Training Log Archive: PG

Progress on the vaccines. Gail got her first shot (Moderna) Friday, I got my second (Pfizer) yesterday. Pretty well organized at both places. Getting the appointments was a nightmare, especially hers.

I went to Eastfield Mall in Springfield, one of the states mega-sites, the operation taking place in a defunct Macy's store. Parking was close. On my first visit three weeks ago there was a line to check in, maybe 10-15 minutes, but all inside. Then a bit of a wait for a nurse, then the usual 15 minutes afterwards.

A couple of days later I saw in the paper reports of people waiting there outside up to two hours on a cold and snowy day. Apparently lots of folks had come early, worried about being late or maybe that they would run out. Not a good scene, pretty much everyone age 75+.

So they shifted the layout, so you had a long walk through the mall to get to the Macy's (but still a short walk after to get back to the car). New horror stories, people needing walkers having a terrible time getting there.

So by the time I got there yesterday there was plan C, anyone needing a shorter walk could just go in the exit. And there was no general check-in to slow things down, just maybe 25 tables, two workers per table, one to handle the computer, one to administer the shot. And almost no line. They are learning.

I had two friendly young women taking care of me. Seems I had the same birthday as the one dealing with the computer, so that got things off to a good start. Chatted up the other one as she was doing her job, compared notes on how to deal with headaches -- she had said it was good to drink a lot of water, make sure I stay hydrated over the next 24 hours, I said that's my first line of defense when I feel a headache coming on, a large glass or preferably two of water down the hatch and it seems a while later the headache decided to go bother someone else. Best drug on the market.

So I probably overstayed my allotted time by a few minutes. But I was having a good time, and they were having a good time, lots of laughs, and there was still no line. I figure, if you're there all day doing the same thing over and over, a little break in the routine is not a bad thing.

C • Shots 4

North Silver Lane.

North Silver Lane, with Di and Tucker.

Short but hilly loop, walked anytime time it went up even the slightest amount. A rather pleasant way to do it, certainly more pleasant than running it all. And also certainly a better simulation of the way I would do an O' course. If/when that happens again.

Beautiful day, sunny and about 50, good for morale.

South Plain Road.

North Silver Lane.

North Silver Lane again. Much better. Slowed the pace so I wasn't working nearly as hard.

North Silver Lane. Continued cold, not bitter cold, more like Texas cold, but it's been going for a while. At least we've got power and water.

C • Texas cold 3

North Silver Lane.

Struggling, needing to work too hard to keep running. Walked a couple of times on the way back. Feeling my age, I guess.

Back to the eye doctor for a check on how things are going. He took a close look, plus they did another laser scan, and he said things look great. My vision is way better than before, but not as good as the other eye. Progress from now on, to the extent that there is progress, will be slow, over several months. Got to be patient.

Also checked the pressure, which had been way too high after surgery. Been using one drug, one drop twice a day. Pressure today was 17, that's OK. Going down to one drop a day for a bit longer, than nothing, hopefully it stays OK.

Still getting occasional modest headaches. When I used to get mini-migraines (distorted vision and headache, but no nausea) they were always on the right side. These are just simple headaches, a Tylenol does the trick, all on the left side. Surgery was done on the left eye. There are also times when the eye just aches, doesn't like sharp movements. Other times, no problem. Doc didn't didn't seem particularly concerned, said just give it a little time. Main thing was the eye looked good.

I also asked about doing the other eye, what his thoughts were. He said he wouldn't recommend it for now. Vision wasn't bad enough to warrant the risk. Could always revisit if it deteriorates. So I'm both disappointed (was thinking how nice it would be to get much better vision) and relieved (happy not to go through this again).

It also seems like my right eye has gotten a little better, although it hasn't. I think what's happening is that as my left eye gets better, it starts pitching in, instead of being mostly useless. So the right eye has some help, plus now there's some depth perception too. Whatever, sure seems like the road signs have gotten easier to read. :-)

Sent off the following to my Austin family (brother, his wife, their daughter) --

"Just looked at the Austin paper, stories about the power out in large parts of the city. Hoping you guys are OK. Or as OK as possible."

And a few minutes later got the following back from Alex (the daughter) --

"We are all fine as can be considering the circumstances. No power at either house since Sunday around 3am. My water is frozen but mom and dads house still has their faucets dripping.

We’ve taken refuge at moms office. She’s on one of our essential power grids so she’s been with power the whole time. I came today for the internet and we decided it will be best to sleep here. We got blankets and pillows, wine, chocolate, and some stuff for dinner from the house and will stay the night here on the floor, where at least we have heat.

Tomorrow night mom and dad have a hotel room downtown and then we both have rooms Thursday and Friday night. Just in case the power stays out. They don’t know when they will turn it back on, maybe tomorrow, but maybe not, nobody really knows.

But all in all, very fortunate to have a warm place to sleep tonight with water, internet and cell service!"

Thank goodness for mom's office. But a whole lot of people with no power, no heat, and real winter. And no mom's office.

North Silver Lane.

On my own. Loop in town, one stop when I scared up a flock of horned larks that was feeding along the road.

North Silver Lane. Right about what I wanted.

South Plain Road.

30, sunny, breezy. Not too bad.

South Plain Road.

South Plain Road.

Got the first COVID vaccine shot this afternoon. Time to party! Uh, nope.

Also agreed to another 3-year term on the school committee, though I've got to get reelected first.

C • The one 9

Laughably short, but just right.

South Plain Road.

First part of Falls Road. Working too hard. But not as bad as last time.

South Plain Road, where there was a group of 10 socially distanced snowpeople. Someone had done some work.