Saturday, February 16, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Swam 4500 m, 85:10. 9:27, 9:16, 9:17 (27:59 for 1500, 29:52 for 1600), 9:19 (37:18), 9:21 (46:40), 9:27 (56:07 for 3000, 59:56 for 3200), 9:33, 9:37, 9:53.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
What a week. My school’s Principal’s father died Saturday. My landlord/neighbor died Sunday. On Monday, at school, things turned much worse. Pat’s dad, Lew and those around them had been on their particular road awhile, knew what was ahead, and dealt with it calmly and rationally. Lew in particularly is an inspiration to me, for the way he never seemed to let his inexorable decline affect his life. So Monday I have lunch duty (7th/8th grade). On of my 8th grade students comes up to me in the middle of lunch and says her dad is her, can she go out to see him (you can see the reception area from the caf)? I say “sure” and she goes out, then comes back a minute later and says she’s being dismissed. I tell her “I hope everything is alright.” She leaves, lunch ends, and we all go back to the afternoon classes. A couple hours later, during my last class of the day, one of the other 8th grade teachers come into my room and tells me that the girl’s mother was killed that morning in a crash with an 18-wheeler while on her way to work. She taught elementary school children at a small school in Vermont. I work at a small school also, and the 8th grade, by statistical anomaly this year, is 2/3 girls. All of these girls who seem so melodramatic at all times over all things are now facing real-life mortality and sudden, shattering loss up close and far too personally. Tuesday’s after-school discussions with the kids lasted much longer than normally also. 8th graders can be prodigiously, umm, … “communicative.” And they can be so incredibly emotionally needy. I don’t mean that negatively, that’s just the way kids are. They “need” emotional interaction. I’m totally cool with that. I just need to conserve my energy, to spend it on them and not myself. I’m happy not be compulsive about running/swimming every day. There are some things much more important than my own personal desires.
The weather wasn’t ideal for running or swimming anyway, with alternating snow and (almost) thaw leaving the roads rutted, icy and totally crappy for either running or driving to the pool. Then on Tuesday I HAD A GUEST!! Can you freakin’ believe it??? Somebody came to visit me!!! I am such a gawdamn hermit that I was totally surprised. I love surprises! Anyhoo, it was easy to take a little time off (Wednesday was a snow day – about a foot or so of heavy wet), but tonight I’m back to just lonely little ole me and absolutely had to swim. And I’ve been visualizing this swim for several days (that’s my “secret tranining”), so I’m certain that it will be be my finest workout ever.
I was slow getting out of the house, and didn’t get to the pool until exactly 7:00. They close the pool at 8. I’m hoping to do that 2 mile/sub-60 minute swim tonight, so I’m about to ask the owner if I could get and extra 5 minutes tonight. He beats me to it, though, and his first words to me after walking in the door are “I have to close the pool exactly at 8 tonight, so don’t dawdle.” D’oh. I figure it’s just as well. I’m all bound up; the right side of my back goes into spasm at any location at the slightest touch. I really need a good massage therapist. (Beth from ’91-‘95 was instrumental in many of my best racing seasons.) I stretch well and start swimming at about 7:15. I plan to swim quickly and efficiently right from the start. Almost from the start, though, I decide to do something completely different. I normally warm up with a couple easy, shakedown laps, usually breathing every 2 strokes, right side, then switch to breathing every 1 ½ stroke, alternating sides, of course. Today I decided, spontaneously after about half a lap, to stick with the 2 stroke pattern as long as possible. Which turned out to be the entire swim, 2500 m. It changed my mechanics quite a bit. In order to get oxygen quickly enough, I had to eliminate, almost completely, the two rest portions of my stroke (glide and recovery), and also speed the overall tempo up quite a bit. This created greater force, thus greater torque on the shoulders (my left is still weaker than the right, but is much, much stronger than 3 months ago). To reduce the stress on my shoulder, I increased my shoulder roll just a shade, and tried to stiffen the upper body while keeping the legs loose and pliable. I also did all my breathing right side, where my range of motion is better. It felt good! I could hear the water rushing past my ears, and the laps passed quickly. As usual, nobody was in the pool, indeed the pool area at all, throughout the entire swim. I busted it pretty good all the way through, beginning to tire at about 1500 m, but able to maintain tempo and pace (with very intense concentration – much like the third third of a marathon) completely through 2000 m and almost to 2500 m.
2500 m in 44:50. 500 m splits: 8:56, 8:52, 8:56, (26:44 for 1500, 28:34 for 1600 m), 8:58 (2k in 35:43), 9:08. Damn. That felt fast and looks fast written down. Must be all that secret training. Well, I did say my goal was to be knockin’ down the 500’s in under 9 minutes (2/8/08). I really like the sound of that 90 minute 5k. Look for that before the end of the month.
I still need that massage. My back (right side only) is knotted from my head to my ass. Every friggin’ centimeter. A long series spasms or spasms just waiting to happen. I’ll try to soldier bravely on.
What a week. My school’s Principal’s father died Saturday. My landlord/neighbor died Sunday. On Monday, at school, things turned much worse. Pat’s dad, Lew and those around them had been on their particular road awhile, knew what was ahead, and dealt with it calmly and rationally. Lew in particularly is an inspiration to me, for the way he never seemed to let his inexorable decline affect his life. So Monday I have lunch duty (7th/8th grade). On of my 8th grade students comes up to me in the middle of lunch and says her dad is her, can she go out to see him (you can see the reception area from the caf)? I say “sure” and she goes out, then comes back a minute later and says she’s being dismissed. I tell her “I hope everything is alright.” She leaves, lunch ends, and we all go back to the afternoon classes. A couple hours later, during my last class of the day, one of the other 8th grade teachers come into my room and tells me that the girl’s mother was killed that morning in a crash with an 18-wheeler while on her way to work. She taught elementary school children at a small school in Vermont. I work at a small school also, and the 8th grade, by statistical anomaly this year, is 2/3 girls. All of these girls who seem so melodramatic at all times over all things are now facing real-life mortality and sudden, shattering loss up close and far too personally. Tuesday’s after-school discussions with the kids lasted much longer than normally also. 8th graders can be prodigiously, umm, … “communicative.” And they can be so incredibly emotionally needy. I don’t mean that negatively, that’s just the way kids are. They “need” emotional interaction. I’m totally cool with that. I just need to conserve my energy, to spend it on them and not myself. I’m happy not be compulsive about running/swimming every day. There are some things much more important than my own personal desires.
The weather wasn’t ideal for running or swimming anyway, with alternating snow and (almost) thaw leaving the roads rutted, icy and totally crappy for either running or driving to the pool. Then on Tuesday I HAD A GUEST!! Can you freakin’ believe it??? Somebody came to visit me!!! I am such a gawdamn hermit that I was totally surprised. I love surprises! Anyhoo, it was easy to take a little time off (Wednesday was a snow day – about a foot or so of heavy wet), but tonight I’m back to just lonely little ole me and absolutely had to swim. And I’ve been visualizing this swim for several days (that’s my “secret tranining”), so I’m certain that it will be be my finest workout ever.
I was slow getting out of the house, and didn’t get to the pool until exactly 7:00. They close the pool at 8. I’m hoping to do that 2 mile/sub-60 minute swim tonight, so I’m about to ask the owner if I could get and extra 5 minutes tonight. He beats me to it, though, and his first words to me after walking in the door are “I have to close the pool exactly at 8 tonight, so don’t dawdle.” D’oh. I figure it’s just as well. I’m all bound up; the right side of my back goes into spasm at any location at the slightest touch. I really need a good massage therapist. (Beth from ’91-‘95 was instrumental in many of my best racing seasons.) I stretch well and start swimming at about 7:15. I plan to swim quickly and efficiently right from the start. Almost from the start, though, I decide to do something completely different. I normally warm up with a couple easy, shakedown laps, usually breathing every 2 strokes, right side, then switch to breathing every 1 ½ stroke, alternating sides, of course. Today I decided, spontaneously after about half a lap, to stick with the 2 stroke pattern as long as possible. Which turned out to be the entire swim, 2500 m. It changed my mechanics quite a bit. In order to get oxygen quickly enough, I had to eliminate, almost completely, the two rest portions of my stroke (glide and recovery), and also speed the overall tempo up quite a bit. This created greater force, thus greater torque on the shoulders (my left is still weaker than the right, but is much, much stronger than 3 months ago). To reduce the stress on my shoulder, I increased my shoulder roll just a shade, and tried to stiffen the upper body while keeping the legs loose and pliable. I also did all my breathing right side, where my range of motion is better. It felt good! I could hear the water rushing past my ears, and the laps passed quickly. As usual, nobody was in the pool, indeed the pool area at all, throughout the entire swim. I busted it pretty good all the way through, beginning to tire at about 1500 m, but able to maintain tempo and pace (with very intense concentration – much like the third third of a marathon) completely through 2000 m and almost to 2500 m.
2500 m in 44:50. 500 m splits: 8:56, 8:52, 8:56, (26:44 for 1500, 28:34 for 1600 m), 8:58 (2k in 35:43), 9:08. Damn. That felt fast and looks fast written down. Must be all that secret training. Well, I did say my goal was to be knockin’ down the 500’s in under 9 minutes (2/8/08). I really like the sound of that 90 minute 5k. Look for that before the end of the month.
I still need that massage. My back (right side only) is knotted from my head to my ass. Every friggin’ centimeter. A long series spasms or spasms just waiting to happen. I’ll try to soldier bravely on.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
February 10, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Swam 2000 m in 36:17. 9:00, 8:55, 9:04 (26:59 for 1500, 28:51 for 1600 m), 9:17. Gotta stay ahead of Kerry. Usually, when I get out of the pool I’m nice and relaxed – barely breathing hard. Today I was working hard, and it showed. If I swam at maximum effort, I might be able to go 500 in 8:30. Might. But I can go 9 minute pace for 30 minutes and 10 minute pace for 90 minutes. Of course, if Kerry is going to be dropping 5 minutes off her mile time every week, I’ll have to do better. I might have to start … secret training.
Swam 2000 m in 36:17. 9:00, 8:55, 9:04 (26:59 for 1500, 28:51 for 1600 m), 9:17. Gotta stay ahead of Kerry. Usually, when I get out of the pool I’m nice and relaxed – barely breathing hard. Today I was working hard, and it showed. If I swam at maximum effort, I might be able to go 500 in 8:30. Might. But I can go 9 minute pace for 30 minutes and 10 minute pace for 90 minutes. Of course, if Kerry is going to be dropping 5 minutes off her mile time every week, I’ll have to do better. I might have to start … secret training.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
13 Weeks complete - Saturday, February 9, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
11.6 miles, mostly at a brisk, almost tempo, pace. I did my normal long run out and back, planning to do 10 but ready to do less or more depending on how I felt. As it turns out, I didn’t feel that good, and began to consider turning around at the three mile mark. I didn’t, though, and when I reached the four mile mark was surprised to find myself continuing down the road rather than turning back. Well, what the hell, I didn’t feel that great, but at least my legs weren’t sore. On the run back, I concentrated on keeping the turnover rate quick and the mechanics smooth. The roads were very slick, because there was a total snowpack on the road surface due to a foot of snow in the last two days, combined with temperatures right around the freezing mark all day and light snow/freezing rain throughout the run. I figure the slick roads are worth about 15 seconds per mile, which makes the overall pace of today’s run quite gratifying. I kept the pace quick all the way home, and stripped off the windbreaker, t-shirt and bandana at my house, then went out for another 1.6 easy miles for a cooldown wearing just a thermal shirt. This was definitely my best run so far. 8:21, 8:35, 7:28, 8:57, 8:33 (41:55 out), 8:18, 8:09, 8:06, 7:27, 7:50 (39:50 in!, 81:45 for 10.0 miles)
Today marks the end of my first 13 weeks training, and I’m pretty much on schedule. Total 364 miles over 91 days (exactly 4.0 miles per day).
11.6 miles, mostly at a brisk, almost tempo, pace. I did my normal long run out and back, planning to do 10 but ready to do less or more depending on how I felt. As it turns out, I didn’t feel that good, and began to consider turning around at the three mile mark. I didn’t, though, and when I reached the four mile mark was surprised to find myself continuing down the road rather than turning back. Well, what the hell, I didn’t feel that great, but at least my legs weren’t sore. On the run back, I concentrated on keeping the turnover rate quick and the mechanics smooth. The roads were very slick, because there was a total snowpack on the road surface due to a foot of snow in the last two days, combined with temperatures right around the freezing mark all day and light snow/freezing rain throughout the run. I figure the slick roads are worth about 15 seconds per mile, which makes the overall pace of today’s run quite gratifying. I kept the pace quick all the way home, and stripped off the windbreaker, t-shirt and bandana at my house, then went out for another 1.6 easy miles for a cooldown wearing just a thermal shirt. This was definitely my best run so far. 8:21, 8:35, 7:28, 8:57, 8:33 (41:55 out), 8:18, 8:09, 8:06, 7:27, 7:50 (39:50 in!, 81:45 for 10.0 miles)
Today marks the end of my first 13 weeks training, and I’m pretty much on schedule. Total 364 miles over 91 days (exactly 4.0 miles per day).
Friday, February 8, 2008
February 8, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Swam 2200 m, 41:12. 9;35, 9:14, 9:04, 9:07 (37 even for 2k). 200 cooldown in 4:12. I didn’t get to the pool until 45 minutes before closing, so I knew I could go fairly hard straight through. There might have been another 1000 meters in me at that pace, but the distance and intensity felt right. My next swimming goal is to start banging out those 500 m blocks in under 9 minutes, with an eye to getting a sub 90 minute 5k.
Swam 2200 m, 41:12. 9;35, 9:14, 9:04, 9:07 (37 even for 2k). 200 cooldown in 4:12. I didn’t get to the pool until 45 minutes before closing, so I knew I could go fairly hard straight through. There might have been another 1000 meters in me at that pace, but the distance and intensity felt right. My next swimming goal is to start banging out those 500 m blocks in under 9 minutes, with an eye to getting a sub 90 minute 5k.
February 7, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
3.8 miles at night. 24 degrees, snowing lightly after snowing most of the day. Felt strong. In fact, I had to hold back on the uphills, because I kept picking up the pace without realizing it. Good sign.
3.8 miles at night. 24 degrees, snowing lightly after snowing most of the day. Felt strong. In fact, I had to hold back on the uphills, because I kept picking up the pace without realizing it. Good sign.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
February 6, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
4.6 miles nice and easy, 38;33. It snowed 3-4 inches today, maybe a bit more, so the roads were pretty snowy and slick. I think about all those high school track athletes I’ll be seeing in a couple months. After the first few days of practice, half of them will be complaining about lower leg soreness – shins and ankles. You want strong lower legs? Run in winter!
Good volume and intensity last week. 28 miles running, 4+ swimming
I’ve decided to lengthen my shortest run to 30 minutes
4.6 miles nice and easy, 38;33. It snowed 3-4 inches today, maybe a bit more, so the roads were pretty snowy and slick. I think about all those high school track athletes I’ll be seeing in a couple months. After the first few days of practice, half of them will be complaining about lower leg soreness – shins and ankles. You want strong lower legs? Run in winter!
Good volume and intensity last week. 28 miles running, 4+ swimming
I’ve decided to lengthen my shortest run to 30 minutes
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
February 5, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
6.2 miles mostly easy in 50:30. 8:50, 7:53, 4:04 (.55 mi.), 5:40 (.7 mi.), 4:59, 8:08, 7:51, 1:37 (49:00 for 6.0), 1:30. Did I really average 8:08/ mile (8 flat/mile over the last 5.2) running mostly easy on slushy, icy, hilly roads?
From 1/26
6.2 miles in 52:25. 22:05 out, 5:55 for 0.7 mile loop, 20:58 in, 3:28 for last 0.4
Today
6.2 miles in 50:30. 20:47 out, 5:40 for 0.7 mile loop, 20:58 in, 3:07 for last 0.4
6.2 miles mostly easy in 50:30. 8:50, 7:53, 4:04 (.55 mi.), 5:40 (.7 mi.), 4:59, 8:08, 7:51, 1:37 (49:00 for 6.0), 1:30. Did I really average 8:08/ mile (8 flat/mile over the last 5.2) running mostly easy on slushy, icy, hilly roads?
From 1/26
6.2 miles in 52:25. 22:05 out, 5:55 for 0.7 mile loop, 20:58 in, 3:28 for last 0.4
Today
6.2 miles in 50:30. 20:47 out, 5:40 for 0.7 mile loop, 20:58 in, 3:07 for last 0.4
Monday, February 4, 2008
February 4, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
That’s what I’m talkin’ about! An easy recovery run that feels like an easy recovery run. I didn’t want to do too much, partly because the last 4 days have been high volume and also because tonight is dart night. I got out just at 4:30 and received stunning vistas throughout the run. Picture a thick carpet of churning grey clouds in the distance, with three equally spaced mountains jutting through like ^^^ and their snow capped peaks glowing with a pink rose petal hue. They are about 15 miles away, as the crow flies, but adjacent the aforementioned presidents (from this point of view) is another mountain which, though smaller in size is larger in profile due to its being about 5 miles away. The clouds which obscured the bottom (and presumably middle) of the presidents is doing the opposite now, the top of the mountain is obscured but the bottom is clearly visible. And this was just in one direction. Look left. More left. Right. Behind. Mountains, valleys, ravines. I slowed down to a near crawl just to enjoy the sight. Anyway, I was a bit stiff and a little sore at first, but by the end of the run felt just fine. That’s my idea of an ideal recovery run – you feel your better when you finish than before. I almost went a couple miles extra, but decided not to. That’s called an iron will.
3.2 miles, 28:24.
And the wings were perfect last night.
That’s what I’m talkin’ about! An easy recovery run that feels like an easy recovery run. I didn’t want to do too much, partly because the last 4 days have been high volume and also because tonight is dart night. I got out just at 4:30 and received stunning vistas throughout the run. Picture a thick carpet of churning grey clouds in the distance, with three equally spaced mountains jutting through like ^^^ and their snow capped peaks glowing with a pink rose petal hue. They are about 15 miles away, as the crow flies, but adjacent the aforementioned presidents (from this point of view) is another mountain which, though smaller in size is larger in profile due to its being about 5 miles away. The clouds which obscured the bottom (and presumably middle) of the presidents is doing the opposite now, the top of the mountain is obscured but the bottom is clearly visible. And this was just in one direction. Look left. More left. Right. Behind. Mountains, valleys, ravines. I slowed down to a near crawl just to enjoy the sight. Anyway, I was a bit stiff and a little sore at first, but by the end of the run felt just fine. That’s my idea of an ideal recovery run – you feel your better when you finish than before. I almost went a couple miles extra, but decided not to. That’s called an iron will.
3.2 miles, 28:24.
And the wings were perfect last night.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
February 3, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Will the Patriots be able to complete a perfect season? We’ll know in about 7 hours. I made a test order of wings last night, and they were nearly perfect. After swimming today I picked up the fix. I’m bringing them, and a six pack of homebrew (a pumpkin ale and a red holiday spiced ale) over to Becky and Dave’s tonight as a Super Bowl snack surprise.
I swam 4500 m in 88:26. The workout was one of those open-ended workouts. Swim continuously until I failed to finish two consecutive 500 m blocks under 10 minutes. I was hoping to make it to 5000 m, and could have slogged through another 500 m, but what would have been the point. Besides, I was working hard on number 8 and could only do a 10:05. 9:46, 9:29, 9:34, 9:32, 9:34, 9:45, 9:52, 10:05 (77:36 for 4k), 10:50. No problems.
Here’s a photo of the road surface upon which I run.
It’s pretty much all like this, except where the road is slippery.
Will the Patriots be able to complete a perfect season? We’ll know in about 7 hours. I made a test order of wings last night, and they were nearly perfect. After swimming today I picked up the fix. I’m bringing them, and a six pack of homebrew (a pumpkin ale and a red holiday spiced ale) over to Becky and Dave’s tonight as a Super Bowl snack surprise.
I swam 4500 m in 88:26. The workout was one of those open-ended workouts. Swim continuously until I failed to finish two consecutive 500 m blocks under 10 minutes. I was hoping to make it to 5000 m, and could have slogged through another 500 m, but what would have been the point. Besides, I was working hard on number 8 and could only do a 10:05. 9:46, 9:29, 9:34, 9:32, 9:34, 9:45, 9:52, 10:05 (77:36 for 4k), 10:50. No problems.
Here’s a photo of the road surface upon which I run.
It’s pretty much all like this, except where the road is slippery.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
February 2, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
About 8.5 miles in about 72 minutes. It was warm and comfortable today, about 30 degrees, humid, with little wind. I tossed my hat and gloves in the car before I even left the driveway, and was perfectly comfortable, too warm even, for the entire run. I wasn’t sure how far I’d go. I cleaned the house all day (mainly dusting and vacuuming), then watched the Millrose games on the telly from 3 to 4. I stretched during the last 15 minutes of the meet and got out the door by 4:05. My legs felt a little stiff and sore, so I thought I might just turn back at the two mile mark and call it an easy 4.0. But by two miles I was feeling warmed up, and the next half mile section of road was nearly level, so I decided to go out another 4:15 (the first two miles were 8:32 and 8:34, for 21:22 out), turn around and call it 5 miles. The half mile split back was 4:39, followed by 7:47 and an uphill 7:59 (20:24 in). By then, I had been humping it pretty good to try and get that last mile in under 8 minutes (OK, OK!!! I stopped the watch a second early. I lied. It was only 8:00, maybe even 8:01. I’m still rounding it to 7:59), so after I took off the reflective vest and my windbreaker, I decided to go out for a little cooldown jog. Maybe .4 miles or so. But the instant I started out, I knew that wouldn’t do at all. It felt so nice and cool without the jacket, and it felt so good to be running nice and easy, I had to go farther. I decided to go out the other direction to the one mile mark, which just happens to be the top of the crest, with the 360 degree vistas. So I go out and back, then get back to the house, knowing it has now been 7.0 miles. Doing the math, (I had taken off my watch along with the vest and jacket), I figured I had been out about 59 minutes. If I’m going to run 59 minutes, I might as well run an hour. So I keep going, past the house again, to do the .2 out and back to the end of the road for an extra .4 miles. But then I think, if I’m going to run 7.4, I might as well run 8 and make it my long run, so I turn right at the end of the road. Then I take the first (and only) right after that. I’ve never been on this road before. It’s nice. Hey, there’s another road going off to the right. I’ve never even known this road existed! Now I’m almost 8 miles out, and running away from my house exploring a back country road I’ve never seen before just as it is getting dark. This is the kind of thing I love about running – exploring. So call it 5.0 miles in 41:46, about a minute rest, then about 3.5 miles in about 30 minutes. No. That doesn’t count as a double workout. But it sure was fun.
About 8.5 miles in about 72 minutes. It was warm and comfortable today, about 30 degrees, humid, with little wind. I tossed my hat and gloves in the car before I even left the driveway, and was perfectly comfortable, too warm even, for the entire run. I wasn’t sure how far I’d go. I cleaned the house all day (mainly dusting and vacuuming), then watched the Millrose games on the telly from 3 to 4. I stretched during the last 15 minutes of the meet and got out the door by 4:05. My legs felt a little stiff and sore, so I thought I might just turn back at the two mile mark and call it an easy 4.0. But by two miles I was feeling warmed up, and the next half mile section of road was nearly level, so I decided to go out another 4:15 (the first two miles were 8:32 and 8:34, for 21:22 out), turn around and call it 5 miles. The half mile split back was 4:39, followed by 7:47 and an uphill 7:59 (20:24 in). By then, I had been humping it pretty good to try and get that last mile in under 8 minutes (OK, OK!!! I stopped the watch a second early. I lied. It was only 8:00, maybe even 8:01. I’m still rounding it to 7:59), so after I took off the reflective vest and my windbreaker, I decided to go out for a little cooldown jog. Maybe .4 miles or so. But the instant I started out, I knew that wouldn’t do at all. It felt so nice and cool without the jacket, and it felt so good to be running nice and easy, I had to go farther. I decided to go out the other direction to the one mile mark, which just happens to be the top of the crest, with the 360 degree vistas. So I go out and back, then get back to the house, knowing it has now been 7.0 miles. Doing the math, (I had taken off my watch along with the vest and jacket), I figured I had been out about 59 minutes. If I’m going to run 59 minutes, I might as well run an hour. So I keep going, past the house again, to do the .2 out and back to the end of the road for an extra .4 miles. But then I think, if I’m going to run 7.4, I might as well run 8 and make it my long run, so I turn right at the end of the road. Then I take the first (and only) right after that. I’ve never been on this road before. It’s nice. Hey, there’s another road going off to the right. I’ve never even known this road existed! Now I’m almost 8 miles out, and running away from my house exploring a back country road I’ve never seen before just as it is getting dark. This is the kind of thing I love about running – exploring. So call it 5.0 miles in 41:46, about a minute rest, then about 3.5 miles in about 30 minutes. No. That doesn’t count as a double workout. But it sure was fun.
Friday, February 1, 2008
My International Buffet - February 1, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Ran 5.5 miles in the freezing rain. Felt light and strong and had a lot of fun.
161 lbs.
I feel healthy. Taking some time off has really helped me recharge. And it hasn’t been a step back, either, because I’ve made some progress towards some lifestyle changes I’ve been intending for some while. I’ve cleaned and organized my home, which has helped my frame of mind a whole helluva lot. It feels great to sit here in the middle of an ice storm, having run earlier in the day, listening to the freezing rain spatter against the windows, with a nice warm fire crackling in the fireplace, a kitchen full of food and bread fresh out of the oven, finally getting a chance to pay attention to my glog. I’ve also adjusted my diet. My diet was pretty healthy before, but it is now much better. Eating healthily is expensive. $208! Granted, it’ll feed me for the better part of a month, but still, … damn. I’m cooking and baking a lot more, and have added a lot of fresh stuff that grows from the ground. I’ve dropped an unhealthy habit, and it has now been a month since I stopped drinking. Well, not completely, but this last Monday at darts I had exactly one beer (a Guinness, so it doubled as dessert). Granted, I don’t drink all that much while school is in session (I was hitting it pretty hard over the summer, though), but it was more than a Guinness a week. I probably weighed about 180-185 pounds at the beginning of September. I was 175 when I started training in November, and had gotten down to 165 by New Year’s. I’ve dropped about five pounds in the last two weeks, all while eating like I had my own personal nutritional chef. One who knows what I like. Jambalaya with hot Italian sausage, Irish soda bread fresh out of the oven covered with butter.
Yeah, baby! Peach jello with grapes and blueberries. Tiny lentil soup (the lentils are tiny, not the soup) with leeks and brown rice and all kinds of other yummy stuff, roasted vegetables, mashed turnips, garlic ciabatta bread with olive oil, frittatas with red, green and yellow peppers, onions and mushrooms, salmon and scalloped taters, latkes with sour cream and chunky applesauce, and some buffalo chicken wings. Yeah, I know what I like.
Yesterday in the pool and today on the road I could really feel the lack of those 20 extra pounds. I probably haven’t been under 160 lbs in ten years (with a peak of about 195 lbs!). I set some PR’s from 1992-1994 at about 155. I haven’t been under 150 since about 1984, but still have hopes to get thereabouts by November.
I hope to do a double tomorrow. Run/run or run/swim.
January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Swam 2200 m in 41:30. 9:23, 9:19, 9:27 (1600 in 29:59), 9:28 (37:38 for 2k). Feeling strong and well rested. Average pace per 500 m = 9:25. Fastest 500 m block prior to today: 9:29.
Swam 2200 m in 41:30. 9:23, 9:19, 9:27 (1600 in 29:59), 9:28 (37:38 for 2k). Feeling strong and well rested. Average pace per 500 m = 9:25. Fastest 500 m block prior to today: 9:29.
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