Training Log Archive: chitownclark

Biked down to Northwestern Hospital for a meeting with my surgeon who chopped my colon in half last August. Absolutely no help. Just turned the crank; recommended the standard: another CAT scan, another colonoscopy, then come back to see him. For what I wonder? More surgery? Lose another foot of colon? No wonder old folks become invalid with guys like this handing out advice. Colestomy bags and Dialysis treatments are sure to follow.

The way I see old age, is that the body slowly shuts down, beginning in dozens of ways. Heart, cancer, emphysema, bones and joints, etc. Sure a doc might try to cure that specific malady....without due consideration for what it might do to your quality of life. Increasingly it seems, doctors do NOT consider the total man. Nor the Quality of his Life. All they're interested in is avoiding malpractice, and generating billing. The total well-being of their patients is rarely considered or discussed.

Frankly I think as we get older, we have to spend a lot of time educating ourselves, from a layman's point of view. And then learning to say 'NO' to most doctor's suggestions. Have faith in your body's ability to heal itself...or at least endure for many years. And I have a particular dislike for doctors who then try to scare you into following their advice, once you refuse their recommendations...as this guy did this morning.

Oh well; it was a beautiful morning for a 6am bike ride down the Lakefront as the sun was emerging from the water.

C • You need a better Doctor 3

Orchard Valley GC, Aurora. First time here in four years because of change is Aurora's bus system...they've cut service drastically. But was able to write a letter, with others I guess, and get the route to this GC partially restored. But riding the restored bus showed the transit dilemma: when you don't provide complete service, no one rides the bus. They're forced to buy a beater car and drive. Which adds to the congestion, global warming, and drunks on the road...since these are the lower elements of society that transit serves.

Anyway a very nice round. Played with an older gent from Morris and his grand-daughter. Both decent golfers. Of course I walked. And started to feel the ninety degree heat on the back nine. But dribbled in a Birdie putt on my last hole anyway!

Pine Meadow GC, Libertyville. Another round on Monday. Not really feeling it. But wanted to start doing doubles...golf on two sucessive days, for training, if nothing else.

Harborside GC - Starboard, Chicago. A crowded Sunday at the local city-owned luxe golf course built on a 60's-era garbage dump. An amazing example of making a silk purse from a sow's ear. No trees, so that was nice. And spectacular views from on-high.

To the Farmers' Market this morning; then the Driving Range this afternoon. One of the best days of the year: bright sun, no wind, reasonably cool in the shade. These days around the Solstice have a special quality to them...at least in the Upper Midwest.

Lotta 20-something women at the driving range this afternoon...is golf suddenly becoming trendy with Millennials? Lots of eye candy. The girl in the stall next to me had a beautiful swing. I retired to the bench behind her, pretending to clean the grooves on my P wedge. She was just a sprite of a girl...under 100# and 5'2" at most. But she could smack that ball something fierce.

So I studied her technique...and copied her set-up. Really worked! Started hitting the ball a lot further and more accurately. Nice to get a free golf lesson from such an attractive teacher!