October 19, 2009
Dear DaVita,
Well it is Monday morning and Sunday finished a little rockier than I thought. My plane landed at about 11:30 Denver time. It was only then that I realized I could barely walk.
Turns out I pushed my achilles tendon too hard on the late afternoon ride. I kept it temporarily loose by the swimming and hot tub therapy I did after the ride. But once I sat in a plane seat working for 2.5 hours letting it stiffen up and be subject to the pressurization, boom!
Nice people carried my stuff off for me. I got in my car, took 2 advil. I entered the hotel lobby in such a pathetic way they offered a wheelchair to take me to my room. I declined their kind offer, because I figured it would loosen up a bit if I just walked slowly. Once in my room the nice bellman went and got a lot of ice, and we filled up a wastebasket with water and ice. I soaked my lower leg for 11 freezing minutes, and took 2 more advil. The good news is the pain made it easier to resist the temptation to order late night dessert from room service. Lights not off until 2 am, and an uncomfortable night, so today will be a bit of a challenge.
I woke up at 6:25 am without the alarm, very unusual for me. I went down to the gym for a very gentle session on the lifecycle. I kept the seat a little low, and did not do any hills. But I got 20 minutes of medium cardio in, and was able to do some sit-ups and push-ups with a little stretching and virtually no pain. Total minutes of 25.
We had a good call with the Chairman of Fresenius this morning, discussing Washington DC stuff. Soon I will be off to review two proposals for our new headquarters, then a couple other meetings, then a flight home. I will be moving slowly all day.
We do want you to consider sharing your experiences with others! That way we can all share in the ups and downs of our day to day efforts to lead slightly healthier lives.
All the best, slowly yours,
KT
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Katrina said,
October 19, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
Sorry about the injury. Speaking from experience (no laughing) the older we get the more we have to stretch! I would not make it after a run if I don’t stretch before and after… not that I run marathons mind you … but it makes it easier to get up in the a.m.:o)
I didn’t do any heavy work out Sunday but I did clean the back yard. I’m in Las Vegas and it was about 90 degrees yesterday. I think I lost 5 lbs in sweat alone!
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Debra Furtado said,
October 20, 2009 @ 3:31 am
Hey KT
Take it easy…go with the flow of your body and keep pushing for the best. It’s an inspiration to all of us people over 40! I have increased by cardio time by 10 minutes each day (6 days) and it does have an impact on my metabolism however I am so hungry its killing me.
Debra
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Crystal said,
October 20, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
Thanks for the inspiration KT! If you can work out the next day after an injury, then we can get a little bit in every day without excuse! Glad to see that you are taking it easy though because healing first has it’s benefits.
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Betty Crosslen said,
October 20, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
Mr. Mayor, please take care of yourself! I was feeling bad that a sore heel since Sunday has made any exercise pretty difficult until I read your blog. Hope we both mend quickly so we can stay strong.
Betty
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Diane French said,
October 21, 2009 @ 6:54 am
I have really taken note of my lack of exercise with a very busy schedule and lots of driving in the car. Since I recently found out I am going to be a Grandma, I decided to get a bit more fit. I find if I am not on the road, I am sitting at a desk, often on conference calls. I found a great weighted hoola hoop and I have started hooping while listening or talking on calls. I find it is a bit of good exercise for me. Also, focusing on much more walking stairs, etc. Just have to stay focused and also watch portion control in diet.
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kathie winter said,
October 21, 2009 @ 7:12 am
Thanks for inspiring us KT! I won’t complain about my small aches after reading your entries. This is my 2nd year with Match the Mayor and I love being a part of getting healthy with the rest of the Village. I just ended the vusiness office Fit Factor program and lost 7 pounds on it so it is easier to go into MTM feeling excited. I too am hula hooping with a 4 pound weighted hula hoop for at least 20 minutes every day and riding my bike for 10 miles on Sat. & Sun. I am adding additional healthy foods to my meals, limiting sugar and fats in my diet and feeling great! I may be one of the older members of the Village but I don’t have to feel it!
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Craig Reuscher said,
October 21, 2009 @ 7:16 am
A hearty “way to go” to all the Teammates who have stepped up to the fitness challenge!!! KT, thanks for leading from the front! Hoo-ah!!!
Following 11 years of service as an Army Officer and recently hanging up my combat boots to join another great team, DaVita, Inc., I was EXCITED to hear about the Match the Mayor II fitness challenge. I have been inspired by our Mayor’s “out front” attitude and wanted to provide the same leadership to my Team. So, I’ve changed my morning running schedule from a run in my neighborhood to a morning run in downtown Atlanta, 3 days per week before beginning my DaVita work. My Teammates seeing me huffing and puffing in my running clothes at 7:30 a.m. has fostered a few curious looks but also sparked them to ask me about my fitness routine. Naturally I have shared some tips and even asked them to join me for a morning walk or even a slow run sometime. No takers, yet, but some are getting more curious about this fitness thing!
My goals:
1) Remain consistent in my training for the Music City Marathon in April, 2010
2) Listen to my body and stay injury free
3) Inspire at least 1 Teammate to begin an exercise program
Keep up the good work, everyone!
– Craig
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