Son,

As you know, I have been trying to get back into shape – just one more time in my life. My age plays a role and I do not yet understand that role. My brain thinks I am 30 years old – my body is not cooperating. The last five years has seen me living a very sedentary life – and I am paying for it now.

I have been writing about my exercise program. I like to think of it as ‘a program’ because it seems purposeful and deliberate. I started walking a couple of months ago. I built a weight bench and have been lifting weights. My progress has surprised me. In my last post I noted that I traversed my three mile route in 43 minutes. I went out today with the idea that I could beat 43 minutes. My time was 41 minutes – but my body is telling me I pushed too hard.

I started today by walking the first four blocks. My heart rate was about 90. Then I started to jog. It felt good. I felt strong. My program says I should jog 100 yards, then walk 200, a nice balance for an aging man trying to reenter the world of physical exercise. But I felt good today – so I jogged for over a quarter of a mile, then slowed to a walk. Immediately I knew that I had over done it.

I became nauseous. I felt weak. Then the dry heaves began. I kept walking, trying to regain control. In an earlier post I talked about the need to set a target heart rate. I did this. But I was walking and I was sick. My brain was rushing to analyze the data. I remember now that the other component in heart rate is in the recovery rate.

Recovery rate is the rate at which your heart rate returns to normal, or in the normal range. My recovery rate has always been very good. That means that I can jump my pulse to 130 and, stopping the strenuous activity, in two to three minutes my heart rate has always dropped dramatically. As I walked today I checked my rate – I was relieved to see it dropping quickly.

After about 200 yards of walking I felt pretty good again. So I began my 100 by 200 routine, alternately jogging and walking. In the last half mile of the three mile walk I became nauseous again, gas began forming quickly in my stomach, and I felt weak. I felt my pocket to be sure I had my cell phone. I actually thought the words ‘heart attack.’ It kind of scared me; but I kept walking.

I am home now. I drank three gobs of water (a gob is two bunches). And just to be sure I took two aspirin to thin my blood. I have skipped the weight lifting for today. After a shower and lunch I am feeling better – but my body is talking to me – perhaps I should pay attention.

Dad

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