Month: February 2026

I was happy to get in a more than 8 mile run this morning, ultimately leading to more than 1000 exercise calories burned when combined with a little earlier walking. To have that done by 9 AM was welcome. In addition, even after a few days of vacation in Tennessee, I was happy to be at 161 pounds.

You may wonder about vacation in Tennessee, but it is definitely a wonderful place with many things to see. Obviously, Nashville comes to mind first and foremost for many people. Memphis is another great city there for both the civil rights history, including some very sad history, and also the Mecca for Elvis fans.

But even with a little play in my diet on that trip, I was quite happy to be at 161 pushing hard to get back in the 150s.

We went in Tennessee to neither Nashville, nor Memphis, and said we went to Pigeon Forge. That is the home of Dollywood. In pigeon Forge, we did some hiking and also went to Cooter’s Garage from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show. The actor who played Cooter, Ben Jones, has set up a few stores with Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia. While we were there, Catherine Bach, the actress who played Daisy Duke was there signing autographs.

The United States has so many wonderful places to see, but if you thought Tennessee might not be a place to visit, I encourage you to rethink that. 

Apple Music has a funny sense of humor . After knocking out 10 miles on Super Bowl Sunday in preparation for too much eating watching the game (and yup, I did), and then seeing my son’s beloved Patriots be destroyed (how a New Yorker roots for the Patriots is a whole other story), I was greeted by my Apple Music playlist this MONDAY morning with a cruel song.

I still knocked out 6.4 miles, but the Apple Music Gods are plainly mocking me today.

I had an ultra busy week at work this week caused by someone in my organization unveiling a major policy change in an area I lead … without asking my (or my teams) view on it. I’m no genius, but I find generally communication leads to better policy. I think this is especially true when you are communicating with the people who actually have to implement your edicts.

BUT … that didn’t stop me from exercising. It’s Saturday morning. I’m heading out to the gym and then to the office. FORWARD!

Welcome to February. I am quite certain the ground hog will see its shadow tomorrow given how cold and snowy it has been thus far … but one can hope.

Yesterday (1/31) I took a rest day. Years ago when I started to exercise I never took a rest day. I took pride in running vigorously EVERY single day. I’m 53 now. I have generally kept the weight off for nearly 12 years.

I have learned to take rest days. These rest days are usually once a week but at least every other week. So Saturday was a rest day. Cold here in the Northeast. I took my son’s car for an oil change and other than that, stayed inside, relaxed and did some school work.

Today though, I went at it. Knocked out a decent paced 6.6 miles in an hour at the gym and then walked 2.4 miles uphill on the treadmill and did the grocery shopping.

As you age, take a rest day. Please. It reinvigorates you physically, and that next day, you RUN!