Well, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? Since January 19, so about 6 weeks.
One would think that after 6 weeks I’d have something to say, wouldn’ one? Well, not really.
First, meet the new Eric! Don’t get used to it. I am thinking this’ll probably come off some time around 3/31/15, maybe even sooner. (For you visually challenged… I’m talkin’ about the BEARD!)
Over the past several weeks since I wrote, I’ve been off to Omaha for the funeral of my cousin’s son, M. M was a young man with an huge heart and a great personality. I feel somehow, perhaps not unworthy, but certainly inadequate to write anything here about him, only that he is missed, and his passing has left a void in many peoples’ hearts, and indeed in the world around.
February, we welcomed some friends whom we hadn’t seen in at least 10 years, when T and R came to visit. They have recently relocated from Atlanta, GA, to Albquerque, NM, and stopped down to see us and other relatives in southern New Mexico. We took them out to the Double Eagle their first night here, then Friday when they returned from Ruidoso, they took us out to eat at La Posta.
I’ve been doing two things I never thought I would… okay, ONE thing I never thought I would. Walking, you know about that. I haven’t been boring you with all the details of my preparations for the upcoming Bataan Memorial 26.2 Mile walk. I’ve been on the trail virtually every Saturday since October. Sometimes doing the hard 10 miles or more walks, sometimes easier ones… slowly but surely I’m edging closer. I am not sure I think I ever would have done this much hiking, but I’m loving it, and have no plans to stop after the Bataan, perhaps other than to recover!
The thing I’m doing that I never thought I would is weight lifting. All the literature I saw with programs for perparing for a marathon indicated “cross-training”. So I went to our gym here at work, and spoke to the guy in charge, C. C is also a certified trainer and cardiac rehab specialist. He set me up for weight training, and has been coming in early every Tuesday and Thursday, and putting me through a training regimen most geared towards relieving problems with my back.
When I first started my training, I could walk maybe 2 miles before my back started hurting, and by mile 5 I was frequently in severe pain… sometimes it would diminish after a few miles… sometimes it would intensify. I am now up to 12 miles with no pain.
Here’s what I’m doing, in case you’re interested… Gotta warn you, it may seem a bit wimpy, but these are free weights, and I’ve NEVER EVER done free weights!
Squats, 4 sets, 8 reps, 85 lbs
Bench Press, 4 sets, 8 reps, 75 lbs
Overhead Press, 3 sets, 8 reps, 55 lbs
Dead Lift, 3 sets, 5 reps, 95 lbs
Seated Row, 4 sets, 10 reps, 85 lbs
Lateral Pulldown, 3 sets, 10 reps, 85 lbs
Way back when I started the weight training I was doing no more than 3 sets of 5 reps of each, and the weights were as follows:
Squats 25 lbs
Bench 55 lbs
Overhead 35 lbs
Dead Lift 65 lbs
Seated Row 50 lbs
Laterals <NA>
I’m actually pretty proud of myself! I have no intention of stopping after the Bataan… though it’s possible I’ll be losing my trainer. That’ll suck!
And so here we are, folks. Today is March 10. The Bataan Memorial is only 12 days away! I’m thinking about posting either by text or by Twitter as I walk… probably something every 1 or 2 miles. I can’t guarantee that I will. I can think of at least two people who get my blogs via email who aren’t on twitter… though twitter is the easiest way for me to send. I can probably put together a “Text Group”. Hey, you holdouts! Yes, you know who you are! Go get a Twitter account so you can follow my exciting blow by blow account of my walk
@EricsBataan Mile 6. Lots of sand. Some rocks. Great time!
@EricsBataan Mile 16. One. Step. One. Step. One. Step.
@EricsBataan Mile24. ………….. help………
You get the idea… REALLY exciting stuff here!
If you want to follow my progress, please notify me by either texting me, if you have my cell number, emailing me, if you don’t have my cell phone number (include YOUR cell phone number in your email) OR by contacting me on facebook (elstrom99) or twitter (@erichaysstrom).
I’ll see what I can do!
On The Road II 