Exercise Your Heart, Burping Optional

The above illustration is with my muse, Diane, in mind.  It is not a direct quote of what she has said, but it captures the essence of her meaning.  As a result of her comments which go something more like, "You can write really well when you try, but why don't you write about something interesting?"... I am inspired to continue my martyrdom as an unappreciated writer of this vital blog.

Before writing about and documenting today's exciting rowing session, there are two technical diagrams for you to consider.  The first one graphically shows the benefit of exercising your heart:

Exercise your heart.

The second diagram is a detailed view of the heart rate control system and demonstrates the clear and obvious possibility that burping while exercising might or might not influence heart rate:

If the possibility isn't as obvious to you as it is to me, then perhaps the explanation is in your cerebrum or mine.

Today's session was a 10K with the same HR target as yesterday, 133 bpm.  There was no music, video, television, etc and the focus was entirely on the focus: to keep heart rate as near as possible to 133 bpm throughout the 10K.  The effort to keep heart rate as near 133 as possible was more successful than yesterday, with the main interruptions being noticeable dips in heart rate whenever I burped.

The burping was occasional and small when it happened, but each time the heart rate would drop by about 7 beats per minute immediately after each burp.

The burps may have had something to do with having had three breakfasts.  First thing in the morning I decided to have coffee even though it used to be my habit to put off all food and coffee until after rowing.  So I had a cup of protein drink and sipped a mug of coffee while reading more in Iron War, by Matt Fitzgerald.  The insanity of those dedicated to trying to win an Ironman Triathlon is inspiring for some crazy reason.

After reading a few pages, I decided to supplement the protein drink with a couple slices of toast buttered with melted coconut oil sprinkled with salt. The coconut oil tastes as good as butter and is healthier.

After finishing the first cup of coffee, I was too much into the book, Iron War, to put it down. So I made another cup of coffee and a bowl of dry Quaker oats sprinkled with walnuts, dried cranberries, dried blueberries and raisins.  All of it was doused with rice milk.

Did quite a bit more reading, then finally started rowing the 10K a little after Diane woke up and started her morning walk.

Today's RowPro finish screen

Today's session report.

Oops!  I forgot to write in great and tedious detail about the experience of the rowing session.  Hmm... well, unlike yesterday I did not pay any particular attention to whether inhalation was done through nose only ... or through the mouth.  My sore throat has completely healed and so that wasn't a factor.  This isn't much in the way of great and tedious detail but perhaps there will be more inspiration for such material tomorrow.