Valentines Day Swim

These weeks of training are dedicated to my long term goal of competing in this race on July 20th.

I'm still fighting the "crud" that's going around, so I did do part of the swim workout today. I feel tired from the workout, so my body must be working hard to fight the virus I have.

It's Valentine's Day. I'm leaving shortly to put on the party in Sara's Classroom. Should be fun. I've made a bit of it educational too. The teacher should like that. We're playing Valentine's Bingo using their vocabulary words. They have a test tomorrow, so it'll be a nice review.

Later, we'll have a nice family dinner of baked ziti with Italian Sausage, chopped salad, garlic bread. Finishing it off with chocolate of course. Cards, and Chocolate and maybe some flowers.

Such a nice family night.

Happy Valentine's Day

Swimming Uphill

Yes, that's what I do.

No wonder I'm exhausted after a workout. I'm swimming uphill. I bet you didn't know such a thing could be done. Well, it can and I do it. It has all to do with body positioning.

Today I was video taped while swimming so I can fix my technique. Next week have a lesson to relearn everything I've been doing. So, while I'm learning my new technique, I won't be able to join in the group swims.

Sort of scary to think I have to start over. But, hopefully with some new tools and lots of practice I'll finally be able to get out of the slow lane and swim with the big fish.

We'll see.

A short swim

It seems that I've caught a little bit of the bug that Cathryn has. I don't feel 100% and have lots of post-nasal drip which is irritating my throat.

Today was a bike and swim day and strength day.
I decided just to do a swim and do some upper body lifting today since my body feels a little achey.

300 WU
3x100 20" rest
2x50 10" rest
400 swim
3x100 pull 20" rest
2x50 pull 10" rest
300 Kick

All in all 1800

Strength Train
2 sets dead bugs (core)
2x12 lat pull down 60lbs
2x12 bent arm pull downs 25lbs
2x15 seated row 60lbs
2x12 overhead tricep on bosu
2x12 chest press 15lb

It's warming up

It felt so nice today to actually walk onto the pool deck and not freeze!!

The past several weeks it's been a little chilly. About 40 degrees or so when we hit the pool. Now, I realize I shouldn't complain about 40 degrees when our friends on the East Coast and Mid West are experiencing below zero temps. But, we live in AZ because we like sun and warm weather.

Monday's are generally an easy workout. I did an easy 40 minute run. This means running at about a 9:30 pace. I should've run it a bit faster, but I'm feeling a little sleep deprived after taking care of Cate this weekend. Even though, I got a great nights sleep last night thanks to Bruce taking care of Cate.

My swim was a 20 minute continuous swim. These continuous swims will be longer and longer as the weeks go by. Today's was nice and peaceful. Though my right tricep felt a bit sore.

Long Run with Cate

The weekend is the time for the long stuff. Long runs, long bike rides and brick workouts.
A brick means doing a ride followed by a run.

So, today since Cate was sick and nothing could seem to make her happy, I decided to bundle her up and take her along for the run.

She must have enjoyed it. She never made a peep!

I ran 7 miles with Tammy and Cate in the jogger. It took us 70 minutes. I really find it challenging to run with the jogger. Especially going up a hill. I kept asking Tammy- this will make me stronger right? Hey, what's our pace now? (When I felt like we were running fast). Hopefully, this will make me stronger. I am happy Cate does seem to enjoy it.

The rest of the day was spent holding Cate most of the day. Poor thing was miserable. I was sure to suck on lots of Cold Eez and take extra vitamin C. Not sure if it really works- but it does seem to help me feel better.

Time for bed.

It's been a long time

I'm registered for my first Half Ironman................ It's on July, 20 in Sonoma, CA.

Right now I'm building my base. This means training at a consistent level and keeping my heart rate pretty low.

I'll use this as a means to keep track of my workouts. It may be a bit boring- or perhaps inspiring. Just think, last year I didn't even know how to swim. It's my 1 year anniversary this week.........

I never got to blog about the PF Changs Half Marathon. Well, I didn't quite reach my goal of 1:50. Didn't have it that day. But, I'm really happy with my time and made PR(personal record) of 1:53:49. That's an 8:40 average pace for 13.1 miles. So, my running has improved. Last year I did the same race in 2:39. WOW!!!

Okay, Cate is sleeping, so I guess I better get on my bike trainer.