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Sunday, February 04, 2007

Big week

Very busy and eventful week. Riding home from work on Monday I got a flat (after only riding the bike a few times since I've started riding again), so on Tuesday I went and purchased some of that hard tape to line the inside of the tyre. Hopefully no more niggly flats.

On Tuesday I had a job interview which I think went pretty well. It just depends what sort of candidate they are looking for and how good the other applicants were I should find out tomorrow if I got it.

Beforehand, I found out that dad was about to go in for an angiogram to investigate the cause of some chest pains he has been getting over the last few weeks. It turned out that he had one very blocked coronary artery and two more that weren't too good, so he was checked straight into hospital and eventually had a triple bypass on Saturday afternoon. The scary thing is that my dad is a fairly healthy man, he isn't overweight and he eats a pretty healthy diet, he exercises regularly (which is why he noticed the chest pain and exhaustion), but he was a heavy smoker before he had me, so I guess it can catch up with you eventually (30 years after quitting). I also found out that his dad also had a bypass operation at around the age of 60. Mum's dad also had a bypass in his sixties I think. Hopefully my own lifestyle choices (vegetarian non-smoking distance-runner) prevent me from ever having any troubles, but the history is there in black and white.

So anyway, the operation went well and dad is doing fine. He optimistically thinks he'll be back at work in 3 weeks, everyone else reckons 5-6 weeks at least.

Finally, I went out for a 1.5 hour long run this morning and came back 2.5 hours later with 29.5km. In 31 degree heat! Drank about 4 litres of water while I was out and more when I got back. I actually ended up with a headache later in the day, so I wonder whether I drank enough or too much water. Just to be safe, I drank a really strong glass of Gatorade and added a pinch of salt. Feeling better now.

So there is the update from me. Pretty long and rambling.

Did I mention that I cut all my hair off. I did it three weeks ago in preparation for starting the new job and for a few interviews. I've also been keeping clean-shaven. Everyone seems to think that I look younger. Hopefully that is a good thing.

Bye now.

7 comments:

Tesso said...

Bad but good news about your dad. At least he had the sense to get checked out and fixed up.

My dad had a five way bypass and he recovered so well, for years later was able to walk a couple of miles a day (in his seventies). He only smoked during the war (cos they were free!), did a little exercise, never had an ounce of fat on him and had ate an incredibly healthy diet even before it was 'trendy'.

So you never know. Guess he wouldn't have been around anywhere near as long if it wasn't for the lifestyle choices he made. Anyway, what I wanted to say is just how quickly the recovery was because of all this and no doubt your dad will be exactly the same.


PS Can we have a pic of the new look Dave :-)

Sekhmet said...

Wow - so where are the pics of the new haircut???

Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for your dad

Interviews seem to be the flavour of the month, I just had one so here's hoping we both get some good news soon!

Jaykay said...

Good to hear that your dad is on his way to recovery.

And where's the piccie of the new hairdo??

Unknown said...

Wow, glad that your Dad is ok - that sort of thing is really scary!

There must have been something in the air on the weekend. On Saturday I set out for a 15km run and ended up doing a solid 21km! I want more weekends like that! Now only if that kind of motivation extended to work.....

Ewen said...

Glad he's doing well Dave.

It's worth keeping an eye on.

I know, if it had been cooler, you would have done 40. I'm hoping for a 3.5 hour run that turns into 6.5 hours.

Black Knight said...

Glad for the news about your dad. I want the interview to retire!!!!!!

Faithful Soles said...

Dave, glad to hear about your father doing well. I have a long history of heart disease in my family, but it was from very unhealthy lifestyles. Fortunately I have never smoked in my life, and I rarely ever have alcohol. The 29.5km run sounds familiar. I'm in Houston where our heat index can be over 90 degrees BEFORE the sun even comes up for a good part of the year. If you get a chance, please visit my running web site, Faithful Soles. I have a categorized and searchable Running Blog Database on there and would appreciate it if you would link your blog to it. I already have at least a half-dozen other runners from Australia on it. Thanks.