Long ride

Today, I decided to ride even though I was still limping.  I have a very painful outer lower calf on the right and ankle pain on the left.  It was over 90 degrees, and there was little wind, so it may not have been the best day to push it.  I drank 50 ounces of water and drank all of it.

My ride was 33.84 miles (2:43:50) and 1,483 feet of climb.  I decided to check the best route to the assisted living facility my mother will call home in a few weeks.  For the first 17 miles, I used very little battery, and the workout was challenging.  On the way home, I used the battery for about half the ride.  I was pleased with Bosch's statistics from the ride.

Overall, it felt good.  The ankle and calf were manageable, and I will see how I feel in the morning.  I will likely ride tomorrow as the weather forecast is for significant storms.  Then it will be August already!  WOW!  It is hard to believe I have been retired for six months already!

When I retired, I decided not to weigh myself and get emotional about my weight.  I will let it be and see the results at my next primary checkup with the physician in December.  When I had the follow-up visit in April, I had lost 14 pounds over the 8 weeks I was retired.  I was surprised but happy. 

Carry on my friends, Carry on!

Old age or dormant lifestyle?

It has been difficult for me to ride or do much of a workout the past month.  Daily, a new pain arrives with a vengeance, and an old pain diminishes.  The last workout was on July 22, seven days ago.  In addition, my favorite bike, my Surly Long Haul Trucker with the BIONX D500, has been out of commission.  I hope to get that back soon, as I can ride with electric assist without significant strain.

In addition, I have been stressed and working hard preparing to move my soon-to-be 81-year-old mother from the North Dakota farm to a new home close to me.  My father passed away May 6, 2023.  He passed working on the farm in the middle of nowhere.   I did not write about this as we had an estranged relationship.  I often wonder if I should have tried to sort through the animosity yet never took action.  I was raised in the middle of nowhere, and my parents lived there for almost 5 decades.  

My 80-year-old mother did not want to leave her long-term home.  However, there are memory issues, and we have no choice.  She can not remain safe alone in the middle of nowhere in North Dakota.  So, for the past few months, my sister and I have been working hard to find a new home, care for our mother, and prepare for the move.  The numerous long drives to the middle of nowhere North Dakota are an emotional drain.

Last week, we worked hard to start cleaning out the "junk."  It was a challenging task.  The hoarding was sad to see.  

Saved boxes of empty treat bags

A huge box of unused dog medicine

I am hoping once we get her moved, the stress will subside and maybe some of the pain.  In addition, I hope to get my Surly back and get into a routine!

I have started attending Minnesota town ball games and reviewing Minnesota Townball Fields to fill my time.  I have always loved Townball and its history.  It takes my mind away from the issues in my life.

Carry on my friend, carry on!

Posterior ankle impingement?

I am experiencing extreme pain in my left ankle. It comes and goes but when it spasms, it is very painful. This has been going on for several weeks with more frequent spasm-like pain! I have been figuring out what it might be. Based on everything I have read, I assume it is Posterior ankle impingement. That makes sense, as it's most painful when I point my toes away from my knee or shin. It doesn't hurt when I try to stretch by putting my foot against the wall and leaning forward. I don't know what the best option is!  I did get a few long rides last week, yet with the ankle, it was fewer than I wanted. 

This is not the best week to have this ankle pain because my girlfriend's seven grandkids and daughters, 18 months to nine years old, are with us at Grandview Lodge for a vacation. It gets so crazy with all these kids running around; three are from one daughter and the other daughter.  Since the grandkids don't see each other much, it results in a lot of tension, arguing, and frustration. 

My mother needs some assisted living options.  So, I have been wrapped up in sorting through the information with my sister as we prepare to move her closer to us.  She has remained on the farm after my father passed about 15 months ago.  I think she is getting quite lonely, and the need for assistance would decrease if she had social activities to raise her spirits.  One will never know, but we found a new home for him about 13 miles from my house, so I can bike to visit.  

In closing, retired 5 months ago, and the excitement has worn off.  I am still happy I retired, but now there are so many things filling the days that I need a break.  Things like seal coating the driveway, thoroughly cleaning the gutter, trimming trees, fixing rotted steps, landscape edging repair, and so much more.  The list of things I see keeps getting longer, and I am more exhausted!  Like a typical American, never finding the balance to be happy and healthy!

Carry on, my friends, Carry on.