Building A Better Bumblebee

Mark B wrote:Walk: 3.2 miles

Weather: Sunny and 61. 

I didn't get a pre-work run in this morning (the fact that it was 36° may have had something to do with that), but I made it out for a nice walk after lunch. We have days of rain coming, so it was nice to get out without getting soaked.

I walked over the Interstate Bridge into Oregon, looped under the freeway and headed back on the opposite side, giving me good views both upstream and downstream.

36 degrees.  My, oh, my. 

So what did you surmise by the observations of upstream and downstream?

ounce wrote:

Mark B wrote:Walk: 3.2 miles

Weather: Sunny and 61. 

I didn't get a pre-work run in this morning (the fact that it was 36° may have had something to do with that), but I made it out for a nice walk after lunch. We have days of rain coming, so it was nice to get out without getting soaked.

I walked over the Interstate Bridge into Oregon, looped under the freeway and headed back on the opposite side, giving me good views both upstream and downstream.

36 degrees.  My, oh, my. 

So what did you surmise by the observations of upstream and downstream?

33 degrees here yesterday...I waited till 10:00 when it had warmed up to 40 to run.

24 degrees this morning.  I did my core work inside a nice warm house and then went swimming.

We're going to get wet Mark!

ounce wrote:

Mark B wrote:Walk: 3.2 miles

Weather: Sunny and 61. 

I didn't get a pre-work run in this morning (the fact that it was 36° may have had something to do with that), but I made it out for a nice walk after lunch. We have days of rain coming, so it was nice to get out without getting soaked.

I walked over the Interstate Bridge into Oregon, looped under the freeway and headed back on the opposite side, giving me good views both upstream and downstream.

36 degrees.  My, oh, my. 

So what did you surmise by the observations of upstream and downstream?

That looking downstream lets you see big ships at the Port of Vancouver, while upstream gives you a great view of Mount Hood and Silver Star Mountain, a decent view of the top of Mount St. Helens, and a peek-a-boo view of Mount Adams. In other words, nice!

nkrichards wrote:

ounce wrote:

Mark B wrote:Walk: 3.2 miles

Weather: Sunny and 61. 

I didn't get a pre-work run in this morning (the fact that it was 36° may have had something to do with that), but I made it out for a nice walk after lunch. We have days of rain coming, so it was nice to get out without getting soaked.

I walked over the Interstate Bridge into Oregon, looped under the freeway and headed back on the opposite side, giving me good views both upstream and downstream.

36 degrees.  My, oh, my. 

So what did you surmise by the observations of upstream and downstream?

33 degrees here yesterday...I waited till 10:00 when it had warmed up to 40 to run.

24 degrees this morning.  I did my core work inside a nice warm house and then went swimming.

We're going to get wet Mark!

Wet, definitely. If you believe the TV hype, we're also going to blow away. But the forecasters at the National Weather Service say the biggest winds will be at the coast and to the north of us. Still, it'll be windier than usual, for sure.

There's a big trail race in the Oregon Coast Range that was cancelled this weekend for runner safety, but you should be fine splashing along in Vancouver.

Y'alls weather predicament even got the attention of one of the not-on-air meteorologists on the weather board, here.

The numbers below show a 5 day cumulative rain estimates from 00Z Thursday to 00Z Tuesday by the Weather Prediction Center.  YMMV.

While our local weather is very quiet, the Pacific NW and Northern California are preparing for Hurricane force winds and extremely heavy rainfall over the next 5 days. Perhaps a hint of a pattern change coming for our Region in the next 7 to 10 days.
Attachments

ounce wrote:Y'alls weather predicament even got the attention of one of the not-on-air meteorologists on the weather board, here.

The numbers below show a 5 day cumulative rain estimates from 00Z Thursday to 00Z Tuesday by the Weather Prediction Center.  YMMV.

While our local weather is very quiet, the Pacific NW and Northern California are preparing for Hurricane force winds and extremely heavy rainfall over the next 5 days. Perhaps a hint of a pattern change coming for our Region in the next 7 to 10 days.
Attachments

Impressive graphic, isn't it? The greatest rainfall amounts will happen on the Oregon and Washington Coast, in the Coast Ranges and then in the foothills of the Cascade Range. They're talking 3 to 6 inches in the Coast Range, 2 to 4 on the coast and in the Cascades, and 1 to 3 where I live through Saturday. Quite wet, but not biblical. The wind should be a bit of an issue, too, with gusts up to 40 mph on Saturday. Hopefully, Nancy won't have to be hurdling downed trees during her run Sunday morning!

Mark B wrote:

ounce wrote:Y'alls weather predicament even got the attention of one of the not-on-air meteorologists on the weather board, here.

The numbers below show a 5 day cumulative rain estimates from 00Z Thursday to 00Z Tuesday by the Weather Prediction Center.  YMMV.

While our local weather is very quiet, the Pacific NW and Northern California are preparing for Hurricane force winds and extremely heavy rainfall over the next 5 days. Perhaps a hint of a pattern change coming for our Region in the next 7 to 10 days.
Attachments

Impressive graphic, isn't it? The greatest rainfall amounts will happen on the Oregon and Washington Coast, in the Coast Ranges and then in the foothills of the Cascade Range. They're talking 3 to 6 inches in the Coast Range, 2 to 4 on the coast and in the Cascades, and 1 to 3 where I live through Saturday. Quite wet, but not biblical. The wind should be a bit of an issue, too, with gusts up to 40 mph on Saturday. Hopefully, Nancy won't have to be hurdling downed trees during her run Sunday morning!

To run or not to run...that is the question.

I'm getting a bit of family pressure to skip this event.  I need to make a decision by Friday afternoon in order to cancel my hotel.  I'd forfeit our entry fees but it's a charity so no big deal.  I'm actually more concerned about the drive over the mountain on Saturday late afternoon/early evening and again on Sunday afternoon than I am about the run.  My decision will be based on an analysis of the benefits I would get from running the half on Sunday and it's effect on marathon training.  If it's not going to be a helpful run due to the wind and rain then maybe I'm better off skipping it.  I may look and see if there is anything else available in the next couple weeks that would work for a tune up half...

Enlist Mark to carry the umbrella!!!!

Mark, how often do y'all have an 'Ides of October' storm?

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Portland Oregon
306 PM PDT Thu Oct 13 2016

.SYNOPSIS...When it rains, it pours. And it is. Rain continues. Winds
will increase this afternoon, then ease back later tonight. Remains
wet and somewhat breezy on Friday, Then the strongest storm yet, the
Ides of October Storm, will push into the region Saturday. This will
likely bring potentially strong damaging winds and another round of
heavy rain to much of the region. Unsettled weather continues into
early next week.
&&

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Sunday)...Lot of rain across the
region today. Generally, have seen 1 to 3 inches of rain since
midnight over the coastal mountains, and even a few spots. And it is
still raining. Likely to see those rainfall double for the final
numbers for today. Been enough to trigger big jumps on many rivers,
especially those draining the Willapa and Coast Ranges. Though most
of the flooding seems to be more low-lying areas and poor drainage
type, do have a lone river flood warning this afternoon. That is on
the Grays River in Wahkiakum County, river should push just above
flood stag this evening, with minor flooding expected.

Elsewhere, decent wave now pushing up the Oregon Coast, with winds
now increasing along the south Oregon Coast where winds are now
gusting 45 to 55 mph. at 230 pm, Sea Lion Caves now gusting 60 to 65
mph. Winds will continue to pickup across the region through 5 pm,
with first to increase over Lane County and spreading north to the
Columbia River by 6 pm. Current High Wind Warnings/Winds Advisories
remain on track. Winds will ease back later this evening.

Models show a weaker system moving through on Friday, mostly as the
bent-back occlusion from the low off the Washington coast shifts
across western Washington. But with the bent-back occlusion shifting
inland on Fri am, winds will remain somewhat elevated along the south
WA/north Oregon and nearby coastal mountains Fri am with gusts 40 to
50 mph. Elsewhere, will remain somewhat breezy, albeit not too out of
the ordinary. Should see plenty of showers. As the bent-back shifts
inland late tonight and Fri, will see bit of cooler more unstable air
shift inland. As a result, will keep slight chance of thunderstorms
along the coast and possibly into the Coast Mtns late tonight into
Fri am.

The next significant storm, now referred as the Ides of October
storm, incorporates the remains of Typhoon Songda, which is currently
around 42N, 175E. As the remains of this typhoon enter the 180-200
kt Jet Stream over the Central Pacific, it will get entrained into
the storm track and become the system which will impact the Pacific
Northwest on Saturday.Compute models now showing better agreement
in resolving the storm and its storm track. Some differences still in
the models, but seems now have better confidence for the storm. 12Z
GFS more aligned with the 12Z ECMWF, with 12Z NAM splitting the
difference. Either way, all show rather deep low coming up from the
southwest and tracking offshore as it moves to near Cape Flattery by
late Saturday evening. Will see strong winds increasing on West
Central Oregon coast by early afternoon, then spread north and
inland through rest of the afternoon/evening.This storm has
potential to create damaging winds across a wide area of the region.
So, have issued a High Wind Watch for all of the region for Saturday
afternoon and evening. Again, winds could wind up being a bit
stronger or weaker, as all depends on the storm track distance from
shore. Closer to shore, stronger the winds.


Will see more rain tonight through Saturday night, with perhaps as
much as 3 to 6 inches coastal mountains, and generally 2 to 4 inches
for the coast and Cascades. Should see 1 to 3 inches in the valleys.
At this point, there appear to be enough breaks in between the
systems to prevent river flooding. But with leaves falling off trees
now, expect areas of low-lying and other poor drainage areas, and
some urban flooding that could be exacerbated by leaf-clogged storm
drains. Rockey.

nkrichards wrote:

Mark B wrote:

ounce wrote:Y'alls weather predicament even got the attention of one of the not-on-air meteorologists on the weather board, here.

The numbers below show a 5 day cumulative rain estimates from 00Z Thursday to 00Z Tuesday by the Weather Prediction Center.  YMMV.

While our local weather is very quiet, the Pacific NW and Northern California are preparing for Hurricane force winds and extremely heavy rainfall over the next 5 days. Perhaps a hint of a pattern change coming for our Region in the next 7 to 10 days.
Attachments

Impressive graphic, isn't it? The greatest rainfall amounts will happen on the Oregon and Washington Coast, in the Coast Ranges and then in the foothills of the Cascade Range. They're talking 3 to 6 inches in the Coast Range, 2 to 4 on the coast and in the Cascades, and 1 to 3 where I live through Saturday. Quite wet, but not biblical. The wind should be a bit of an issue, too, with gusts up to 40 mph on Saturday. Hopefully, Nancy won't have to be hurdling downed trees during her run Sunday morning!

To run or not to run...that is the question.

I'm getting a bit of family pressure to skip this event.  I need to make a decision by Friday afternoon in order to cancel my hotel.  I'd forfeit our entry fees but it's a charity so no big deal.  I'm actually more concerned about the drive over the mountain on Saturday late afternoon/early evening and again on Sunday afternoon than I am about the run.  My decision will be based on an analysis of the benefits I would get from running the half on Sunday and it's effect on marathon training.  If it's not going to be a helpful run due to the wind and rain then maybe I'm better off skipping it.  I may look and see if there is anything else available in the next couple weeks that would work for a tune up half...

If you're driving in Saturday, you'll be driving into the teeth of the storm. Trees may be coming down. It'd be safer to stay home.

As far as a tune-up goes... don't worry about it. You'll be fine.

ounce wrote:Enlist Mark to carry the umbrella!!!!

Mark, how often do y'all have an 'Ides of October' storm?

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Portland Oregon
306 PM PDT Thu Oct 13 2016

.SYNOPSIS...When it rains, it pours. And it is. Rain continues. Winds
will increase this afternoon, then ease back later tonight. Remains
wet and somewhat breezy on Friday, Then the strongest storm yet, the
Ides of October Storm, will push into the region Saturday. This will
likely bring potentially strong damaging winds and another round of
heavy rain to much of the region. Unsettled weather continues into
early next week.
&&

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Sunday)...Lot of rain across the
region today. Generally, have seen 1 to 3 inches of rain since
midnight over the coastal mountains, and even a few spots. And it is
still raining. Likely to see those rainfall double for the final
numbers for today. Been enough to trigger big jumps on many rivers,
especially those draining the Willapa and Coast Ranges. Though most
of the flooding seems to be more low-lying areas and poor drainage
type, do have a lone river flood warning this afternoon. That is on
the Grays River in Wahkiakum County, river should push just above
flood stag this evening, with minor flooding expected.

Elsewhere, decent wave now pushing up the Oregon Coast, with winds
now increasing along the south Oregon Coast where winds are now
gusting 45 to 55 mph. at 230 pm, Sea Lion Caves now gusting 60 to 65
mph. Winds will continue to pickup across the region through 5 pm,
with first to increase over Lane County and spreading north to the
Columbia River by 6 pm. Current High Wind Warnings/Winds Advisories
remain on track. Winds will ease back later this evening.

Models show a weaker system moving through on Friday, mostly as the
bent-back occlusion from the low off the Washington coast shifts
across western Washington. But with the bent-back occlusion shifting
inland on Fri am, winds will remain somewhat elevated along the south
WA/north Oregon and nearby coastal mountains Fri am with gusts 40 to
50 mph. Elsewhere, will remain somewhat breezy, albeit not too out of
the ordinary. Should see plenty of showers. As the bent-back shifts
inland late tonight and Fri, will see bit of cooler more unstable air
shift inland. As a result, will keep slight chance of thunderstorms
along the coast and possibly into the Coast Mtns late tonight into
Fri am.

The next significant storm, now referred as the Ides of October
storm, incorporates the remains of Typhoon Songda, which is currently
around 42N, 175E. As the remains of this typhoon enter the 180-200
kt Jet Stream over the Central Pacific, it will get entrained into
the storm track and become the system which will impact the Pacific
Northwest on Saturday.Compute models now showing better agreement
in resolving the storm and its storm track. Some differences still in
the models, but seems now have better confidence for the storm. 12Z
GFS more aligned with the 12Z ECMWF, with 12Z NAM splitting the
difference. Either way, all show rather deep low coming up from the
southwest and tracking offshore as it moves to near Cape Flattery by
late Saturday evening. Will see strong winds increasing on West
Central Oregon coast by early afternoon, then spread north and
inland through rest of the afternoon/evening.This storm has
potential to create damaging winds across a wide area of the region.
So, have issued a High Wind Watch for all of the region for Saturday
afternoon and evening. Again, winds could wind up being a bit
stronger or weaker, as all depends on the storm track distance from
shore. Closer to shore, stronger the winds.


Will see more rain tonight through Saturday night, with perhaps as
much as 3 to 6 inches coastal mountains, and generally 2 to 4 inches
for the coast and Cascades. Should see 1 to 3 inches in the valleys.
At this point, there appear to be enough breaks in between the
systems to prevent river flooding. But with leaves falling off trees
now, expect areas of low-lying and other poor drainage areas, and
some urban flooding that could be exacerbated by leaf-clogged storm
drains. Rockey.

Oh, joy. They named it.

Other forecasters are saying this storm might be the strongest since the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. That storm killed ~50 people throughout the Pacific Northwest and is the standard by which all other storms are judged. It also gets pulled out anytime we get any sort of windstorm, so folks around here are used to being warned of imminent catastrophe only to have it fizzle, or miss. Maybe this time will be different. I'll be at work when it arrives, so it'll be an interesting shift, either way.

Mark B wrote:

ounce wrote:Enlist Mark to carry the umbrella!!!!

Mark, how often do y'all have an 'Ides of October' storm?

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Portland Oregon
306 PM PDT Thu Oct 13 2016

.SYNOPSIS...When it rains, it pours. And it is. Rain continues. Winds
will increase this afternoon, then ease back later tonight. Remains
wet and somewhat breezy on Friday, Then the strongest storm yet, the
Ides of October Storm, will push into the region Saturday. This will
likely bring potentially strong damaging winds and another round of
heavy rain to much of the region. Unsettled weather continues into
early next week.
&&

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Sunday)...Lot of rain across the
region today. Generally, have seen 1 to 3 inches of rain since
midnight over the coastal mountains, and even a few spots. And it is
still raining. Likely to see those rainfall double for the final
numbers for today. Been enough to trigger big jumps on many rivers,
especially those draining the Willapa and Coast Ranges. Though most
of the flooding seems to be more low-lying areas and poor drainage
type, do have a lone river flood warning this afternoon. That is on
the Grays River in Wahkiakum County, river should push just above
flood stag this evening, with minor flooding expected.

Elsewhere, decent wave now pushing up the Oregon Coast, with winds
now increasing along the south Oregon Coast where winds are now
gusting 45 to 55 mph. at 230 pm, Sea Lion Caves now gusting 60 to 65
mph. Winds will continue to pickup across the region through 5 pm,
with first to increase over Lane County and spreading north to the
Columbia River by 6 pm. Current High Wind Warnings/Winds Advisories
remain on track. Winds will ease back later this evening.

Models show a weaker system moving through on Friday, mostly as the
bent-back occlusion from the low off the Washington coast shifts
across western Washington. But with the bent-back occlusion shifting
inland on Fri am, winds will remain somewhat elevated along the south
WA/north Oregon and nearby coastal mountains Fri am with gusts 40 to
50 mph. Elsewhere, will remain somewhat breezy, albeit not too out of
the ordinary. Should see plenty of showers. As the bent-back shifts
inland late tonight and Fri, will see bit of cooler more unstable air
shift inland. As a result, will keep slight chance of thunderstorms
along the coast and possibly into the Coast Mtns late tonight into
Fri am.

The next significant storm, now referred as the Ides of October
storm, incorporates the remains of Typhoon Songda, which is currently
around 42N, 175E. As the remains of this typhoon enter the 180-200
kt Jet Stream over the Central Pacific, it will get entrained into
the storm track and become the system which will impact the Pacific
Northwest on Saturday.Compute models now showing better agreement
in resolving the storm and its storm track. Some differences still in
the models, but seems now have better confidence for the storm. 12Z
GFS more aligned with the 12Z ECMWF, with 12Z NAM splitting the
difference. Either way, all show rather deep low coming up from the
southwest and tracking offshore as it moves to near Cape Flattery by
late Saturday evening. Will see strong winds increasing on West
Central Oregon coast by early afternoon, then spread north and
inland through rest of the afternoon/evening.This storm has
potential to create damaging winds across a wide area of the region.
So, have issued a High Wind Watch for all of the region for Saturday
afternoon and evening. Again, winds could wind up being a bit
stronger or weaker, as all depends on the storm track distance from
shore. Closer to shore, stronger the winds.


Will see more rain tonight through Saturday night, with perhaps as
much as 3 to 6 inches coastal mountains, and generally 2 to 4 inches
for the coast and Cascades. Should see 1 to 3 inches in the valleys.
At this point, there appear to be enough breaks in between the
systems to prevent river flooding. But with leaves falling off trees
now, expect areas of low-lying and other poor drainage areas, and
some urban flooding that could be exacerbated by leaf-clogged storm
drains. Rockey.

Oh, joy. They named it.

Other forecasters are saying this storm might be the strongest since the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. That storm killed ~50 people throughout the Pacific Northwest and is the standard by which all other storms are judged. It also gets pulled out anytime we get any sort of windstorm, so folks around here are used to being warned of imminent catastrophe only to have it fizzle, or miss. Maybe this time will be different. I'll be at work when it arrives, so it'll be an interesting shift, either way.

Doug...Don't think Mark holding an umbrella will help much.  I'm more worried about the wind than the rain!  This may all be hype but I'm thinking seriously about staying home.  My family isn't thrilled about the idea of me driving over the mountain during the storm.

Yeah, I'd probably not go, even if the area is flat.  The race might even cancel.  But it would've been a good way to keep Mark out of trouble.

ounce wrote:Yeah, I'd probably not go, even if the area is flat.  The race might even cancel.  But it would've been a good way to keep Mark out of trouble.

Well, Mark's very much out of trouble being Alita's caregiver. She's been sick most of the week, and her temperature has cracked 104 this evening. We've talked to the medical folks over the phone and they said it sounds like influenza, and that she should be seen if her temperature lasted beyond 3 days. It broke early this morning but came roaring back later today. So I guess that means we'll be at urgent care tomorrow morning. Fun. Not.

Also, I'm likely to have a demanding shift at work with the windstorm. Not looking forward to tomorrow.

Mark B wrote:

ounce wrote:Yeah, I'd probably not go, even if the area is flat.  The race might even cancel.  But it would've been a good way to keep Mark out of trouble.

Well, Mark's very much out of trouble being Alita's caregiver. She's been sick most of the week, and her temperature has cracked 104 this evening. We've talked to the medical folks over the phone and they said it sounds like influenza, and that she should be seen if her temperature lasted beyond 3 days. It broke early this morning but came roaring back later today. So I guess that means we'll be at urgent care tomorrow morning. Fun. Not.

Also, I'm likely to have a demanding shift at work with the windstorm. Not looking forward to tomorrow.

Doesn't sound like fun at all!  Take care and stay safe.

I keep forgetting to ask if you've seen our son, Kevin's No on 97 ad?  He's the handsome young fella standing in front of the corn patch.  It's obviously an Oregon issue but I've heard from several people who have seen it in SW Washington.

Hope Alita is feeling better this morning...

nkrichards wrote:

Mark B wrote:

ounce wrote:Yeah, I'd probably not go, even if the area is flat.  The race might even cancel.  But it would've been a good way to keep Mark out of trouble.

Well, Mark's very much out of trouble being Alita's caregiver. She's been sick most of the week, and her temperature has cracked 104 this evening. We've talked to the medical folks over the phone and they said it sounds like influenza, and that she should be seen if her temperature lasted beyond 3 days. It broke early this morning but came roaring back later today. So I guess that means we'll be at urgent care tomorrow morning. Fun. Not.

Also, I'm likely to have a demanding shift at work with the windstorm. Not looking forward to tomorrow.

Doesn't sound like fun at all!  Take care and stay safe.

I keep forgetting to ask if you've seen our son, Kevin's No on 97 ad?  He's the handsome young fella standing in front of the corn patch.  It's obviously an Oregon issue but I've heard from several people who have seen it in SW Washington.

Hope Alita is feeling better this morning...

Yeah, I have no experience with an actual influenza case.  A bit early in the season, ordinarily.  I guess 'cat Fluff fever' was ruled out?  Good luck to her AND the caregiver.

Separately, boy that low pressure center is impressive on radar.  Looks to be 'making landfall' in B.C.

ounce wrote:

nkrichards wrote:

Mark B wrote:

ounce wrote:Yeah, I'd probably not go, even if the area is flat.  The race might even cancel.  But it would've been a good way to keep Mark out of trouble.

Well, Mark's very much out of trouble being Alita's caregiver. She's been sick most of the week, and her temperature has cracked 104 this evening. We've talked to the medical folks over the phone and they said it sounds like influenza, and that she should be seen if her temperature lasted beyond 3 days. It broke early this morning but came roaring back later today. So I guess that means we'll be at urgent care tomorrow morning. Fun. Not.

Also, I'm likely to have a demanding shift at work with the windstorm. Not looking forward to tomorrow.

Doesn't sound like fun at all!  Take care and stay safe.

I keep forgetting to ask if you've seen our son, Kevin's No on 97 ad?  He's the handsome young fella standing in front of the corn patch.  It's obviously an Oregon issue but I've heard from several people who have seen it in SW Washington.

Hope Alita is feeling better this morning...

Yeah, I have no experience with an actual influenza case.  A bit early in the season, ordinarily.  I guess 'cat Fluff fever' was ruled out?  Good luck to her AND the caregiver.

Separately, boy that low pressure center is impressive on radar.  Looks to be 'making landfall' in B.C.

It hasn't been confirmed by a lab test, but the symptoms are quite flu-like... except for the fact that the fever keeps going day after day. It'll break overnight then return in the afternoon and evening. Very odd. We'll be seeing a doctor tomorrow about it.

Today's windstorm wasn't too big a deal, though it was fairly windy. The worst damage was a tree into an apartment complex. Luckily, no one was hurt. Otherwise, it was just trees down and power lines down. Nothing catastrophic. 

Damage might be more serious to the north of us. Time will tell.

Oh, hey. Haven't posted here in a few days.

Quick update: Our trip to urgent care on Sunday ended up with Alita hooked up to an IV for an hour. She was seriously dehydrated. 

Blood work and a chest X-ray didn't turn up any sign of pneumonia, which is good. A quick test for three types of influenza (A, B, H1N1) all turned up negative, but her symptoms are classic influenza, so they're calling it an "influenza-like illness." Close enough.

She got some medicine to help with persistent nausea, which has allowed her to keep hydrated and slowly start taking more food. She was also ordered by the doctor to skip a week at work due to the whole contagious thing. She's having less and less a fever but still feels pretty rotten, though better than last week. 

Get a flu shot, people! This one got Alita before she had a chance to get one. (Alec and I have since been vaccinated. It won't help for this bug, since it takes a couple of weeks for the shot to take effect, but it'll help later this winter.)

I've been avoiding running ever since she fell ill partly out of guilt and to take care of her but also out of a feeling that my body has been fending off this bug the whole time Alita has been sick. I have very superficial symptoms but a gut feeling that if I push my system too much, I might go over the edge. I've seen what that looks like, and I'd rather not go there.

Nice to meet you.  I'm Oz.

Well, that's good that she's on the mend.  Maybe she's up to raw oysters?  Also kudos to you (yeah, really!) for keeping the caregiver & most of the teenagers in your house happy as clams.

But if you leave for this long again....
 
 
 

Good to hear from you Mark...and good to hear that Alita is feeling a bit better.  Sounds like she got a nasty bug!  Marty and I learned how important getting flu shots early is once the grandkids started going to school.  They bring home every bug that's going around and share with the whole family.  We've been especially vigilant since our parents got older.

Hope Alita continues to improve and that you and Alec can stay healthy.

Glad Alita is on the mend!  Got my flu shot yesterday and I try to remember to get one every year.  I'm not even around kids like she is, but I also have not had a case of the flu in years.

ounce wrote:Nice to meet you.  I'm Oz.

Well, that's good that she's on the mend.  Maybe she's up to raw oysters?  Also kudos to you (yeah, really!) for keeping the caregiver & most of the teenagers in your house happy as clams.

But if you leave for this long again....
 
 
 

Eek! Not the dreaded 16-grid tic tac toe! 

nkrichards wrote:Good to hear from you Mark...and good to hear that Alita is feeling a bit better.  Sounds like she got a nasty bug!  Marty and I learned how important getting flu shots early is once the grandkids started going to school.  They bring home every bug that's going around and share with the whole family.  We've been especially vigilant since our parents got older.

Hope Alita continues to improve and that you and Alec can stay healthy.

Yes, flu shots are important. Alita hadn't had a chance to get hers yet when this bug got its hooks in her. It's especially important for Alita, since her special ed students aren't to the level of being able to cover sneezes and coughs and such. She gets exposed to a lot. Once she's sufficiently healthy, I'm sure she'll be quite motivated to get her flu shot.

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:Glad Alita is on the mend!  Got my flu shot yesterday and I try to remember to get one every year.  I'm not even around kids like she is, but I also have not had a case of the flu in years.

She's on the mend, for sure. She went out yesterday when we picked out Alec's tuxedo for his wind ensemble outfit, and she fared well. Not 100 percent yet, for sure, but far better than last weekend! It's nice to see.

I'm also feeling better, too. It doesn't seem like I'm on the verge of succumbing, like I was for a while there. That means I should be abel to get back out there next week.

I'd recommend picking up running again two or three days after Alita goes back to work.  Let the house recover and filter out those baddies.

ounce wrote:I'd recommend picking up running again two or three days after Alita goes back to work.  Let the house recover and filter out those baddies.

Well, I waited two or three days after you wrote this post, at least...

Trail: 3.3ish miles

Weather: Overcast, muggy, mild. 55° Gear: Lone Peaks, shorts, T, jacket, hat.

Alita is healthy enough to go back to work, and my sense of flirting with illness has passed, so I decided to head out for some time on the trails this morning. I didn't want to push it too hard, so I made use of walking breaks and ample opportunities to gawk at the gorgeous fall color in the woods. I even decided to go off the main trail and explore a little muddy single track. It was nice, though I'm looking forward to do it with Alita and when I'm in better shape.

The run felt good, though I definitely lost a bit of fitness since I last ran. Ah well. It'll come back.


Walked first and last 5 minutes or so. Average HR on entire run 130, MaxHR 170 (pushed it up the last hill)

Good to hear that the household is getting back to normal and that you were able to get back out there.

A short outing is better than no outing at all.  The fitness will return.

Does your HR monitor say "TILT" at greater than 170?