So, it's not that I can't read a calendar, but it's that I am in the mood for turning over a new leaf, and this seemed the appropriate way to mark it.
You see, April 1 has traditionally been the start of my active season - specifically, my biking season, back in the day, when I had easy access to the Burke-Gilman Trail, was April 1 through October 3, and I used to try to get in as many miles in that period as I could, keeping meticulous records along the way. Here's a sample from way back when:
(I believe blue is miles ridden and purple is average speed, plotted on the vertical axis, and each horizontal tick is ride)
Now I am getting active all over again, maybe even on a bike, and April 1st seemed like a good time to mark it.
I left 60 in the rear view mirror some time ago, and I noticed I seemed to be starting to get older faster. There were medical things that started cropping up: my thyroid is out of whack and my blood pressure is high. I had put on a little too much weight - not just prosperous as we used to say, but uncomfortable. I was slowing down, looking older, and losing vitality. So I decided to do something about it.
The doctor has me on pills for the thyroid and BP, but the latter situation at least can be ameliorated by some lifestyle changes. Working with the doctor, I went to a nutritionist, and began the transition from a carnavoidant carboterian to a better vegetarian, not going keto but reducing both carbs and calories. The other side of the coin was increasing exercise. I got back on the 5BX bandwagon and started adding more walks and intervals to the weekly routine. I was able to fairly easily integrate the changes into my activities, taking inspiration from both my father's displays of epic willpower and my promise to Coco to live to 100.
Besides the physical changes, there are psychological and attitude changes afoot as well. Gone is the countdown-to-retirement clock on my phone; I have plenty of career left. Off comes the full beard and the silver fringe, back to shaven bald and a neat goatee; I am neither Papa Smurf or Uncle Remus. The trike is being sold so I can have easier access to my road bike in the garage; R.I.P. Trike Snacks, we hardly knew ye. It may be full afternoon for me, but there's still a lot of daylight left and we're nowhere near the sunset years yet.
I actually began this regimen when we got back from Palm Springs at the actual 2019 new year; April 1 will, however, see some ramping up of the physicality and more expression of the psychology. The weather is warmer and the days are longer, so that means more opportunity for walks, runs, and yes, even bike rides. The long-sleeved shirts and ties are going in the spare closet and the bowling shirts and aloha shirts are coming out, even if it is rushing the season a bit. There will be classes attended and games played and public services performed, all with, as JFK would have it, vim and vigah.
Let's get to it. Happy new year.
