, one of the curious ones is choosing to leave Santa Barbara, where I did my undergrad and my mom lived for years.<br /><br />On my trip, I spent a day walking around the town and my old UCSB campus, which is more breathtaking than ever. From the cold, barren tundra to the seaside campus is a contrast hard to comprehend. <br /><br />Now that I'm back in Timmins I'll try not to think about it.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-66926644819864463082008-12-31T01:42:00.000-08:002009-01-11T11:29:25.661-08:00"The Rat Pack is Back."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGATiOzHe8w7oBwhvQk6T4IAkkb8aHsJcYK42AY1nRz71aLV6yyZAy2iYDXMA8Chb3Rbdh0BixFtSqmgyA15rD5VI9cthyGquPn5U1Rj_BTf7cWrCn0IsaOr4muVVmy0rxdxo85kwC19vX/s1600-h/IMG_0347.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGATiOzHe8w7oBwhvQk6T4IAkkb8aHsJcYK42AY1nRz71aLV6yyZAy2iYDXMA8Chb3Rbdh0BixFtSqmgyA15rD5VI9cthyGquPn5U1Rj_BTf7cWrCn0IsaOr4muVVmy0rxdxo85kwC19vX/s200/IMG_0347.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288744539813407282" /></a><br />Me and the GF have just spent three days in sunny-yet-cool Las Vegas.<br /><br />What is cooler than the Rat Pack: Sammy, Frank, Joey and Dino. We saw the show, "The Rat Pack is Back": a retro-look at the Copa scene in the 1960s when the pack reigned over sin city.<br /><br />We had a great time at the show...we sat in the front row and H was included in some of the comedy where Joey Bishop would speak to those in the front row. So much like the shows of my youth when my dad was buddies with so many show-biz Vegas stalwarts.<br /><br />It's so nice to hear a live 18-piece band, a la the Carson show band with Doc, play the songs and punch in with counterpoint to the crew's jokes. I remember doing similar work in my 20s as a jazz guitarist playing celebrity roasts in LA and Santa Barbara...I wish I had some more pics of last night...more on that later.<br /><br />Since the weaqther here is so nice this week, I'll go to work on my tan before returning to Canada.<br /><br />happy new year to all of my on-line friends:<br />Terry<br />Bert<br />GB<br />Gregory<br />Alexandra<br />Tracey<br />Kazz and the rest of the RW gang.<br /><br />And especially Annie, who is a good friend.<br /><br />The real-life people don't need mention.<br /><br />happy new year!Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-53287067388423733202008-12-12T19:51:00.000-08:002008-12-12T20:19:50.198-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEETNgNYSfk4mGmlhCHeRGFlAkmUc9ThlBg3aRhBdFTu65qwu1Ji-v8stnsL75OxS5UKRpmZUfEp_idl_NxlwlyKlikDf9LtNmMXWmfvna9cpxZemGAi4Acv69COodxlUbfJ1OYxWwUmk_/s1600-h/University-of-Wisconsin-Traditions-Bucky-Badger-Bucky-Badger-On-Game-Day-2-WIS-T-BB-00002sm.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEETNgNYSfk4mGmlhCHeRGFlAkmUc9ThlBg3aRhBdFTu65qwu1Ji-v8stnsL75OxS5UKRpmZUfEp_idl_NxlwlyKlikDf9LtNmMXWmfvna9cpxZemGAi4Acv69COodxlUbfJ1OYxWwUmk_/s200/University-of-Wisconsin-Traditions-Bucky-Badger-Bucky-Badger-On-Game-Day-2-WIS-T-BB-00002sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279124414909395842" /></a><br />My Badgers are going to play Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl on ESPN. And I'll be able to watch since I'll be in Ventura, California for the holidays!!!<br /><br />Back in 1985, when I was selecting graduate schools for music, I chose to apply only to universities rather than conservatories. I wanted a larger school with full PhD programs, and applied to Texas, Cornell, Northwestern, Michigan and Wisconsin. My field was Theory and Composition. All of these schools had solid reputations and were generous about grants and assistanceships to their grad students.<br /><br /><br />I chose Wisconsin, in large part, because of the large class they wanted me to teach from day one. They offered the best money as well. I never cared much for their music faculty and the program was lacking in organization. But the university itself was all I could have hoped for. Had my grades been a little stronger I would have gone to Yale or Harvard, but I was not really emotionally prepared to crack only the books at 17 years of age. After a 4 year hiatus I returned and smoked the academic from then on.<br /><br />But the University of Wisconsin was a great place to study. Also, the sports and campus life were just what I'd dreamed of as an undergrad. I had several star football players in my class and for 8 years had season tickets. They were pathetic the first three years, averaging 2-4 wins per season.<br /><br />But Chancellor Shalala turned the football and basketball programs around and soon I was watching my boring but reliable Badgers playing in bowl games EVERY year. We had multiple Rose Bowls, Heisman winners and at least 8 1000-yard rushers. In hoops the success was similar.<br /><br />So I still wear my Badger red with pride. As a HS teacher in Minnesota, I always advised my Ivy league aspirants to save 60 grand and go to UW. They could always step up for grad or professional school. The job market has always been so competitive, the brand name on the label is important but secondary to the contents; the portfolio, recommendations, the experience. I was an unsuccessful job seeker, but I blame myself more than the school, which produced some big successes.<br /><br />Plus, I got to run into Ron Dayne, Michael Finley and Suzy Favor, among others. The Badgers are great to follow and the students are smart, unpretentious and part of a great underground tradition.<br /><br />GO BUCKY!Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-68741076018571309682008-12-12T08:34:00.000-08:002008-12-12T08:55:56.203-08:00<strong>I hate this weather!!!</strong><br /><br />Everyone knows that Canada's cold. Today, in Ottawa it's 22f, in Toronto it's 21, in most of the other provinces, it's between 5-35f if they're near sea level. <br /><br />But here...it's -9f at noon!. With new snow. I didn't even think it COULD snow much when temps are near 0F. But I've been proven wrong. I went to get a haircut this morning in prep for my California Xmas. Just driving to the mall was brutal. I forgot to warm the car up for 10 minutes before getting in. My hands are falling off and I almost wet myself.<br /><br />WHY DON'T CANADIANS HAVE GARAGES???? It's not new technology. They have them in the US all over, even in those dumpy fixer uppers. Here, only the elite owners of new homes have them. There absence makes for dangerous visibility due to excessive ice that is all but unscapable in the 0 to -40 range. <br /><br />To make matters worse, I forgot to unplug my block warmer (if you have to ask, you're very, very lucky) and drove off with an extent ion chord flailing from my hood. When I got home I couldn't plug the heater in because my hands were too cold. <br /><br />So help me, on my non-teaching days, I'm going to wrap myself in an electric blanket, unplug the phone and hibernate. Here, it's not being a couch potato, it's survival.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-22921247340789008082008-12-10T20:17:00.000-08:002008-12-11T08:04:53.224-08:00The appointment today has lead to the recommendation that I see a neurologist and have an EMT exam. This will take a couple of months up here, of course. <br /><br />It appears the muscle disparity in my two runner's legs might be a strong symptom of several neurological disorders, some simple (pinched nerve) some more ominous. This might well have precipitated the back trouble. It certainly is a problem for a runner. I call it "arm wrestler's legs". No good if you don't run in sharp circles. <br /><br />Of course I'm not too sure what to do with my running in the meantime. While in California in mid-December, I'll just do some easy 4-8 mile runs and see if my back, knee or thigh explodes. I'll bike as much as possible. But if I could run 60 mpw with this, I can certainly go 30-40 mpw if the weather's good.<br /><br />Again, I take this to be a good sign. It might very well be treatable. It's hard to know. Doctors have this way of keeping information to themselves; as if they are teachers and your questions are prying into trade secrets. They're not crazy about even letting you read your own lab results, though I insist upon it.<br /><br />So again, (not to make excuses) my 2007 and 2008 seasons were compromised. The more training I did, the worse the muscle condition became. I'll be hearing soon from the doctor as to when my tests are to be conducted, and whether or not the neurologist here in Timmins will see me(he's retiring).<br /><br />Treadmill guy is supposed to pop on over this afternoon. I'm ready to do some easy running, and the treadmill is easy on the back, legs and anything else that breaks down.<br /><br />Running injuries: the cause is usually undetectable. So one can't help but shotgun the treatment and hope something works.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-65057700401043775022008-12-10T12:02:00.000-08:002008-12-11T08:06:28.312-08:00<strong>WED....BEFORE</strong><br /><br /><br /><br />In an hour, I'll be at my doctor's office. It's -4 out at 3pm; not the kind of weather I like doing much of anything in.<br /><br />I've been MRId, X rayed and put on PT and several meds since the severe pain kicked-in the second week of September. Yet, only one MD had looked at me for a few minutes. The remainder or the time has been at a nurse-practicianers looking at X-rays, MRIs, etc. All indicate minor degeneration, but that's it.<br /><br />Since the pain and symptoms are <strong>not</strong> minor, I want my day in court. I have not been able to point out the locus of the pain, the other symptoms nor answer any of the typical questions regarding back pain. I'm afraid I won't be able to resume an athlete's level of activity without injuring myself more seriously.<br /><br />I have a photo of my back on a typical morning and two legs with uneven musclulature to be looked at. I need strong pain relief and want to feel I need it in the doctor's opinion (even though mine should matter most). My hunch is that I'll be in and out before I have a chance to do much of anything. Here goes....<strong></strong>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-78029728676710234352008-12-03T18:58:00.000-08:002008-12-07T09:29:29.395-08:00<strong>The Rudolph Hex</strong><br /><br />Tonight, as we were watching <em><strong>Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer</strong></em>, the treadmill was playing <strong>Poltergeist</strong>.<br /><br />On "Rudolph," Santa was in a jam at the North Pole(not far from here, BTW) I was munching pretzals, then the heater kicked on. When that happened, the treadmill started up on high speed by itself. It was turned off and the safety magnet was pulled out. There should be no way the belt could move; yet there it turned, humming a high pitch. It was plugged-in, and the surge of the heater must have worked like the paddles on ER.<br /><br />Repair guy, when he last visited, advised we get a junction box in case of lightning or fallen trees surging up the line. It was on my "C' list of things to do, like replacing the ceiling light that's too high to reach; we don't have a ladder ("C" list also). Moving from apartments to houses in strange towns means a big "A" list, since you get no freebies from the family. <br /><br />Among other things we don't have yet...<br /><br />2nd computer for work. B list<br />flat screen. B list<br />microwave....A list<br />snowshoes....A list (it just was bumped up)<br />a BROOM!.....A list<br />(we do have have a vacuum and swifters) <br />an electric guitar for me..A list <br />Bicycles.....C list (bumped down due to weather)<br /><br />You get the idea...<br /><br />We can afford these things, but we're "reluctant" shoppers.<br /><br />Anyway, the treadmill motor isn't working. I can hear repair guy scolding me already.<br /><br />In the meantime, there is this "too much snow" problem. I, of bad back, will not run on snow or ice. <br />Our streets are snow-covered. In Timmins,they do not plow minor streets until the missing children tally reaches double figures.<br /><br />So I never had the chance to see how Santa made the rounds that foggy Christmas night. Don't tell me, but I'm banking on the red nose coming into play. I'll get the DVD to find out(C list).Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-56734002437379941812008-12-01T22:47:00.000-08:002008-12-01T23:10:03.843-08:00As runners, we become very familiar with the look of our legs. Mine have changed over the years. As a teen, I had a sprinter's legs: big quads, well-defined calves and thin ankles. <br />In my non-running 20s they retained the shape, in spite of running an average of 3 times a week at 2-3 miles per run.<br />Fast forward to my 40s and I start marathon training. The legs become muscled--very much so--but the contour changes and they are thinner. Nonetheless, I'm familiar with the shape.<br /><br />This season, I notices a sense of weakness and numbness in the left leg. It seemingly preceeded the back troubles. All spring and summer, I commented on how "tight" and strange my left knee and thigh felt. Then the back troubles started.<br /><br />Now, I'm running most days on the treadmill, and going 4-7 miles each run. The legs feel OK, though the left leg is still faulty in some sense. I looked in the mirror and asked Heather to look at my thighs. It's become obvious that the left thigh lacks the muscle the right one has. It's probably been this way all year. Never before did I have trouble balancing myself on downhills and turns.<br /><br />I'm trying to stay positive on this; it's a new symptom that is, almost certainly, connected to the back troubles. The cause-effect chain's unclear to me at this point. Where did the trouble start? It's hard to determine medically. But there is a definate cause for the weak leg--smaller muscles. So, there's something I can do to fix that: orthotic, chiro, more back treatments. Who knows? <br /><br />So I can show this to the doc as well. It's good to know that it might be something specific rather than being worn-out by age. In the meantime, I'll go easy on the treadmill, do my exercises, and wait. <br /><br />In time, I'll have a better plan. <br /><br />This week, we're getting loads of snow. So getting snowshoes is next up.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-49095743877030446492008-11-25T23:35:00.000-08:002008-11-27T21:52:38.719-08:00<strong>RIP: Composers of "Batman" and "The Andy Griffith Show"</strong><br /><br />Who are Earl Hagen and Neal Hefti? I'm certain many of you don't really know. Earl Hagen was a close friend of my father's. He helped dad get into the TV music business. Neal Hefti was also a friend of the family. Each man passed away this year.<br /><br />They were both famous composers who wrote music for the big bands, radio and movies. But TV is the claim to fame they share. Between 1960 and 1980, Earl Hagen composed a countless number of TV themes and the background music as well. Much of his music is known by anyone over 40. For example, he wrote the theme to the Andy Griffith show. That's got to be in the top 100 recognizable tune book. Google him and you'll see how pervasive his music is.<br /><br />But what I remember most is his bare pate, the Tam-O-Shanter he always wore, and the monumental ears. He looked like a character actor form the 40s. You just don't see folks with his features these days. Why? I don't really know.<br /><br />When I was 9 years old, my father was recording a show at MGM and Earl offered to drive me home. We lived in the same development. It was my first ride in a Farrari. He even let me take the wheel in deserted areas. For someone so successful and talented, he was very unassuming; no ripping off heads in the studio for Mr. Hagen. Golf was his passion, and an unending source of rattlesnake stories, as the Calabasas course had its share. His son Dean was 8 years older than I, but had lots of colorful stories to share with me. You see, Dean was a talented drummer who played with the Spencer Davis band and Traffic; he also did session work for my father.<br /><br />Neal Hefti wrote the theme for the "Batman" series. He also wrote a number of great shoe-tunes: <em>Barefoot in the Park</em>, <em>Girl Talk</em>, <em>Cute</em>, etc. Like my father, his was a generation of self-taught musicians. At dinner, we always heard the names pop up. Not because they were so successful. Rather, they were a part of my dad's generation of composers. Much of the music of their generation was brightly colored by Hagen and Hefti. They could do it all: arrange the band's parts, write the simple jingles and the complex backgrounds. These days, it's not so common. But what is it I remember? .....The Fararri. And I'm a musician!<br /><br />So the old guard is falling away. Rest in peace, gentlemen.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-47348486923518127322008-11-20T14:51:00.000-08:002008-11-20T15:11:47.628-08:00My much-awaited MRI results were something of a dissapointment. There's nothing terribly wrong, nothing that's defying age. In short, my lumbar vertebrae are all bulging mildly, but the bulging is considered "unremarkable." Typical for late 40s. So it would appear that treatment is up to me.<br /><br />The problem is that the pain is sometimes very "remarkable" to me. I know what it's like to have a pain-free back, and I know what it's like to have chronic pain. <br /><br />As for running, no one's saying to stop. It doesn't hurt when I run, so I'll run. But my experience over the last two years suggests that running much volume at one time (long runs) seems to be closly related to the pain, spasms, assemetry and all else that's been sidelining me lately. Then again, so does taking out the trash...<br /><br />I'm bothered because it feels nice to have a treatment plan for an injury. "Do this, then that, take these and you'll be better by this date..." That's what I like to hear. But no. I'm in trial and error mode. I could stop running, that might help but I'd go crazy without my daily exercise. I will, of course, do some winter sports this year. But nothing an replace running.<br /><br />For now, its hit the treadmill. It's softer that frozen 12 degree-F pavement. So away I go.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-85705864671134038352008-11-17T08:57:00.000-08:002008-11-21T17:57:10.321-08:00<strong>I'll say it flat-out: I hate those word-verification tests you need pass to post</strong>.<br /><br />Cursive "m"s that looks like "n" or "r" with no additional n,m or r for comparisons sake. Or the g and q that are identical except for a swirl. I've lost a few posts due to cursive complications. After I see tiny words like <em>gyrqgjlnr</em> I start to get dizzy and log off.<br />Then other times it's so easy...go figure. <br /><br />If you are posting with me and that happens, feel free to send an email to me, and we can curse the cursive together.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-29491308535096817282008-11-16T09:26:00.000-08:002008-11-17T09:04:31.410-08:00<strong>I Survived my Second MRI</strong><br /><br />I've now had two MRIs. My first one was way back in 1990. That horrific experience taught me a few things. The first thing I learned was that, yes, I can be VERY <strong>claustrophobic</strong>. The second lesson I learned is to come in <strong>fully prepped.</strong><br /><br />What do I mean, fully prepped? Simple, anti-anxiety meds. From yesterday: "yes, I want the atavan...may I have another please...no? I don't WEIGH enough?<em> THAT'S my reward for all of the training? To have an anxiety attack after waiting two months for this stupid test? I guess it's a good thing I brought my own.</em>. After feeling nearly psychotic during the 1990 MRI (though I made it through the hour-long test)...I was taking NO chances. <br /><br />I have to admit, it <strong>was</strong> smart of me. I don't know how I would have done otherwise. There were times my head started to swirl in anxiety yesterday, but I was able to remain calm, knowing I had medicine on my side,<br /><br />Another trick I learned is to count songs and commercials on the radio...though the magnets were so loud, the only song I really heard was "Evil Ways" ..."lord knows you've got to change...blah, blah." I played this around 500 times in several bands and will fail to notice if I never hear it again.<br /><br />But my best new MRI trick is to open my eyes one at a time: Things appear farther away with just one eye. Things like walls 8 inches from your head. Also, a "mono" view eliminates the sense of <strong>near-total enclosure</strong> one might get when one is..well..nearly totally enclosed.<br /><br />The warmth of the pulsing magnet on my back in concert with the drug cocktail in my system gave me a nice embryonic warmth as the final tap of the MRI passed. Later I took a two-hour nap. So yes I learned. Now if only my back felt better things would be <strong>fab</strong>-ulous.<br /><br />So, for the MRI-shy folks out there: one-eye at a time, say yes to drugs(and bring a back-up....but only if you really need them:)), and above all, change your evil ways. Jean and Joe are counting on you.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-46288269013549338222008-11-14T19:59:00.000-08:002008-11-14T20:08:21.924-08:00<strong>Oh My God! My back hurts!!!</strong><br /><br />As the man of the house, I take out the trash. No biggie, right? It's not all that heavy, and I still have <em>some</em> muscles. <br /><br />So I lift up the bag, and feel a jolt of blood-curtling pain go up the spine. With each step it gets worse. Yikes! It hurts to step out of the car. It hurts to put on my shirt. I'm shaped like the number "2" again.<br /><br />And tomorrow's my MRI. Well, the radiologists will think I'm an 85 year-old with the scoliosis and whatever else shows up. <br /><br />And to think, I felt so good running this week.<br /><br />"Good Grief"...am I in sad shape.<br /><br />I just hope I can make it through the MRI without a spasm.<br />I can...I can...I will.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-1660720541113311352008-11-13T19:40:00.000-08:002008-11-13T19:56:03.000-08:00<strong>MRI Countdown</strong><br /><br />In two days, I'll have had my back MRI. In a week, I'll have the results. Strangely, I don't expect to find too much wrong with the back. Something's wrong, but I don't expect it to be anything scary or requiring surgery.<br /><br />It will, represent a kind of transition for me, however. I'll have to decide what next to do. I never dreamed when I started running, that I'd arrive at this point when I might possibly transition out of competitive running. When a job, relationship, social-family life is on the rocks, running is a great mollifier. I've lived in some shabby places, lost jobs, changed girlfriends a couple of times and seen my parents grow too old to do most of what I associate them with. <br /><br />The running is a palliative. But there's a caveat: I need competition as a motivator. Without that carrot, I might run, but it's just exercise. The highest runner's high I've had has always been running well. This year, I ran two solid half-marathons, but hated running in them both because I knew I might not make it due to injury. I'm still injured and have had a good running career, but what to do next is a strange quandry.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-46762880732057350042008-11-11T11:51:00.000-08:002008-11-11T12:10:03.550-08:00<strong>Hard Core in Winter.</strong><br /><br />Like most male runners I know, I scoffed at the advise proffered me regarding the implementation of core-strengthening exercises into my running routine. "Why," I would ask "should I waste time building up my stomach and back muscles when all of the running muscles are already getting daily exercise?"<br /><br />For years, this logic served me well. When a rash of injuries hits, however, one begins to question EVERYTHING including non-running fitness. My PT now has me doing a battery of core stabilizing exercises and I'm making good progress. <br /><br />Is this improving the pain in my back or my knee and PF/sciatica problems? <strong>No</strong>. So it seems to be a trial and error process. It might be that I drove too long with poor alignment and now the faulty wheels are, though-aligned, still faulty. If that's the case only time will help(and that r-word, rest).<br /><br />But this much I will say: I can do far more push-ups, crunches and all of the other core-related activities with less effort than before. And, this will be a permanent part of my training routine from now on.<br /><br />There has been snow on the ground for 5 days and soon there will be enough for some nifty winter X-training. It's 23f for a high today, and going down by the day, so I've got to look for the pony, right?Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-91072364716646830252008-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:002008-11-09T07:54:21.016-08:00There isn't much to say about my running. I'm awaiting my back MRI and running a basic 30-35 mpw in an effort to retain my sanity. Some days running feels good, others are a little uncomfortable.<br /><br />It's hard to forsee a change when thers an ongoing pattern of pain and numbness in the left leg and lower back. But, when I feel good my running seems fine.<br /><br />There's snow on the ground now. Let the season begin.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864982672498727187.post-66361598653249963212008-10-30T05:41:00.001-07:002008-10-30T05:55:02.401-07:00<strong>Better or not?</strong><br /><br />As a runner, I've often asked myself precisely that question when injured. I've been running around 30mpw for the past couple of weeks, but my legs don't feel much different from how they were a month ago. <br /><br />Should I take some time off? Sure. But not running is hard for me since I don't have exercise equipment here other than a treadmill. It's too cold for biking, and walking doesn't seem any easier on my body than running at an easy pace. So I plod along at 8:30 pace on the treadmill, speeding up the last couple of miles, but never going really fast.<br /><br />What I AM doing is strengthening the back and shoulders. I do a lot of new exercises. Also one of the oldest: I'm up to 50 push-ups at a time. It reminds me of my years at AE Wright Middle School. We used to do so many push-ups during PE class, they became second nature. But now, they're a new challenge. Marathoning can really weaken other non-running parts of the body. It's part of why I'm losing interest in running them: I want to be more fit, not the walking wounded.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16698551883133979712noreply@blogger.com2