It started as a joke a few years ago. My colleague Net would regale me with her retired husband’s adventures.
Each morning Net would wake up early to walk Rodney, her hilarious Rottweiler. Doug would jump on his bike. Net would log in to work before 7am. Doug would go for a swim. Net took her lunch at 11 and walk while Doug played hockey. Yes. This is all the same day.
Net and I would often meet at the end of her work day and I would always ask what Doug was up to.
Net would brief me on his myriad of activities and exclaim “I wish I lived the life of Doug!”
A few years later, Net retired and she joyfully does activities all morning then “whatever I want” in the afternoon.
I recently got a sweaty hug from Net on my morning walk with Michel & Lucy. She was biking to an aerobics class. We laughed and agreed she was “living like Doug”.
It’s a schedule I aspire to. And I’m giving it an honest go. On Tuesday and Thursday this week I walked Lucy & Michel. I then biked to the pool. I swam for an hour. Biked home. Then had a lunch walk with Lucy and Michel.
But then, then I had a GIANT NAP. It turns out I’m not in good enough shape to “live like Doug” yet. I’m trying. It’s going to take some time.
My summer plans include swimming, cycling and strength training but I also need recovery days. Yesterday (Friday) I decided I needed a recovery day instead of my planned bike ride. I was bone tired.
So it was an active recovery day of walking with Michel & Lucy, a short utility bike ride and a decent stretching session.
Michel could care less what I accomplish in a day. His only concern is my wellbeing. He’s delighted I am finding a new daily routine that includes lots of activities.
I did have sore abs on Wednesday that responded to gentle movement. I’m really looking to avoid injury as it feels like I have been in physio for one injury or another for YEARS.
So yes, Doug, I’m working up to being as active as you are every day. I bet by the end of the summer I’ll be able to fully “live like Doug”.
