Hot Summer Day!

It was a great weekend to get out and enjoy the weather.  Here is one stretch of the bike trail by Jackson Park.  With the weather getting up into the 90’s this weekend, and continuing for the rest of the week, you need to get out early.  Very peaceful and quiet out early, so enjoy the weather, before it gets too hot later in the day.  Remember to be drinking lots of water during this time, and if you are out when it is hotter, it is even more important to drink often.  The humidty causes us to lose a lot of fluids quickly.

Here is Nick this AM after he ran around the lake, about 14 miles.  He and one of his cross country friends started early, but still the humidity was too much.  I caught up to them later in the car, and kept supplying water.  Nick managed to finish, but was totally soaked.  I gave his friend a ride after about 9.5 miles.  He was cramping too much with the heat and humidity.  Everybody needs to remember this.  We don’t have to be out running 14 miles for this to happen to us.  Spending time outside, mowing, gardening, whatever, you lose fluids quickly.  Water is the best replacement.  Enjoy the summer, but be smart.  Keep moving everybody.

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise day #:  1739

The Winds of Change

The winds were definitely picking up today.  The wind is not so bad when it is warm out, but when it is cold, it is another thing.  When I started off running this AM with Sarah and some other friends from the running club,  it was 51 degrees.   We went on a long run, and by the time we were done, it was 41 degrees.  I am not sure what the wind chill was, but had to be in the low 30’s.  The forecast is calling for some more cold days, with lows down in the 20’s.  Still overall not bad, but it is when we start getting used to the warm weather we have been having.

The Lake had lots of white caps on it, and made it very tough to run in.  So the group we had running worked as a team, and took turns blocking the wind.  We would then just keep trading off.  We all got our workout in, and we worked together.  It is always more enjoyable exercising with someone else.  The conversations, the comraderie.  It is no different then how we work through things every day.  It is always easier when you have help, and at the same time, you contribute to it.  We all have different Winds of Change in our lives every day, regardless of the weather.  Keep your chin up, and move forward.  As far as the weather, here is hoping that the cold days, and the wind, will be short lived.    Have a great Easter coming!  Keep moving!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1654

Outdoor Track season 2012 underway

The Watertown Arrows had their first outdoor track meet of the 2012 season yesterday in Aberdeen.  It was a perfect day for a track meet.  There were lots of kids achieving qualifying times for the state meet.  My Molly and Nick were both there competing, and both had a good day.  As a parent, nothing gives me more pleasure than to sit back and watch my kids compete in similar events that I did growing up.  Hopefully, all of the exercise I do wears off on them, and they not only learn how to compete, and have good sportsmanship, but also learn lifelong habits of staying in shape and exercising for years to come.   I tell them that when it comes to participating in track, you get out of it what you put into it.  If you work hard, you will go far…  Hmm, sounds an awful like life in general, doesn’t it?  It is just like I tell them…there will be good days, and there will be bad days.  You just have to learn to appreciate the good days, and learn from the bad days.  Here are pictures of both Molly and Nick.

Have a good week.  Keep moving!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1648

A Perfect Saturday

Saturday morning was incredible for the weather.  We could not have asked for a better day.  Very warm, and calm winds.  People were out on the bike trail all over watertown, either riding their bikes, walking, or running.  They all took advantage of a great day.  I started out riding my bike to the rec center to meet at 8AM for the Watertown Area Running Club.  With them, I ran 4 miles, then got back on the bike, and rode a total of 30 miles.  Coming back home, I ran into Tom B., finishing his run from the rec center with the club, and ended up going on another 2 mile run with him.  Then when I got back home, Buddy was waiting to go for a walk, so went walking 4 miles with him.  Spent all morning working out, but it was very enjoyable.  I am getting ready for a marathon, and recovering from a calf injury, so with all of this, I could still work hard, yet take it easy on the calf.  It is coming along very nicely now.

This is the view Buddy and I had along the bike trail.  All of the ice is off of the lake.  You can see from the water how calm everything is.  It was a very enjoyable, calm walk.  You just can’t beat the scenery, and there is no comparison of this type of exercise, versus being inside on a treadmill.  Don’t waste the good weather.  Hope you all had a good weekend.  Keep moving!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1641

Warm Weather can be the Best Medicine

Here I am saturday morning, after going out for a 40 mile bike ride.  It was in the mid 50’s when I went, drizzling, and very foggy.  With all of the melting that is has been doing, the mud was flying.  But, it felt so good to be outside riding again, instead inside.  By the time the sun was really coming out, so was the wind, so it was drying the mud fast.  Here is a close up view:

You can see all the mud on the bike, and on it, it was getting pretty dried on.  I felt like a little kid playing in the dirt!  Spent part of the afternoon cleaning off the bike as well.  Mid to upper 70’s for weather in mid March–I don’t remember the last time this has happened.  I am taking advantage of it, and enjoying it for as long as the weather cooperates.  You all need to do the same.  Keep moving everybody!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1634

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and Happy Birthday Sarah

Happy Birthday Sarah!  Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everybody else.  Here Sarah displays her Irish nature.  It always make for an even more special day.  I just had a patient in the hospital, and his birthday is today as well.  He just turned 87.  He has a lot of medical issues, but is loving life.  He told me that when everything else in life starts to fail, the one thing you can rely on is your attitude, and you make the best of whatever life dishes out to you.  His motto:  SMILE!  Even when things get bad, if you keep smiling, that can at least seem better.  We all should take a little advice from this very knowledgeable man.  And very Irish!

Of course, don’t forget to be staying active.  Here Sarah is surrounded by the two Tom’s of our running club this AM.  I was riding the bike today as I am still nursing a sore calf.  Hope to be back running soon.  Tom Beaudry (far right) was decked out in his green attire for the day.  Way to go Tom! 

Everybody have a great weekend.  Happy Birthday Sarah.  Luv ya!

Keep moving everybody!  Enjoy this great weather!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1633