HEADED TO AUSTIN TEXAS!! UPDATE

THE 2007 ATT AUSTIN MARATHON IS SOLD OUT!! In appreciation, the race committee decided that each finisher in this years race will receive a commemorative stuffed armadillo. COOL!



YEE HAW!!!! I've decided to head to Texas and run in the ATT Austin Marathon on February 18, 2007. I'll be staying with Erin and Bob (friends from Charlotte who recently moved to San Antonio). This will be my first marathon in 2007.... Yeah!

You may remember I was sidelined with an MCL injury in my left knee late last year but over the past several months its healed nicely. A combination of Wal-Mart OTC drugs, two trips to an accupuncturist, and pranic healing did the trick. (watch pranic healing video here)

Anyway, I knocked out a 21 mile run this past Saturday and felt pretty darn good afterwards. Amazing what happens when you focus your "prana". Okay, so now the long run taper begins- 12 miles this weekend followed by an 8 mile run the next.

Stay tuned for a race report and pray it doesn't ice up deep in the heart of Texas on February 18.

Later,

Marc

WTF! A WALKING TABLE!

Hey dude, you're wasting too much energy.... put wheels on it!

Why You Don't Want to Tick Off an Engineer

(Click on Picture to Enlarge)

QIGONG! Cleanse, Gather, Circulate...

The introduction of this video has no sound. Be patient and use this time to center your thoughts, meditate, and feel your prana grow........Enjoy!

Discover qigong through: 1) an introduction to the history and scope of this ancient Chinese field of mind/body/spirit practices 2) detailed instruction in performing the Five Treasures qigong set of practices 3) practicing along with a group performing the Five Treasures set -with instruction and background music.

Later,
Marc

Seasons Greetings from Charlotte, North Carolina

Visit Charlotte- Home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Let's Take A Hike!

Hey, a couple of weeks ago my friend Stan called and mentioned that he and Alan were thinking about doing a section hike along the Appalachian Trail between Grayson Highlands and Damascus, VA. and wondered if I could go. A quick check of the schedule book and I was locked in. Five of us would tackle this adventure. You'll meet the rest of the crew later.

The plan was to drive up Thursday after work and stay at Dave's Place- the local hostel, then catch a shuttle up to Massey Gap Friday morning. From there it would be a 30 mile hike back into town. We would take it slow and be back Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of the report...........

  That's me at Massey Gap, the start of our adventure.

 Mike gets his pack ready

 Stan checking his water supply

 AT Southbound is the way we're headed

 What no horses?

 The new Buff did great this trip! Kept my head warm yet wicked away the sweat. Very important in 20 degree weather!

 Mike taking a break. We're almost there.

 Stan's a map kind of guy. Thank goodness he had one!

The end of the first day takes us on top of White Top Mountain where we'll camp. Temperatures dipped down to between 15-18 degrees with a steady wind! I slept under a tarp in a Marmot Helium 15 degree sleeping bag. The shivering didn't stop until I got out my silk liner. Of course I kept rolling out from under the tarp all night long AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! The three trips to the bathroom weren't too much fun either.

 (L-R) Suzanne, Stan, Mike, and Alan. Thanks for the firewood Alan and Suzanne!

 While I lay shivering in my sleepingbag a party was going on around the 'ol campfire. Fun times were had by all, so I'm told.

 Suzanne on top of Buzzard Rock- Day 2

 Earshot!

 Just seemed like the right thing to do

 Avast me hearties! There's pirates on this here trail....

 Locals

 Mike and Stan head down the Virginia Creeper Trail. Great day for hiking.

 Happy Hiker

 Suzanne makes it to the trail!

At the end of day 2 we all make it into Saunders Shelter except Mike. WHOA, WHERE'S MIKE? Seems he took off ahead of the rest of us and missed the sign to the shelter. After about an hour he doubled back and finally walked into camp. Lesson for the day- READ THE TRAIL SIGNS CAREFULLY! Glad you made it back Mike!

 Day 3 Getting ready to leave Saunders Shelter

 Follow the White Blaze......

We made it back to Damascus, VA.!

 Packing the van in Damascus,VA

 If you ever pass through Damascus,VA., you have to stop by Dot's Inn. They serve the best darn cheeseburger around. Of course the cold beer isn't that bad either!

 So long...........

Marc

ONE RED PAPERCLIP?

A LOT OF PEOPLE LAUGHED AT KYLE MACDONALD. HOW ABSURD THEY THOUGHT.... REMEMBER YO MAMA TOLD YOU NOT TO LAUGH AT OTHERS....HERE'S WHY:

TOP 10 GHOST PICTURES OF ALL TIME

THIS WEBSITE SCARED THE BEJEEBERS OUTTA ME!
GHOST PICS!

UPDATE! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror

Of Tinfoil Hats, Telsa Coils, and Woodpecker Brains

I'm strangely attracted to stuff like this. Behold- modern eggheads!



BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE

Not mentioned in the video was research done to determine if "rectal massage can cure hiccups". This, of course, was conducted by a scientist from the University of Tennessee.

Read more about it here: Why Country Music Singers Don't Get Hiccups

The Path to Becoming a Wal-Mart Doctor

Doctors are the same as lawyers; the only difference is that lawyers merely rob you, whereas doctors rob you and kill you too.
Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904)

UPDATE! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror

Sorry about not posting in a while. I've been sidelined with a minor knee injury to my left MCL. It began to hurt after the MS Bike to the Beach ride last month. I noticed it was tender to touch but continued to run on it thinking the pain would go away. It didn't. Progressively, however, the pain got worse so I decided to research the malady further instead of seeking a true medical opinion. Hey who needs a doctor unless you're unconscious, bleeding profusely, or need a mole or two cut off your body- huh?

Discoveries!

The medial collateral ligament (or MCL) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. In older medical journals, it is known as the tibial collateral ligament.
It's role is to prevent the inside of the knee from opening up. Pain directly over the ligament is the most commonly reported symptom and bruising can occur as well. Severe damage causes patients to report their knees "buckle" or "give out". NOT GOOD!!

MCL injuries are typically "graded" based on the level of severity.

Grade I MCL Tear
This may involve micro tears. The symptoms are usually minimal. Patients may be able to return to their sport very quickly. Most athletes miss 1-2 weeks of play.

Grade II MCL Tear
The MCL may have what's termed "incomplete" tears and patients may complain of instability when attempting to perform cut or pivot movements. The pain and swelling is more significant, and usually a period of 3-4 weeks of rest is necessary.

Grade III MCL Tear
The granddaddy of MCL injuries- Grade III injuries are complete tears of the MCL- OUCH! Patients have significant pain and swelling, and often have severely limited range of motion. A knee brace or a knee immobilizer is usually needed for comfort, and healing may take 6 weeks or longer.

My Diagnosis

Duh?? Grade 1 MCL injury.....

Regimen of Treatment

• Eliminate exercise for 2 weeks (but Doc, it’s gonna kill me!!)

• Use of a heating pad directly on the injury site especially at night

• Icebag if swelling occurs

• Take 800 mg of Vitamin I (ibuprofen) as needed for inflammation

• Wear a knee brace to immobilize at night

• Place Nikken Magnets over injury site (Thanks Kim!)

• Take 1 capsule of Turmeric daily

• Take 3 capsules of MSM (dimethylsulfone) daily

• Consider buying a Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp (Thanks Ron!)- Gotta get a new mantra!


Want to know more about MCL injuries, turmeric, or Rock Salt Lamps? Go here:

MCL Injuries on Web MD Website

All about Turmeric

Himalayan Rock Salt Lamps

Later,
Marc