Did not get everything I wanted to get done, but I did PT and managed a 90-95 percent pain free 10K walk; note I do wake up with a stiff back, and yes, the heartburn (too much hot sauce) is getting to me again.
I did catch the Bradley Women’s basketball game; BU lost in overtime 71-68, but did rally 18-6 in the final quarter to get it to overtime to begin with.
Down by 1 with 13 seconds left, BU had the ball, got trapped, had to call time out, and the inbounds pass was stolen which lead to a BU foul. Final 3 point shot was blocked.
It took me a while to get going …way too long…after a late lunch. Got PT, did some deadlifts (10 x 134, 10 x184, 10 x 261 4 inch, 10 x 280 8 inch) and had a decent walk in sleeves and shorts.
I just don’t want to face my final week of class. It happens.
It was an interesting trip with Harry: about 3 hours each way. Got there way too early. Had time to eat, lounge around and see the game. What surprised me is how residential it is around Ryan Field. The stadium is antiquated (more so than the East side of Memorial). Most of the sightlines are ok though there are some sections I’d say away from.
They do rent chairbacks for 10 dollars (cash only); highly recommend them for people with older or achy backs.
Ah, the game itself: check out the stats. While the Illini did have success on the ground, with the no. 2 back doing most of the damage, the offense didn’t do *all* that much.
Yep, it was the turnovers. Northwestern repeatedly clowned themselves with bad throws that where intercepted (one pick-6, one almost pick-6) a botched hand off that the quarterback flipped over his head that was returned for a touchdown, etc.
The scrimmage line play was not as one sided as the score would indicate.
The game started off with an exchange of punts; then the Illini got a decent drive, mostly off of running to take a 7-0 lead. NW got a good drive, but then through a dreadful pass which set up an Illinois field goal.
The defenses took over again until the Illini mounted a decent 2 minute drive to take a 17-0 lead at the half.
The Illini got a field goal to take a 20-0 3’rd quarter lead,when on consecutive drives: the NW quarterback botched a hand off, flipped the ball over his head which was returned for a touchdown.
Then another drive, another interception, pick-6. By then it was 34-0 and all that remained was for the Illini to try to pad the stats of their no. 1 running back (didn’t happen, though he did get a touchdown and literally limped into the end zone..he was playing with an injury), and a face saving field goal.
Overall: decent trip; I do wonder about the historic stadium. The facilities are lacking (our restroom had one urinal and one toilet) though the sightlines were ok; had a good view of the game. It is probably time to tear it down and rebuild, as they are planning.
Some sights: “Do the math” (has to be Northwestern!)
I’d say “50 percent” Illinois fans
Lakeview of where we stopped to eat
Some tailgating
The large Bahai temple
Harry and me: balcony, just under the basically empty “club seating” that they have.
Yesterday: PT, push ups (10 sets of 10, elbows tucked), pull ups (sets of 5 or 5 singles, enough to get to 50), bench presses after walking (10 x 134, then 3 sets of 5 x 154), and a 3.3 mile walk (wandered)
Today: PT, 5.16 mile W. Peoria walk; got it going after a 14:08 first mile.
Slight on and off ache at mile 3; had to be mindful of posture. Sat too long grading papers yesterday.
Which is the way I like it. I do have to work tomorrow (prepare for Monday)
B hosted a chili and potato lunch, and before that I did full PT and walked.. really a 6.3-6.4 mile hilly walk (2 full loops, 1 lower loop) at a 14:30’ish pace.
Last night, I drug Ms. O to a BU Women’s basketball game vs NAIA Missouri Baptist. And while it ended 66-46, Baptist had it tied at 39 going into the 4’th and lead 42-40 in the 4’th before being outscored 26-4 the rest of the way. BU put more defensive pressure on the ball and forced a ton of turnovers. This could have also been depth talking as well.
Sadly, but predictably, the arena was all but empty.
Today’s workout:
PT plus push ups: 30, 30, 40…got it! Pull ups: 50 reps (53 if you count partials plus 3 penalty reps), deadlifts (10 x 134, 10 x 184, 10 x 228, all low handle)
Then 3.2 miles of walking at a brisk-ish pace. My legs actually felt good; 30’s and sunny. I wore long sleeves; no sweatshirt.
Health: yeah, I had a reflux flare up but a strong antacid knocked it out within 10-15 minutes. Back: not an issue. No, I am not healed; I am in a “management” situation. But at long last I don’t feel like talking about it.
Started out ok; cold; teens when I started my walk, and I did my old “1 Cornstalk, 1 lower loop” 5.3 mile walk at 14:34.
Later, Mat picked me up at 10 am and we made the 11 am kickoff, due to almost no one being there. I was as cold as I’d ever been at game (hands, mostly.
Few people were there, and they missed a rock-em, sock-em Missouri Valley battle. The Redbirds scored right away, thanks to an interception off of a trick play. But then it was even..even Western dominating the scrimmage line. Western missed a field goal into the wind, but scored in the second quarter off of a long drive; mostly running.
And that is how the first half ended. Second half: 3’rd quarter, a long drive lead to a touchdown, with two key penalties: late hit out of bounds and then perhaps the most blatant pass interference I’ve ever seen (defender fell down and pulled down the receiver. But the Redbirds missed the extra point.
Later, the Leathernecks got a tough 42 yard field goal to cut it to 3.
Then in the 4’th: final drive..or second to final drive, the Leathernecks hit a big field goal to tie it at 13 with 45 seconds to go. A last ditch drive by the Redbirds lead to a 50’sh yard field goal attempt which was wide right.
In the first overtime, the Redbirds got a first down and scored a TD, then held the Leathernecks on downs to win.
Overall, Western Illinois did NOT resemble a winless team; they played hard.
On the way home, I heard the heartbreaking Illinois vs Michigan score (9 seconds!), the upbeat Navy score (upset no. 20 UCF!)
I made it with about 8 minutes left in the Bradley vs Southeast Missouri State game, and Bradley was down by 5. BU rallied to win 73-60; nice win vs. a not-that-bad team. I missed the Women winning their game, vs. an opponent who lost 100-38 to Illinois.
It is cold..it flurried when I was out. Probably dripping the water tonight. Boo.
Got up early, did my PT and push ups first: 10 sets of 10 push ups then a set of 30 Outdoor for pull ups: mostly sets of 5 singles, one or two sets of 5; enough to get 50 reps.
Basement: bench: 10 x 134, 3 sets of 5 x 155
curls: focused on keeping those elbows stationary 3 sets of 10
Swiss bar high incline: 3 sets of 10 x 94
Then the 2 mile walk; later a 1 mile afternoon walk on campus.
With the extra bits of walking, I am creeping up on 4 miles a day.
Note: back/glute have been…fine…need to keep up the PT..diligently.
Life of an old goat 