D
Der Biermeister
One year ago (almost) on July 25, I was transported into the ER because I couldn't breath - literally.
Yesterday, I raced my boat (5 races) in 25 knots, 4 foot waves. The kind of weather that most one-design sailors think real hard about going out in.
Dang, but I am some kind of sore this morning. BUT - it is the kind of soreness I've been wishing for .... for a LONG LONG time. This is the way it was ten years ago. The weekend warrior. I'd come home from a day just like yesterday and ... woe is me. As the stiffness would quickly set in - my complaining would start. (I always remind myself of that tv ad that used to be on, oh about 10 years ago -- the one where the guy, with a head cold, sits up in bed and shakes his wife awake, saying "Honey, I can't sleep"
)
I had new crew yesterday - a very nice couple that almost have their boat ready to sail. After the first couple of races, I about floored them both when I said "Would you believe that I just had open heart surgery 3 months ago?" Honest - you would not believe the expression on their faces.
I think I am able to write this account for two reasons: first, a very successful operation, AND secondly, my walking program that I have relentlessly stuck to. Which of course is a form of cardiac rehab. I remember my cardiologist's nurse telling me some time ago - "oh, Dr. Hagemann really likes for his patients to walk every day". I chuckled to myself - well, he won't have a problem here. (I had been a walker for some 15 years - with a few breaks in between getting lazy after knee surgery and when the valve problem surfaced.) I know a lot of you do walk every day, so I am probably preaching to the choir. But some don't - some of you are "maybe" thinking about getting your butt in gear, but just haven't taken that first step. Well .... if you've read this far, you know the answer. Good luck and get going!
Yesterday, I raced my boat (5 races) in 25 knots, 4 foot waves. The kind of weather that most one-design sailors think real hard about going out in.
Dang, but I am some kind of sore this morning. BUT - it is the kind of soreness I've been wishing for .... for a LONG LONG time. This is the way it was ten years ago. The weekend warrior. I'd come home from a day just like yesterday and ... woe is me. As the stiffness would quickly set in - my complaining would start. (I always remind myself of that tv ad that used to be on, oh about 10 years ago -- the one where the guy, with a head cold, sits up in bed and shakes his wife awake, saying "Honey, I can't sleep"
)I had new crew yesterday - a very nice couple that almost have their boat ready to sail. After the first couple of races, I about floored them both when I said "Would you believe that I just had open heart surgery 3 months ago?" Honest - you would not believe the expression on their faces.
I think I am able to write this account for two reasons: first, a very successful operation, AND secondly, my walking program that I have relentlessly stuck to. Which of course is a form of cardiac rehab. I remember my cardiologist's nurse telling me some time ago - "oh, Dr. Hagemann really likes for his patients to walk every day". I chuckled to myself - well, he won't have a problem here. (I had been a walker for some 15 years - with a few breaks in between getting lazy after knee surgery and when the valve problem surfaced.) I know a lot of you do walk every day, so I am probably preaching to the choir. But some don't - some of you are "maybe" thinking about getting your butt in gear, but just haven't taken that first step. Well .... if you've read this far, you know the answer. Good luck and get going!
