Week 4 - More obstacles...

Monday, June 2, 2008

Not good - My back is still hurting and I'm beginning to wonder why it's not getting better. My physician, Dr. Arthur Williams, fits me in. He tells me that he believes that I've strained muscles in my abdomen which is leading to the pain that I'm experiencing. He advises me to take a week off to recover. My wife and I are heading to the beach later this morning so I will tone it down a bit but I'm reluctant to stop altogether as I don't want to lose the gains I've made. Today's an off-day regardless.


Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Still sore, hotel's on a busy street, nothing today.


Wednesday, June 4, 2008

We drive from Pensacola to Ft. Walton (our final destination). Still sore, I'll resume walking tomorrow.


Thursday, June 5, 2008

I'm still sore but I decide to resume walking - I don't have mileage marked out like at home but I decide to walk on the beach for 30 minutes (15 minutes one way and then 15 minutes back). Walking on sand is very different and tiring. Listening to In the Realm of a Dying Sun by Dead Can Dance helps. I found a very impressive blister on my big toe afterwards. I'd forgotten just how much resistance sand affords...


Friday, June 6, 2008

The blister is a mess and the soreness is back (thank you, sand). I bandage up the toe and decide that I should take my physician's advice. I'll resume my previous schedule when I return home.


Saturday, June 7 & Sunday, June 8, 2008

No activity - just healing...


Mental Skill Used for the Week: Not many opportunities...

Dissociative Thinking - As usual, this is my best friend.

Associative Thinking - I can't help but pay attention to my body. With both my abdominal pain and the blister on my toe, it would be ill-advised to ignore the signals I'm getting.

Motivation - Going backwards makes staying motivated difficult but my intent is to resume the 10-mile stationary bike ride on Tuesday.

Goal Setting - Adjust, adjust, adjust as indicated...

Until next week...