Super Abbreviated & Hot

Temps have been in the 90s for the past two days, unusually hot and humid for New York in June, although I do recall being utterly miserable as a child in primary school. Head on the desk with nary a breeze through a half open window during the last days of the school term. Air conditioning was reserved for the main office where the principal and other officers held court. Even the auditorium was stiflingly hot and airless, all the worse on Assembly Day, always a Thursday when we arrived in our crisp white shirts and blouses, red ribbons or ties, and navy slacks or skirts. The rest of the week there wasn't really a dress code other than to be decently attired. 

Google is still not letting me import photos

The dogs are not happy about the heat, preferring the crisp winter air. Forty degrees and colder suits them just fine. We go to the park every morning, regardless. Today is hotter but the dog still have playmates to socialize with. But it's too hot for much romping. After a cursory chase and sniff, everyone is splayed out on the synthetic turf or the cool soft brown dirt that used to be piles of wood chips many seasons ago. 

I didn't make it to the gym yesterday. Instead, we spent three hours at the dog park, and then, once we got home, I had a fellow show up to give me an estimate on replacing the oil tank in my basement. While the tank is whole, the legs have rusted off and there's a good possibility that the tank will eventually suffer a horrendous breach, spewing fuel oil into my basement and the sump pump and the wetlands behind my house, and the stream that rambles down to the lake that's a back up to NYC's West Branch Reservoir. 

Today it's hotter and the air is thick. I make it to the gym with little time for a full routine. Instead, I do an abbreviated cardio routine, a set of pull-ups and a few basic hip stretches to keep the sciatica at bay. Then it's time to change and shower and pick up my kid from the barely air-conditioned retail job in town.  

Twenty-five minutes of cardio and I'm drenched even though the gym a/c is running full blast. My fingers have been swelling intermittently so rings are no longer an option as it's become too painful, like wearing a garrotte on your finger, and risking amputation? Pull-ups are okay. Not great but not horrible. I'm disappointed that the Aerobics Room isn't colder, but I only have time for a few basic stretches. And even then, I'm late to pick up my kid: I text them to meet me at the grocery because 1) it'll have decent a/c and 2) there's a few items I need to buy anyway. When I arrive, they've already started shopping, but neglected to actually get a cart. Because, kids don't always plan properly. That's what parents do: teach kids how to function IRL. 

24 June 2025 11:39-12:22

Tuesday — Super Abbrev Cardio

Day 2 Heatwave 96°F

Precor elliptical #1

Program 1

Time: 20 + 5 (3918)

Distance: 2.0

Cal: 222

Avg Hr: 142, 179-80

New FB: 44-128

(12:08)

HGPU 18.5

20 Hip Bridges (12:18)

Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch

Skip DeadBugs 20 x 5

Piriformis stretches

Child’s Pose

Cat/Cow stretch 12

Child’s Pose

Fire Hydrants 25 x 2