TTROC: Week 3 (January 26)

One of my favorite Gaslight Anthem songs is “45” whose chorus has the lines “All my friends say… turn the record over.” Well, it’s 2026 and in August I turn 45. It’s time for me to turn the record over. I’ve spent far too long drinking too much, not exercising enough, and frustrated with elements of my health, my sleep, and my life. That’s why I’ve instituted the Turn the Record Over Challenge (TTROC for short) where every week I’ll share with you my workouts and how much I’ve been drinking. Play along if you like and let’s turn the record over together. Hit the music...

Monday, January 26: No workout

My kids weren't feeling well and stayed home from school which killed my motivation to get off my ass. I was also trying to work with episodes of Liv & Maddie playing in the other room. You say yeah-ahh, I say no-ooo. When you say "stop," all I wanna do is go, go, go! You, you, the other half me, me... Where's my at-home lobotomy kit?

Alcohol: 2 beers with dinner. Friends left beers at my house after that shitass Bronco game, and after a long day, they looked good. But here's where I claim mild victory in that 2 didn't turn into 4, didn't turn into whiskey to end the night, didn't turn into shitty sleep, didn't turn into hungover Tuesday. Knowing that some of you weirdos are reading this makes it easier to cut myself off.

Tuesday, January 27: 45 minute Peloton ride (Bradley Rose, 2000s ride)

Felt pretty good on the bike, but that motherfucker put an absolutely brutal climb at the very end just to twist the knife on all of us. He's married with a kid, but until I knew all that I would have sworn in front of a judge and jury he was gay. You know what that means then, right? That dude fucks.

Alcohol: Two single tall gin & sodas. Got a Gunpowder Gin sampler set for Christmas and finished the two remaining airplane sized bottles last night. Highly recommended!

Wednesday, January 28: 1,300 yd. swim

I showed up at the pool at 7:30 this morning and this is what I saw. Had the entire pool to myself until like 10 minutes before I was done and that's a feeling they should bottle and sell! Also, I mentioned my daughters stayed home on Monday because they were sick. I think I picked up a touch of that and have been coughing and sniffling. Powered through and hope the endorphins help me fight it off. Also, this was WAY easier than last week. Thank god.

Alcohol: One big ol' glass of whiskey in the afternoon to see if it heads off this looming cold. And a dose of off-brand NyQuil, if that counts.

Thursday, January 29: Guuuhhhhhhhh.

Reader, that whiskey did not, in fact, head off my cold. I know. Shock of shocks. Scratchy throat, a cough that hurts and gives me a headache, and some runny nose. Despite the NyQuil, slept like butt. I'll be fine, but no way am I working out today. Have an Orangetheory scheduled for tomorrow, so we'll see, I guess.

Alcohol: Two 90 Shillings. Back in college this was my "sick beer." Tried drinking a couple and while they tasted amazing in the moment, they did me no favors.

Friday, January 30: Guuhhhhhhhhhhh. (pt. 2)

Officially sick. Woke up and my throat felt like I'd spent the whole night gargling with acid. Felt like I was up every single hour. Couldn't get comfortable. Tossed and turned like a rotisserie chicken. This cough is giving me an ab workout, it feels like. I guess that's something. Although I'm experiencing retrospective gratitude because it feels like I haven't been sick in a very long time.

Alcohol: Lol, no.

Weekend notes:

• Saturday was Day 3 of illness which means it was the absolute worst day of this cycle. Went between the couch and the bed all day praying for death and/or one of those fast forward buttons like in the movie Click. Neither came so I just laid around and endured it.

• The only benefit to this, if there is one, is I've been coughing so much that every muscle in my core is killing me. If I don't end up on this list after coughing involuntarily for the last several days, it will be, as Gorilla Monsoon used to say, a huge miscarriage of justice.

• My kids are now sick, so this week is shaping to be just peachy. I'll keep you updated as things progress. All... both of you reading this. =)