Actually, I don’t know. Symptoms were in line with it, but nasal swab was negative. I might look into the antibody test just because I don’t like mysteries.
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One of the most annoying and perplexing characteristics about COVID is that the range of symptoms is so broad and none of them unique
The one that really got my attention was the viral pneumonia, coughing up some blood and stuff and it felt like a spike through my right lung. Then that same feeling as congestive heart failure.
That’s when it can be legitimately worrisome. At least I was anyways.
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I’ve been good-ish. Sleeping more, working a little less. My clients are so intense right now, with all the madness and uncertainty magnifying whatever cracks were there before - anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, marital problems, out-of-control kids, isolation…I’ve been trying to learn to meditate with Headspace, have increased book-reading and reduced online time, switched to half-caff coffee, etc. I was really struggling for a bit…the emails I get asking if I have openings are heartbreaking (“don’t feel like I can take any more pain”) and I was starting to feel like I might not have the reserves I needed to manage the positivity they need. Like, what if I became toxic for them because I was as panicked and exhausted as everyone else? But I’m much more centered now.
I think some of the changes, plus following the news, are responsible for my disinterest in working out. I’ve shifted the time I used to spend on it to these quieter activities.
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Your adaptability and resilience really is admirable. I’ve dropped my time on Facebook to almost nothing. The majority of what I was seeing was just draining and it became clear that it wasn’t working as a distraction, a communication platform, or anything else. Now my evenings/spare time are spent mostly trying to replenish, relax, and go again.
I’m glad to hear that you are able to remain invigorated. I’ve been getting a lot more enjoyment out of music lately. Sometimes it has just been background noise, but lately I’ll throw on the headphones for about an hour to just drift off and experience something different for a little while.
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Woah, glad you’re okay!
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Thanks!
I go for a follow up chest x-ray in about a week?
Maybe this week? I dunno. I definitely have to check.
I’m pretty sure it will be all clear though.
Went on a nice little hike for some chanterelle with the kiddo this afternoon and it was a piece of cake.
What a difference a year makes! 
Same exact hike at the same time last year whooped my ass and had me wondering if my life would ever be the same.
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Well, if you’re feeling 100%, I wouldn’t worry too much about the x-ray
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Hi!
Haven’t done this in a while!
So I wanted to see where I stood cardio wise. Physically, things have been pretty good, but I was curious about how I was holding up cardio wise, and the most consistent way I have of checking that is the trusty ole airdyne.
So tonight I jumped on, put on some tunes, and gave it a rip. Cruised right at 4 minute miles averaged over 40 minutes for 10 miles.
That felt really good. Cranked it up a little, relaxed a little, but hung right in the neighborhood of a comfortable 50ish rpm. (except for the picture taking, did those cooling down).
So that was nice.
Kinda wish I had a better readout thingy, but realistically, wishing is about as far as that’s ever gonna get. 
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Any new goals for now?
Nah. It could be complacency, but I’ve been in a bit of a holding pattern. This is also probably the first time ever that I’m actually happy with myself or appreciative of my current state.
In several of my previous conditions (stronger, leaner/ripped, cardio/conditioning beast) I was actually very critical and unappreciative of myself.
Currently I’m just leaning down a little as a byproduct of the lifestyle changes implemented over the past year.
Did experience a little setback over the past month. Started getting some pretty severe side effects of atorvastatin. I thought I was just getting run down and depleted from work, but that wasn’t the case. As that progressed, I investigated side effects and they all lined up pretty well, so called the doc and he changed me over to crestor.
I have a regularly scheduled appointment in about an hour and a half, and we’ll be discussing that among other things I guess.
So, lately it has just been a lot of regular life stuff. Playing with the kiddo and whatnot.
Pet sitting this guy for the next few days:
Big goofy doggy-woggy!
Leash trained him yesterday. 
We’re just getting to know each other, but he’s a great pooch. Bluetick coon hound. Lots of fun. 
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Glad to hear this!
This working out better for you?
Dogs are always nice! Careful now, might have a hard time returning him lol
Yes. Much better. In hindsight, I was experiencing tiredness and aches for a while but it was hard to tell what was causing them, work and exertion or meds? Then they just continued to escalate until it became obvious, because I was off from work and still feeling worse.
Checkup went great too. Ekg, vitals, all strong. I really like this guy. He has a great doctor patient rapport, and told the nurse that I’m a rock star with this stuff, which I accepted without a victory lap… But also assured her that everybody there has been part of my success. It really is a great group of people.
I’ve been laughing with the recurring thought of “Damn! That heart attack is the best thing that ever happened to me. ”.
Oh, that is tough. We’re having a very good time with it, but the wife has made it Very Clear. We are not getting another dog yet.
Heck, I think she may have even convinced herself!
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Hahaha! But yeah, glad to hear everything’s going well with regards to that
There’s still hope!
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Hey @FlatsFarmer!
I was thinking about a conversation we had a few months ago this afternoon (how do you grind stumps, etc.) and figured a picture is worth a thousand words.
This is after the initial cut into the stump and some of the roots have been ground through. Since it is part of an ornamental bed that surrounds the back yard and will be planted upon, it gets completely annihilated.
Then the next, and so on.
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A whole row of stumps, what a delightful afternoon!
Looking at your pics, I think I was going side to side way too much, instead of focusing on up and down.
It’s good to hear from you, I thought about all you Pittsburg guys when I was watching Steelers/Titans this past weekend. Steelers are looking good! Is everybody getting excited yet?
There’s also a huge cluster of Jack o Lantern mushrooms growing out of a tree in my yard. I always remember you and your son when I see some weird fungus!
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I am! I think it’s a little off this year because there’s no real “game day” with the tailgating and big partying and stuff, but yeah! It’s pretty awesome!
I love those things. They are such a big wierd life form. Do yours glow a little bit? Some are only very mildly phosphorescent, some glow in the day time!
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I haven’t seen the mushrooms glow, but the orange color is so intense and vibrant it almost looks lit up.
Good luck with the Ravens this Sunday!
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Quite a season it’s turning out to be, huh?
So it was cold outside and violently windy where I usually do my lifty things (can’t really call it training anymore.).
So I did a circuit inside. Seems like my fall/winter thing. Each circuit was:
5 min. On the bike, about mid 40’s rpms gives one mile. Followed by 8 dumbell curls/arm, 8 overhead press, and 6 goblet squats.
Repeat 5X. No rest between exercises, that’s what the bike is for.
Felt good. Got the blood flowing and made me feel like I earned a mini snickers or two. 
My newest acquisitions- a set of 50 and 35 lb. hex heads. Not pictured is a bar and a couple of 35 lb plates. My buddy was re-doing his basement gym and gave me a a few things he has repeats of (hex heads) and the weights with a 1 in. hole, which I have others of. That’ll keep me busy for a while. 
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100 DB clean and press, touching the floor, with the 35s, for time. Don’t die.
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