Getting healthy and fit in real time, in real life…

Last night I had my first game of dodgeball.

Walking into that gymnasium, I was reminded of why I hated gym class as a child.
The stale smell of sweat and rubber assaulted my nose, the temperature was about 15 degrees warmer than in the hallway, and that whistle. Don’t get me started on the whistle.

While I wouldn’t exactly call our first dodgeball game a success, I would say we probably had more fun than the other team; and that’s all I really wanted. So I’m calling my sore right arm a bonus gift. 

I did take some solace in the fact that I wasn’t the only one with a sore throwing arm by the end of our crippling defeat.  And now I’m known as the girl on the team who teaches the post-game stretches. 

So my plan this week is to develop an arm strengthening program, something I apparently forgot about since last week’s post where I made the exact same realization.

What our team lacks in strength and actual skill, we’re hoping to make up for in strategy.  Does anyone know of any dodgeball strategies to improve our game?

Every year I experience the same phenomenon. I remember distinctly the opening day of the PNE. Then, before I realize it, I am into late September. The soft, warm breezes of summer still linger but they are now short lived with ever decreasing daylight hours and colder, longer nights.

And I know what that means – rainy days are not far behind.

When I first moved to Vancouver over 30 years ago, I observed, what I first thought, was an odd habit of the locals. When it rained, everyone went about their business as if there was not a cloud in the sky. Not too soon afterwards, I learned why. It can rain for 4 to 5 days straight or more. You can’t stop living for that long. People had to adapt and they did. Very impressive!  I observed that no one allowed a  little monsoon to disrupt even their daily walk .

Count me in!

I was then reminded that Hollywood had already recognized this fact in one of its memorable productions: “Singing in the Rain”. Who could forget that famous scene of a young Gene Kelly, in Naval fatigues, dancing and singing in the pouring rain as if he had just won the LOTTO 6 49

I guess life is and can be how you look at it.

For many years now, the morning shower for countless people has doubled as a concert venue. We can honestly say that we are playing all week. The routine has served as a great boost to our morale and inspiring start to our day. Given how we have sung every day for many years, perhaps the transition to going public does not require as significant a leap in confidence as we may think.

Just imagine if we were to extend our venue beyond our bathroom doors; breaking into “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” (B.J. Thomas) during our walks to bus stops, offices and schools on dark, miserable downpour-filled mornings intent on breaking our normally optimistic Canadian spirits.

Think of how much more exciting our rain-soaked Christmas season could be!

Do I see a new art form in the making?

If we are not sure, we can try a few tunes first in front of our families. If we empty the room in less than 10 seconds, then we know that we should practice for a few more years before trying again.

If ever.

Next week:  You Have Got to be Kidding

Have a week of good health.

Rick

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Managed to continue with my workouts this week.  I previously focused on carido exercises but I started adding strength training and more stretching to my routine.  The result is constant muscle soreness.

On days when I don’t make it to the gym, I go for a very quick run.  The problem with running is that I’ve started to notice some pain in my left knee.  Perhaps I need new shoes?  Question for more experienced runners out there: what precautions do you take to prevent injury?

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