Training Log Archive: chitownclark

Farmers' Market. Probably the last week for the good stuff: corn, peaches, tomatoes.....

My third row this season...all within the last week. Slow improvement. The trick this year will be to put up some decent pieces, without undoing all the benefits of the 28 fractions of IMRT to spine and pelvis in July. May be a delicate balancing act.

Still stiff and sore from Wednesday's 18-holes of golf. Yes, I drove a cart; yes, I played from the Senior Tees; and yes I endured the embarrassment of being abandoned by my three partners after nine holes for playing so slowly. And I walked back and forth to the suburban train and L train in the City and down in Homewood. So a total of FIVE hours of activity! More than I've had in nearly a year!

Wednesday night I slept very poorly...too sore and stiff. Last night I slept much better. But was slow getting started on the NordicTrak this morning. Didn't help that I fell down the concrete basement stairs yesterday; skinned my knee and almost hit my head on the stone foundation of the building.

It may be hell turning 80...but I'm grateful to be doing so. Life is good!

5:30am. Down to Starbucks to load up on dark roast for the next two weeks. At this time of day, they end up throwing out coffee that doesn't sell.

Ravisloe CC, Homewood IL. First attempt at 18-holes since last year. Played with three other guys from the southland, all good spirits. Got my own cart...a first! And played from the Senior tees after my companions urging. Still a challenge. Became progressively worn out as the 18-holes elapsed.

Finally at the Halfway House my ccmpanions. paused for a beer and lunch...and I played on. Never saw them again, and played the Back Nine in 90 minutes. Completely worn out at the end. Stopped for a beer, and then back to the Illinois Central tracks for a commuter train back home.

Back in the late 1800's, when golf was just catching on in Chicago, the rich industrialists chartered golf courses like this, and Olympia Fields and others in cow pastures along the Illinois Central tracks. Commuter stations were built adjacent to the golf courses, and then development. It is an honor to play these historic golf courses...most of which are still private.

Working on body turn during backswing. If I can co-ordinate the 90 degree twist with the wrist, arm and hip movement, I get off a powerful swing. But the percentages of all that coming together are about 1:10.

First morning bike ride in a week...and definitely lagging. Tough the way conditioning falls off when you're older.