madameblogalot

Here is my second month’s time trails. I have only improved in the swim and that is if I did not miscount. I think my run last month was a bit faster because the little karate boys were all out doing their training run-they were motivation, like running after little rabbits. I know the bike was slower because it was a very windy day this month, but I finished it none-the-less. I do feel like I am getting stronger, even if my times don’t always reflect it. Now if I can just train my heart to work more efficiently during more exertion….

swim
16 laps
time-18:36

bike
15 miles
time-55:16
ahr-148

run
3.1 miles
time-29:08
ahr-156

In just a little under a month, my son will be leaving for college. It is a bittersweet time in our house. One good thing that is happening is that some reality is dawning and setting in for him. For example, this weekend he has cleaned out a living room shelf where he has kept “stuff” all school year. He cleaned out his room a bit more as well. He is finishing up little tasks, applied for a couple of on campus jobs, and even got his class schedule done! Today at lunch he told me how much he appreciates me waking him up for events like church and other things. But, now he wants me NOT to do that. He needs to learn on his own to start making sure his alarm is set and that he gets up to it, especially on weekends. I could only laugh and tell him that I think this is a great idea and a perfect time to start!

Do you ever walk into a room and forget why you came in there in the first place? I had seen it happen with my grandparents and parents but was not ready for it to happen to me (at such a young age!) It actually has been happening for years now, but it’s not altogether uncommon anymore! And I have even had moments where my brain is completely blank when thinking of a name or trying to remember some fact. I had never had that experience until recently. I know that I am getting to be middle aged, but I was not prepared for my brain to start slipping so soon!

And now more than ever, people are needing better brain fitness and longevity. It is not only frustrating in day to day living, but it is imperative now that people are working til older ages. As folks live longer and the economy cannot sustain their lifestyle, people are choosing to stay in the work force for more years. This makes brain acumen a must, especially as the older generation finds themselves competing for their jobs with ever younger colleagues.

There are numerous ways to keep your brain in shape. I have always heard that reading and doing puzzles like crosswords or sudoku are helpful. Getting together with others and talking about things, staying up on current events and learning something new can all be good ways to keep a brain in shape. I have even heard about some online programs that can help keep the brain fit by training cognitive skills. Looks like I better get to training!

I guess most parents feel a sense of failure sometimes. I found an interesting quote about it in a Michael Crichton novel, of all places. One of the characters, a psychiatrist, states that another character, a teen aged rebel “…presented her parents with their own neuroses. In a sense she acted out their fantasies.” (Crichton, A Case of Need, p266)

Also in regard to the young girl “There is a cycle here, a pattern….A rebellious child chooses the weak point of its parent-with unfailing, uncanny accuracy-and proceeds to exploit it. ” (Crichton, A Case of Need, p267)

I won’t pretend to completely understand this, but it really hit me when I read it. While it’s not very comforting, it gave me a lot to think about.

In using the heart rate monitor, I have to conduct some personal “time trials” to see my time over a given distance and the average heart rate during the exercise. After conducting my first series of time trials this week (two weeks ago by time of posting!), I can see that I have already gained some strength and speed over the past year or so. I am hopeful that in using the monitor, I will be able to continue to increase both my strength and speed in each event. It is helpful in having already watched my husband learn through using his. He is careful to stay within his heart rate zone, even if it means slowing down or even walking. Over the past six months his times have decreased while his strength has increased. He is able to monitor his heart rate and work more efficiently during each workout.

First time trial times:

800 meter (yard) swim (actually 720m/16 laps) 18:58

15 mile bike: 52:21; average heart rate=146

5k run: 28:09; AHR=160

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: When I saw this book for $2 at Barnes and Noble I thought I’d pick it up for a Christmas present. And since my sister has read (and I think liked the book) I decided why not read it in the meantime. I have to say that while not quite a complete MISS (there is enough humor there) it is the weirdest book I’ve ever read!

Field of Vision: This made for TV family movie was one that was a little more on the “cheesy” side where everything turned out all right in the end. I understand the message and could enjoy a movie with no “bad” stuff in it, but it was not very realistic. And was also a platform to advertise products within the movie. At any rate, I will call this one neither a HIT nor a MISS.

June looks like a short reading month, but I’ve been working on one book most of the month. Almost done with it, so will post it for July….