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It was nice open up the fitbit to see a full hour and 15 minutes of deep sleep. We got in another full hour of REM, which is just as sweet. This body needed a good recovery score. And, an hour and 15 minutes puts me at 62% recovery, which is ample for for today's 40 minute bike ride, weights session, and if the weather holds out a 3/4 mile swim with some time to put in for snorkeling practice.
I really want some time to practice snorkeling. Mom bought me the kind that has an automatic shut off valve when under water and I want to practice diving with it. I also need to see what these feet do with flippers on them.
I gave up the flippers a couple of years ago because the weight of them were causing my feet to go spastic and start to spasm. I'm hoping they will hold out, because the gear being provided for this trip to the Galapagos includes flippers and we may need to find a workaround for that one if my feet start to go wonky.
I suspect this weekend's weigh-ins will be high. There's been more than a bit of inflammation going on in this body. I'm training hard for this trip, but to add salt to sore muscles - I'm dealing with systemic inflammation. This past month, I am definitely presenting with what I call mild auto-immune reactions.
It's not talked about as much, but mild auto-immune reactions can present with itching, rashes, cold sores. In fact, symptoms of MS can often first present themselves with a rash around the chest and stomach area and joint pain. Mine tend to hit around the chest and when my t-cells are letting me know they're not cool with something, I will incur rashes right behind my ears and down the side of my neck and joint pain.
When this happens, I pay close attention because it's a sign my immune system is upset and that kind systemic inflammation can create the perfect storm for flare ups and new lesions.
It's the smoke from the wildfires.
The air quality for the past month has been horrible and it's enough to say everyone on the Eastern side Washington is dealing with with raw throats and tender lungs right now. On the really bad days, you know folks are wearing their masks for more reasons than Covid.
My weigh-ins have been on the higher end, but ironically I've been maintaining a lean physique without all that much bloat. Most of the time, I would be more than happy to claim muscle growth. But, with the amount of cardio I'm doing right now, it's safe to say I'm maintaining muscle - I'm not increasing it.
When I see resting heart rate numbers climb and weigh-ins on the higher side without a lot of bloat - I know it's over-all inflammation and the kind I need to be wary about.
There's not much I can do. The exercise helps. I take ibu-profin which helps as well, but I don't do that often. It's not an optimum source to reduce inflammation. Things like Benadryl can help, but inflammation like this is a little different than your bargain basement allergy.
The cold showers have been doing their part as well, because they actually force the brain to let loose an anti-inflammatory response. But, once that smoke particulate hits the blood stream, the body's gonna do what it feels it needs too and I can't really blame it.
What I can say is that it's been mild. And, that is heartening. I've had worse rashes and worse itching. The rash behind my ear is almost gone. The itching around my chest comes and goes. And, the exercise does help with the joint pain, but recovery times do take longer.
Other than that everything has been rolling right along.
I tore a new arse in my credit card this paycheck. I'm trying to honor the items they told us to bring.
1. Bermuda and trekking shorts - check
2. Trekking poles - check
3. Snorkeling gear and full body rash guard - check
4. New pair of keens waterproof hiking shoes - check
5. Toiletry bag - check
6. Outdoor research field hat - check
7. Pill pack for supplements - check
There's some other items I still need to get, but they will have to wait until next check. This girl has done blown through her wad for the time being, LOL.
I will say this, you-tuber Coach Greg is not wrong. When Cardio is couched and prioritized before strength and weights, it does impact one's strength sessions. However, this is not a permanent focus. But, right now endurance and stamina must remain the priority. You know when folks are asked to consider bringing "trekking poles" for Island hiking - there's going to be some serious terrain to traverse.
The Galapagos has a lot of "lava rock" mixed in with sandy and hilly terrain. Stamina is going to be key. I want these legs, lungs, and central nervous system to be ready.
Oh, and I almost forgot -
Covid Booster shot - check
I decided to get that done and did without a doctor's consent or any prior approval on July 29 before the FDA and CDC got on the bandwagon. I'm done waiting for politicians and the medical system to catch up with regards to how I approach this body's medical care.
Oh, one very last thing...
Last MRI shows no new lesions and no further MS progression for the fourth year in a row - check
with a hearty "knock on wood"
Have a beautiful blessed weekend, everyone.
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