Well since it's the first day I guess I'll start.

It's pretty much same ole working from home, no birthday plans.  We are going to Japanese after dialysis on Saturday. Maybe we can stop somewhere for a dessert.  I'd love a cholate cupcake but who knows.

I made myself some pancakes for lunch, not exactly breakfast in bed but they were tasty.  I'm kind of coming up with a blank as to what to eat anymore. I find a eat a bit of something then get tired of the taste.

Just finished one of the books recommended by AZ, "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States". I have a lot of books about Native Americans, but most of them are like "new age" books about religion, ceremonies and legends. This book was less about the Indigenous culture than a description of how they were treated by the European settlers and the United States government. America was seen as an opportunity with natural resources and lands for the taking. There was the vision of "manifest destiny", of a nation of settlers from coast to coast. The fly in the ointment was the natives, a fly that had to be brushed aside or swatted. For much of the early history of our country many believed "The only good Indian is a dead Indian" and there were programs and military actions to wipe out native villages, to kill everyone regardless of age or sex. Reading the narrative I'm amazed anyone survived the slaughter. I was glad to get to the 20th century part of the history where the battles fought were more like legal actions and protests. But our government still practices imperialism in it's world policies and military actions. All this is controversial, certainly not the American history generally taught in our schools.

I did learn a little about the indigenous culture from the book. One thing I admired was how they existed in ecological balance. The land was maintained by controlled fires and other practices. Animals and plants were honored and nature was considered a sacred gift from the Great Spirit. When the settlers got here they just saw a wilderness to be used and exploited, kind of what they did with the Indians too. The cattle and grasses brought over from Europe destroyed the native eco system and with rifles they took the vast herds of buffalos almost to extinction.

According to family history, one of my Southern ancestors was attacked by an Indian and made his way home with his scalp hanging over his eyes. Probably one of the Scotch Irish settlers the book talks about.

I also have a possible connection to one of the Native American protests of the late 60s. One of my High School friends moved upon graduation to California. Although I don't think he has Native blood he told me he took part in the Native American takeover of Alcatraz Island in November of 1969. I had given him before he left a painting I had done of a lizard standing on a dock piling surrounded with troubled waters and he said he took the painting to Alcatraz. I guess the subject matter would resonate with holding an island against a siege. I did try to verify that my painting was there by looking at photos of the takeover online, but did not see it. Neither have I talked to anyone else who was there at the time who might have seen it.

Led - Amazing you ran 4 miles the day after surgery! Your level of fitness and the skill of your surgeon I think were factors in your not having problems doing the runs. The surprise visit from DD and company might have distracted you from any pain! I just looked at the Whiten shoes online, they look similar to what I purchased and at $44 are even cheaper ! I spent like $60 on the Bareway shoes, which I thought a bargain since the New Balance model I was looking at are like $200 a pair! I guess you pay for the extra support and cushioning. I never tried minimalist shoes before, if I like them I may buy more, some of the shoes I have are years old and very worn out. The minimalist shoes are very light weight, maybe that will help me run faster!

Today was a little more difficult, unsurprisingly, because I went 10 hours without a pain pill. Ran only 1.7 miles. I'm doing well, though, just trying to time the pills appropriately.

Altair - I think your Bareway shoes look a lot nicer than the Whitins, so don't immediately go and order a pair of Whitins on my say-so!   You probably shouldn't do a lot of miles in the new shoes until you see how your feet and ankles react to minimalist running.

Hello everyone! 
Vail 50/50 & HMs, Saturday, Dec 2, Vail AZ

Friday: My friend PK and I left at 10 am for Vail. PK stubbed one of middle right toe at home just that morning. It’s bruised but not broken. She’s not sure if she will run the night race.
It was raining as we drove into Tucson and to Colossal Vail Park ….. It stopped for about a hour, enough time to put up the tent. There were 6 other tents and about 10 camper vans. It started raining again, stopped by 7 pm. We ate and fell asleep; it was a wet cold humid night. Slept well, stayed warm. The music started at 5 am. Runners checking in and picking up their race bibs. 50 milers started at 7 am; 55K started at 7:15. 
We ate and I was at the start line at 9 am. I’m running both HMs.  
The day HM is13.6 miles, a lollipop course. First 1/2 mile is steep, technical, rocky but I ran all the way up, . Trail is a combination of rocky technical hilly terrain with areas of sand and hard packed dirt. One AS that we hit twice. Temps in the 50s but cool breeze. I left my long sleeved shirt on but wore shorts and hydration vest. Felt great and ran steady, trying to preserve some energy for night race ……. Mile 12-13 is mostly uphill, very rocky but I ran/hiked it, kept moving upon reaching summit ……. until last 1/2 mile downhill....... calves started to cramp so had to slow down. Finished 3:03.

But this was 10 minutes faster than last year. Ha!

Rested and tried to eat before the night HM which showed13.3 miles on my garmin. 

Priscilla decided to run the night race. We started at 5 pm. It’s an out and back so I’ll get to see PK at some point since I was ahead of her. It was dark by 5:35 pm. It was a nice night. The first few miles are hilly and rocky but mid area is mostly hard packed dirt with shorter ups and downs. 
My legs felt good. But my lower back started to ache. Really?!? 
PK looked good when we crossed each other after the turnaround at 6.5 miles. Then, my back started to ache more, ugh!! Was afraid it might seize on me. 😟 Had to stop and stretch about every 10-15 minutes for about 20 seconds. So lost some time. Oh well 😖
Finished 3:26. It's about 10 minutes slower than last year.

Priscilla did awesome!! She didn't want to be the last one so that kept her going despite the injured toe. Finished 3:40. WOW!! Proud of her! 
The post-race food included grilled cheese burgers, pulled pork and portobello burgers (which I ate), pasta salad, chips and beers and sparkling water and soda. We hung around the huge bonfire as we ate, cheering in the 50 milers and HMs. There was a 13 or 14 yr old and a 73 yr old who finished the 50 mile. Amazing!!

We left early Sunday morning and returned home.
My back was killing me.
Monday: Thank goodness my MT had an opening. She kneaded the heck out of me. I feel so much better.

I'm stretching, foam rolling and using heating pad on back.

Tuesday: Ran a short easy 3 miles this morning.

Congratulations to you and PK.  One thing I never did was a night race.  With my vision issues I was concerned about tripping and falling.  The first  50k I did I had the back spasms from the car accident 5 days earlier (stupid me) and by the time I was finished it was dark.  Luckily the trail was well lit so the last 3 miles were along the roadway.  Glad you got into your MT.  I look forward to the day I can go back and get massages.

I got a new chair time - 7 to 10 instead of the 10-1.  Unfortunately it's so dark at 630 when I have to leave.  It gives me more time to work but I have to have DH drive me.  I'm hoping when I get my new glasses I may be able to drive again. As long as it's light out I can see to drive.

Now that I'm 60 I can see about getting a RSV shot and then I'll be covered for most what goes around. If it wasn't for the dialysis center I'd hold off on this last one. At least when I start back in the office and am around more people I should be good. That might not be until next year though.  I have surgery on the 22 to put in a graft and I may not be able to drive for a couple of days. It has to heal and then a couple weeks later I can start using it and once it's all good I can get the chest catheter taken out.

I'm up to 86 pounds so 5 more and I can redo the tests for the transplant list. That will open up all sorts of different areas.  I may even be able to do some 5ks.

Di: HAPPY BELATED 6-0 BIRTHDAY dear friend.  
Your updates sound so much more hopeful and you thinking of a 5K, YAY!! And, if you eat cupcakes everyday for December, you’ll be back on the transplant list before you know it. LOL! I didn’t know you wore glasses ….. but if it helps with the driving, go for it. I decided to not get the RSV or pneumonia vaccine. Probably after I’m 65. I’ve never had pneumonia or have any respiratory problems. But it’s understandable in your case.

Altair: keep us posted on your new running shoes. Lots of trail runners wear Hokas, zero drop shoes. They only cause pain for me, in my Achilles. I have to wear at least an 8mm heel drop. Not willing to take a chance. Hope your shoes work out. Yeah, I invested in good durable camping gear. But I’m so glad I brought my weighted blanket. Also, my MN running buddy and I have done winter camping so this wasn’t all that bad. The races are part of the AZT Endurance Races. Each race in the series is run on a different passage of the AZT. Of course, we didn’t get to see much of it during the night race. But it’s one of the more scenic part of the southern AZT. It was cold and humid and body already took a beating during the day race so something had to give. I run my own race so I’m pretty much satisfied with whatever time I finished when I know I did the best I could, given the circumstances. It’s just one of those things that you just have to tough it out. It happens. 
Good job on your mileage.