Tough Race

Today I ran the Black Moshannon 10K. I haven't been running too much recently, and this is a tough course. But I gritted my teeth, refused to quit despite pain, and let my inner warrior do the work. At the two-mile mark, where my ego is always loudest even on my best days, and despite the fact that I was on a half-mile-long, 8% climb, I refused to quit.
My time was not as good as last year on this course, but my chi was greater.

Chi Shortage

Yesterday I was swimming again. I made it up to 10 laps (250M), but after that I was totally dead. I couldn't seem to get a full breath in at all. I did a few laps with the kickboard, and my hips and quads were burning from the effort.
After a bit of rest I managed to get another 100 in, but that was it for me. I need to keep working on finding the right rhythm, so I'm not hyperventilating and working so darn hard.

Weekend update

I did HP Yoga for the first time in a while yesterday. The abdominal section was just as tough as I remember it, and my shoulders were screaming during downward dog. Later, I took the dogs for a 3-mile walk around town, with the wind screaming into our faces. All of us were tired after that.

I'm going to do some nice, stretchy yoga this evening, and then tomorrow is weights, Wednesday is swimming, and then more strength training Thursday. I'm running a 10k this Saturday, so I'm not sure what I'll do on Friday.

Swim Practice

There was good news and bad news swimming today. The good news: I swam 200 yards without stopping, and felt like I could have kept going. The bad news: my shoulder was really bothering me. The pool is closed over the weekend, so that should give me some time to heal. I also know I need to do more work with the kickboard, so I stop kicking my own ankles.

The HARD right

I went for a 5+ mile run last night. I sounded totally asthmatic at times, especially when I was climbing one of the many hills. I struggled up to the top of Ira Lane, and I was considering just running out to the main road, and a flat quarter-mile back home. But then I thought about how swimming 750 meters, and how my lungs need some more capacity. So, I made the first right turn, back up a steep hill, adding another mile. At least going that way the last quarter mile is a big downhill. Although while I was running down, someone's dog came out of the yard to chase me. I had to turn around and run back up the hill so his owner could catch him.

Then today I did the lower-body workout at the gym. I thought my gastrocnemius were going to pop!

Where have I been?

The training (and the training effect) continues. I've been doing the strength training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which seems to work out nicely, schedule-wise. Saturday Sue and I had a long swimming sessions. First, she was able to lap me after only 5-1/2 lengths. Then, she had me use the kickboard which, although it totally wore me out, really taught me a lot about the importance of staying long in the water. With my body stretched out, it's much easier.

I hope to get out for a 5-mile run this evening around scenic Stormstown. It's been 10 days since my last run! I hope I remember how to do it.

A Humbling Experience

Yesterday, my lovely wife and I went swimming. She had been a competitive swimmer in high school, but it had a few years since she'd been in the pool. Nonetheless, I quickly learned the difference between a well-trained swimmer and, well, me. She gracefully and powerfully swam lap after lap, while I struggled and strained and tried not to drown.

But, I learned a ton of things, both good and bad. For example, I found that I was doing well breathing every three strokes, although I couldn't keep up a good rythm for more than a lap. I would get too winded, and my head would come up. Breathing every other stroke might work if I slow down my turnover a little: I'm windmilling my arms so fast that not only am I making myself extra tired, but I'm also taking breaths too close together and hyperventilating.

I think I just don't feel comfortable enough in the deep water yet to relax and take slow, smooth strokes, so I'm rushing. Also, I lift my head too far out of the water to breath, because I am still not quite certain that I can get a breath without a mouthful of water otherwise.

I know where and am and where I need to be, and I think I gained a lot of insight about how to get there.

IT'S ON

It's official: my lovely wife and I are registered for the Ithaca Triathlon (the short version). So after a slightly disappointing run on Sunday, and my revealing swimming test on Friday, it's time to get serious. The next few weeks and months are going to be busy, busy, busy.

I have a lot of work to do

Today I rode my bike to McCoy Natatorium on campus, to get swim passes for my lovely wife and me. And since I was there, I figure I might as well do some swimming. Let's just say that if I'm going to do this triathlon in August, I better start some intensive training.

The real key for me is that I need to figure out how to get into a good swimming rthym. When I'm running, I can get to a zone where I can go with good deep breathing and even, long strides, and it seems like I'm using no energy at all. That's really the key to any type of endurance event. I don't have that in the pool, so it's daunting.

Busted My Butt

Originally, I was planning on doing a 5K. But it was such a nice day that decided I would rather do a longer cardio session. So instead I got on the bike for a 20-mile trip. In spite of a stiff cross-wind, and almost hitting some jerk on a riding lawnmower head-on, I cruised the route in just over an hour.

There are some pieces of equipment that you are grateful to have only at certain times. I good pair of bicycle shorts is one of them. Even so, after my shower, my piriformis were aching. I tried some yoga squats and double pigeon, but I think for now I just need to let my butt rest a bit.