For a person who does not take medication of any kind, a
recent issue with swallowing was a sobering reminder that nobody is immune to
health issues. Turns out – after an
upper GI tract endoscopy – that I am suffering from esophagitis. It came as a surprise as I have never had
issues with heartburn, at all. The
prognosis for healing is good though – my list of prescription medications is
now up to one: Nexium. ‘Come back and
see me in 6 month’s time’, were the specialist’s parting words. We shall see how that turns out. Might have to lay off the gin martinis.
In the interim, I am determined to lose some weight – which I
think is a contributing factor to the upper GI issues. Being able to run again is a boon, as a lack of
consistent exercise is what caused me to gain the extra 20 pounds in the first
instance. Well that and eating some candy, occasional junk food, having a few beers & wines etc... :-)
Making a running comeback at 60+ is no fun. I just logged 20+ miles in a week for the
first time in nearly two years. Which is great except that every meter is a
fight against gravity and inertia. Oh
for the days when I could roll out of bed and knock off 10 ‘easy’ miles before
breakfast… Or way, way back when my
friend Sam Ras and I started
running by racing a 3-mile course every morning for nearly a month, day after
day, without a break. Through shin splints, tendonitis, painful quads &
hamstrings – we couldn’t care less, we just wanted to run fast. Right
now someone could beat me with a stick and I still couldn’t run fast enough to
develop shin splints.
Signed up for another DietBet starting on Feb 9 and also for the 'Power in Motion' running program (10 weeks with Houston Area Road Runners Association) starting on Feb. Have to get and stay motivated!!
