Change of Seasons

Alrighty… time to post. Life marches onward.

The boys both won their respective football championships last weekend. I’m proud of them. Not because they were on the winning side, but because they are thriving and generating their own glory days (Although I must admit, watching Kyle pick off two passes and score two touchdowns & a 2-point conversion in the semi-final game caused my voice to disappear for a couple of days!). Their discipline and attitudes remained strong through a long season. I’ve become a big believer in youth football. I could go on about that subject but will save it for future post. Suffice to say, I welcome the youth football debate!

On to basketball we go. Kyle made the Hempfield 5th grade travel squad. I’ll be coaching Colin’s 7th & 8th grade team. Hope the boys are ready to run! :-)

Unfortunately my incidence of heart arrhythmia is on the rise. This is precisely the time last year that it first surfaced with some continuity. (Reflecting on my life before triathlon 7+ years ago, I can remember some incidences during pick-up basketball games). Why? My theory – that no doctor seems to fully comprehend – as follows:

• Stress... October through March is “make or break” time for my department. During these months we simply must acquire about 80% of the work that will carry us through the coming year. Finding, advocating, proposing, defending, risk reviewing, and negotiating… I take these responsibilities and the livelihoods of my employees to heart. I think literally.
• Change of seasons... Darkness. Cold. Cold weather seems to make a difference. Of interest, my father died from a heart arrhythmia in late October several years ago. I don’t think this is coincidence! I think it’s genetic.
• Change in training stimulus… By now I’ve cycled down from my late summer – early fall training peak. I’ve gone through some period of “de-training.” Now I hit myself with short & intense workouts aimed at boosting functional threshold and VO2 max. This might not be the best approach for a chap with my condition.

I’m going to stick with my training plan unless the Afib turns chronic. If it does, I’m going to have to shift gears and follow a more traditional training approach. I’ll keep you posted! My outlook is good, regardless of outcome.

Happy Thanksgiving…