I slept well last night, though I woke up with a slight hangover. Nothing dramatic, but enough to feel it. Still, it was time to get moving. I went to the gym and focused on back and biceps, followed by a PowerDot session there. I intentionally left flexion exercises for later, knowing time would be tight.
After breakfast, I managed to squeeze in about ten minutes of ice. Not ideal, but better than skipping it completely.
We headed out to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial today. Eighty-seven stairs. He was eighty-seven when he died. Standing there, my kids asked a surprisingly deep question. Why is there a memorial for someone who ruled with a strong hand and was brutal to Taiwanese people? It opened a meaningful conversation. I explained that he was a major part of the country’s history, and that leadership often involves difficult decisions, not all of them right. Sometimes memorials exist not only to honor, but to remember mistakes so they are not repeated. Heavy topics for a walk with kids, but important ones.
The place itself was impressive. We walked around, then took a taxi to a small village for souvenir shopping and lunch with extended family who are also in Taipei. A mix of standing, walking, laughing, eating, and a few drinks. By the time we got back to the hotel, fatigue had clearly set in.
The leg felt better overall, though swelling was still there. I iced and elevated, then opted out of dinner plans. Some of the family went out, but I stayed in with a few of the kids and my brother-in-law. Room service, quiet, and eventually sleep.
Later in the evening, I woke up and immediately realized I had skipped my flexion exercises. Not ideal. I improvised, putting my leg up against the wall and doing some forced flexion. Not the way I like to do it, but at least it did not get skipped entirely.
Back to ice, elevation, and sleep. Consistency is not about perfection. It is about showing up, even imperfectly.
Key Takeaways
- Strength training remains stable even on lower-energy days
- History conversations add unexpected depth to travel days
- Swelling persists but is easier to manage than before
- Social days quietly accumulate fatigue
- Improvising is better than skipping essential exercises
- Consistency beats ideal conditions