Showing posts with label varicose vein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label varicose vein. Show all posts

Monday, April 27, 2026

Did you get off on a bad foot, baby?

Content advisory:
Discussion of D's.

D's what? Deez nuts.

Thirty years ago, I would run occasionally. I weighed somewhere between 180 and 190 pounds, still smoked, and would huff my way around the neighborhood dressed in a cotton T-shirt, cut-off sweats, and traditional cotton briefs. No special gear, even the shoes were several years old at this point, and much too small.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 27:27
Pace: 8:51

I started feeling pain in my lower abdomen and was worried I had developed another hernia. The doctor told me I had a varicose vein in one of my testicles. She found it, manipulated it, held onto it for a bit, all while telling me her diagnosis. It was excruciating. I had to ask her to please let go. She wasn't my doctor for much longer.

So, I started wearing compression pants. It was depressing, and I feared I would have to wear them for the rest of my life, but this was not the case. Maybe a couple years? Can't remember. What I know is this; the condition is exacerbated by a lack of support, so I never wear boxers, and try to find briefs which are just a little too tight. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 54°
Climate: beautiful
Mood: getting there

And when I started training for the marathon (ten whole years later) I purchased my first athletic supporter. Ever. I was thirty-seven. Everyone with junk, even a casual runner, should invest in one, early.

I have also found that additional weight can also contribute to this discomfort. This is an additional reason why I obsess about keeping it all under 165. 

1996 Playlist
Ugly Stadium - Tipsy
Star People - George Michael
Shadowboxer - Fiona Apple
Single (Photek Remix) - Everything But the Girl
Backpedal - Queue Up
Soundtrack To Mary - Soul Coughing
Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison

Man. The 1990s. That was wild.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+4.0)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes
Sit-Ups: yes

Get it.

Monday, June 05, 2023

Better run — there's a God and He's coming for me.

Let's take it easy for a day. I have aches in both knees and I have also inflamed my varicose vein (do your own research) but, you know? I am still running.

Besides, what new music have we been listening to?

Spring 2023 Playlist
youth+ (165 BPM) - Jean Dawson
No Reason - The Chemical Brothers
Death Wish - Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
One That Got Away - MUNA
Leaving the Light (172 BPM) - Genesis Owusu
Lipstick Lover (170 BPM) - Janelle Monáe

Massive BPM on the new tracks. Man, that Genesis Owusu. I love him.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:13
Pace: 9:06
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right

Cool weather is important, too, I guess. Nice cool run, after a few steps it's not even cool to me anymore. I don't prefer it, though.
 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: tbd
Upper body: 10 reps. (3x)
Water: oops

Drink the water, man. Never forget the water, I don't care how short the run is.

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, fresh apple, banana, strawberry, blue berry, raspberry, blackberry w/granola & yogurt
Coffee Break: latte w/oatmilk, cinnamon cake doughnut (worth it)
Lunch: leftover Paprikash
Snack: apple, flavored almonds (28)
Dinner: TBA

Baseline: 195 lbs.
Current: 175 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Saturday, June 04, 2011

... in the midday sun.


Men of a certain age like Kate Bush. Discuss.

Distance: 5.15 miles
Duration 45 minutes
Pace: 8.7 min/mile
Temperature: 88º
Weather: stupid.
Weight: 168.5 lbs.
(I sweat away 3 lbs.)

Hot. Thirsty. HUNGRY!!!

I swear it was only 81º when I took off. I still would have gone running, on this hot and sunny day, as insane as that may be. The wife is in Tuscon this weekend, and right now the kids are at friends' houses. This is my time. So I run.

WARNING: Groin talk.


The other day -- National Running Day -- I really pushed it out. Today was wearying (check that pace, I had to stop twice to walk a block-length) but Thursday I was making myself miserable. And that night my right hip ached the way it hadn't since I was in training, five years ago. That night, while defecating (warned you) my varicose vein started flaring up. It hasn't done that in years.

The wife says I need to lose weight. And she's right.

1972 Playlist
Crocodile Rock (149 bpm) - Elton John
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
I'm So Free (159 bpm) - Lou Reed
Rock On - T. Rex
Do It Again - Steely Dan
Pablo Picasso - The Modern Lovers
Blockbuster - Sweet
Rocks Off - The Rolling Stones
Rock and Roll Part 2 - Gary Glitter
Hi Hi Hi - Paul McCartney & Wings
Jimmy Loves Mary Ann - Looking Glass
Suffragette City - David Bowie


Best. Perp walk. Ever.

Monday, February 25, 2008

To be standing by the flag not feeling shameful, racist or partial

I can't believe it's been nine days since my last run. I kept thinking tomorrow, okay tomorrow, okay tomorrow ... it's been a struggle, the tour was in tech last week, it started Tuesday, every spare moment was on housework, childcare or painting the kitchen.

So those are my excuses. Time to hit the road.

I have this new hat, my MIL got it for me for Christmas. It has a flap to cover the mouth and nose. Unfortunately, that makes my glasses steam up. So I went without glasses. Wasn't as irritating as I thought it might be. But then, it's the middle of the morning.

Run stats:
Distance: 5.15 miles
Weight: 170.5 lbs.
Stretches: yes
Sit-ups: 80
Bicycles: 60
Temperature: 28º
Weather: cold
Gear: long-sleeve jersey, face hat, thermal underwear, long pants, thermal jacket, gloves

Let us take a moment and give thanks for an absence of pain. My shins to do not hurt. My calves do not hurt. My feet do not hurt. My head does not hurt. I feel great.

WARNING: You don't want to know this.

There is a recent development, one I am loathe to report. The last two runs an old complaint has revisited. I have a varicose vein and it's not in my legs. It was big issue in the 90s and I had to wear compression pants for a few years, and it subsided to where I was unaware of its existence. Maybe it's the extra weight I have been carrying around, but I can feel it again.

So ... motivation, anyone?

2004 Playlist
Let Go - Frou Frou
Rip Her to Shreds - Boomkat
Decent Days and Nights * - The Futureheads
Lebanese Blonde - Thievery Corporation
Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
(The ex-wife eats music like this for breakfast.)
All Night * - Sam Phillips
Ch-Check It Out - The Beastie Boys
L-L-Love - Astaire
What She Wants - Felix Da Housecat
Tell Her Tonight - Franz Ferdinand
Future Sightings - I Am The World Trade Center
Ohh La La - The Ditty Bops
Irish Blood, English Heart - Morrissey
Cooldown: TKO - Le Tigre
    (Last Year's 2004 Playlist)
    Holiday - Green Day
    Yesterday Never Tomorrows - The Stills
    Beware - Jay-Z & Punjabi MC
    Arlington - The Wailin' Jennys
    No Expectations - I Am the World Trade Center
    Chase Me - Hexastatic
    Fit But You Know It - The Streets