Those of you who have been here will know what I am getting at. Back when I rode century bike rides with my mates in Portland, I came to understand the existence of this Middle. How does one ride 100 miles? Or run a marathon? Physical training is important but can be overemphasized. Psychological conditioning is most important and often this comes down to understanding The Terrible Middle. Thirty three miles to warm up, then thirty three of the The Terrible Middle, and then "Well, anyone can ride 33 miles.".
Right now, my Terrible Middle looks and feels like this: Surgery done, walking about a bit, off drugs, only need pain medication occasionally, driving the car for shopping and library, but only able to sit, stand, walk, read (long list could continue) for short periods. Little engages my interest, I read but do not take in, chocolate does not yet taste like chocolate should, I eat because it is time to eat, food is boring...how the litany flows on! Folks, let me introduce you to my my Terrible Middle.
The only good thing to say about the Terrible Middle is that it is a Middle. How far can one venture into a forest? Well, just to the Middle...after that one is on the Way Out. One of my favorite TV shows is 'Man Against Nature' (a silly title, really, since man is part of nature). The heroic adventurer is in a dense Bolivian jungle, for example, and climbs a tree to see where he is in the forest; or shows us a way of keeping going in the right direction to exit the forest. Knowing the forest from the trees seems like a very good idea. Understanding the Middle and how not to go around in circles could be one of the great secrets in life.
This is not confined to long cycle rides or recovery from surgery. Where are we in the Great Financial Crisis; what about the Great Oil Spill; and how about the ordinary business of getting older? Unfortunately, despite our expectations from our youth, Terrible Middles abound and may even pass unnoticed.
What we do in the midst of the Middles, retrospectively, can be critical. Learning to save instead of spending, engaging in kindness to others, taking a walk in the sun instead of being indoors watching Telly, talking with a neighbor, and the like. Generally, doing other than what we prefer to do or are wont to do bears on the secret of surviving the Terrible Middle.
For those in the Terrible Middle of middle age, let me recommend Barbara Strauch's book, "The Secret Life of the GROWN UP BRAIN". Not only will this book slay many myths and fears about the aging brain, but also light up the path of things to do to exploit the strengths and properties of the mature brain.
Middle Age happens not to be a problem for me. On Saturday I trip over my 73rd Birthday and thus near the final quarter of my life. I am having a lot of fun dreaming up what that will be.
On the knee front, what lies ahead is the work of rehabilitation, especially restoring a good range of motion through physical therapy, extending my walking range, and also arranging the next ordeal for the right knee. I see the surgeon next Tuesday and hope that the good progress made with the left will persuade him to press on with the work on the remaining knee.
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