One of the many things we do in Occupational Therapy is talk about Energy Conservation and how using these related techniques can help one increase their overall independence. Basically, when we talk about energy conservation, we are not talking about saving gas, electric and other related forms of energy. Instead, we are talking about your energy to live and be functional. It involves doing your daily deeds sort of speak with the least amount of effort in the most efficient way. Of course, this means you can use short cuts, energy saving devices or good body mechanics. The hope is that by doing so you can avoid getting tired quickly, decrease your chance of getting hurt and even prevent pain. The idea is by doing these things, you can be more active so that you can do what is purposeful and meaningful to you. I hope the main things you like to do is take care of yourself. Once you've been able to dress yourself, bathe yourself and do other self care tasks then you can move to house or yard work and eventually other activities you enjoy doing. In the end, the hope is that there is some kind of balance between work rest and play without depending on others.
Time Management
Sometimes, the only thing some people need to do is organize and plan their daily or even their month's schedule. Try to balance rest with activity by alternating light and heavy workloads.
Try to plan your schedule to use about the same amount of energy each day
Here is a great link to free charts and calendars:
I like to first put all the things you can't change on the calendar like holidays, birthdays and special events (kids sports, band concerts, parent teacher meetings, baby showers etc). Then add your work or volunteer schedule that can't be flexed. When are the prescriptions due for refill? Now attempt to set your doctor appointments around them. Once all that is done, you can attempt to figure out how to spread out yard and house work as well as when you can shop for groceries etc. It's a bit of a challenge at first but once you get in a habit, it isn't too bad. Remember not to load yourself up with responsibilities around the same time. It's ok to say no.
Try to maintain balance!
Remember, if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of the ones you love. If you rely on others then the more independent you can be, the more they can help you without burning out with caregiver related stress.
Avoid Needless Steps
If you plan to cook something, plan ahead and get all your ingredients and supplies organized on the counter to avoid too much back and forth to the pantry or fridge. If you are going to repair something, plan ahead to get tools or other items ahead of time.
Sit To Work As Much As Possible
There is so much that you can do in sitting to save energy. Gardening, feeding a baby, folding laundry, playing musical instruments, taking a shower, combing hair, brushing hair, shaving or even preparing a meal are just some examples. It may seem like no big deal but at the end of the day all the little deals do add up. As the old saying states, "work smarter not harder".
Arrange Storage Or Work Areas
Stay organized. If you use an item frequently, try to store on the counter or the top of the bottom shelves or the bottom of the top shelves. Don't change where you put the items. Basically, keep items in an easy to reach consistent place.
Duplicate Items
If you use the same item in multiple places, then you might want to consider having more than one of them. For example, if I need cleaning items then you could have one set upstairs and one set downstairs. You could keep cleaning soaps in one bathroom, the other bathroom and even more in the kitchen. If you have a centered closet then of course that would work too.
Reachers
I definitely love reachers. There is so much you can do with them. Obviously, it saves energy when picking up items on the floor or even reaching high but these gadgets may also prevent falls too!
If you have room, a rolling cart is a really nice way to transport laundry or items when setting a table for dinner etc.
You can slide pots, skillets etc during cooking related tasks instead of picking them up. You might want to consider light weight pots and pans etc instead of iron etc. Obviously, paper and plastic will be lighter than glass and iron etc.
Use Long handled Dust Pans
It's okay to hire people to help! There are several businesses that deliver!
This USATF sanctioned event has always been a bit of a ultra runner reunion event for me. Simply said, I love it! This will be the 15th annual event. It's basically a 1.5m loop around Hinson Lake that starts at 8am on a Saturday and ends 24 hours later at 8am Sunday. The challenge is to see how many loops you can do in 24 hours. If you can get 100k then you get a nice medal and if you get at least 100 miles you get a Belt Buckle. So, my record is 84 and last year I got about 63 miles so yep, I want that 100m buckle!! Registration had opened up January 1st at 0000hrs so I was ready and it was a good thing because this race was closed out with now a waiting list soon after.
This year would be the first without the legend Bill Keane... As mentioned in the Blackbeard's Revenge Blog entry, it is clear that this Hinson24 race will not be the same without him. Here is a newspaper article link about him.
We are not promised tomorrow so make each moment count!
I wanted to share this blog with one of the quotes I attempt to live by. I love it when Anthony Hopkins narrates so check out the YouTube video above. Below are the words.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though
wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because
their words had forked no lightning they
Do
not go gentle into that good night.
Good
men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their
frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage,
rage against the dying of the light.
Wild
men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And
learn, too late, they grieve it on its way,
Do
not go gentle into that good night.
Grave
men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind
eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage,
rage against the dying of the light.
And
you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse,
bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do
not go gentle into that good night.
Rage,
rage against the dying of the light.
by
Dylan Thomas
4/15/22 Starting body stats...
April 17th 2022
1st Run of Hinson Training
with Brad
April 24th 2022
2nd Run after Blackbeard's Revenge
2nd Run for Hinson Training!
w/Brad, Curt, Rick & Rob
GORUN
Tim, Brittany, Curt, Brad, Rob, Rick, Sandra and Anthony
Now that I'm getting back in the groove, I'm trying to get more folks out for organized runs...
Umstead 100 in 2023??
The registration would be later at noon on September 9th
I'm dropping down well from 165 but my goal is to be 148 without running or being dehydrated... slowly but surely!
May 1st 2022
3rd LSD since Blackbeard's Revenge
Just a fun video from same run
Tim Tony & Brad
Happy about weight loss but this was actually my dehydration after the 10 miler weight... I have been averaging around 153 which has been good but seeing this makes me hopeful that I can work to a hydrated sub 150 weight
Friday May 6th 2022
Mother's Day 2022
Tim Brittany & Rachel
I was excited when Brad told me the bells were back on! Fortunately, we needed about a 5k more so these ladies Brittany and Rachel agreed to go and check it out. It had been a long tradition with our running club "GoRun" to go through them especially to initiate the newbies!
May 22, 2022
13 Miler with Brad & Tony
7/24/22
~15 Miles
Brad, Rob, Justin, Rachel, Hunter and Megan
12 miler in Williamsburg
8/7/2022
14 Miler with Bran, Scott and Justin
Fleet Feet Coffee Run with my daughter
16m+ LSD with GoRUN
8/21/2022 LSD
Running with my daughter on bike
8/28/2022
10 miles plus 1 mile cooldown
9/4/2022
14m total
13.2m 2:18:34(10:30)
with Brad, Rob, and Curt
9/9/22
Run For Liza
9/10/22
2 weeks before Hinson24!!
13.5m 2:13:58(9:55) 154HR
with Brad and Justin
Ricky picked me up for lunch and gave me the news that he got off the waiting list but deferred his registration so he could be in town when his mom was discharged from the hospital. He's now automatic for next year so I guess I better make sure I get in next year too!
9/17/22
Last LSD before Hinson24!!
17 miler with ECU XC Teammate Ricky Chann
2:42:38(9:33) 158HR
Cooler weather!!
One of our pictures from the long run!
Sarah from the Stretch Zone helped me recover from the long run. I had an appointment at 1130am so I would have time to take a quick shower after the run. Contact them for a free session!
Found a Gnome at the Dollar Store a couple of weeks ago! At Hinson, it's a tradition to move these along the course. It really helps me stay alert and focused and of course because it helps me not get bored!
Race week = get the gear ready!!
Weather looks good so far!!
Last 2 Weightlifting Sessions before the race
Ken Me Joe & Mike
Current Gas prices about $3.20
I made my special sauce to take before the race and again 12 hours into the race...
On the way...
GPS took me a different way this time...
It was a nice change up though and it took me to the camping side which was nice
Arrival Friday September 23,2022
I thought this was pretty cool!!!
My first view of the Lake this year...
Whew! Before bib etc pickup, I needed the bathroom!
Everyone was friendly and organized!!
This was awesome! I have so many trail friends here! I missed my martial arts running buddy Rich and was hoping my ECU XC teammate Ricky would be here but things did not work out. David Soloman was also in the hospital so that was a no go at this time too. Fortunately, our GORUN/GRG etc running group mates would be here. Gosh, we have many! As mentioned, this race was like a reunion of many friends from all over.
My buddy Bill!! Unfortunately, his family had beach plans so he was just here to get his swag! I was glad I timed it well to see him!
2 of my Greenville Friends Jamie and Adam were unable to come so I picked up their stuff. I had several beer glasses already so I got the coffee mug. Jerry the race director does an awesome job creating a great experience here with great stuff to remember it!! This year the T-Shirt would be in memory of Bill Keane. Sadly he passed away early in the year.
John Richards and his dad!
My SWAG!
This was on the back of someone's shirt. Thanks again!! Awesome!
Laura shadowed me one day in Occupational Therapy at now ECU Health. Found out she was not only an OT but a great runner! We have been running friends ever since!
I later got to meet those folks with the cool setup!!
I was happy that I remembered to bring my gnome!! He would be seen at 11, 22, 42 and 46 miles in. I took him back the last time so I wouldn't lose him!
Anthony and other Greenville running friends used this table to save my tent spot. We had a nice set up. It was weird as it was the first time I didn't set up directly on the trail.
I had a nice incline but it would later be too slick inside as I would slide toward my feet when resting.
Another angle of the group setup...
I had been craving a Taco Pizza for a long time since they closed the Pizza Inn down in Greenville NC. Several of us met here at Godfather's Pizza. Beer was only $3. I got a Miller Light since I was thinking of my wife Gina.
The Crew! Stephanie, Anthony, Sandra, Chris, me and Shannon
Time to head back and get to sleep early!!!
Hinson Lake
Settling in but not before traditional FaceTime with Family
Morning of the Race
Beautiful morning so of course I had to take the traditional lake pictures! Yes it was somewhat cold as the temps dropped relative to the temps just a couple of weeks ago. I did not want to waste energy shivering so I decided to be warm knowing I would soon take layers off. By the afternoon, I would be running without a shirt. 47 to 79 in the afternoon.
Despite being very busy, Jerry our race director was kind enough to stop for a picture! Thanks Jerry for all your hard work!! I was happy to see that you also found time to put in some miles today!
This group does a fantastic job! It's great seeing where you are on a large monitor each time you survive a lap.
The Myers Family
Jason and his daughters participated and all rocked it!!
Just a pause to once appreciate the natural beauty of the sunrise over the lake
John and his barefoot crazy self!! This guy is cool and not just because he has stronger feet than most of us!
Jimmy and his lady would be getting married the next weekend I think?? What a great couple! To new adventures in love and happiness!!!
GORUN getting ready!!
I was the only one who spent the night in a tent. Some rented a house and others got a hotel room.
RACE TIME
Heartfelt speech about the race and of course remembering Bill Keene who sadly passed away early this year.
James and me reconnecting
Photo opp from opposite side of start with John
Too funny not to remember!!
Had to put my gnome beside Bill Keane's gnome... Your spirt will live forever sir!!
You make many random trail friends out in ultra races. We are all winners!
A Cooler of PBR was available in memory of Bill Keane. Of course, I took a 30 minute break to honor him. He was a great inspiration and losing time to collect more laps was far less important than honoring him.
Mary volunteered for a few hours after she finished running
Flashback Picture Rick sent me of us and some other teammates in a Burger King playground when we were on a road trip for a race running for the ECU Pirates! Arghhh!!!
Made the top 10 when I stopped but ended up 25th before the banana lap and 29th after the recalculation for the banana lap
I felt good but with a bench press competition October 15th, I decided to rest up. This also allowed me to get rest so I could see at least Kamryn play soccer back home.
I noticed by buddy David on the board! He was in the hospital so I did not expect to see him. He got discharged and started late. Relentless!! He joked with Bill Keane's family about Bill pulling some strings to continue his reign for miles at Hinson for another year as David would not pass him this year but was next in line.
Looking at my new bling before going to sleep...
I'm enjoying the sunrise... AGAIN and thinking dang, I could of easily done a few more laps when I woke up!! Oh well, next year I think I'm going all out!!
David and I took some time to enjoy the sunrise... He will soon move up the ranks at Hinson
Amy and Moogie!!!
Laura still at it!
Marking the bananas!!
When the banana lap starts, you put the banana down where you want or when the horn stops the clock whichever happens first. I thought it was cool that this runner placed the banana at Bill Keane's area.
GoRun/GRG/ORUBO/Farmville etc have never done this. I think it's cool to see where your friends are and then be able to push each other extra laps etc.
David never ceases to amaze me. He was just discharged from the hospital on Saturday!! Amazing!!!!!
The Myers Family Finishing Strong on the Banana Lap!!
Laura finishing strong!! I don't know how she stops and takes naps then restarts! Every time I stop just a little I get all stiff! Bananas!!!
The Ride Home
Growing up, I loved NASCAR races and was a Richard Petty fan. Unfortunately, every race I went to when he raced, he wrecked!! Lots of history at this track so seeing it like this is sad.
I would get back to see Kamryn play soccer before taking a shower and sleeping most of the afternoon. Nothing beats a shower and nap after any event like that!
Celebratory Dinner at Jack Brown's while also celebrating Kamryn' birthday week!
These trail style Saucony shoes did well with only one blister for the greater than 100K distance
Follow up Picture on October 13th
Ended up losing this nail
Packing up... quick pick of some memories related to this Hinson24 race... I ended up taking about an hour or so for 2 of the breaks related to honoring Bill Keane. It still doesn't seem real. I am happy however that he left us doing what he loved... running and that he will live through all of us here at Hinson and beyond.
From Jerry Lindstrand the race director...
2022 Hinson Lake 24 Hour Ultra Classic
This year’s event was a complete success and had very little
if any glitches. We had 387 participants from 16 states with their families and
friends, converge in Rockingham for the 16th annual event. The number of
participants is one (1) short of the record 388 set in 2019. I’m sure Richmond
County and the city of Rockingham is happy as there were 82 participants that
indicated when they registered that they would be staying overnight in our
local hotels. Being as we did not offer a pre-race pasta dinner this year, many
chose to dine in the local restaurants.
The weather was spectacular on Saturday with a high of 81F
and a low that was 54F. The trail and bridges were in great shape thanks to the
City of Rockingham Maintenance department.
Participant ages spanned from 5-78 and the gender breakdown
was 56% female & 44% male. The overall winner, Chris Ardis from Rock Hill,
SC accumulated 100.4548 miles and the top female winner, Karen Ritchie from
Denver, NC amassed 90.1920 miles. Shannon Johnstone of Cary, NC won the 100k in
a time of 12:30:41 and Chris Ardis was the male winner with a time of 13:31:27.
Chip Long of Rockingham, NC and Laura MacLean of Faison, NC
were the Mangum Track Club winners of both the 24 hour and the 100k. Chip Long
amassed 96.9794 miles had a time of 13:59:03 in the 100k. Laura MacLean amassed
82.9557 miles and had a time of 14:56:51 for the 100k.
This event could not be the success it is without the
tireless work from our volunteers. My wife, Connie puts up with my obsession to
make sure every “i” is dotted and “t” is crossed. She handles packet pickup
with help from her sister Chris Koller and many other volunteers. The aid
station is very well managed by Missy Smith, Mark and Amanda Thurman and a host
of volunteers. Michelle Butler & Melissa Dennis man the kitchen throughout
the night making sure there is plenty of Ramen Noodles, soups, grits etc. as
well as helping out in the aid station. Catherine Dennis “Strong-Armed” her
fellow members of the Richmond Senior High School Beta Club to volunteer in the
aid station which helped tremendously. Many thanks to all who volunteered to
help keep the participants well hydrated and fed.
This year was bitter sweet as earlier this year a dear
friend to the ultra-running community passed away doing what he loved most,
running. Bill Keane participated in all of the 15 previous Hinson Lake 24 Hour
Ultra Classic events and had amassed 1,154.4422 combined miles. This year’s
shirt design was dedicated to Bill’s memory and everyone also received a coin
with the image of Bill and the logo of his running club, Ultra Runners From
Hell, “Suck It Up Buttercup”. Bill’s family was also in attendance and we
arranged for Ben Benjamin to bugle “Taps” at sundown in front of Bill’s camp
space which was always in the same location. Bill will be missed but not
forgotten.
Plans for next year are already taking place with minor
tweaks in aid station supplies, shirt design, prizes etc.
September 30, 2023 will be here before you know it.
