Sunday, Oct. 8

I went to see the Colts play in Indianapolis. They won, beating the Titans in a close one. One of my best friends in the world coaches for the Titans, so I'm disappointed. It was a beautiful day and I did get a lot of walking. The stadium is in the downtown area and a great setting.

Monday, Oct. 8

Since it's Columbus Day the community center is closed so I couldn't lift. Therefore I had to change up my routine. I warmed up on the bike for 10 minutes. Then every five minutes after that I'd get off and do two sets of 15 reps of strength training exercises, push ups, crunches, curls with the elastic bands, front raises and lateral raises. I got my heart rate up to 126 to 141 beats per minute. I did that for 30 minutes straight and did a five-minute cool down.

Later I went out for a 90 minute walk; I went at a pretty good pace. It was another great day, but I hear that colder weather is moving in later in the week. I'd better enjoy it while I can.

Tuesday, Oct. 9

I got up and rode the bike this morning. My legs really felt used up. So all I did yesterday took its toll. I rode for 40 minutes on levels four and five, keeping my heart rate between 126 to 141 beats per minute. My pulse rate got to 95 beats per minute in around two minutes. Later I took a two mile walk; I really didn't push it but finished in 36 minutes.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

I did my usual Wednesday lifting workout. I increased each exercise 10 pounds from last week. When I was finished lifting I went on the elliptical trainer for eight minutes. I put the angle at a steep angle and used it as a leg strengthening workout.

It's raining today so I didn't walk outside. I did 30 minutes on the bike using a hill profile at level seven. I kept my heart rate between 126 to 151 beats per minute; my pulse went down to 100 beats per minute after 3 minutes.

Thursday, Oct. 12

Today was the first reunion of the St Francis Joint and Spine Center. They invited all the patients from the first years to come back to the center. I went and stayed about 30 minutes. I felt a bit out of place since I was the youngest by far the time I was there. It was nice seeing the some of the nurses, aides and therapists that cared for me. I think that was one of the things everyone who was there mentioned. It was a good public relations move on their part and will probably get some future business for the center.

I went out and walked in the morning for four miles. We've had a cold spell and when I left the house it was about 40 degrees with a wind of 25 mph. I used to run outdoors in the winter (never when it was under -5 degrees) and remembered that after about a quarter of a mile I would warm up. Therefore since it really wasn't that cold I just wore a hooded sweat suit that I used to coach in and a stocking hat. After about five minutes I warmed up and the only time I was chilly was when I was walking directly into the wind. In fact I had to take my hat off several times since I got too warm.

This weekend is Linda and my 35^th college reunion at our homecoming. Since the college is only two miles from us we'll join the festivities. The fun started when a college teammate and fraternity brother got in town. We also used to coach together for five or six years in high school and college. We went to a local bar met another fraternity brother and started drinking. We didn't get too crazy but that'll probably change tonight. We'll go to the local high school and watch the final game on their field. We both coached there and there is a big reunion planned for former players and coaches. After that we'll meet some of our fraternity brothers at another bar and reminisce about old times.

Friday, Oct. 13

I did the typical workout today, lift, ride and walk. I did go over to the new high school in town with the school board president (I coached him when he was in high school). He gave me a walking tour. It's a very impressive building.

Tomorrow morning some of my former players are having beer and eggs starting at 9 a.m. and going till 1 p.m. so I'll drop by. After that I'll hook up with Linda and a friend who's coming down in the morning and we'll go to the reunion. I doubt if I watch much of the game. I'll be having too much fun.

Saturday, Oct. 14

The reunion last night was great. It was amazing to see the kids I coached there over 30 years ago. They've all grown up and it doesn't seem like I messed them up too much. It just reaffirmed to me that I belong in coaching. With my new hip in place and progressing well, I'm looking forward to coaching again next season.