Swim II

After waiting impatiently since Thursday to get back in the pool, I was back at it again this morning at 5:45.

Another good session. Just ladders; 1 lap, rest, 2 laps, rest, 3 laps, rest, etc. (Each lap is down and back, total of 50 yards.) I'm still working on my breathing in the water, so my rest came in between each lap.

All told, I did somewhere between 500 and 700 or so yards (the tri will be 440 yards). Need to keep working on breathing and slowing down the kicking to avoid exhaustion. I need to get to a point where I can do 10 laps non-stop by controlling my speed and breathing in the water (why does it seem so much harder than controlling speed and breathing on the bike or a run?)

I did have fun doing a mix of strokes today, like crawl down and backstroke or breaststroke coming back.

I just need to keep going, step by step, inch by inch and I will get there.

Diving in

‎"The experienced swimmer, when in the water, may be classed among the happiest of mortals in the happiest of moods, and in the most complete enjoyment of the happiest of exercises," from the 1883 book "The Swimming Instructor," by William Wilson.


I finally started the swim training today. It feels great. Instead of joining the Whitewater Aquatic Center and just starting to do laps, I decided to join a 2x weekly class with an instructor. Already I can tell this was the right choice. The instructor was able to get me back into the water at a good pace for me, rather than get frustrated on my own. 


Her assessment: "I'm obviously a good natural swimmer, and that I've obviously been away from the sport for some time."
I'll take that.


Now, it's off to the pool every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 a.m. for the foreseeable future, and I can't wait. 


Also still doing the karate 3x week, and Wii Fit EA Sports Active 4-5x week. In about a month, I should be able to start riding the bike again, and the end of April starts the 12-week tri-specific training program that will throw running into the mix as well. 

Good morning

Today is off to a great start. Had a good basketball-themed workout on the EA Sports active program with the Wii, and then a great number on the scale reflecting the workouts and changed eating of the past week. I'm trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, which has mainly translated to fruits recently, in the form of clementines, bananas and some apples. And several daily servings by way of V-8 Fusion mixed generously with vodka water.

Bike trainer

Yesterday's Mountain Gravity workout from EA Sports with the Wii at lunchtime destroyed my quads and hips yesterday. I really felt it at karate last night.

Today was going to be an off day with workouts Saturday, Sunday and Monday, but I thought it would be a good idea to get blood flow into my legs today. So I got on the bike since it's already on the indoor wind trainer and did 20 minutes of easy to moderate pedaling to loosen up. It felt good.

Working out

The Wii workouts are picking up again (three in the past week), plus two karate sessions at an hour each. It feels good to get moving again after slogging through the holidays. Beth gave me a nice triathlon prep book that covers beginners through advanced, with training programs from sprint (my July 8 race) through Ironman distances. I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing with workouts now, and full-bore tri training at the 12-week mark.

Hello, new year

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted. Guess that means I've fallen down a bit on my workouts. Yes, mostly. I've kept up with my karate, and passed the test to become a green belt. So that's good. Haven't been biking, running or swimming though as it relates to my goal of a tri before 40.

Today, though, I took another step on the tri path. I registered for the 2012 Pewaukee Sprint Triathlon. This year's event takes place on my birthday, so not sure if that counts as a Tri before 40. Maybe I should just change the goal to Tri@40.

Next step: Join the Whitewater Fitness Club to begin the swim training. Use the bike on the trainer inside. Keep up with program on Wii Fit and Active. In short - get to work.

Recall

It's been awhile since I rode, partly due to weather, partly to work travel last week and ... now I learned my bike may have a recall. So, it's back to the bike shop next week to get remedied and then onto the trainer.

And, coming soon, swimming.

Light week

I got two good rides in this week before the rain, cold and wind came back. Indian summer was nice while it lasted.

Next week, I'll be bike-less at the home office in NY, so I'll have to go out of my way to do some extra walking, stretching and watching what I eat. And then, apparently back on the trainer when I get home.

50.91 miles this week

'Nuff said.

I see progress

Did a 14-mile ride today at lunch in just under an hour. I noticed on my Map My Ride workouts summary that I am at 40.5 miles for the week, making this my first 40-mile week. I want to get out tomorrow for at least 10 now to make it my first 50-mile week too.

That's not my only progress though. I noticed today on the hill just east of my house that used to be a challenge was now just a slight adjustment, even at the end of a longer (for me) ride. I also notice that anything less than about eight miles doesn't feel like I really got a workout in.

All in all, heading into the weekend on a high note.

broken record

Another beautiful day. It's about 80 degrees out today and no clouds. Tackled an average difficulty 8.75-miler today in about 34 minutes and close to 15.2 mph average.

Other updates: Good news from the scale this week. Gotta capitalize on that before winter holidays set in.

Yuck

Another beautiful noontime ride, but the box-elder bugs and wasps tried to run me off the road in some areas. Ick.

Anyway, did a 7.25-mile ride in under 30 minutes, for a nice break in the day. And the weather looks like some great rides to come the rest of the week, too.

Blue skies

Today was a beautiful day for a lunchtime bike ride. About 68 degrees, light wind and blue skies in every direction. I turned in a 45-minute 10.5-mile ride with a nice selection of rolling terrain and a couple steep hills.

Slow ride

I didn't get the ride in I wanted to today. I wanted to do 18 miles to karate and back. I left with enough time to get there if I averaged about 14 mph, but hit strong headwinds when I turned north, which would have been the bulk of the ride. I continued on until I knew I wouldn't make class on time, then turned down some country roads and meandered home.

Total miles: 15.4. Avg: 11.5 mph.

Still a nice ride though.

Trainer

Not much to blog about when I use the trainer. There are no tough hills, headwinds, traffic, inclement weather ... just how many minutes I rode. It is nice to watch a movie on netflix while I ride though.

Today and tomorrow look like the rain will stay away for a bit, so I'm hoping to do a noon or afternoon ride today and maybe a ride to and from karate tomorrow (18 miles each way).

out of the wind

Lots of rain lately, but I now have the bike set up on a trainer in the office. Today was my first day on it; it's a bit awkward, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. And I'll still be riding outside on whatever sunny days are left this year before the cold really settles in.

into the wind

An 8-mile ride yesterday felt like more of a resistance workout than cardio. I was fighting strong headwinds and crosswinds for all but about 1.5 miles of it.

Then today loomed, windy and drizzling, and I'm catching a cold, so I stayed in. Maybe tomorrow lunch will be better. Definitely plan to ride Saturday and Sunday this week with no work travel looming.

*burrpp*

I hit moments of repetitive belching when I'm riding -- does that mean I need to pay more attention to my breathing, that I'm just gulping in air at times?

A good ride today, 8.5 miles at lunch. I was maintaining good speeds on some of the flat areas, between 18 and 20 mph. It felt great, especially after missing the past few days.

brr

My fingers have just warmed enough so I can type again. Cold one this morning. I cut the hour ride I was planning down to 15 minutes and a 3.5-mile route. I'll have to go out again at lunch after it gets out of the 40s and up into the 60s.

I may be down to my last few morning rides now when it's warm enough to do so, and going out after the sun's been out for at least a few hours.

Looks like the swimming portion of training is coming up, plus putting the Trek on a bike trainer in the office.

30 minutes

A 30-minute, 7.25-mile ride this morning. Beautiful morning, autumn just hit and it's only about 64 degrees out so far. I'm at half my distance for last week already, but I only get to ride two more mornings this week because of a work trip this weekend.

Maybe I'll get inspired and take a quick ride at lunch too. But I don't want to overdo it and cause injury either. ...