Getting serious about planning for Boston

Saturday, April 09, 2016

Retrospective: someone questioned in a comment about "where did you catch the strep?" Worth figuring out for future reference. I looked up the time period for it to develop, and it said 2 - 5 days... so if I go backwards from Monday afternoon, that puts it Saturday through Thursday... and it almost has to be at work, which seems unlikely. 

But if I call the time of onset a little later (when the symptoms became really troubling)... Sunday... a public restroom in a park with no soap and only cold water during my bike ride becomes a possibility as the "most likely culprit". Don't like to think about it too hard because I don't want to STOP my sports because of fear of germs! I count on this strong immune system! And it is stronger because of the things I do, too. 

BUT, I need to remember to pack the hand sanitizer in the camel back!  Normally I do. Sunday I had not. Lesson re-learned in spades!

Since I've been sidelined from "regular life" by recovery from the strep... I've been using the time to good purpose. Matter of fact, I could even consider this as "doctor's orders" as his last comment to me when he told me to stay home from work was: "get ready for your trip."

I have been getting extra sleep (fully rested to start with makes for a better travel experience, besides being good for the recovery from infection). I've been walking ONLY (no swimming, biking, or running since last weekend)... we'll see what feels "OK" this afternoon and tomorrow, though. I promise it will be "easy" whatever it is, despite how good I feel.

I have also been online with my buddy Google Maps... it says the nearest grocery store to the hotel is 0.4 miles , the YMCA is 0.9 miles , my brother's hotel 1.6 miles , Fenway park about the same , the so-called "VIP Lounge" for the Fleet Feet runners (my brother's group) is about two blocks away, and the finish line? Only 0.3 miles from my hotel. Barring of course street closing detours that may exist, or security considerations.

Oh, yes, learning the neighborhood "on paper" from nearly 1500 miles away... technology has changed the whole planning process! But seriously, I'll have no trouble getting my steps in while on the road. Ooh, it's only 0.8 miles to the Charles River esplanade... a prime place to run/walk! Whenever I travel I like to find new places / sights to see "on the run". And 0.7 miles to the bandstand in Boston Common.

Yep, the tourist in me is coming out. 10 day forecast for Boston is saying pretty much "Spring" with lows in high 30's to 40's, and high's in the 50's - 60's... good running weather! Looks like I will be packing mostly athletic gear and in layers at that.

All that said, it's Saturday! I "slept in" 'til after 6 a.m. Blackberries in the steel cut oats, and now sipping my quarter caff in my flared Spark mug while poking around on the internet. When the day warms up, I do intend to get outside.

Let's go live April 9th, 2016 as the gift it is: the only one we'll ever see!