Fun in the Sun- PDX style

Erica and I decided to spend a week of vacation in Portland, something we have never done.

Thanks to Dave and Cindy Gross, we had reason to see lots of things new to us.

We started off the week with a welcome party, celebrating our Grossest visitors yet.

We visited the Velveteria on Burnside, an awesome museum of velvet paintings.

We went to the beach on Tuesday. I was wearing my "Just Jew it" t-shirt, depicting a slamdunking rabbi when I was pulled over for speeding. I innocently offered that I had the car in neutral, hoping to woo the cop with my gas-efficient ways. Turns out, it is illegal to have a car in neutral. The total cost of the ticket WOULD have been over $400. Thankfully, astonished by our honesty, goodwill and unwavering good cheer, he let us go with a warning!

Wednesday, We went to the Japonese garden. On the way there, I got another flat tire at 30 mph on a hill. The gardens were cool. I ran by the Holocaust memorial on the way to a gellato date. Very moving.

Ran home in 100o heat, good training.

Met Quinn and Cindy at the Lucky lab. Had some great beers and pizza. Talked with a fascinating older guy about yoga, tantra and such. Reminded me of my dad.

Running at the mouth

My training this year has been close to perfect.

Since December 31st, I have been trying to run a 50 k each weekend and rack up 65-100 miles a week, with lots of weeks around 80.

It has paid off. My endurance is better than ever. My recovery is swift. I rarely have DOMS after hard or long runs, even 50 milers!

There is only one thing missing in my training this year and every preceding year, quality miles and speed work.

Now, this season, it is the time for sharpening. In the past, I have always remained blunt, ignoring the whetstone.

Perhaps now, I could try a little...

Numerology

My wife has long noted my fascination, nay obsession, with numbers.

When I was a 3rd grader, I counted 151 books I read that year.

My senior year, I stupidly counted down the days left in Paris, France when I lived there.

Now, I am 1/12 done with my last year of training. 7/8 years down.

I ran 22.25 miles today at 7:50 pace at 85o.

They say you should never wish away time. I am sure end stage patients would readily agree.

My goal this year is to learn as much as possible and merrily witness the days evaporate ( I might count a little!)

PCT 50 miler

New course this year. Wilderness act precludes race being held in Mt. Hood wilderness. Overall, a good performance but felt poor the whole race. It is amazing how hard it can be to run long no matter how many times you have suffered through the same doubts and fears.

What does not kill you, makes you stronger!

Lots of learning

Had a very educational week. Lots of very sick patients, active resuscitation. Lots of firsts. USed methylene blue for refractory hypotension on bypass, glucagon for possible CCB and BB overdose, gave pencillin for the first time.

My post last week on risks and benefits rings true.

A younger woman for diagnostic biopsy. The surgery goes well but has anaphylaxis and ends up intubated over night for a medication reaction. Just a routine procedure, ma'am.

Risk Benefit Ratios- To my co-pilot, Erica

I use the term "risk-benefit ratio" every day with colleagues and patients.

A catch-phrase that paints the picture of a decision or act balanced between different concerns, sometimes with competing issues.

You may die from your surgery, but if you don't have it, you will die anyway.

We want to make your surgery safer by sticking a needle in your neck. We could cause a complication but it is unlikely and it will end up safer for your procedure.

All good unless you are the "one percent" who get the complication!

Expand this to Life and the act of living.

Critics point out that dangerous or thrill-seeking activities risk death.

Devil's advocates remind the above critics that driving is dangerous, an earthquake can attack you on your porch or sudden death can occur for any number of reasons.

Where does this ratio lay? Where should it lay for a given individual?

Spendthrift blowing money with nothing to show on retirement or frugal investors living on beans and rice, unhappy all of life but with one million in the bank.

My good friend died on an Alaskan peak but when he drove, he behaved like a fearful grandma.

Run hard until your knees blow out or let your knees blow out from traumatic arthritis from your complacent obesity.

Strive to find that sweet spot where you are living life rather than prolonging the onset of death or hastening the black shroud.

Contentment

Nice start to the new academic year. Excited to progress, solidify my knowledge and judgment.

My running is going great. Occasional L knee pain and deep buttock pain. Running close to 90 miles a week routinely. Not feeling overtrained at all.

Family is doing well.

It's a all good.