I've been tracking my stats this month.
Here's my first month's totals
Swimming:2100 yd
Running: 14.98 miles
Biking: 110 miles
Something to go by for June!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Riding the Red Clay Roller Coaster
Fats is PHAT!
Riding FATS today was a great experience. Amazingly fast and smooth compared to anything I've ever ridden. I had to force myself to hold back, so as not to get the Monty Jinx, and be able to make my date tonight with Amy. Even though I tried to stay Earth bound, several times I found my wheels escaping Sumter National Forest's red clay terrain.
First ten miles was loads of rollin', rockin', high speed fun. I learned a lot about conserving and producing speed without using my pedals. New experience. My back actually is more sore than my legs from all the pumping I did all morning. I was out of the saddle as much as I was in it. Different than how I normally ride.
After a quick stop, the second 5 miles started to get harder. My back tightened up big time, and I started to loose speed. The humps were harder to ride seated than standing. Lost a lot of momentum.
The last 5 miles were a total blur. I completely lost track of what trail I was even riding. At one point I thougt I was still riding the second loop at FATS. Having never ridden that far before, my body started doing strange things. Losing complete trust in my riding ability, I was forced to slow even further to eliminate the chance of jumping off the trail into oblivion.
I actually had to get off the bike, and walk a few times the last mile, since any uphill at all was beyond what my brain to handle. I seemed to have some kick left, but the ol' noodle was unreceptive to any idea of cranking out extra power to crest even the slightest mound in my way. Sadly, I walked up to a waiting Jason with only .3 miles left for the day.
I loved the ride completely. I drank my entire water bladder, and a bottle of Gatorade. More fluid than I have ever consumed riding. I also discovered a great need for actual riding shorts, and a pair of gloves. I wore my skin out in several places, if you catch my drift.
I hope I didn't hold J-Man up to much today. I can't wait to go back.
Stats:
Total Time: 2:41
Riding Time:2:11
Zone Time: 1:32
Avg HR: 151 bpm
Max HR: 175 bpm
Cals. Burned: 2294
Avg. Speed: 9.07 mph
Max Speed: 17.55 mph
Total Distance: 19.96 miles
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Whipped!
Upcoming: If my body is willing, a run of Sunday
Riding FATS today was a great experience. Amazingly fast and smooth compared to anything I've ever ridden. I had to force myself to hold back, so as not to get the Monty Jinx, and be able to make my date tonight with Amy. Even though I tried to stay Earth bound, several times I found my wheels escaping Sumter National Forest's red clay terrain.
First ten miles was loads of rollin', rockin', high speed fun. I learned a lot about conserving and producing speed without using my pedals. New experience. My back actually is more sore than my legs from all the pumping I did all morning. I was out of the saddle as much as I was in it. Different than how I normally ride.
After a quick stop, the second 5 miles started to get harder. My back tightened up big time, and I started to loose speed. The humps were harder to ride seated than standing. Lost a lot of momentum.
The last 5 miles were a total blur. I completely lost track of what trail I was even riding. At one point I thougt I was still riding the second loop at FATS. Having never ridden that far before, my body started doing strange things. Losing complete trust in my riding ability, I was forced to slow even further to eliminate the chance of jumping off the trail into oblivion.
I actually had to get off the bike, and walk a few times the last mile, since any uphill at all was beyond what my brain to handle. I seemed to have some kick left, but the ol' noodle was unreceptive to any idea of cranking out extra power to crest even the slightest mound in my way. Sadly, I walked up to a waiting Jason with only .3 miles left for the day.
I loved the ride completely. I drank my entire water bladder, and a bottle of Gatorade. More fluid than I have ever consumed riding. I also discovered a great need for actual riding shorts, and a pair of gloves. I wore my skin out in several places, if you catch my drift.
I hope I didn't hold J-Man up to much today. I can't wait to go back.
Stats:
Total Time: 2:41
Riding Time:2:11
Zone Time: 1:32
Avg HR: 151 bpm
Max HR: 175 bpm
Cals. Burned: 2294
Avg. Speed: 9.07 mph
Max Speed: 17.55 mph
Total Distance: 19.96 miles
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Whipped!
Upcoming: If my body is willing, a run of Sunday
Friday, May 30, 2008
Resting... Resting... Resting...
Spent the night getting ready for FATS.
Hooked up the new bike computer. Broke the first rubber thingy getting it on, and had to improvise (You were right J). Spent an hour getting the stupid magnets close enough together, and then measured the wheel to make sure he whole thing is ready to go.
Packed up for a big ride. I am so excited. This will be my longest ride yet on the new wheels, and I am stoked to see what I can do. I will come fully equipped for a full scientific review.
Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary, and I will be riding. I hope this does not get me in trouble. On a good note: I have an actual date planned for the evening to celebrate with Amy, so that should help.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Double the Pleasure
I wanted to try and double up tonight to gain in my efforts to train for a Triathlon.
Started with a Spin Class at the Y, and Wendy, the instructor, had revamped her workout. She added a much faster pace for her 8,4,2's song (Don't ask!). Also, she upped the big climb, and moved it to the end of the workout.
I was tight at first from the riding last night, and I was off my pace for the first 10 minutes, however, after that, my body rebounded for a strong middle and finish. Rode like heck, and could've gone higher, but held off for the second round to follow in the pool. The 8,4,2's song about killed me, and the steep climb at the end was rough as well, but I liked the changes overall.
After the ride, I showered and changed, and off I went to the pool. I swam a 600m workout. Started with 100m of warm up (All Crawl), then paced through 100m of kickboard, right only, left only, and a paddle swim. I finished with 100m of crawl, and timed my laps. I made the swim under 2 minutes, so now I have a benchmark to go by. I felt great in the pool, and finished strong. My shoulders felt great, and my stroke was smooth (for me!). My kick is coming along, but still weak.
I was too nervous to take the HR monitor in the pool, so I only have spin stats. Note: I turned the monitor on as soon as I got on the bike. Pedaled about 5 minutes before starting the class, so avg HR is likely low.
Spin Stats:
Total Time: 1:07:41
Zone Time: 00:40:44
Avg. HR: 134 bpm
Max HR: 172 bpm
Cals.: 771
Next Goal: Swim 500m (Getting closer!)
Current Status: Psyched about the double
Upcoming: Rest Night to get ready for FATS on Saturday
Started with a Spin Class at the Y, and Wendy, the instructor, had revamped her workout. She added a much faster pace for her 8,4,2's song (Don't ask!). Also, she upped the big climb, and moved it to the end of the workout.
I was tight at first from the riding last night, and I was off my pace for the first 10 minutes, however, after that, my body rebounded for a strong middle and finish. Rode like heck, and could've gone higher, but held off for the second round to follow in the pool. The 8,4,2's song about killed me, and the steep climb at the end was rough as well, but I liked the changes overall.
After the ride, I showered and changed, and off I went to the pool. I swam a 600m workout. Started with 100m of warm up (All Crawl), then paced through 100m of kickboard, right only, left only, and a paddle swim. I finished with 100m of crawl, and timed my laps. I made the swim under 2 minutes, so now I have a benchmark to go by. I felt great in the pool, and finished strong. My shoulders felt great, and my stroke was smooth (for me!). My kick is coming along, but still weak.
I was too nervous to take the HR monitor in the pool, so I only have spin stats. Note: I turned the monitor on as soon as I got on the bike. Pedaled about 5 minutes before starting the class, so avg HR is likely low.
Spin Stats:
Total Time: 1:07:41
Zone Time: 00:40:44
Avg. HR: 134 bpm
Max HR: 172 bpm
Cals.: 771
Next Goal: Swim 500m (Getting closer!)
Current Status: Psyched about the double
Upcoming: Rest Night to get ready for FATS on Saturday
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A New Toy Tested
I had planned on riding at Harbi tonight, but after hearing from Jason about likely storms, I revamped my plans. Since I was able to get home earlier with no tutoring in the schedule, I talked Amy into taking me to get a HR monitor (Birthday Present). Of course, now that I had a new toy, I had to test it out.
Off I went in to the Land of Y to weight train and work a 45 min training bike session. The weight training was labored at best. Not very enjoyable. This may be due to the fact that the weight scale that I stood on right before starting, showed several added pounds from a weekend at the beach, I guess! What the heck!!
Did the usual weight thing. Must add that I hate doing crunches or any ab work. This might explain my stubborn belly, however, I worked this area harder than any other. Yet, still I hate crunches.
Between weights and biking, I met a guy that is training for his first triathlon as well. He's been on it for 4 months, and will do his first next month at the Tri the Midlands in Lake Carolina. I had thought about doing this as well, but with lagging water skills, I have postponed my first triathlon. The dude tore it up on a bike and run in the wellness center, and he said he'd swum as well for a full tri tonight. He was in amazing shape, and I found it a tad intimidating to think we both are starting Triathlons. He's way above my ability right now, but I did feel better when he added that he to struggled with swimming at first, and just about sucked at it as bad as I do now. So, that was good news.
On the bike, I felt great, and pushed it hard to get some feedback using the HR machine. I saw a few times when the watch lost signal so my final stats are a bit off (I think they should be higher).
Stats:
Time = 45:00
Total Distance = 12.3 miles
Avg. Speed = 16.4 mph
Avg HR = 134 (Low in my opinion)
Max HR = 158
Time in Zone = 36:58 (Low in my opinion)
Cals. Burned = 494 (Low in my opinion)
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Left Shin feeling better, Left Knee on ice
Upcoming: Hopefully a Spin Class and maybe a swim too!
Non-Sequitor Note:
Fav. Daddy Moment of the Day: Looking one way while walking in Target, my mind in a fog, and feeling my son's had slip into mine. Instant Happiness!
Off I went in to the Land of Y to weight train and work a 45 min training bike session. The weight training was labored at best. Not very enjoyable. This may be due to the fact that the weight scale that I stood on right before starting, showed several added pounds from a weekend at the beach, I guess! What the heck!!
Did the usual weight thing. Must add that I hate doing crunches or any ab work. This might explain my stubborn belly, however, I worked this area harder than any other. Yet, still I hate crunches.
Between weights and biking, I met a guy that is training for his first triathlon as well. He's been on it for 4 months, and will do his first next month at the Tri the Midlands in Lake Carolina. I had thought about doing this as well, but with lagging water skills, I have postponed my first triathlon. The dude tore it up on a bike and run in the wellness center, and he said he'd swum as well for a full tri tonight. He was in amazing shape, and I found it a tad intimidating to think we both are starting Triathlons. He's way above my ability right now, but I did feel better when he added that he to struggled with swimming at first, and just about sucked at it as bad as I do now. So, that was good news.
On the bike, I felt great, and pushed it hard to get some feedback using the HR machine. I saw a few times when the watch lost signal so my final stats are a bit off (I think they should be higher).
Stats:
Time = 45:00
Total Distance = 12.3 miles
Avg. Speed = 16.4 mph
Avg HR = 134 (Low in my opinion)
Max HR = 158
Time in Zone = 36:58 (Low in my opinion)
Cals. Burned = 494 (Low in my opinion)
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Left Shin feeling better, Left Knee on ice
Upcoming: Hopefully a Spin Class and maybe a swim too!
Non-Sequitor Note:
Fav. Daddy Moment of the Day: Looking one way while walking in Target, my mind in a fog, and feeling my son's had slip into mine. Instant Happiness!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Surfside 4 Miler
Ran at the beach again this morning. I planned to run yesterday, but things got busy, and I was only able to fit in a few minutes of tennis with Amy, during the boys' nap.
This morning, Amy, Becky and I ran the loop we invented earlier in the week. I decided to stretch the loop out and try to go twice. The complete run was about 4 miles, the most I've run to date.
I wanted to challenge by putting up more miles, since running a 12K is in the plans for the Fall. I definetly felt the effect of added miles. My left shin splint came back, my left toe is sore, and when I finished running I felt worn out from head to toe. This was the first time my upper body was sore afer running.
I think the shin splints are from running twice at the beach with only a day of rest. Lately, I have been cross-training more. The added miles aggravated my shin, too. I plan to cut running out the rest of this week, and I'm looking at altering my run training. I saw some plans that cut down miles in a week, but add sprnts instead.
My left toe is probably strained from walking on the sandy beach yesterday. I recall slipping in the sand, while walking over a dune, and my left toe kept me upright. I felt a twinge, which I believe I aggravated running today. Sad injury story, huh.
Well, I hope my training blog stops becoming an injury blog. Writing about these silly injuries is annoying, but they do hold me bacl from what I want to accomplish.
Here's a map of my run:
Next Goal: Swim 5oom
Current Status: Sore Left Toe, Sore Left Shin, Sore Left Knee
Upcoming: Big Field Trip at school to the beach, likely no workout :(
This morning, Amy, Becky and I ran the loop we invented earlier in the week. I decided to stretch the loop out and try to go twice. The complete run was about 4 miles, the most I've run to date.
I wanted to challenge by putting up more miles, since running a 12K is in the plans for the Fall. I definetly felt the effect of added miles. My left shin splint came back, my left toe is sore, and when I finished running I felt worn out from head to toe. This was the first time my upper body was sore afer running.
I think the shin splints are from running twice at the beach with only a day of rest. Lately, I have been cross-training more. The added miles aggravated my shin, too. I plan to cut running out the rest of this week, and I'm looking at altering my run training. I saw some plans that cut down miles in a week, but add sprnts instead.
My left toe is probably strained from walking on the sandy beach yesterday. I recall slipping in the sand, while walking over a dune, and my left toe kept me upright. I felt a twinge, which I believe I aggravated running today. Sad injury story, huh.
Well, I hope my training blog stops becoming an injury blog. Writing about these silly injuries is annoying, but they do hold me bacl from what I want to accomplish.
Here's a map of my run:
Next Goal: Swim 5oom
Current Status: Sore Left Toe, Sore Left Shin, Sore Left Knee
Upcoming: Big Field Trip at school to the beach, likely no workout :(
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Surfside Run
I'm at Surfside for the Weekend, and went on a morning run.
Took Amy and Becky, her sister, with me.
We went 2 miles and I forgot to time it! Fun run. I will probably go longer tomorrow.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Ready for the Beach
Upcoming: More Miles tomorrow
Took Amy and Becky, her sister, with me.
We went 2 miles and I forgot to time it! Fun run. I will probably go longer tomorrow.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Ready for the Beach
Upcoming: More Miles tomorrow
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Running with My Spouse
My Mother' Day gift to my wife this year was a new pair of running shoes. We wanted to buy them from Strictly Running, since I have loved my pair. Tonight was our first chance to head into town to buy them.
So, tonight became a Home Course Run with the Wife. Amy wanted to try out her new kicks, and I was looking forward to a running partner. I have read that no one should train and run strictly solo, and after tonight I agree.
Usually running at night is a solitary thing, which is fine, but having Amy with me tonight was comforting. We have both been working hard at getting into better shape. We have both been training consistently at the Y. We have both made running 5Ks a goal for the year. It has been about 6 months since our commitment, and tonight was special for me, because as Amy bounced along beside me, I thought about how much we've changed since December.
We ran for about 28 minutes covering 2 laps of the lake for about 3 miles of training. Amy wanted to work on running hills, which she feels hurt her in the last race, so tonight was a new challenge for her. We started off at an easy pace for the first lap, but I could tell my wife's competitive edge was kicking in the second time around, when the pace quickened.
I was happy just cruising along for a nice easy jog tonight, but that changed in the hilly back section of our second lap. Amy's Be-Boppin' Bouncin' style of running started picking up. Soon I had a hard time even keeping up. I wasn't mentally planning on pushing it, and now I was tailing behind at times by a couple of strides.
Of course, I wasn't going to let her beat me.
My competitive edge took over, and I made sure to keep shoulder to shoulder the rest of the way around.
However, as the last minute of our program chimed in across our headsets, we both took off. Knowing what the other was planning, we both laughed, realizing the nice easy stroll was no longer an option.
It was officially on.
Stretching my gait into a sprint, pushing my hips forward to maximixe form, and straightening up to pull in extra O2, I pushed into the red zone and barely kept up.
My entry stops there.
You'll have to conclude this one on your own.
I will say this running with your spouse is fun, but hazardous to your ego.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Fullfilled
Upcoming: Busy Schedule will demand a day of rest. Heading to the Beach for the weekend, so I will likely take off from training until Saturday.
So, tonight became a Home Course Run with the Wife. Amy wanted to try out her new kicks, and I was looking forward to a running partner. I have read that no one should train and run strictly solo, and after tonight I agree.
Usually running at night is a solitary thing, which is fine, but having Amy with me tonight was comforting. We have both been working hard at getting into better shape. We have both been training consistently at the Y. We have both made running 5Ks a goal for the year. It has been about 6 months since our commitment, and tonight was special for me, because as Amy bounced along beside me, I thought about how much we've changed since December.
We ran for about 28 minutes covering 2 laps of the lake for about 3 miles of training. Amy wanted to work on running hills, which she feels hurt her in the last race, so tonight was a new challenge for her. We started off at an easy pace for the first lap, but I could tell my wife's competitive edge was kicking in the second time around, when the pace quickened.
I was happy just cruising along for a nice easy jog tonight, but that changed in the hilly back section of our second lap. Amy's Be-Boppin' Bouncin' style of running started picking up. Soon I had a hard time even keeping up. I wasn't mentally planning on pushing it, and now I was tailing behind at times by a couple of strides.
Of course, I wasn't going to let her beat me.
My competitive edge took over, and I made sure to keep shoulder to shoulder the rest of the way around.
However, as the last minute of our program chimed in across our headsets, we both took off. Knowing what the other was planning, we both laughed, realizing the nice easy stroll was no longer an option.
It was officially on.
Stretching my gait into a sprint, pushing my hips forward to maximixe form, and straightening up to pull in extra O2, I pushed into the red zone and barely kept up.
My entry stops there.
You'll have to conclude this one on your own.
I will say this running with your spouse is fun, but hazardous to your ego.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Fullfilled
Upcoming: Busy Schedule will demand a day of rest. Heading to the Beach for the weekend, so I will likely take off from training until Saturday.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Birthday Spin
Celebrated my birthday with a spin class tonight!
Yeah, that's right! No fancy dinner or party. I had more fun sweatin' it out in a room full of folks I barely know.
Not much to report, but tonight's spin class was extra difficult. Some triatheletes were in the class tonight, and I think the instructor kicked it up a notch to impress them. Because I'm 35 today, I really pushed hard, and made tonight extra difficult.
Talked with the instructor after class, and got some good ideas for the pool. She's a great swimmer, and offered some advice. I will adjust my stroke a bit, and use the hand-paddles more.
Ate some cake that Bobby and Joey made for me when I got home. This was very sweet of them, but eating gooey chocolate cake on an empty stomache after burning 900 or so calories in under an hour is not recommended.
Gut Buster!
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Intestinally challenged
Upcoming: Swim or run (Depends on Amy's schedule)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Workout Addiction ???
Great workout tonight.
Also, I may be getting addicted to training.
All I could think about today at school was getting home, and getting to the Y. I felt like crap all day. My allergies may be a cold instead, and I felt drained and achy at lunch and didn't eat.
However, when I got to the Y tonight, all of that went away. Immediately, I was more energized, and the swampy feeling that engulfed me all day was gone.
I started with some weight training: Lots of abs (crunches, situps, etc), and the regular exercises for arms, shoulders, and back. Also, since Amy's Dad was there, I had someone to spot me, so I did some free-weight bench presses. The last time I benched about a month ago, I could barely push a set of thirty-fives for 8 reps. Tonight, I pushed the same weight for an initial set of 10 reps, and followed that with 40 pounds on each end with a set of 8 reps.
Not incredible weight or anything, but I felt great seeing a quantitative change in such a short amount of time. I figure I was benching around 115 lbs tonight. Someday, I'd like to be able to bench my weight. As Amy pointed out, I could either loose lots more weight or get stronger. Probably I will end up with a combination of both.
After the training session upstairs, I went down to the pool. Tonight's swim workout included: 100m of warm up switching between the crawl and breaststroke wihout rest, 100m of kickboarding, 100m of left arm, 100m of right arm, 100m of crawl with leg floats, and 100m of mixed crawl and breastroke without rest to finish for a total of 500m of work.
My form and style felt much improved tonight, but for some reason, my breathing was more labored. When I swam the 100s without rest, both times my lungs started burning for more air that I could not get in. My asthma is acting up tonight as well, so I think this is related to the allergies/ cold I'm experiencing. If I can get the breathing worked out, I will change up the swim workout to include longer swims without rest.
On the way out the Y tonight, I felt great as I realized my body was spent. From head to toe, my muscles felt well-used, but not tight or over-strained. Walking to the car was an effort that required thought. Picking up my arms to put my son in the car took real effort. Strange how great that feeling can be.
Next Goal: Swim 500m without rest
Current Status: Wishing I had Greg LeMond's Lungs
Upcoming: Tuesday night Spin Class.
Update: I almost forgot! Tomorrow is my 35 Birthday. In some races, that means a new age group!
Also, I may be getting addicted to training.
All I could think about today at school was getting home, and getting to the Y. I felt like crap all day. My allergies may be a cold instead, and I felt drained and achy at lunch and didn't eat.
However, when I got to the Y tonight, all of that went away. Immediately, I was more energized, and the swampy feeling that engulfed me all day was gone.
I started with some weight training: Lots of abs (crunches, situps, etc), and the regular exercises for arms, shoulders, and back. Also, since Amy's Dad was there, I had someone to spot me, so I did some free-weight bench presses. The last time I benched about a month ago, I could barely push a set of thirty-fives for 8 reps. Tonight, I pushed the same weight for an initial set of 10 reps, and followed that with 40 pounds on each end with a set of 8 reps.
Not incredible weight or anything, but I felt great seeing a quantitative change in such a short amount of time. I figure I was benching around 115 lbs tonight. Someday, I'd like to be able to bench my weight. As Amy pointed out, I could either loose lots more weight or get stronger. Probably I will end up with a combination of both.
After the training session upstairs, I went down to the pool. Tonight's swim workout included: 100m of warm up switching between the crawl and breaststroke wihout rest, 100m of kickboarding, 100m of left arm, 100m of right arm, 100m of crawl with leg floats, and 100m of mixed crawl and breastroke without rest to finish for a total of 500m of work.
My form and style felt much improved tonight, but for some reason, my breathing was more labored. When I swam the 100s without rest, both times my lungs started burning for more air that I could not get in. My asthma is acting up tonight as well, so I think this is related to the allergies/ cold I'm experiencing. If I can get the breathing worked out, I will change up the swim workout to include longer swims without rest.
On the way out the Y tonight, I felt great as I realized my body was spent. From head to toe, my muscles felt well-used, but not tight or over-strained. Walking to the car was an effort that required thought. Picking up my arms to put my son in the car took real effort. Strange how great that feeling can be.
Next Goal: Swim 500m without rest
Current Status: Wishing I had Greg LeMond's Lungs
Upcoming: Tuesday night Spin Class.
Update: I almost forgot! Tomorrow is my 35 Birthday. In some races, that means a new age group!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Dropping the Canine Hammer!
Heading down the steep hill that is my driveway, what looked like a full moon illuminated my journey towards Lake Briarcilffe. I should have known then.
Despite achy nasal passages, and sore joints from yard work all afternoon, I was determined to get my run in today, so I could start this week off right. Last week was a wash, and as my triathlon training chart demonstrates, my foot issues last week hurt my conditioning and training.
Oddly, my run started off great. I got in the zone quickly with the help of some great tunes on the iPod, and cruised along the dam of the lake. Taking in the beauty of a post-storm breeze and a glowing night, I strode uphill and around the backside of the lake on my run.
My nasal passages were clearing. My soreness was gone. My breathing was not too bad, considering this was my first run in over a week. Thinking about form, forcing my hips forward, and concentrating on a heal-toe jog to alleviate my reoccuring shin splints, I felt like a "real" runner.
For only a moment.
When suddenly my brain registered that the distant sound of a barking dog was not all that distant. Turing in alarm, my view focused on white teeth, red gums, and black hair jumping at the heel of my Mizunos. As most of you know, I run at night with a flashlight and a wooden hammer. The flashlight for sleepy drivers, and the hammer is reserved for the nosey canines that roam my neighborhood at night.
Swinging around, wooden weapon at arm's length, I struck a skull-bashing stance. The mongrel kept coming at me, low and snarling. "Giyit!" I hollered at full volume. Those of you that know me, know I am louder than most people, but what you don't know is that usually I am actually attempting to be somewhat quiet. Bellowing at full force, I screamed several more time in hopes that I would not have to resort to killing a dog on such a peaceful evening.
Lights on porches started blinking on, surrounding me in pale yellow light. Husbands, wives, and children jumped up from couches for at least several hundred yards.
"Whoever owns this dog better come git him!" I continued. The dog's owner ambled down his front deck and grabbed the retriever's collar.
Upset that my run was interupted, I continued along. Turning about a minute later, I saw the dang mutt coming at me again! I stopped, gave the owner a "What the..." shoulder shrug, and waited for him to corral his pet a second time.
Heading back to my run, I was upset that my pace, and concentration were blitzed.
The story should end here, right?
Well, on my second loop, I noticed a slow moving white SUV coming from behind me. Worried that the dog's owner might be tracking me down, I slowed down to get a good look. Mentally, I wrote down the license tag, and kept going. The car drove up about half a block, swung around with it's brights on and headed right at me.
Heart rate soaring, I ended up shielding my eyes, because of the stark light glaring directly at my head, and I ditched into someone's front yard. The car passed without incident, and I got back into my pace yet again!
Then, bright lights swung back around. Popping the ear buds out, I jogged sideways, as the white vehicle slowed to match my pace. A powered window eased down.
"Do you know how to get to the Bi-Lo?" asked a woman.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Wondering if watching "Disturbia" has warped my sense of reality.
Upcoming: Swim Night
Despite achy nasal passages, and sore joints from yard work all afternoon, I was determined to get my run in today, so I could start this week off right. Last week was a wash, and as my triathlon training chart demonstrates, my foot issues last week hurt my conditioning and training.
Oddly, my run started off great. I got in the zone quickly with the help of some great tunes on the iPod, and cruised along the dam of the lake. Taking in the beauty of a post-storm breeze and a glowing night, I strode uphill and around the backside of the lake on my run.
My nasal passages were clearing. My soreness was gone. My breathing was not too bad, considering this was my first run in over a week. Thinking about form, forcing my hips forward, and concentrating on a heal-toe jog to alleviate my reoccuring shin splints, I felt like a "real" runner.
For only a moment.
When suddenly my brain registered that the distant sound of a barking dog was not all that distant. Turing in alarm, my view focused on white teeth, red gums, and black hair jumping at the heel of my Mizunos. As most of you know, I run at night with a flashlight and a wooden hammer. The flashlight for sleepy drivers, and the hammer is reserved for the nosey canines that roam my neighborhood at night.
Swinging around, wooden weapon at arm's length, I struck a skull-bashing stance. The mongrel kept coming at me, low and snarling. "Giyit!" I hollered at full volume. Those of you that know me, know I am louder than most people, but what you don't know is that usually I am actually attempting to be somewhat quiet. Bellowing at full force, I screamed several more time in hopes that I would not have to resort to killing a dog on such a peaceful evening.
Lights on porches started blinking on, surrounding me in pale yellow light. Husbands, wives, and children jumped up from couches for at least several hundred yards.
"Whoever owns this dog better come git him!" I continued. The dog's owner ambled down his front deck and grabbed the retriever's collar.
Upset that my run was interupted, I continued along. Turning about a minute later, I saw the dang mutt coming at me again! I stopped, gave the owner a "What the..." shoulder shrug, and waited for him to corral his pet a second time.
Heading back to my run, I was upset that my pace, and concentration were blitzed.
The story should end here, right?
Well, on my second loop, I noticed a slow moving white SUV coming from behind me. Worried that the dog's owner might be tracking me down, I slowed down to get a good look. Mentally, I wrote down the license tag, and kept going. The car drove up about half a block, swung around with it's brights on and headed right at me.
Heart rate soaring, I ended up shielding my eyes, because of the stark light glaring directly at my head, and I ditched into someone's front yard. The car passed without incident, and I got back into my pace yet again!
Then, bright lights swung back around. Popping the ear buds out, I jogged sideways, as the white vehicle slowed to match my pace. A powered window eased down.
"Do you know how to get to the Bi-Lo?" asked a woman.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Wondering if watching "Disturbia" has warped my sense of reality.
Upcoming: Swim Night
Friday, May 16, 2008
Sesqui Ride and Picnic
Headed to Sesqui after work with the Boys and Amy. I made a quick loop around the bike trail, and then caught up with Amy and the Boys at the playground.
The ride was a blast. Rode the first few miles in almost top gear, because I thought I downshifted on an uphill, but evidently forgot. Kept riding and pushing thinking I was in a shorter gear. Went much faster than normal and just thought it was a higher cadence, but when I looked down after 2 miles I was realized I was pushing in my highest front gear. Felt better in the bike, and balanced through turns better than usual. I even sorta did a track stand to make it through some really squelchy sand.
After the ride, Amy, myself, he boys and Amy's Parents cooked some burgers, and had a picnic. The plan was to do a second loop through the park with Amy on her bike, but some rain cancelled the extra ride.
We did a fun group ride instead, and we all rode casually around the joggin trail until it got dark. Lotsa fun even though it was not the biggest workout ever. We saw our first lightning bugs of the year, scared a few dear, and Bobby tore down a bumpy hill at full blast.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: One Happy Daddy
Upcoming: Nothing on Saturday (Wedding Dinner for a friend, and I need to clean up the yard, too). Plan to run on Sunday.
The ride was a blast. Rode the first few miles in almost top gear, because I thought I downshifted on an uphill, but evidently forgot. Kept riding and pushing thinking I was in a shorter gear. Went much faster than normal and just thought it was a higher cadence, but when I looked down after 2 miles I was realized I was pushing in my highest front gear. Felt better in the bike, and balanced through turns better than usual. I even sorta did a track stand to make it through some really squelchy sand.
After the ride, Amy, myself, he boys and Amy's Parents cooked some burgers, and had a picnic. The plan was to do a second loop through the park with Amy on her bike, but some rain cancelled the extra ride.
We did a fun group ride instead, and we all rode casually around the joggin trail until it got dark. Lotsa fun even though it was not the biggest workout ever. We saw our first lightning bugs of the year, scared a few dear, and Bobby tore down a bumpy hill at full blast.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: One Happy Daddy
Upcoming: Nothing on Saturday (Wedding Dinner for a friend, and I need to clean up the yard, too). Plan to run on Sunday.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Good News, Bad News
Ok, first, the Doc in a Box said its not Gout. Great! But... They have no clue why my foot hurts??
Anyway, went to the USC game tonight.. Should have worked out! 13-0 Gamecocks Lost
Anyway, went to the USC game tonight.. Should have worked out! 13-0 Gamecocks Lost
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I'm Baaack!
Whoot! I was able to get in a workout tonight for the first time since last weekend.
I got home from work and tutoring, and took the boys in the trailer to the Children's Garden at Clemson Extension Service off Clemson Road. The Boys love it there, and I packed Bobby's Pump Bike in the storage area. He likes riding around the park when we get there. Amy ended up joining us there, after her tutoring gig cancelled, and we all decided to ride around the trails at the park. I stowed Joey in the trailer, and Bobby tagged along on his bike, while Amy and I biked.
I must say I love the trailer we got for our bikes. It's is easy to use, converts to tons of different uses, and even has suspension. It's made by a company called Chariot, and we have the XC model for 2 kids. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in a child carrier system. It's a bit pricey, but worth it. Check out their website if you are interested: http://www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html/index.php
I had a great time watching Bobby lead the way through the trail. He stops to inspect every ant hill, and jabbers on about how much he likes riding the Daddy does. He moves awfully fast considering he has only 1 gear, his feet. He made it over every hill, and sandy spot (which he likes to hit and fall into). We ended up racing to see a train, which passed to quickly, and then I raced Amy home, and lost. Dragging 60+ pounds in the trailer cuts down top speed!
Ended up making it to the Y, too. I got in a good weight training session. Here's a breakdown: Lots of abs stuff, curls, tricep extensions, chest presses, lat pull downs, flies, and some back lifts.
Rode 45 minutes on a bike trainer after that. Set up the XC mode and started spinning away. Pushed it a good bit, becuase I was feeling strong, however, I soon started to crash only 15 to 20 minutes in. Amazing how fast the conditioning level disappears when you don't workout. I struggled to keep going, and beared down, as the Blue Man Group drummed away on my iPod.
Feel great to work up a sweat again. My foot is not 100 percent, but it's getting close. On a side note, I'm still waiting to hear back from the Doc in a Box for the blood test results on my foot. I was supposed to get the info in a day, and it's now 2 days and counting.
Bike Stats: 12 miles in 45 minutes for an avg. of 16 mph
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Overjoyed
Upcoming: Rest Day to attend Gamecock Baseball Game
I got home from work and tutoring, and took the boys in the trailer to the Children's Garden at Clemson Extension Service off Clemson Road. The Boys love it there, and I packed Bobby's Pump Bike in the storage area. He likes riding around the park when we get there. Amy ended up joining us there, after her tutoring gig cancelled, and we all decided to ride around the trails at the park. I stowed Joey in the trailer, and Bobby tagged along on his bike, while Amy and I biked.
I must say I love the trailer we got for our bikes. It's is easy to use, converts to tons of different uses, and even has suspension. It's made by a company called Chariot, and we have the XC model for 2 kids. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in a child carrier system. It's a bit pricey, but worth it. Check out their website if you are interested: http://www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html/index.php
I had a great time watching Bobby lead the way through the trail. He stops to inspect every ant hill, and jabbers on about how much he likes riding the Daddy does. He moves awfully fast considering he has only 1 gear, his feet. He made it over every hill, and sandy spot (which he likes to hit and fall into). We ended up racing to see a train, which passed to quickly, and then I raced Amy home, and lost. Dragging 60+ pounds in the trailer cuts down top speed!
Ended up making it to the Y, too. I got in a good weight training session. Here's a breakdown: Lots of abs stuff, curls, tricep extensions, chest presses, lat pull downs, flies, and some back lifts.
Rode 45 minutes on a bike trainer after that. Set up the XC mode and started spinning away. Pushed it a good bit, becuase I was feeling strong, however, I soon started to crash only 15 to 20 minutes in. Amazing how fast the conditioning level disappears when you don't workout. I struggled to keep going, and beared down, as the Blue Man Group drummed away on my iPod.
Feel great to work up a sweat again. My foot is not 100 percent, but it's getting close. On a side note, I'm still waiting to hear back from the Doc in a Box for the blood test results on my foot. I was supposed to get the info in a day, and it's now 2 days and counting.
Bike Stats: 12 miles in 45 minutes for an avg. of 16 mph
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Overjoyed
Upcoming: Rest Day to attend Gamecock Baseball Game
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
One More Day
Started taking the meds last night, and my foot is starting to look human again. The labs have not come back to confirm, but seeing as how the gout pills I have are doing the job of healing me up, it sounds like that's what I have.
Not sure how I got, or how to prevent it again.
If everything continues to heal up, I plan to get back on the bike tomorrow and ride on the trainer at the Y.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Looking Ahead
Upcoming: Trainer Bike Riding at the Y I hope!
Not sure how I got, or how to prevent it again.
If everything continues to heal up, I plan to get back on the bike tomorrow and ride on the trainer at the Y.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Looking Ahead
Upcoming: Trainer Bike Riding at the Y I hope!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Where Time Stands Still
Just got back from a 4 1/2 hour visit to Doc in a Box. Couldn't get an appointment with my regular physician, and I couldn't stand the pain in my foot any longer, so I spent my afternoon reading magzines, while I waited to be seen.
I have to wait for a blood test to confirm, but it sure seems like I have the gout. Almost all my toes are red, purple and swollen now.
This so totally stinks.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Serious Foot Problems
Upcoming: TBA
I have to wait for a blood test to confirm, but it sure seems like I have the gout. Almost all my toes are red, purple and swollen now.
This so totally stinks.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Serious Foot Problems
Upcoming: TBA
Sunday, May 11, 2008
On the DL
Okay, I had all the intentions of fitting in a run tonight despite the gail force winds, but around 1 pm this afternoon I started feeling a shooting pain in my left big toe. I ignored the pain at first, but soon I started to feel some swelling, and ended up taking my shoe off so I could walk without pain.
Mind you, this is not associated with any of the exercises or workouts that I have been doing, so I'm at a total loss for what's going on. The pain increased for a while, and now my toe is much larger than it should be. Since, I cannot walk without stumbling, as I attempt to keep my toe off the ground, I decided to call off the run and take another rest day.
At this point, I figure the toe is a result of one of three things: 1) I hurt it while working bare foot yesterday with the pressure washer. 2) The old shoes I wore today, becuse my good ones are soaked from the pressure washing damaged my tissue, or 3) I have the gout. yeah, the gout?
My wife's mother figures I have the gout. I keep repeating this, because I just can;t believe it. I thought only old, fat people got the gout. If the pain does not go away tomorrow, I will visit my GP.
Anyways, I am officially on the injured list. This stinks!
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Embarassed, bummed, and limping
Upcoming: TBA
Mind you, this is not associated with any of the exercises or workouts that I have been doing, so I'm at a total loss for what's going on. The pain increased for a while, and now my toe is much larger than it should be. Since, I cannot walk without stumbling, as I attempt to keep my toe off the ground, I decided to call off the run and take another rest day.
At this point, I figure the toe is a result of one of three things: 1) I hurt it while working bare foot yesterday with the pressure washer. 2) The old shoes I wore today, becuse my good ones are soaked from the pressure washing damaged my tissue, or 3) I have the gout. yeah, the gout?
My wife's mother figures I have the gout. I keep repeating this, because I just can;t believe it. I thought only old, fat people got the gout. If the pain does not go away tomorrow, I will visit my GP.
Anyways, I am officially on the injured list. This stinks!
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Embarassed, bummed, and limping
Upcoming: TBA
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Brrmm...Brrmm...Brrmm...Brrmm...
Decided to take a rest day instead of doing the planned run. Worked all day at the neighborhood pool getting it clean and ready for the summer. I think I pressure-washed just about every piece of brick, tile, or wood that's down there. My back is tight from bending over, and I got a sunburn on my neck. Also, I think I might hear the rattle of a 6hp Honda OHC engine in my sleep tonight.
Brrmm... Brrmm... Brrmm...
It felt good to make the subdivion look nicer, and I enjoyed meeting some new folks that turned up to help out. So I guess the effort is worth missing a workout.
Brrmm... Brrmm... Brrmm...
On a side note, my left shoulder is feeling wierd. I will cut back on swimming next week to rest it some. I will either take an extra run or bike to make up for it. Also, from my triathlon reading, it is time to a "Brick" workout by running and biking during the same training session.
Brrmm... Brrmm... Brrmm...
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Left Shoulder pain, and Brrmm....Brrmm....Brrmm... goin' off in my head.
Upcoming: Rest Day.. 2 in a row??!!
Brrmm... Brrmm... Brrmm...
It felt good to make the subdivion look nicer, and I enjoyed meeting some new folks that turned up to help out. So I guess the effort is worth missing a workout.
Brrmm... Brrmm... Brrmm...
On a side note, my left shoulder is feeling wierd. I will cut back on swimming next week to rest it some. I will either take an extra run or bike to make up for it. Also, from my triathlon reading, it is time to a "Brick" workout by running and biking during the same training session.
Brrmm... Brrmm... Brrmm...
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Left Shoulder pain, and Brrmm....Brrmm....Brrmm... goin' off in my head.
Upcoming: Rest Day.. 2 in a row??!!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Back in the Saddle, Again!
Took Amy and the Boys to Sesqui with me tonight. I rode a lap around the bike trail while Amy watched the boys on the playground. I love the new bike. I had a blast spinning around the trail.
My legs were a little tight to start, and held back for the first mile or so, but I got into a good groove later on down the line. I am working on my turning. Staying off the brakes is hard, especially with a six inch layer of sand covering the whole trail. I want to get more smooth in my riding style and not so start and stop choppy, but Sesqui just doesn't accomodate that technique.
After the first lap, I rode back to Amy and the Boys, and hung out for a bit. Amy's parents showed up and met us with their bikes. They rode the jogging trail loop and when they came back, Amy and I rode together.
Amy and I rode our bikes a lot before kids, and we haven't done so in many years. Tonight was our first real trail ride together, and I was excited Amy was getting back on her bike. She did a great job, and if not for my techincal advantage, we would have ridden about the same pace. If I got too far ahead, I would stop, and wait. I have to admit, I like the fact that my spouse will get out there with me on the trail. I would rather ride with her than not. Amy seemed to feel bad about "holding me up," but honestly, taking the breaks was always nice. Besides, it made me feel "fast" for the first time in a while. :)
After our ride, Amy said she forgot how much she enjoyed riding, so I hope we start doing this some more.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Proud of my "Biker" wife
Upcoming: Most likely a night run
My legs were a little tight to start, and held back for the first mile or so, but I got into a good groove later on down the line. I am working on my turning. Staying off the brakes is hard, especially with a six inch layer of sand covering the whole trail. I want to get more smooth in my riding style and not so start and stop choppy, but Sesqui just doesn't accomodate that technique.
After the first lap, I rode back to Amy and the Boys, and hung out for a bit. Amy's parents showed up and met us with their bikes. They rode the jogging trail loop and when they came back, Amy and I rode together.
Amy and I rode our bikes a lot before kids, and we haven't done so in many years. Tonight was our first real trail ride together, and I was excited Amy was getting back on her bike. She did a great job, and if not for my techincal advantage, we would have ridden about the same pace. If I got too far ahead, I would stop, and wait. I have to admit, I like the fact that my spouse will get out there with me on the trail. I would rather ride with her than not. Amy seemed to feel bad about "holding me up," but honestly, taking the breaks was always nice. Besides, it made me feel "fast" for the first time in a while. :)
After our ride, Amy said she forgot how much she enjoyed riding, so I hope we start doing this some more.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Proud of my "Biker" wife
Upcoming: Most likely a night run
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Swim Workout #3
Grabbing my goggles, kickboard, and leg floats, I jumped in the pool at the Y tonight for my 3rd serious training swim. Tonight, I wanted to focus more on keeping track of my workout. I have not been well prepared for the swim training, and the plans I have set out for myself have not gone well.
I started with a 100m warm up. By switching between the crawl and the breaststroke every touch, I was able to make it without resting.
After the warm up, I worked on 25m stints practicing a different drill each time. I switched between kickboard, left arm crawls, and right arm crawls, and threw in some crawls with leg floats to practice breathing.
Definitely not earth shattering stuff, but I did see some improvement. Maybe not in overall length, I likely swam just about 500m total, but my technique seems to be coming along. I noticed that if I keep my ear in the water when I rotate to breath, I keep better form, and am able to get more air in between strokes. Plus, I worked on slowing down my stroke. I noticed that if I watch my arm when I rotate to breath, this actually slows my pace, and lowers my heart rate, which allows my to control my breathing better.
I end with a 100m cooldown, just the way I started. I say cooldown, but this is not true. The last few strokes coming to the wall at the end were arm burners.
Since I started the workout tonight in the wellness/weight room upstairs by doing lots of abdominal work, mixed with some chest, and arms exercises, I did not push the amount of swimming tonight. I was happy to just work on form, which is probably what I need to do most anyways.
On a side note, I think the swimming may be a cause for the lower heart rate during biking and running. Swimming kicks my butt and pushes me to VO2 Max (Maximum Oxygen Consumption) quickly, and as a side effect, I may be getting some payoff on the other discplines.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Loving the Dry Sauna at the Y (Nothing is better than 15 minutes of dry heat on sore, tired muscles. Oh Man! I gotta build one those at my house.)
Upcoming: 2 Loops at Sesqui
I started with a 100m warm up. By switching between the crawl and the breaststroke every touch, I was able to make it without resting.
After the warm up, I worked on 25m stints practicing a different drill each time. I switched between kickboard, left arm crawls, and right arm crawls, and threw in some crawls with leg floats to practice breathing.
Definitely not earth shattering stuff, but I did see some improvement. Maybe not in overall length, I likely swam just about 500m total, but my technique seems to be coming along. I noticed that if I keep my ear in the water when I rotate to breath, I keep better form, and am able to get more air in between strokes. Plus, I worked on slowing down my stroke. I noticed that if I watch my arm when I rotate to breath, this actually slows my pace, and lowers my heart rate, which allows my to control my breathing better.
I end with a 100m cooldown, just the way I started. I say cooldown, but this is not true. The last few strokes coming to the wall at the end were arm burners.
Since I started the workout tonight in the wellness/weight room upstairs by doing lots of abdominal work, mixed with some chest, and arms exercises, I did not push the amount of swimming tonight. I was happy to just work on form, which is probably what I need to do most anyways.
On a side note, I think the swimming may be a cause for the lower heart rate during biking and running. Swimming kicks my butt and pushes me to VO2 Max (Maximum Oxygen Consumption) quickly, and as a side effect, I may be getting some payoff on the other discplines.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Loving the Dry Sauna at the Y (Nothing is better than 15 minutes of dry heat on sore, tired muscles. Oh Man! I gotta build one those at my house.)
Upcoming: 2 Loops at Sesqui
Heart Rate Happiness
Went for a run tonight, after working all day and tutoring for 3 straight hours in the afternoon. Since this was my first run after the 5k race on Saturday, I wanted to take it easy. Seeing as how I usually hit a midweek lull in training, and since my calves were still tight from the race, I wanted to hold back and work on just keeping a nice even pace with a moderate heart rate.
I ran the home course track taking the big hill on Singingwood for both loops, and really enjoyed it. The shin splints seem to be going away, and I love the new trainers I got at Strictly Running. I thought a lot about form today, since I was not pushing it as hard as I usually tend to do. I have to work on the concept that not every night has to be a new personal record. Anyway, I have been doing some reading on triathlons, swimming and running in general, and some of the advice I've seen recommends running with my hips out more, and to shorten and quiken the pace on hills. I also focused on keeping my hands and body loose. One technique I read about was to imagine potato chips in your hands that you don't want to break.
The run was not momentous, but when I finished and started my cool down, I was amazed at how fast my heart rate recovered tonight. Now that I have been training for several months, my heart rate returns to normal much faster, and tonight, I hardly took two steps into my cool down walk before I noticed I was back to normal breathing. Strangely, I was excited by this. I ran 3 miles, and hardly raised my heart rate.
Plus, when I returned home and checked my run stats online with mapmyrun.com, my pace was about 9:15 minutes miles. That's just about what I ran in the race, and I wasn't even trying. Getting down to 8:30 minute pace seems very possible in the near future, and hopefully before the next race.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Icing my cramping calves (much better than icing shin splints!)
Upcoming: Swim #3
I ran the home course track taking the big hill on Singingwood for both loops, and really enjoyed it. The shin splints seem to be going away, and I love the new trainers I got at Strictly Running. I thought a lot about form today, since I was not pushing it as hard as I usually tend to do. I have to work on the concept that not every night has to be a new personal record. Anyway, I have been doing some reading on triathlons, swimming and running in general, and some of the advice I've seen recommends running with my hips out more, and to shorten and quiken the pace on hills. I also focused on keeping my hands and body loose. One technique I read about was to imagine potato chips in your hands that you don't want to break.
The run was not momentous, but when I finished and started my cool down, I was amazed at how fast my heart rate recovered tonight. Now that I have been training for several months, my heart rate returns to normal much faster, and tonight, I hardly took two steps into my cool down walk before I noticed I was back to normal breathing. Strangely, I was excited by this. I ran 3 miles, and hardly raised my heart rate.
Plus, when I returned home and checked my run stats online with mapmyrun.com, my pace was about 9:15 minutes miles. That's just about what I ran in the race, and I wasn't even trying. Getting down to 8:30 minute pace seems very possible in the near future, and hopefully before the next race.
Next Goal: Swim 500m
Current Status: Icing my cramping calves (much better than icing shin splints!)
Upcoming: Swim #3
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sweatin' to Blue Man Group
Spin class was a blast tonight. Had to change to a different bike, since some new folks came and took my usual spot. Funny how you get used to a specific spot, huh? Well, I switched to the other side of the room, and mounted a different trainer. Felt wierd. The tension was all different and I took a few minutes to get used to the variations. All the bikes in the room are the same, but somehow not the same.
Well, the class went well. New songs, tougher positions, and I made it through the whole thing. I haven't made it to a class in a while, so I really cranked hard through two of the climbs. Biking at Harbison and Sesqui really makes a difference on the quads! Don't know if I held back or not, but spinning seems to be getting easier. Must be time to turn on more pace.
Two notes on the ride: 1) Blue Man group makes great listening for workouts. 2) Don't take the bike in the back right corner. The fans don't reach that spot, and the air was stale, hot and stagnant. Sweat poured across my body 5 minutes in, and never stopped. I had a good sized pool of liquid to mop up after class under my position.
One another note, Amy and I took the boys to the pool after our workouts, and swam a bit. Ended up watching all the "real" swimmers for some sort of technique help. Jeeze, they make it look so simple and easy.
I swam a few lengths even with the kiddos in the pool, and practiced my kick. I'm working on pointing my toes more, and moving from the knee down and not the hip. I saw some improvement, but nothing Earth shattering.
As Steve Martin said on SNL, "I'm not a strong swimmer." (Reference the skit on the 1st male synchronized swim team circa 1980s. Don't know if you recall this or not, but I hands down the funniest thing I have ever seen. Here's the transcript of the skit: http://snltranscripts.jt.org/84/84aswimmers.phtml)
Next Goal: 500m of swimming
Current Status: Searching to Download some Blue Man Tunes.
Upcoming: Late Night Run, after work and 3 tutoring stints. I plan to run the "Home Course."
Well, the class went well. New songs, tougher positions, and I made it through the whole thing. I haven't made it to a class in a while, so I really cranked hard through two of the climbs. Biking at Harbison and Sesqui really makes a difference on the quads! Don't know if I held back or not, but spinning seems to be getting easier. Must be time to turn on more pace.
Two notes on the ride: 1) Blue Man group makes great listening for workouts. 2) Don't take the bike in the back right corner. The fans don't reach that spot, and the air was stale, hot and stagnant. Sweat poured across my body 5 minutes in, and never stopped. I had a good sized pool of liquid to mop up after class under my position.
One another note, Amy and I took the boys to the pool after our workouts, and swam a bit. Ended up watching all the "real" swimmers for some sort of technique help. Jeeze, they make it look so simple and easy.
I swam a few lengths even with the kiddos in the pool, and practiced my kick. I'm working on pointing my toes more, and moving from the knee down and not the hip. I saw some improvement, but nothing Earth shattering.
As Steve Martin said on SNL, "I'm not a strong swimmer." (Reference the skit on the 1st male synchronized swim team circa 1980s. Don't know if you recall this or not, but I hands down the funniest thing I have ever seen. Here's the transcript of the skit: http://snltranscripts.jt.org/84/84aswimmers.phtml)
Next Goal: 500m of swimming
Current Status: Searching to Download some Blue Man Tunes.
Upcoming: Late Night Run, after work and 3 tutoring stints. I plan to run the "Home Course."
Monday, May 5, 2008
Swimming Session 2 or Delayed Drowning
Took on another swim workout today. My original plan was to follow the initial workout of a triathlon plan I found in the library. The plan was for a warm up of 200m then 100 meters of drills followed by 200 meters of cool down.
I attempted to complete the 200 warm up switching styles between crawl, and breaststroke for 8 lengths of the pool, but just don't have the ability to do the strokes with any confidence. I quickly ran out of steam, and broke off from my plan, since I have trouble swimming at an easy rate and still be able to stay above water.
I ended up scrapping my workout, and just opted to swim lengths of the pool as long as I could switching between the crawl, breaststroke, and kick board drills with breaks just about every length. I believe I need to find a way to kick more efficiently and get my hips up higher in the water. Several times I noticed my legs dragging low and behind. So, I will be working on increasing my kick in the pool, but I just don't seem to be coordinated enough to get the whole stroke to work together. I either give to much arm or leg, but not together.
On an up note, I was able to breath better using the crawl stroke. I have found that the deeper I swing my off shoulder, the higher I get out of the water to get air. I want to slow down my stroke rate, so I can conserve air, but this is where I run into trouble.
In all, I swam for about 30 minutes. I lost track of lengths of the pool, but felt like I got a good workout. Legs and arms were a bit wobbly after I got out of the pool, so the muscles definetly got a good stretch.
Next Goal: Swim 500 meters without stoppping
Current Status: Searching for a Swimming for Dummies Book
Upcoming: Spin Class at the Y on Tuesday.
I attempted to complete the 200 warm up switching styles between crawl, and breaststroke for 8 lengths of the pool, but just don't have the ability to do the strokes with any confidence. I quickly ran out of steam, and broke off from my plan, since I have trouble swimming at an easy rate and still be able to stay above water.
I ended up scrapping my workout, and just opted to swim lengths of the pool as long as I could switching between the crawl, breaststroke, and kick board drills with breaks just about every length. I believe I need to find a way to kick more efficiently and get my hips up higher in the water. Several times I noticed my legs dragging low and behind. So, I will be working on increasing my kick in the pool, but I just don't seem to be coordinated enough to get the whole stroke to work together. I either give to much arm or leg, but not together.
On an up note, I was able to breath better using the crawl stroke. I have found that the deeper I swing my off shoulder, the higher I get out of the water to get air. I want to slow down my stroke rate, so I can conserve air, but this is where I run into trouble.
In all, I swam for about 30 minutes. I lost track of lengths of the pool, but felt like I got a good workout. Legs and arms were a bit wobbly after I got out of the pool, so the muscles definetly got a good stretch.
Next Goal: Swim 500 meters without stoppping
Current Status: Searching for a Swimming for Dummies Book
Upcoming: Spin Class at the Y on Tuesday.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Rest/ Recovery/ Reflect
My new year resolution was to take my physical condition more seriously. My wife and I joined the new Y that opened up by our house, and decided to get ourselves into respectable shape. It has been five months since I began physical training and I have completed 2 5K's, 1 mountain bike race, lost 22 pounds, and feel amazing.
In the past 3 years, I have battled 2 knee surguries, and constant pain when getting up or down out of a chair, walking steps, or kneeling. Lately, I have slowly noticed the joint pain disappearing almost completely. I don't have to think about climbing stairs, or kicking a ball in the back yard.
So, today, as I sit back and take a day of rest, I am satisfied with my new direction. I have been thinking about a new set of goals for myself, since I have completed my first running and conditioning goals. I have decided on some short term and long term objectives to keep myself focused and heading in the right direction.
First, I have been reading about triathlons, and have decided to make competing in a sprint distance triathlon a goal. I am planning to do this by May of next year at the very least. A more immediate challenge is going to be the swim. My immediate short term goal is to swim 500m without stopping.
Second, I want to continue training to run. I will be focusing on two objectives in this area. I want to complete my next 5K in August under 25 minutes averaging under 8 1/2 minutes per mile. I may be pushing it a bit here, but a good goal is not always achievable. I plan to run the Hot August Night 5K in downtown Columbia. This will be an interesting test, since not only will I be pushing for a new personal record, but the race is at 5pm in the afternoon during the hottest part of the year. Also, I want to add some distance in my run training. I plan to move up and compete in a 12K. The goal will be to do Ray Tanner's Home Run Race in October.
Thirdly, I have been reading about training for these types of things, and feel all of the above are very doable, however, I need to be smart about this and not psuh to hard as I go forward. Leading up to this past weekend's race, I cut back on running because of shin splints. By all accounts this is in part due to poor shoes, but I was also over-doing my training. From what I have read, I need to take my rest/ recovery time more seriously. I have been cramming as much training as possible into my schedule. I don't need to make every workout a full tilt session. I don't want to burn out too fast, and wind up back where I started from five months ago.
Next Goal: Swim 500m without stopping (The Sprint Triathlon Swim Distance)
Current Status: Lazy and lovin' it
Upcoming: Monday Night Dome Swim with rest breaks, but a total of 800m in the pool at the Y.
In the past 3 years, I have battled 2 knee surguries, and constant pain when getting up or down out of a chair, walking steps, or kneeling. Lately, I have slowly noticed the joint pain disappearing almost completely. I don't have to think about climbing stairs, or kicking a ball in the back yard.
So, today, as I sit back and take a day of rest, I am satisfied with my new direction. I have been thinking about a new set of goals for myself, since I have completed my first running and conditioning goals. I have decided on some short term and long term objectives to keep myself focused and heading in the right direction.
First, I have been reading about triathlons, and have decided to make competing in a sprint distance triathlon a goal. I am planning to do this by May of next year at the very least. A more immediate challenge is going to be the swim. My immediate short term goal is to swim 500m without stopping.
Second, I want to continue training to run. I will be focusing on two objectives in this area. I want to complete my next 5K in August under 25 minutes averaging under 8 1/2 minutes per mile. I may be pushing it a bit here, but a good goal is not always achievable. I plan to run the Hot August Night 5K in downtown Columbia. This will be an interesting test, since not only will I be pushing for a new personal record, but the race is at 5pm in the afternoon during the hottest part of the year. Also, I want to add some distance in my run training. I plan to move up and compete in a 12K. The goal will be to do Ray Tanner's Home Run Race in October.
Thirdly, I have been reading about training for these types of things, and feel all of the above are very doable, however, I need to be smart about this and not psuh to hard as I go forward. Leading up to this past weekend's race, I cut back on running because of shin splints. By all accounts this is in part due to poor shoes, but I was also over-doing my training. From what I have read, I need to take my rest/ recovery time more seriously. I have been cramming as much training as possible into my schedule. I don't need to make every workout a full tilt session. I don't want to burn out too fast, and wind up back where I started from five months ago.
Next Goal: Swim 500m without stopping (The Sprint Triathlon Swim Distance)
Current Status: Lazy and lovin' it
Upcoming: Monday Night Dome Swim with rest breaks, but a total of 800m in the pool at the Y.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
RiverFest Epilepsy 5K Race Recap
Ran the big race today. I finished under my goal of 29 minutes. By my account, I ran the course at 27 minutes 51 seconds. I was stoked by my time. I ran about as hard as I could, so I don't feel I could have been much faster. I cut my last 5K time down by more than 5 minutes, and ran an average pace well under a 10 minute mile. Overall, I made all my race goals.
The course was much hillier than I had thought it would be. The race information online said it was a flat course, but I disagree. Several "bigish" hills in the last half of the race really cut down my pace.
At the beginning of the race, I set out to pass a few people and not get stuck in a pack. Ran up the hill from the start and set way too fast of a pace, passing people left and right. My heart rate soared, and I felt I needed to slow it down in order to make the whole 3 miles. People started passing me back immediately, and I searched for someone to pass me that I could match pace with and kinda draft and settle in. Found a guy about my age and my conditioning level, and cruised for bit.
A little over half way into the race, after crossing the Gervais Street Bridge and the Chicken Factory (Jason, you were right. PEW!), I ran into the big hill of the race. I actually picked up my pace, and passed a few people back. Made it to the top, and doubled back down the hill even faster.
At the bottom of the hill I caught a little girl about 10 or 11 years old. She had a wild crazy form with arms and legs flailing about, however, she was still going fast. As I approached her, I noticed that her Mom was following her on a bike, and she was screaming at the child to pick up her pace and sprint. This annoyed me, and as I jogged up the on ramp for Highway 12 heading back to the Riverfront Park, I actually passed the girl. Suddenly, the Mom goes beserk and yells, "Don't let that fat guy pass you!"
I was ticked, and picked up my pace. Getting called fat by some lady that wasn't even in the race made me mad. As I ran faster, the lady yelled at her daughter more. This made me determined to stay ahead. Eventually, the pace and a few last minute hills caught up with me and the girl made it by in the final quarter mile, where her Dad was waiting by the road, and sprinted/ coached/ verbally abused her to the end. Argh, I hate parents like that.
Well, the girl finished ahead of me by about 10 seconds, and as I ran by at the finish line, I felt horrible for her. She looked awful, and nearly about to pass out.
Overall, I had a great time. Jason finished under his goal of 25 minutes. Amy finished under 33 minutes, and for her first race actually beat my first race time of 33:10.
On a related note, I ended up buying new running shoes for the race, after being advised the my other pair were causing some the of the shin splints problems. I ran the race with the new shows, and loved the feel!
The course was much hillier than I had thought it would be. The race information online said it was a flat course, but I disagree. Several "bigish" hills in the last half of the race really cut down my pace.
At the beginning of the race, I set out to pass a few people and not get stuck in a pack. Ran up the hill from the start and set way too fast of a pace, passing people left and right. My heart rate soared, and I felt I needed to slow it down in order to make the whole 3 miles. People started passing me back immediately, and I searched for someone to pass me that I could match pace with and kinda draft and settle in. Found a guy about my age and my conditioning level, and cruised for bit.
A little over half way into the race, after crossing the Gervais Street Bridge and the Chicken Factory (Jason, you were right. PEW!), I ran into the big hill of the race. I actually picked up my pace, and passed a few people back. Made it to the top, and doubled back down the hill even faster.
At the bottom of the hill I caught a little girl about 10 or 11 years old. She had a wild crazy form with arms and legs flailing about, however, she was still going fast. As I approached her, I noticed that her Mom was following her on a bike, and she was screaming at the child to pick up her pace and sprint. This annoyed me, and as I jogged up the on ramp for Highway 12 heading back to the Riverfront Park, I actually passed the girl. Suddenly, the Mom goes beserk and yells, "Don't let that fat guy pass you!"
I was ticked, and picked up my pace. Getting called fat by some lady that wasn't even in the race made me mad. As I ran faster, the lady yelled at her daughter more. This made me determined to stay ahead. Eventually, the pace and a few last minute hills caught up with me and the girl made it by in the final quarter mile, where her Dad was waiting by the road, and sprinted/ coached/ verbally abused her to the end. Argh, I hate parents like that.
Well, the girl finished ahead of me by about 10 seconds, and as I ran by at the finish line, I felt horrible for her. She looked awful, and nearly about to pass out.
Overall, I had a great time. Jason finished under his goal of 25 minutes. Amy finished under 33 minutes, and for her first race actually beat my first race time of 33:10.
On a related note, I ended up buying new running shoes for the race, after being advised the my other pair were causing some the of the shin splints problems. I ran the race with the new shows, and loved the feel!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Sesqui Spins
Took the S-Caliber to Sesqui today. I ended up doing the bike loop twice. I figure that's more than 12 miles today. Sesqui is still very sandy! But, It's close, and I wanted to ride the new bike today. I just hope riding today does not affect my performance tomorrow in the 5k.
The new bike still amazes me. I can't get over how light and comfortable it is to ride. I was actually aiming it at roots and bumps today to feel out the suspension. I was more comfortable with the click shifters than on Wednesday, and tried going into corners faster without touching the breaks. It will take a while to get used to this. Sesqui is so sandy I don't trust the terrain enough to put the bike on a true edge. That's how I broke my collar bone several years ago.
There are only 3 climbs on the trail. 1 technical, and the other 2 slow risers. Nothing like Midland Mountain at Harbison. Anyway, I took all 3 in higher gears than ever before, and could have honestly pushed harder.
Next Goal: Riverfest 5 tomorrow under 29 minutes
Current Status: Pleased about 2 loops
Upcoming: 5K!
The new bike still amazes me. I can't get over how light and comfortable it is to ride. I was actually aiming it at roots and bumps today to feel out the suspension. I was more comfortable with the click shifters than on Wednesday, and tried going into corners faster without touching the breaks. It will take a while to get used to this. Sesqui is so sandy I don't trust the terrain enough to put the bike on a true edge. That's how I broke my collar bone several years ago.
There are only 3 climbs on the trail. 1 technical, and the other 2 slow risers. Nothing like Midland Mountain at Harbison. Anyway, I took all 3 in higher gears than ever before, and could have honestly pushed harder.
Next Goal: Riverfest 5 tomorrow under 29 minutes
Current Status: Pleased about 2 loops
Upcoming: 5K!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
No Training Today
I had planned on some sort of workout today, but when I came home from teaching, I spent the afternoon with the boys. They rode around the block, while I walked with them. Our routine, now, when Mommy is tutoring.
Bobby did not have a nap, and was exhausted when we came home. I put in a movie, and while they sat on the couch with me, we all took a nap until Mommy came home. Having them cuddle on the couch with me is just about the greatest feeling in the world. I'd skip a workout anyday for that.
Winding down from the hectic day of teaching 11 year olds in the spring, I realized how tired I was from the week, and just could not get the energy to make it up to the Y. I've had a busy week. I just hope that not running at all this week does not hurt me in the 5k on Saturday. I will ride tomorrow as Sesqui in the PM to make up for today. I'm excited about testing the S-Caliber on familiar territory.
Next Goal: 5k on Saturday under 29 minutes
Current Status: Wishing I hadn't eaten the gravy with my "Brinner" biscuits at Cracker Barrell
Upcoming: Ride Sesqui on my day away from school!
Bobby did not have a nap, and was exhausted when we came home. I put in a movie, and while they sat on the couch with me, we all took a nap until Mommy came home. Having them cuddle on the couch with me is just about the greatest feeling in the world. I'd skip a workout anyday for that.
Winding down from the hectic day of teaching 11 year olds in the spring, I realized how tired I was from the week, and just could not get the energy to make it up to the Y. I've had a busy week. I just hope that not running at all this week does not hurt me in the 5k on Saturday. I will ride tomorrow as Sesqui in the PM to make up for today. I'm excited about testing the S-Caliber on familiar territory.
Next Goal: 5k on Saturday under 29 minutes
Current Status: Wishing I hadn't eaten the gravy with my "Brinner" biscuits at Cracker Barrell
Upcoming: Ride Sesqui on my day away from school!
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