Swimming in the Snow

The 2009 TCY Master's Swim Team photo taken Saturday, December 5, 2009.

There hasn’t been much running on these legs for the past week, yet, my legs have been getting much use in the pool. Perhaps we should change the name of my blog; but to what? Any suggestions?

Saturday was an awesome day at the Talbot YMCA. Mid-afternoon found me “cooling” down in the “warm” pool, hanging with friends, and watching the beautiful snowy scene out the window. The Talbot County YMCA (TCY) Masters Swim Team hosted our semi-annual Swim Competition and Chili Cook-off. We had a record 26 swimmers register from our own team and nearly 100 swimmers from all over the state. With 4 scheduled practices each week and the fact that we all live adult lives, it is rare that we ever get more than twelve of us together at any one time.

I had one of those “moments” before the meet began where I experienced pure happiness. It was when we had our team warm-up in the pool before the guests arrived. There was some music playing on the stereo which added to the mood and someone (I believe it was Lisa) said aloud what I was feeling; something to the effect that, “how cool it is to have everyone together for this afternoon. That it is wonderful to have a day where we come together as a group to push our limits and show our stuff after all the hard work, early mornings, long workouts, chlorinated hair, water filled goggles, pool water lung-rinses, and missed flip-turns”. As an adult there are few sports like swimming where you see the full range of 18 to 80+ year olds; where we all compete, no matter the age, level of competence, or physical restriction. I could loudly hear my team cheering for me as I swam the 200 breaststroke event. Though I know I can do better in the future, that swim was fun, especially with the voices of support ringing through my swimcap into my ears. Saturday with my team was one of those magical days I’ll remember as being special.

Oh, yeah, the swimming: the results can be seen here. I swam in 3 individual events and 2 relay events. I bested my competition 200 breaststroke time by nearly 10 seconds ( my aim is to best it by 10 more before spring). And, I swam my second fastest 50 yard freestyle, ever! The more I go to the meets and watch other swimmers, the more I know what I want and how I want to swim. I see where I want to go. With the continued help of the Galan Family and my TCY team I know I will improve.

The shoulder: I’m back to pre-surgery condition, maybe a little better overall. My palsy still persists in my left shoulder, but doesn’t affect my swimming strokes. However, if I don’t bring my hands together strongly during a dive off the blocks and will sometimes wrap my left arm around my chest because I’m not strong enough in that outer rotation to resist the rush of water as I enter. Other than that, things are good.

My goal is to be able to swim more than a mile in open water at an energy efficient pace of 30 minutes per mile or under, without be stressed. My kick is the key. And, to get a stronger kick in need to strengthen my core. I am attacking my core these days. Wish me luck. Propeller legs rule. Love and appreciate life ~ Michael

Monumental Run

Lori, Joel, Shaun, Dominic, Woodfrog, Katherine, and Mike V. posing after 11 miles of running on Sunday, November 22nd with Abraham Lincoln keeping an eye on us in the background.

Rise Up Runners in DC

An adventure that has been on the table for a few months came to fruition today. The Rise Up Runners took an early morning sojourn to Washington DC for a run around the national monuments. Katherine, Lori, Joel, Mike V, Shaun, Dominic, Joel, and I ran 13ish miles in and around the memorials and Georgetown. We parked at the Capitol, then hit Washington, Jefferson, FDR, Georgetown (my niece Ashby), Lincoln, Vietnam, WWII, Washington for a second time, and then back to the Julius.

The Jefferson Memorial with friends

The weather was cloudless skies, a light Northerly breeze, and temperatures in the 40’s. One of the highlights of the day for me was being in the Jefferson Memorial with my friends, and no one said a word. There was something special about being at peace with your friends, and no one had to say a thing. The early morning sunlight was shining sideways between the columns onto Jefferson, himself, making a golden glow aura to the open room. Only the seven (eight if you count Thomas J.) of us were present…silent…appreciative…friends.

The next most awesome part of the day was Lori pulling out a box of unfathomly-good chocolate coconut squares she created earlier. They were awesome!! Other highlights included an early morning hug from my niece, Ashby, in Georgetown and having her meet my friends. She was more than a good sport to get out of bed (it was 9am on a Sunday, and she is a college student) and greet us.

The pool has a grab on me again and sees my presence three times a week, now. I swam at the Washington College meet on the 15th of November, bringing home enough points for us (TCYS) to beat our new nemesis, the Chesapeake Region Aquatic Blues (the CRABs), by two points. My left shoulder is still very weak. Swimming helps keep good movement and range of motion in that arm while the nerve is repairing itself. I have shown some improvement in the Superspinatus muscle but none in the Infraspinatus, yet.

This week will see the Run for Hospice race on Friday after Thanksgiving. On December 5th we are hosting a masters swim meet at the Talbot County YMCA. In the meantime don’t forget to swim, run, ride, love, and appreciate all that you can.

Skyline Drive

This black bear was in the tree at Thornton Gap. He walked out that thin limb with all four paws. When he decided to climb down the tree it took less than 5 seconds.

Carita and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary by taking an overnight in the Shenandoah Mountains and a drive up the famous Skyline Drive. We got out of Julius and did two nice hikes. The first was at Bearfence Mountain where we hiked part of the AT. On the way to the summit we had to climb over a rock scramble which was much harder than anything in the White Mountains. After lunch at Big Meadows Lodge we hiked down a mile to Dark Hollow Falls. The trail was easy to follow, but had a constant grade; the kind that really gets your heart pumping on the way up. I took liberty from Carita and ran the return trip.

In the Shenandoah's the leaves have turned colors and 70% of them have fallen to the ground for the winter. However, those that remained on the trees were beautifully golden. It was another world and we enjoyed our time, how ever short, that we spent there.

Seeing the bear was icing on the cake for our trip. By 5pm on our last day we had only travelled 40 of the 65 miles of our projected Skyline Drive trip. We decided to cut it short and cut off at Thornton Gap. We must have been drawn to this bear, because it was in a tree on the off-ramp to Thornton Gap that we saw the bear in the tree. What a treat!

We have a video of the bear, but the digital world is not allowing me to upload it hear. I'll try again soon.

WyeJuvenation

Bountiful Corn!! A harvester transferring corn to a truck in a field on Sharp Road.

Driving over the Bay Bridge yesterday morning in route to my 6-week post surgical check up, I was struck by the beauty of the building day; light wind, crisp sunshine, fall colors, and warm 65 degree temeratures. It confirmed for me that packing running clothes in the backpack earlier that morning, was not just an exercise in futility. The plan was to return to the Eastern Shore after my Baltimore appointment and hit the roads and trails on the island at Wye.

Wood Frog running the road at Wye Island Tuesday afternoon.

It was 2:07 when I closed Julius’s door at the picnic area to start the seven mile “out and back” run to Ferry Point Trail. Decked in a sleeveless EMS shirt and tanked up on water, I quickly fell into pace and took in the surroundings. Immediately, the sounds of Wye filled the rhythm of my mind; honking of geese, twittering of birds, rustling of corn stalks by deer, sporadic crunching of leaves by squirrels, and the drone of a nearby combine-harvester filling the bin with corn. But, along with that came the sense that I was alone; alone in a place where I am usually in the company of running buddies. Michael Valliant and I have enjoyed a couple of hundred miles of running together at Wye Island over the years. It was with him that we laid out pre-marathon “long” runs and discovered the rejuvenation powers of a few hours running on the island can bring. We have enjoyed good runs with our other buddies, as well, all of whom have enjoyed Wye Island’s fields of grain and forests of maturity.

Right after my appointment I thought about texting the RUR group; inviting them to join me for a run at Wye. Surely, one of them might be able to play hooky? But, something made me think otherwise. Perhaps it was the thought that I might ruin the rest of their day, making them wish they could meet me, when they couldn’t. Or, maybe I didn’t call anyone because deep down I needed to have a solo rejuvenation time on my own two feet.

My right knee draws my attention while I run. I have pending a surgical procedure to adjust a torn meniscus. I can feel it with every strike I take, some with less intensity than others. But, I’ve run about a thousand miles on the knee like it is. However, the injury got worse after the Trail Dawgs Race in April, and now it is hard to have a run where I don’t notice it (a few times I’ve had to stop in the middle of a run because of the pain).

But, with recovering from shoulder surgery, the thought of having the knee done seems overwhelming. I have decided to delay knee surgery until my shoulder recovery has gotten to a point where it is no longer intensely taxing on my body. Dr. Murthi assured me that I was recovering extremely well, ahead of schedule in some areas, and that the atrophy and weakness of my left shoulder is going to take a long time to recover. I was encouraged by what he said. In the week leading up to my appointment with him, I have been experiencing pain in my arm that has held me back from doing some of my strengthening exercises. This has been very discouraging. Running does not hurt my shoulder, at all. Patience.

The Rise Up Runners who supported (Joel???) the Michele Laughman 5K in the rain on Sunday. From right: Lori, Laura, Wood Frog, Shaun, Mike B, Mike V, Brennan, Dominic, and Kathy.

On the brighter side, I was able to run the Michele Laughman 5K on Sunday with my friends. Even though I was at least three minutes off from my PR, I felt strong. Even my knee seemed to behave. So, during yesterday’s run at Wye, as long as I kept my mind active in thought, my knee didn’t bother me.

On the return route from Ferry Point the sun was strong on my back. I slid my shirt off my shoulders and let the sun warm them. With positive thought and visualization I willed the sun’s warmth to heal my ailment. It was a good mile of running like that in the sun. With focus on my left scapular muscles I could feel my blood respond to the sun’s energy and warm that area. It is blood flow that heals. The mind can actually direct blood flow, but it takes practice. I, hopefully, inched my shoulder to a fuller recovery.

Wye Island is a place where:
· green Osage fruits lie on the ground
· cool briny water from the river at Ferry Point feels refreshing on my face
· pick-up trucks with teenage boys arrive for an afternoon dove hunt (at first I thought they were looking for a place to drink beer)
· birdwatchers seize their prey
· the roads never get any shorter
· a person has full opportunity to clear one’s head
Pay no mind to the orange "CHECK ENGINE" light. Julius's 220,000 odometer reading.
On a lighter note: Our good reliable friend turned another milestone in his life yesterday. Julius has provided my family and friends with 220,000 miles of transportation up and down the East Coast and beyond. The only place where my family has spent more time is in our living room and beds. Julius is a reliable friend; we salute you.

This coming weekend brings a confusing array of offerings. I will do my second bout of coaching a Saturday swim practice for the Masters. Then, what to do? St. Michaels High School is having a 5K run. The rescheduled Tour de Trappe is being held offering 10, 40, or 100 mile options. Hmm…what to do? AND, rain is in the forecast. We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, swim, run, ride, appreciate, and love ~