Avoiding the Flu

I've never gotten a flu shot. Something about the idea bothers me, but I'm not sure what it is. Probably just the fact that the government tells me I should do it.

If I've learned anything from movies over the years, it's that the government is responsible for all plagues...and that the worst ones arise from bureaucracy's attempts to "help." After all, they're the same ones who cause sharknadoes, chuds, and the conditions that make global warming researchers get stuck in the ice.

I do know of several people in my personal circle who have recently been laid low by various maladies, indicating that it is indeed the season for viruses to run rampant across the land. But I feel that my immune system has a pretty good chance or remaining intact because of my general good health, my near-constant immersion in chlorine, and my introversion-driven avoidance of social situations. I wash my hands frequently, drink plenty of water, and try to get adequate rest.

And therein lies the topic of today's post. Rest.

I, like many aspiring athletes, recognize the challenge of balancing work and recovery within a training program. The equation changes with age, too. During summers as a kid, I swam around 10,000 meters, lifted weights, rode my bike, and probably walked (or ran) another 5 miles every single day. Rest and recovery came only at the end of the season when we would taper for the championship meets. I was constantly depleted, but was still able to function just fine, thanks to youthful vigor and a metabolism that converted pizza directly into enthusiasm.

Since then, my body's food processing mechanisms have "matured." Nowadays, my internal adult alchemy system can magically convert a 5-ounce bowl of lettuce directly into a pound and a half of blubber, and all of the energy produced from breakfast, lunch, and dinner combined is barely enough to push the buttons on the TV remote.

Well, OK, perhaps I exaggerate a bit. Most days, I do manage to swim and run and walk around without too much difficulty. But regardless of the fact that I understand the benefit of recovery within the training process, I hesitate to take days off from workouts because the bathroom scales tell me I need to burn more calories. LOTS more.

So, when I spontaneously woke up at 3:00 am this morning, I thought I'd have time to perform some serious aerobic fat loss before I had to be at the office. But I made the mistake of checking my email first.

I won't bore you with the details, but after answering emails, ordering some computer gear for my son, balancing my checkbook, and perusing the weather forecast, I found that I was really sleepy again. I calculated that I still had time enough for a short nap and a quick workout before being due at work, so I crawled back under the covers.

I woke from a bizarre dream about Broncos playoff ticket scalpers who somehow caused a mine collapse underneath my kitchen, and saw that I had precisely 19 minutes to shower, dress, and get myself to the office. No worries -- I made it with almost a minute to spare.

But it did make me wonder if I'm getting adequate rest. Sleep is not the only component of training recovery, of course, but it may be the one that primarily influences resistance to disease. So, even though I feel guilty (and wimpy) for skipping today's morning workout, it's probably the best thing for me in the grand scheme of things. I suppose I could work out this evening, but the smart money would bet against it happening.

Anyway, the point I meant to make is that it's time for our society to discard the virus-friendly practice of shaking hands. It's the only way to prevent more cases of vitas gerulaitis, etc., not to mention chuds.

Stay healthy, and have a great day!