Greetings to all, I am in the middle of a holiday break at my in-laws house 900 miles from home and at least 25° colder than I like it. Nonetheless it is a fun yet challenging time for me, I don't know if its because I'm in a different home or because I'm not drinking enough water but, well lets just say that I'm being reminded by my own body (and bathroom visits -yuck-) that I need to always be on top of my water intake. As an MSer you might take it for granted you might even forget what a blessing water is for your body, water helps with digestion (while a colder climate and a stressful trip won't) . I guess I'm just doing this also as a psa for anyone stateside during this time because its getting colder out there.

being thankful

I guess I'm not as vocal as most folks when it comes to being thankful but I can assure you I am. On days like this before I go to my parents house and mix and mingle with my family I will be asked more than once How I'm doing, in situations where I mingle with my family or other folks who don't know how MS 'works' it can get frustrating. It can get frustrating being asked the same questions of  'When are you going back to work?' or being told ''but you look good'.

I try to take situations like these in stride, it's not anyones fault that they don't know (In most occasions I try to educate but once you explain it for the 8th time you get tired).

I am thankful especially this year because I feel a good moderate strength in my legs and although I did have a fall at the gym on Monday I am thankful that I can continue to build up my legs and I'm thankful that I can still use my legs (although with a cane, but still thankful!)

live to fight on!

well well well, there's no legitimate reason for my absence I guess I get caught up in mental hoopla of November but I'm glad to be back. The reason that I saw fit to blog this morning is regarding a mishap I had at the gym. My level of disability isn't extremely severe but it's severe enough that I need a cane because of my drop foot. I was at the treadmill as I usually start off my regimen I started at 3.0 at a quite brisk pace. I recently started using an older pair of sneakers because I thought they were somewhat cleaner (BIG mistake). I wasn't using common sense this morning because much like a tire gets worn or bald the same happens with sneakers, when I built up a gradual speed at one point my foot lost grip with the tread and as a result I ended up kneeling quickly and was launched backward and crashing to the ground.

worn shoes, BAD for MS

In the war against MS I have slowly been getting used to my weaknesses, I am tough and I'm used to getting scraped knees. It's now just a matter of resting and working out another day. Even though I may not like the other shoes it's important for me to switch back.

It was a valiant effort

I tried my best but at the 13 hour mark I fell victim to a bunch of airborne germs that have been festering in my house ( I ain't mad at ya honey) . Paired together with some tooth pain and I didn't see getting very far in the readathon. From hour one I was reading at a snails pace but I guess if you choose a book that has a lot of Medical terms in it then you get what you ask for. I was reminded that having MS I will more often than not have cognitive issues and in those 'cog-fog's I can only do so much. Pair that together with the cold that I have and "Boom" the wheels on my mental train of thought re: reading will fall off and I'm forced to mentally pull into the station. Well it was fun while it lasted, I wanted to thank the cheer-readers that came and visited me, I want to thank the folks that stopped by to read my thoughts on what I had to say.

As far as future participation is concerned I have some thoughts on that, I do try to do my reading in the name of Multiple Sclerosis in order to bring awareness and understanding - I mistakingly choose books sometimes that are too technical and books that I shouldn't just breeze through, If I come back next April I would like to try something that doesn't require too much understanding, perhaps a Bio/autobio? Well regardless of my future choice I'm just glad that I tried.

For my fellow MSers http://24hourreadathon.com/


For fellow readers and non-reading fans http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx

Call of Cthulu Wrap up

The Call of Cthulu in a nutshell is just a great story, like I wrote in my last post it has kind of a Radio Play feel to it,

but before I go on

Mid-Event Survey

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired? I'm ok, some minor jaw pain
2) What have you finished reading? 40% of one book** 10 % of another
3) What is your favorite read so far? The Call Of Cthulu
4) What about your favorite snacks? Chicken Wings!
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!

** having MS and wanting to spread awareness I decided on a book that I had acquired around last Christmas regarding MS and Mental Health.. It was proving to be a bit too meaty for a readathon and I think I will continue it when I can take notes

more on The Call of Cthulu

I just finished part two in The Call of Cthulu and I'm finding it a very engaging story. It's almost surreal in a sense, I can almsot see this as an old time radio show from the 1920's (the time it was written) at the same time it also reminded me of the South Park pardy of Cthulu, regardless of where your mind my wander this is definitly a story I'm enjoying (even at my leisurely pace)

New Book

 

So far juat read part one of the first story in this anthology, The Call Cthulu by HP Lovecraft! This story has it all! Horrible disfiguired monsters, cults, maniacs!! I'm intrigued to see how this turns out, For a story more than eighty years old the story is packing quite a whallop! I can say that in an era before Gene Rodenberry and way before Stephen King, Mr Lovecraft certainly knew how to tell a story

A Change in the game!

BOOK B

BOOK A

for the time being I have halted further reading of book A and heading to book B! M is for Monster, a nice way to get in the Halloween mood I think! Quick note, book A was fine but it's just making me nervous, considering it's about an immune disease that I have

I am not good with math, it'll be 4PM EST soon

I am really learning a lot here, I am about Half way into my first book (going slow because there are a lot of scientific terms and also this is a subject that involves me personally I don't want to ZIP threw it quickly)  I thought I would take a second to give a shout out to worthy information centers RE: Multiple Sclerosis

http://www.msassociation.org/?gclid=CNPHqKTf_rICFY-6zAod9HAAUw

http://erasems.org/

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx

the 6th hour ends

I hate to beat a dead horse* but.. as slow as I'm reading I am having a good time. :-) it's always helpful for me (or most people with MS)  to get a refresher on other MSers and to take a glance at their coping skills and see what lessons could be learned. Patricia Farrell has done an excellent job (thus far) of presenting the stories of different MSers and how unpredictable the disease is

*the dead horse is my unhappiness about my slow reading which is due to my MS which I am reading about funny enough

Making sense

Even though I was diagnosed with MS almost three years ago I am finding great and relevant info in my book selection Its Not All Your Head, I'm being reminded of the choices that I make and how they effect my healing and my diseases progression. Aside from the seriousness of my book selection, I am having a great readathon thus far, one thing that I've had to keep in mind is that I've felt that i read at a sluggish pace I have to remember that the "thon" isn't a race, and that my cognitive setbacks (as I'm reading in my book) effect my memory and reading retention

trudging along

ok so I am learning a lot about myself here, A major issue that MS sufferers go through is "brain fog" or a haze as I like to call it. If you had a Pac-Man like auto immune disease fighting blindly against your brain you too would have issues with short term memoru recall... Mood is another big issue

I'm having an issue posting here, I think we all broke blogger :(

I decided to come back, it is weird to read about certain situations at the same time they are effecting your reading process.. hence the title of the post, trudging along

See ya in a bit

ok so I'm in this now

Hour 1, not to shabby, I'm reading It's not all in your head. By Patricia Farrelll PHD, I know that I selected a super serious book but Multiple Sclerosis is not a subject to be taken lightly. I haven't gotten extremely far because I am 'enjoying' some of the cognitive situations that I'm readding about (not really enjoying them) but again I'm just sharing my info here today to hope to share info between my two worlds My MS world and the reading world

cutting it close

GOOD MORNING!  Time to start off on another reading adventure and I feel good, woke uwithout too many concerns, took my vitamins and I'm drinking my coffee. I'm in the process of starting and I thought I'd answer some questions!!

Introductory Questionnaire

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

1 I am from Port Saint Lucie Florida!! WOOP WOOP!
2 It's not all in your head, a book concerning MS and behavior.. deep stuff but since I have MS I wanted to start off with something close to me :)
3 lol Umm I guess my pretzels
4 well I'm running late at the moment so I'm not prompt lol
5 I wouldn't do anything differently! no regrets!!

ciao!! gotta go

I'm kind of excited in the final preps for tomorrows readathon, at the moment all that's left is final preps for some snacks and just to rest up for tomorrow. Being in a 24 readathon AND having Multiple Sclerosis isn't an easy task but I gladly participate In the name of MS Awareness and remind my fellow MSers that it's still fun to read something that isn't a computer screen, or maybe to try audiobooks. 

Participating is fun, you get to devote a huge chunk of time to shutting out noise and just diving into some good reading, After some coffee and an extra B12 pill tomorrow I should be raring to go, Having optic neuritis (or at least mild optic neuritis ) it is difficult sometimes to read  being involved in this event is really important to me, having MS - one the other issue(s) I face is cognitive, no real cure for that except maybe taking time outs and remembering that although it's supposed to be a 24 event it's not mandatory, What is important is to have fun and to try to write about it, whether on FB or your own blog.

https://www.facebook.com/readathon

http://24hourreadathon.com/

My choices for tomorrow!

OK OK I'll stop

In a strange but understandable way I have set myself up for failure, (I'll get back to that in a sec) I keep forgetting one of the biggest stumbling blocks with my MS involves my mood (really for most of us or at least some of us), With the current atmosphere on TV, the Internet, and all around us it seems that a lot of folks are getting really charged up politically. I have tried not to get too judgemental here (at least on this  blog. my Facebook page is another story) I continue to harp on this - I KNOW but I'm addressing it because I forget that MS controls my mood at times, this has to be pretty strong actually because I'm on Celexa and I still feel my attitude and mood shift at times.

ok I'm a bad actor, I'm supposed to be a hot head

For me I don't believe it's a questiuon of dosage, my meds are working just fine I think, on the onset of my initial MS diagnosis I was extremely sad (for a few days BEFORE the diagnosis) and I couldn't stop, the Celexa mutes at the depression but sometimes the severe political... Angst seeps through and I believe in doing so I alienate friends (on FB) and potential friends here. So, even though it's a personal opinion situation I am ceasing hostilites for the time being. Of course the internet being what it is I reserve the right to do as I please but the emphasis is still there on the stepping down .

My Readathon Quandary!

Tomorrow is Can Do MS day and I decided to pick my book (books) for next months Readathon, it may seem trivial to some but it is something for me to take into consideration. In past readathons I've read both fiction and nonfiction, what I'm stuck on is IF I dedicate my time to a nonFiction MS book then I don't want to make the mistake of buzzing through the book too quickly, and since I'm dedicating my time on behald of Multiple Sclerosis and MS Advocacy I always question whether I shouldn't be reading an MS focused book. 

Right now as it stands there are two particular books that are leading the race

It's Not All in Your Head by Patricia Farrell PHD

it's common for MSers and to experience a wide array of issues and Dr Farrell deals with these issues in her book 

(please be aware that since I'm deciding which books to read that I haven't READ them yet)

and M is for Monster a Modern Bestiary of Classic Monsters

and just in time for Halloween a true scare fest!!

so far these books are leading the pack, eventual back-ups to these books include books by Palahniuk (which I have a few which I haven't cracked yet) and in a not so distant third place is

11/22/63 an imaginative story set a midst the tumult of the Kennedy Assassination with a fictional story as the main focus.

I invite any input by fellow MSers or fellow Bibliophiles, my intended Readathon is on October 13th   

Learn more here

Deweys 24 Hour Readathon  

NMSS

A funk or a rutt?

I've been in kind of a funk of indeterminate origin, I don't know if it's MS related or if the upcoming election is just getting to me. From the start of my morning , I listen to NPR but to placate my father I put on his Cuban talk radio which consists of elderly Floridian-Cubans nagging and yelling about the president. After that I sort through postings through Facebook.... I think I just solved my own problem, most of my "Facebook-ing" was supposed to be solely MS related or at the most Cat-meme related. Being an MSer and a one-time advocate (I gave up on that because I'm just too opinionated) I admit that I got too caught up in why I hate Romney and stopped talking about the MS nation in general.

UPDATE!

Ok, I'm proud to report that I am AOK and alive. As evidenced by my lack of posts I had a very VERY lazy August. One bright spot is I did a little post for Erase MS a few weeks ago regarding the readathon that I like to participate in and I am happy to say that the readathon is back for October. On October 13th Deweys 24 hour readathon is back, it isn't necessary to do the whole thing but it's fun to try. I do my part in the readathon to raise Multiple sclerosis awareness, it's quite a feat considering that I have cognitive issues and I can have minor vision issues related to fatigue. Nothing should be impossible so I will be doing my part to SAFELY bring MS awareness and remind MSers to not be scared of books! I invite you to check them out here Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon!

Saladjunkie

I always try to keep an eye towards what I eat, sometimes I do a good job sometimes not so good. Lately though I've been trying to go big on my salad intake

Although it's probably a lazy way to go about it I've really been enjoying the salad mix bags that come pre-chopped. They really are convenient especially since I don't have to spend all that time chopping and whatnot. In a typical week I can go through about two bags just by myself, it's a great thing not from a nutrition aspect but also in a umm... "roughage" standpoint. Like most MSers my digestion is not always my best friend so I take any help where I can get it.

Update 7/23

I neglected to mention in my last post (but it was probably obvious) I have a new laptop, it feels great to not burn my legs while I try to balance that heavy dinasour. I also made some cosmetic changes to the page, as well as launched my own Youtube channel 

in addition

sometimes I struggle with typing here because my thoughts are all over the place. Like some MSers I have cognitive setbacks so I figured I can speak on a video blog (Vlog). It may come back to get me in the end if I can't speak my thoughts in a clear consistent manner. Well I gave it a try, since this was my first time I took it as an opportunity to introduce myself. Vlog thru Youtube My intention is to share more through Youtube, both info and some humor (if I can manage that)

Ugh well, what can I do

My laptop shut itself off about 4 times today- Well I guess it's a good thing that I'm not one for words because starting this afternoon I am doing this off of my phone ONLY - my laptop is old and was a hand me down from some friends.. Laptops might be cheap but having MS and being on a budget the laptop might as well cost a million dollars /:- l .. So as any MSer does I adapt it, it may not be great but at least I got something..

Steady as she goes

For me, the mantra for this upcoming week will be steady as she goes. As I previously posted I took a spill a few days ago, I fell just to the side of my tailbone - I'm not in a tremendous amount of pain and although I did not see a doctor I know that I have to try to stay off my tuchus which is easier said then done when you're disabled. I've kind of been experimenting with a sideways sit (one cheek higher than the other but when all else fails I retreat to the bedroom to laydown (sideways). Nothing is impossible just have to try to tweak my upcoming workout routine for this week. Instead of sitting at the stationary bike after I get off the treadmill I'll be staying on the treadmill longer at a slower speed in order to not burn out. The Raccounters "steady as she goes"

Status Update 7/3

working backwards from this posting time, I fell in my kitchen, fell backwards right on my ass, fell HARD on my ass, it's a good thing that I have cushion back there. It wasn't like one of my typical falls, my legs didn't get caught up in something and I didn't trip- it was more of your classic feeling like you just got unplugged so your standing-up power was taken away. Before that, this afternoon my neighborhood had some strong wind gusts that knocked down some power lines. I endured at home for about an hour before the heat forced me to find a better environment. Fast forward to two hours later and the power was finally restored. Aside from my butt pain I feel sluggish, my main priority is to hydrate for my Tysabri infusion on Friday. and WAY before the blackout I was trying to look into my web cam difficulties no luck just yet.

branching out

well, this may be a weak effort right now, kind of amateurish but I would like to try some Vlogging along with this main blog to try to spread the news about MS and MS centered ideas as I see them this laptop doesn't have a webcam and my wife's laptop needs some updating for the webcam to work on youtube so I used my phone, not to bad I think.


my first and brief Vlog

or if that doesn't want to work for you, Youtube access

Life Update ... me just complaining 6/24

I'm doing my darnedest to be motivated, this weekend seems to be a wash literally my area in Florida is getting the tail end of a Tropical Storm that was forecast to go toward Texas but seems to be camping out close-by. I'm still recovering from what I initially thought was a fall but when I thought about it a bit harder turned out to be me tripping over my untied shoes (at the gym). Aside from my ego I received a bruise on my left knee, I have to remember to get myself some Velcro strap shoes. Aside from that I was in talks to be part of a panel on Wegohealth.com, at least I thought I was, I haven't heard back from the coordinator, I think it would be interesting to share info, I've joined their web-community but I really haven't made friends- meh, all in a days work for a grumpy MSer

M.S is B.S

So not more than 10 minutes ago I found out that Jack Osbourne has Multiple Sclerosis, it's rather devastating news for him and his family (especially since he recently became a father) I wish him and his family nothing but the best. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that attacks the central nervous system I was diagnosed in January of 2010 and I try my best to educate and share info where I can. It's rather unfortunate that it's usually at moments like these but that's just how MS is, Multiple Sclerosis doesn't care that it leaves most people unemployed and unable to work, it doesn't care that you need to be able to see and it doesn't care that you would like to walk thirty or even three feet and not look like you're drunk. But the attitude that I've tried to adopt (sometimes stronger sometimes weaker) is that this disease will not have ME I will destroy MS and show it that I WILL NOT BE IT'S BITCH! it helps to see passed the setback or tragedy.

in this scenario I or the MSer is the bunny and MS or Multiple Sclerosis is the wolf
well the idea is more about the attitude that one should have about it anyway.

My complacency will be my undoing

All kidding aside, having MS is quite serious so I often try to break up the monotony with some fun. As with any situation were you have to rely on assistance devices be they animal, canes, walkers, etc; there comes a point for many when the mind forgets about certain setbacks. In my case I use a cane, I'm quite thankful that I have gotten as far as I have with assistance but I usually forget and just start walking UNassisted . I mention this because walking unassisted can be quite dangerous (as I very well know). Falling is quite common with folks who have MS and falling becomes more prevalent when someone is unassisted (it can even happen WHEN assisted, MS balance is tricky that way). Just a few moments ago I tried to take just eight steps (all it takes is one step to fall) well needless to say I fell right after the fourth step. This situation could have been avoided if I A. used my cane and B. cleared up some of the floor clutter/obstacles that I've laid out for myself. I'm quite lucky that I only suffered minor VERY minor carpet rash on the palm of my left hand, in other circumstances that could have turned into a fracture or a sprain. My sort of laziness may not be common among other MSers (I'm hoping) but I bet that another person out there IS. Aside from my rashy palm the other casualty was a spray bottle that we use to discipline the cats.

this is a stock photo, I don't spray
my cats with green liquid 

the further adventures of Cog Fog Man!!

I have been enjoying a non-dramatic week, no negative things to report, the only thing that I thought I'd mention  was, I went to the Panera Bread shop to enjoy a chat with my mother, when it was my time to order - for the life of me I couldn't remember the words CINNAMON ROLL, of course it just serves as an example of what Multiple Sclerosis does to us. Regardless of how hard we try we cannot escape stumbling with our words. Thankfully the attendant was able to piece together what I was trying to say.

a sort of meh feeling

lately I've been having a sort of disconnected feeling, disconnected socially because I'm still in the process of whittling down my FB friends and at the same time I took a look at folks who used to be my friends by their undoing. I harbor no grudges I thought I'd try to address the latter with my audience. I'm not saying that folks who know me have unfriended me because of my MS per se, I always assume that most folks unfriend me because I always post about my political views and most have an opposing views. Aside from that Does anyone out there believe they might have been "unfriended" or just avoided by your friend(s) after you were diagnosed with MS?

My new War!

My last infusion that was twelve days ago and I'm feeling good for the most part except for a anti-social fit that I had this week. I'm considering deleting my second profile on Facebook because it's more trouble than it's worth. I made that profile to learn and to share information, now it seems that all that happens is I see people denigrating my treatment choice. I take it personally because Tysabri is seen by many as being dangerous because it carries the extra risk of PML Progressive Multifocal Leukoenephalopathy. It's an extra burden that I'm willing to risk it because even after twenty two infusions I FEEL GREAT! I had my little fit because it seems to me that the biggest opponents of my treatment are believers of the liberation treatment or CCSVI. It's very disheartening to me at times but I try to look beyond it. I'm not against any treatment but I come to realize that people will still have their opinions- hence my dilemma. My concentration has been further blurred on FB by OTHER causes, although very worthwhile it has shifted my focus from what I'd made the profile for, no more craziness. Make of this what you will, I'm not trying to argue I'm just tired of bullshit

minor bump

bruised toes

last Friday before my infusion I had a minor fall in my living room, I hooked my long monkey toe around my cane (which was tucked to the side of the couch) I couldn't disengage my toe quick enough and I fell. No big whoop but I thought I'd mention it anyway. My big toe is a bit swollen and I'm just mad because I have to sit out from going to the gym for at least a few days. I might have perfected my falling technique but going to the gym on an unbalanced foot is not worth it.

my monkey toes

it may not be too visible but theres a bruise there

Disabled in the Kingdom

not exactly like the Disney scooter but close enough

My wife and I decided to to accept an invitation to accompany some friends to the Walt Disney theme parks. I have visited the parks ( Magic Kingdom & Epcot ) twice before but I hadn't been to the parks since I became disabled. I knew little of what was in store, I had an inkling that I would be using a mobility scooter, costly as it was it was a life saver. As I have mentioned here before I have always had a love of walking around and sometimes just walking endlessly, Disney without a scooter would have been my undoing so I'm really glad that we went ahead and got it. Along with the scooter I also signed up for a guest assistance card in order to circumvent the long lines, having Multiple sclerosis I am sensitive to prolonged heat. Most rides entrances cannot accommodate the size of the scooter so plan accordingly, thankfully there are plenty of areas to park the scooters and luckily my cane came in handy to help me mosey to and from the scooter.

I have to say that I am impressed with the care that I received from the cast members, and for the most part my fellow guests were accommodating as well (most people see a big guy in a scooter and assume he's just being lazy, I think having my cane and AFO helped). Being disabled shouldn't stop anyone's fun, I am glad that the Disney Corp is so accommodating.

Loss

Adam Nathaniel Yauch (August 5, 1964 – May 4, 2012

On Friday May 4th the artist known as "MCA" Adam Yauch passed away at the age of 47. This is truly a devastating loss for not only the music and Hip-Hop industry but for humanity in general. I remember my brother buying the LP for "Licensed to Ill" in 1986 and we would bounce around our bedroom pretending to rap for what seemed like hours, "(You gotta) Fight for your right to Party" seemed like the best idea I'd ever heard, I was ten at the time and didn't know what they truly meant but you can't argue with wanting to have fun. With the progression of time came newer releases "Paul's Boutique" "Check your head""Ill Communication", the guys grew as artists and grew away from the personas that were mostly manufactured by Rick Rubin. They were becoming husbands and fathers, and in the case of Adam Yauch humanitarian. I mourn the loss of having him be part of this world, but moreover I celebrate him. In all of the songs that I've heard from them I never heard negativity, never heard of killing people. All I ever heard was of having fun, of dancing.

AWARENESS!

With the passing yesterday of Junior Seau I thought I would again bring up a subject that is very important, Suicide Awareness. Having Multiple Sclerosis the subject of brain issues (which is a possible element to Mr. Seau's passing) is obviously something I can relate to. In my case and the case of many MSers the issue at hand involves depression and how it can effect us and hinder us. I say with all respect to Mr Seau, his family, his friends and fans, but this is an excellent opportunity to shine a light on a serious matter. No one should suffer in silence, regardless of the issue, mine is MS but there are countless others that aren't physical health issues such as those that effect service personnel. I shared last year about actor Michael Showers who apparently took his life shortly after he was diagnosed with MS, I didn't know Mr. Showers personally but I know plenty of other MSers. I can say that having (or knowing) people in the same situation is great because it serves as a great support system. You are not alone 1-800-273-TALK or you can message me if you need to talk, I am NOT a pro, but I can listen. 

todays workout

Most of lifes obstacles NEED to be overcome, MS is no different. I should preface that with if it's possible to overcome an obstacle in MS I think you should try to do so. At this time last year I was in the process of joining a gym because I was discharged from outpatient physical therapy. Upon starting at the gym I gauged my comfort level on certain machines since the gym didn't have the same machines as the phys. therapy office.

the treadmill in my gym is similar to this one but has a longer plastic  "handlebar" area to grab  onto

One machine that has turned into a necessity is the treadmill, at the gym my first few weeks I hovered around a 1.5, eventually I was able to progress to a 2.0 for an average of a 10 minute walk. These past few weeks I've been gauging my strength and endurance during my treadmill time and progressed to 2.1 and eventually 2.4, when doing all this I keep the emergency stop with arms length because I have also been increasing my walking time to 20 minutes. So far so good, I'm thankful that I haven't had a relapse or  had any other complications. Today I did a good 20 minutes at 2.4 and walked for .78 of a mile. I'm not a math wiz so I don't know exactly what the 2.4 translates into a per hour ratio but I know I feel great. While I do all of this it is important to note that sometimes dial down the treadmill speed to compensate for my dropfoot.