Sars-Cov2

I caught it.

Covid-19, a corona virus – it’s bigger than you’d think.

Two weeks of mild, almost asymptomatic illness in the coldest leadup bro Christmas. For me, it’s not much worse than a heavy cold with a sore cough at the top of my chest. That bit only lasted about 3 days. The general fatigue held on for longer. Some days, were clear, like Christmas day.

12th December, I went back to bed feeling rather sleepy. The next day, a Sunday, I skipped a bike ride feeling rather empty.

14th December, phoned in sick at work and then later – booked a Covid test. I still felt okay, a slight cough when going upstairs and no fever or temperature. The thermometer went no higher than 36.4°C. To get a test, I lied on the form and put New continuous cough. It’s a good job I did because the result came back Positive the next day.

I booked the test for a time only in the next hour and drove into town to park. The test centre is a walk-in to I had to trot half a mile to get there. Even that felt okay. If I was seriously ill, that would have left me faint and gasping. Generally, I was in an elevated mood because I know how serious Covid can be and I was getting off lightly – I have dodged a bullet.

12th December: the test result finally came back at 17.30. Positive and I must Self Isolate for 10 days from the day after symptoms started. The next few days are a blur

21st December: book another test. The result from this one shocked me – positive! What do I do now?
The result returns as a text on my phone telling me to self isolate for 10 days from the day after 1st symptoms arise. Well, that means I can go out tomorrow, er..doesn’t it? To clarify, I rang the number provided and they were quite clear, I don’t nbeed to add another 10 days (which would have run ’till 4th January.

In response, I ventured out on the bike but was quite exhausted for a few days after.

Quick run!

8°C, stormy, 55mph gusts.

Woke very early, fizzing with energy. After breakfast, I got the turbo out. While on it, I recalled that I have a pair of running shoes.

A decade on, these shoes get a second run. I bought them for an event at my last school and have only used them in gyms since. They’re not ideal gym shoes but seemed fine on the slabbed pavements around here.

I feel great now, let’s run again soon. Next is a bike ride this afternoon.

Later: a third workout.


The tail end of Storm Gareth still has some force. No longer is it dangerous but the return leg was non-stop hard work

Major Chestikov.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3294022513

Ill again. It started during this ride home from work. Shame because I was looking forward to it. The route that runs along farm tracks in the dark is quite an experience. If it wasn’t for the rain, it would have been a photo opportunity.

Was it worse because of the rain? Maybe, and getting cold at the end. The worst came after I got home. When it came to putting the bike away, the sky opened with a deluge. Anyway two nights followed with hot and cold flushes, no strength and a hacking brittle cough. The annoying bit is the brief time since the last heavy cold.

Five days later, I’m still laid up in bed. The cough remains as do the hot & cold flushes. This is definitely influenza.

13 days later, it’s just about gone

Decent ride on the Racelite.

I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 58.87km, time: 02:29:01, pace: 2:32min/km, speed: 23.70km/h.

http://mapmyride.com/workout/1721092376

Getting back into cycling. I always forget how long it takes to return to form. This time, the layoff includes weeks of hiking so it’s different exercise ratios than a real layoff.​

I may actually receive that new bike tomorrow, the Raleigh Mustang.It will come with a rack and mudguards. I have an old seat-pack but no speedo yet.

Summer cold.

23°C ,cloudless blue, perfect day.

What a day to get a cold. I have so much to do here at home. Garden, marking and decorating.
At least this may explain why the last few days hiking were not as energetic as normal. Often, I get back feeling that my stamina is indefatigable. Mike R. had a cold mm last week’s expedition. That’s where it came from, no-one else has one.​


More:
My partner pointed out that I have just been on a very demanding (physically) course, in bad weather where I get cold and wet. With all that on top of wind, rain and lugging a heavy load, the expedition was lead by a guy who had a cold.
It’s not surprising then…

140/90

High Blood pressure, or not?
Playing with a blood pressure gadget at home. I  got three readings within a few minutes:
172/93 x77
144/78 x92
111/81 x113
100/63 x 120
Systolic/diastolic x heartrate.
Perhaps best ignore this device.
image

The standard top measure is 140/90.
If the first readings are right, I have high blood pressure. In order to improve I should:
1 eat less salt,
2 eat more fruit and vegetables,
3 healthy weight,
4 Drink less alcohol,
5 exercise more.
But I cook without salt (and ready meals- never), eat almost only vegetarian, Bmi 23, 1 unit per week average, 10-14 hours exercise each week.
Ignore it?
It’s probably like the bathroom scales. They’re not much use either if you weigh yourself at a different time each day.