There is a group that meets in the area on Tuesday nights to ride, creatively called the 'Tuesday Night Race Ride'. Tuesday was my first showing.
I have a history of cycling - I've been in lots of fairly competitive groups, when I was younger. The guys I road with Tuesday night were the best I've ever seen. It was fast. If you couldn't catch the wheel in front of you it was done. People were dropping off while drafting, not able to hold the pace. I wish I had worn my heart rate monitor, it would have shown my true maximum heart rate.
I did Ok with these guys - but it was a little intimidating. They didn't look like normal cyclist - more like football players. Huge legs, barreling through corners, constantly attacking the front. My legs were burning. One of the attacks near the crest of a hill caught me off guard...I lost the wheel, and couldn't bring them back. Five of us worked together trying to bridge-up to the 'meaty' boys but we couldn't do it. We were pushing 33mph on the flats and still couldn't catch the lead group.
Cycling has various forms. Last night was not Triathlon. It wasn't an endurance test, more like a gut wrenching contest. It was exciting. Riding in a pack like that turns on all your senses.
Tonight I ran 8 miles, at the Park, some easy miles, some fast miles. I ran 5.5 miles on Monday - easy, it was my planned day off. Big workout tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A rainy Sunday
Friday: Swam 1,600 yards on lunch. 800 SKPS and then 4 x 200 IM. Ever do a 200 IM? Down and back of each stroke - fly/back/breast/free. They hurt.
Saturday: 20km Time Trial. I got 4th. It was my first road time trial. I placed the best of the Men of Steel racing guys I've been hanging out with, so that was kind of rewarding. Top three would have been better though. I could write a book on my athletic disappointments. There is some guy in my city that looks like Hercules and he's SUPER into cycling. I would guess that his bicycle cost more than $10,000. The bike does not make the rider...but in this case he has the bike and the body. When I say his legs looked like tree trunks, I mean it. He was ahead of me by 1 minute, the other two guys that got me were within a few seconds. About thirty people showing up in the sub-32 degree weather.
Sunday: Swam 3,500 yards. Good solid workout. The Y had a scuba class and portly men in full scuba gear kept scurrying along the bottom of my lane, looking at me. I've never seen anything like it. I just swam on.
Later I ran, in a slight rain. Speed Work. I was like a zombie from my swim, but I went ahead and followed the plan -did a mild warm-up, then sprints. I did some 200 meter sprints, total effort, running on my toes, full stride, like a kid at recess.
Triathlete magazine had an interesting article recently about improving your running. I always read the running articles -looking for the secret to running enjoyment. It suggested doing a drill of skipping, like when you were a kid, with high knees, forcibly pushing off with your toes to gain height. I remembered this article today, standing in the rain at the park I frequent. There are societal obstacles that must be overcome with this exercise. Unenthusiastically, with a watchful eye along the path for fellow park-goers, I quickly busted out by best, most powerful skipping. I've never placed 'power' and 'skipping' in the same sentence. It was really a joke, I sure was smiling and hoping not to be seen. I doubt my running prowess will improve much by skipping around the park.
Anyway. I'll pay for the sprinting tomorrow. My watch was dead, so no idea how many miles I travelled. Not many though. That intensity delivers quick results.
Saturday: 20km Time Trial. I got 4th. It was my first road time trial. I placed the best of the Men of Steel racing guys I've been hanging out with, so that was kind of rewarding. Top three would have been better though. I could write a book on my athletic disappointments. There is some guy in my city that looks like Hercules and he's SUPER into cycling. I would guess that his bicycle cost more than $10,000. The bike does not make the rider...but in this case he has the bike and the body. When I say his legs looked like tree trunks, I mean it. He was ahead of me by 1 minute, the other two guys that got me were within a few seconds. About thirty people showing up in the sub-32 degree weather.
Sunday: Swam 3,500 yards. Good solid workout. The Y had a scuba class and portly men in full scuba gear kept scurrying along the bottom of my lane, looking at me. I've never seen anything like it. I just swam on.
Later I ran, in a slight rain. Speed Work. I was like a zombie from my swim, but I went ahead and followed the plan -did a mild warm-up, then sprints. I did some 200 meter sprints, total effort, running on my toes, full stride, like a kid at recess.
Triathlete magazine had an interesting article recently about improving your running. I always read the running articles -looking for the secret to running enjoyment. It suggested doing a drill of skipping, like when you were a kid, with high knees, forcibly pushing off with your toes to gain height. I remembered this article today, standing in the rain at the park I frequent. There are societal obstacles that must be overcome with this exercise. Unenthusiastically, with a watchful eye along the path for fellow park-goers, I quickly busted out by best, most powerful skipping. I've never placed 'power' and 'skipping' in the same sentence. It was really a joke, I sure was smiling and hoping not to be seen. I doubt my running prowess will improve much by skipping around the park.
Anyway. I'll pay for the sprinting tomorrow. My watch was dead, so no idea how many miles I travelled. Not many though. That intensity delivers quick results.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
10 miles on a school night
I ran 10 miles tonight. 1hour 30 minutes. I didn't want to do it. I should get up in the morning and swim...but it's almost 10:30pm. I'm tired.
The good news: I really don't feel like I ran tonight. No leg pain, lungs feel fine. Feet, good. When I was younger the thought of running 10 miles seemed crazy to me. Incredible to me. Getting conditioned to run it 'comfortably' is really not that big of a deal. It just takes time. Generally I'm ready to stop running at mile 6. That always feels like enough. If it wasn't for this blog I would have likely quit and come home tonight at mile 6. It was dark, I didn't drink any water, and I was hungry. Writing about the effort does seem to help me continue knocking it out.
Peak fitness, endurance strength, is all about consistency.
A note for others that may attempt something like this someday - If you're married with two kids you have to have a great spouse to pull it off.
The good news: I really don't feel like I ran tonight. No leg pain, lungs feel fine. Feet, good. When I was younger the thought of running 10 miles seemed crazy to me. Incredible to me. Getting conditioned to run it 'comfortably' is really not that big of a deal. It just takes time. Generally I'm ready to stop running at mile 6. That always feels like enough. If it wasn't for this blog I would have likely quit and come home tonight at mile 6. It was dark, I didn't drink any water, and I was hungry. Writing about the effort does seem to help me continue knocking it out.
Peak fitness, endurance strength, is all about consistency.
A note for others that may attempt something like this someday - If you're married with two kids you have to have a great spouse to pull it off.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
group Ride
weights Tuesday AM. Downtown Y. Heavy weights...even free weights down in the basement. No grunting. Ran 1 quick mile warm down.
Tuesday night I met up with the Men of Steel Racing group. Five of us in all. They were shooting for 40 miles - I didn't have that much time, so I broke off with another guy at mile 14 and headed back to my car. These guys like to hit it hard almost everytime. We pushed the pace against the wind for those 14 miles, then I kept my cadence high and took it rather easy on the way back. It's great to be able to put in road miles this early in the year. Last time I did Ironman I wasn't out on my bike yet. Hope the weather holds.
I signed up for a cycling time trial this Saturday. 20km all out, solo. The Indiana State Master's Swimming is this weekend also. Regretfully, I'm not signed up for that - although I'm very tempted to go down to Fishers on Sunday and see if they'll let me swim, sign-up on deck. I do have my US Master Swimming license for this year. I swim unattached, not affiliated with any team. I could probably put in a good 1,000 yard time right now. I'll miss the 400 IM on Saturday...my preferred event.
A little precurser to a goal of mine. When I reach 40 years of age, I think I can set the State record in the 400 IM in the 40-45 age group.
So, this means there will be another blog likely in my future. And it will only be about swimming. How boring is that? No followers on that one...
Tuesday night I met up with the Men of Steel Racing group. Five of us in all. They were shooting for 40 miles - I didn't have that much time, so I broke off with another guy at mile 14 and headed back to my car. These guys like to hit it hard almost everytime. We pushed the pace against the wind for those 14 miles, then I kept my cadence high and took it rather easy on the way back. It's great to be able to put in road miles this early in the year. Last time I did Ironman I wasn't out on my bike yet. Hope the weather holds.
I signed up for a cycling time trial this Saturday. 20km all out, solo. The Indiana State Master's Swimming is this weekend also. Regretfully, I'm not signed up for that - although I'm very tempted to go down to Fishers on Sunday and see if they'll let me swim, sign-up on deck. I do have my US Master Swimming license for this year. I swim unattached, not affiliated with any team. I could probably put in a good 1,000 yard time right now. I'll miss the 400 IM on Saturday...my preferred event.
A little precurser to a goal of mine. When I reach 40 years of age, I think I can set the State record in the 400 IM in the 40-45 age group.
So, this means there will be another blog likely in my future. And it will only be about swimming. How boring is that? No followers on that one...
Monday, March 22, 2010
Weekend Report
I put in a good weekend.
Saturday: Swam 2,000 yards, Rode 35 miles
Sunday: Ran 12.5 miles
Monday AM: Swam 3,300 yards.
The Saturday morning swim was mediocre. A mild hang-over workout. The pool was busy though - I went to Jorgenson and there were several swimmers, promptly arriving at 7:00am. I got stuck in the lane right next to the wall. The guy in my lane had a noticeable cross-over in his stroke, his hand extended way past the center line of his body, and he did loud splashy dramatic flip turns that I think some people do to draw attention to the fact that they can do flip turns. But he still was swimming kind of fast. I turned it up a notch on this guy, to see what he could do, and lapped him in my warm-up. Just to set the tone a little.
I proceeded to push the pace the whole swim. We never got a chance to talk, but when I was getting out of the pool some guy on the deck pointed to splashy turns and said: "Do you know who that guy is?" Then he pointed to splashes name on a board on the wall that list swimmers that have put in the most workouts, their yardage, training volume, etc. He was at the top of the list. My name is not on that board. Poor guy. I unknowingly took down the King of the Jorgenson Y Saturday AM Swim. I quickly dried off and got out of there.
About 45 minutes later I went cycling with a friend of mine. We rode out into the country side, blue skies, and WIND. It was also much colder than I realized, I was freezing most of the time. It was a deceit ride, fighting the wind adds greatly to the effort. I was glad to get a little drafting as we rotated the lead position.
Yesterday's run was pleasant. I did one lap at the park with my frantic darting puppy then ran 10 miles solo. Nice and steady. I need to run more often, I was quite drained for a couple hours after.
This morning was a good swim. Downtown, not a competitive group at all. Did my normal 800 SKPS then a ladder set: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100. I pushed each distance hard, and descended my times on the way down. I think the young life guard thought I was going to have a heart attack or something. She was clutching that float thingy, and had a worried look like she might actually need to do some life saving. She's always happy to see me go.
Saturday: Swam 2,000 yards, Rode 35 miles
Sunday: Ran 12.5 miles
Monday AM: Swam 3,300 yards.
The Saturday morning swim was mediocre. A mild hang-over workout. The pool was busy though - I went to Jorgenson and there were several swimmers, promptly arriving at 7:00am. I got stuck in the lane right next to the wall. The guy in my lane had a noticeable cross-over in his stroke, his hand extended way past the center line of his body, and he did loud splashy dramatic flip turns that I think some people do to draw attention to the fact that they can do flip turns. But he still was swimming kind of fast. I turned it up a notch on this guy, to see what he could do, and lapped him in my warm-up. Just to set the tone a little.
I proceeded to push the pace the whole swim. We never got a chance to talk, but when I was getting out of the pool some guy on the deck pointed to splashy turns and said: "Do you know who that guy is?" Then he pointed to splashes name on a board on the wall that list swimmers that have put in the most workouts, their yardage, training volume, etc. He was at the top of the list. My name is not on that board. Poor guy. I unknowingly took down the King of the Jorgenson Y Saturday AM Swim. I quickly dried off and got out of there.
About 45 minutes later I went cycling with a friend of mine. We rode out into the country side, blue skies, and WIND. It was also much colder than I realized, I was freezing most of the time. It was a deceit ride, fighting the wind adds greatly to the effort. I was glad to get a little drafting as we rotated the lead position.
Yesterday's run was pleasant. I did one lap at the park with my frantic darting puppy then ran 10 miles solo. Nice and steady. I need to run more often, I was quite drained for a couple hours after.
This morning was a good swim. Downtown, not a competitive group at all. Did my normal 800 SKPS then a ladder set: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100. I pushed each distance hard, and descended my times on the way down. I think the young life guard thought I was going to have a heart attack or something. She was clutching that float thingy, and had a worried look like she might actually need to do some life saving. She's always happy to see me go.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
week 12
I'm 12 weeks into my training program. I read forward to the summer months to get a sense of the training ahead. The workouts I've been writing about barely scratch the surface. We're planning a vacation in July - a week when I'm supposed to do workouts like 8 Mile Hill run one day, then a 2 mile open water swim, then 20 mile run marathon pace, then 6 hours on the bike followed by a 10 mile run. Big time effort, and dedication, and commitment. There's no other way to do it I suppose. I need more time.
Last September I drove to Wisconsin to sign-up for this event. Ironman is growing in popularity. It sold out within hours. I stood in line, and at times laid shivering, on a concrete sidewalk for 5 hours just to get in. Craziness. This whole thing is just a childhood dream I've always had and can't shake. I've always been drawn to endurance events.
I got the boys settled in tonight, reviewed the homework, hit dinner, cleaned up, then rode my trainer for 45 minutes. More high output work - 15 min warmup, 2X Single leg drill, 8 minutes L3, 2 min L2, 1 min L5, 2 min L2, 1 min L5, etc. My sister came to visit a few weeks ago and moved the fan that I use while riding. Now I always forget it, until I'm dripping wet and ready to die from exhaustion. I pushed it hard tonight, to the limits of my pain threshold. Cycling recovery is always faster than swimming recovery. I only felt 'sick' for a few minutes. Again, 'sick' = lactic acid build up. It's something that experience helps cope with I think.
I saw my first crocus a few days ago. Pure beauty. Day light savings time has weakened my morning motivation. I was close to seeing the sunrise near the end of my morning run, and now it's pure black again.
Last September I drove to Wisconsin to sign-up for this event. Ironman is growing in popularity. It sold out within hours. I stood in line, and at times laid shivering, on a concrete sidewalk for 5 hours just to get in. Craziness. This whole thing is just a childhood dream I've always had and can't shake. I've always been drawn to endurance events.
I got the boys settled in tonight, reviewed the homework, hit dinner, cleaned up, then rode my trainer for 45 minutes. More high output work - 15 min warmup, 2X Single leg drill, 8 minutes L3, 2 min L2, 1 min L5, 2 min L2, 1 min L5, etc. My sister came to visit a few weeks ago and moved the fan that I use while riding. Now I always forget it, until I'm dripping wet and ready to die from exhaustion. I pushed it hard tonight, to the limits of my pain threshold. Cycling recovery is always faster than swimming recovery. I only felt 'sick' for a few minutes. Again, 'sick' = lactic acid build up. It's something that experience helps cope with I think.
I saw my first crocus a few days ago. Pure beauty. Day light savings time has weakened my morning motivation. I was close to seeing the sunrise near the end of my morning run, and now it's pure black again.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Track Running
Last night I did my first track run of the season. Speed work. Ouch. I thought I was in pretty good shape, working out everyday and all, until I ran fast laps at the track. Ran a two mile warm up, then only 2 x 200's all out and 2 x 400's, then another two miles L3 (my training program has a rate of perceived exertion ranking from L1 to L5. L1 you can talk, L5 you can't).
There is definitely a physiological adaptation needed for running fast. I can run easy all day - but two laps on the track hurt.
Yesterday I swam also, on my lunch. Got in a fast 1,200 yards, mainly sprint work. Got my usual dull sick feeling afterwards. Swimming has a powerful sedating lactic acid effect and caloric drain. One Coke later I was back among the living.
This morning I failed, slightly. Rode my trainer for about 15 minutes then decided to quit. After riding outside last weekend I just couldn't bring myself to ride that thing. I did the P90X abdominal CD instead. Someday I wouldn't mind really doing P90X: doubling my body weight, not able to fit in any of my clothes, and lots of physical therapy.
There is definitely a physiological adaptation needed for running fast. I can run easy all day - but two laps on the track hurt.
Yesterday I swam also, on my lunch. Got in a fast 1,200 yards, mainly sprint work. Got my usual dull sick feeling afterwards. Swimming has a powerful sedating lactic acid effect and caloric drain. One Coke later I was back among the living.
This morning I failed, slightly. Rode my trainer for about 15 minutes then decided to quit. After riding outside last weekend I just couldn't bring myself to ride that thing. I did the P90X abdominal CD instead. Someday I wouldn't mind really doing P90X: doubling my body weight, not able to fit in any of my clothes, and lots of physical therapy.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Southern Indiana Cycling
I'm still alive after cycling in the rainy hills of southern Indiana! I never use exclamation marks - most things just are not that exciting - but after flying down 19% grade hills in the rain at 40+ mph I decided to throw one in.
Day 1 = 65 Miles. There were ten riders, all decked out in the black and white Men of Steel Racing jerseys (myself included - 'club' rider). We lost a guy very near the beginning on one of climbs and spent the next hour trying to hook up again. I hit 46.5 mph on a descent that day, which is pretty fast on a road bike. I got a little cold on this ride...couldn't feel my fingers or toes. We stopped in Story, Indiana for lunch. Go to Story for lunch some day if you haven't been there before.
Ecological update: I'm predicting a large frog population near Bloomington this year. We passed several areas of standing water on the side of the road with audible life. It sounded like the frogs were having quite a time. They're loud little creatures.
Biggest disappointment: we went to a pizza place in Nashville for dinner and they didn't serve alcohol. What? No beer? After 65 cold hilly miles? I quietly drank my Pepsi.
Day 2 = 52 miles. In the rain. And cold. We started out in the rain, which takes so much more effort than getting caught in the rain. Begrudgingly we saddled up and started pedaling. One guy got a flat tire one mile into the ride. We all stood in the rain waiting for him to repair the flat. I patiently listened to the frogs. Then the group of ten got moving, grouped tightly, and faced the circumstances. At times it was like riding into the water of a hose spraying directly into my face - as the wheel from the bike in front of me sprayed up a mix of water, mud and worms. It was fairly miserable for a while. My legs, feet, and hands were thoroughly soaked within about 10 minutes of the more than three hour ride. There were puddles, and pot holes, and trucks, and sharp hair-pin wet corners, and slick steep declines. I literally had dirt in my teeth at times. Boy, did I have fun. The rain stopped about mid-way through, I ate a Clif bar and cleaned the worms out of my brakes. The worm population sustained a terrible blow this weekend I'm afraid. I rode my brakes hard a few times to the point of worry on a few descents.
A note on embarrassment: we had three flats total on day two. During one of the repairs I rode slowly along the road, killing time, slowly, as in almost no forward motion, just balancing and doing circles. This is always when you fall over. I slightly caught my front wheel in a wet sandy spot on the side of the road and promptly crashed - bike up in the air over my body, laying in the street. I clicked out, stood up, tried to act cool as best one can after looking so stupid. The pack caught me moments later and I got a few deserving comments like "that was graceful", and "what were you doing laying in the street?".
A good weekend overall. I put in some good work on every hill, trying to get the best of it. These base miles will hopefully serve me well in the coming months.
Day 1 = 65 Miles. There were ten riders, all decked out in the black and white Men of Steel Racing jerseys (myself included - 'club' rider). We lost a guy very near the beginning on one of climbs and spent the next hour trying to hook up again. I hit 46.5 mph on a descent that day, which is pretty fast on a road bike. I got a little cold on this ride...couldn't feel my fingers or toes. We stopped in Story, Indiana for lunch. Go to Story for lunch some day if you haven't been there before.
Ecological update: I'm predicting a large frog population near Bloomington this year. We passed several areas of standing water on the side of the road with audible life. It sounded like the frogs were having quite a time. They're loud little creatures.
Biggest disappointment: we went to a pizza place in Nashville for dinner and they didn't serve alcohol. What? No beer? After 65 cold hilly miles? I quietly drank my Pepsi.
Day 2 = 52 miles. In the rain. And cold. We started out in the rain, which takes so much more effort than getting caught in the rain. Begrudgingly we saddled up and started pedaling. One guy got a flat tire one mile into the ride. We all stood in the rain waiting for him to repair the flat. I patiently listened to the frogs. Then the group of ten got moving, grouped tightly, and faced the circumstances. At times it was like riding into the water of a hose spraying directly into my face - as the wheel from the bike in front of me sprayed up a mix of water, mud and worms. It was fairly miserable for a while. My legs, feet, and hands were thoroughly soaked within about 10 minutes of the more than three hour ride. There were puddles, and pot holes, and trucks, and sharp hair-pin wet corners, and slick steep declines. I literally had dirt in my teeth at times. Boy, did I have fun. The rain stopped about mid-way through, I ate a Clif bar and cleaned the worms out of my brakes. The worm population sustained a terrible blow this weekend I'm afraid. I rode my brakes hard a few times to the point of worry on a few descents.
A note on embarrassment: we had three flats total on day two. During one of the repairs I rode slowly along the road, killing time, slowly, as in almost no forward motion, just balancing and doing circles. This is always when you fall over. I slightly caught my front wheel in a wet sandy spot on the side of the road and promptly crashed - bike up in the air over my body, laying in the street. I clicked out, stood up, tried to act cool as best one can after looking so stupid. The pack caught me moments later and I got a few deserving comments like "that was graceful", and "what were you doing laying in the street?".
A good weekend overall. I put in some good work on every hill, trying to get the best of it. These base miles will hopefully serve me well in the coming months.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday Update. March
Training update.
Wednesday run was 7.75 miles. Nice night at Foster....the air was thick with the smell of dinners grilling. I would guess that all the surrounding homes grilled something meaty Wednesday night. I was starving, and running, and dreaming of hot dogs, steak, and hamburgers grilled to my delight. I held a few 7:30's pacing off some young kid running in front of me. The park was packed with people, and will mostly be packed with people for the balance of my training. Kind of makes me miss the cold dark lonely mornings already.
Thursday I took the day off. No exercise other than some sit-ups while watching the tube with the boys.
This morning I swam 2,200 yards. 800 SKPS then 8 X 150's consisting of 50 drill/50 swim/50 kick...2 150's of each stroke. A nice IM workout. I cooled down with some inverted dolphin moves, twirling underwater the length of the pool, making the life guard nervous.
This weekend I'm traveling to southern Indiana to ride with the Men of Steel Racing club, the cycling group I've joined. We're all packing into hotel rooms in Nashville, Indiana. Planning to ride 80 miles on Saturday, and 60 on Sunday. The weather looks like rain, unfortunately...but with a name like Men of Steel how can you cancel? Nothing like screaming down those southern Indiana hills in a rain storm. I really should run this weekend also, immediately after cycling, but it might look a little pretentious to my fellow cyclist that I barely know: "Nice ride guys - now I'm going for an hour run - see ya". I think I'll leave my running shoes behind. It's been my experience that pure cyclist generally hate triathletes. I'll have to keep a low profile - and maybe strike up the debate over the merits of Shimano components versus Campagnolo.
Wednesday run was 7.75 miles. Nice night at Foster....the air was thick with the smell of dinners grilling. I would guess that all the surrounding homes grilled something meaty Wednesday night. I was starving, and running, and dreaming of hot dogs, steak, and hamburgers grilled to my delight. I held a few 7:30's pacing off some young kid running in front of me. The park was packed with people, and will mostly be packed with people for the balance of my training. Kind of makes me miss the cold dark lonely mornings already.
Thursday I took the day off. No exercise other than some sit-ups while watching the tube with the boys.
This morning I swam 2,200 yards. 800 SKPS then 8 X 150's consisting of 50 drill/50 swim/50 kick...2 150's of each stroke. A nice IM workout. I cooled down with some inverted dolphin moves, twirling underwater the length of the pool, making the life guard nervous.
This weekend I'm traveling to southern Indiana to ride with the Men of Steel Racing club, the cycling group I've joined. We're all packing into hotel rooms in Nashville, Indiana. Planning to ride 80 miles on Saturday, and 60 on Sunday. The weather looks like rain, unfortunately...but with a name like Men of Steel how can you cancel? Nothing like screaming down those southern Indiana hills in a rain storm. I really should run this weekend also, immediately after cycling, but it might look a little pretentious to my fellow cyclist that I barely know: "Nice ride guys - now I'm going for an hour run - see ya". I think I'll leave my running shoes behind. It's been my experience that pure cyclist generally hate triathletes. I'll have to keep a low profile - and maybe strike up the debate over the merits of Shimano components versus Campagnolo.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Swim 3-9
Swam 4,000 yards this morning (160 lengths). Alarm: 4:45am. I was up for it - hadn't been in the water for a few days. A good solid workout. Mostly all freestyle, but a little of everything. Gwen there at the front desk of the Y sold me two bananas for a $1. They were gone before I got home to help the kids get ready for school. I don't track calories, or care to track calories, or even really think about calories. But I've been burning them up lately.
Yesterday, Monday, I ran 4.72 hard miles. I got my Garmin 405 working again, well - charged the battery finally. I ran last week without it. Being connected to satellites that track every step you take is interesting, but can lead to psychosis. I wait in front of my house with my wrist angled toward the sky, pacing, praying for a signal. Other times if it's not working properly I conclude: "what's the use...the satellites won't even track these miles, might as well slow it down a little".
Yesterday's run, precisely: Mile 1 = 7:46, Mile 2 = 7:27, Mile 3 = 7:12, Mile 4 = 7:01, Mile 5 (.72 of a mile) = 6:59 pace. I didn't wear my heart rate monitor - otherwise I could write obsessively about my bpm for each mile. Technology these days? I don't really 'go for a jog' anymore. I suppose it's not all bad, if you want it. I wanted to descend my miles and my fancy watch kept track of everything.
Tomorrow AM: Cycling in the basement again? Run in the dark? I'm not in the mood for either.
Yesterday, Monday, I ran 4.72 hard miles. I got my Garmin 405 working again, well - charged the battery finally. I ran last week without it. Being connected to satellites that track every step you take is interesting, but can lead to psychosis. I wait in front of my house with my wrist angled toward the sky, pacing, praying for a signal. Other times if it's not working properly I conclude: "what's the use...the satellites won't even track these miles, might as well slow it down a little".
Yesterday's run, precisely: Mile 1 = 7:46, Mile 2 = 7:27, Mile 3 = 7:12, Mile 4 = 7:01, Mile 5 (.72 of a mile) = 6:59 pace. I didn't wear my heart rate monitor - otherwise I could write obsessively about my bpm for each mile. Technology these days? I don't really 'go for a jog' anymore. I suppose it's not all bad, if you want it. I wanted to descend my miles and my fancy watch kept track of everything.
Tomorrow AM: Cycling in the basement again? Run in the dark? I'm not in the mood for either.
Monday, March 8, 2010
On the Road
Sunday I road 57 miles outside. Blue skies. Birds chirping. Ideal conditions.
There was a group ride leaving from a high school in town, so I rode there, about 10 miles, and hooked up with a group I've never ridden with before. There were about 25 guys all decked out in their team jerseys, with Zipp wheels, carbon bikes, etc. A serious group. They rode like it was the US National team try-outs. Two groups quickly formed once we started. I pushed into the lead group and started to feel a bit claustrophobic. We were rolling along at 22mph, cornering, hill climbing, and the guy next to me was about 3 inches from my handlebars. We were both about 3 inches from the wheels ahead of us. I've been here before - when I was a kid - but now, training mostly solo, I'm a little rusty from my old days of peloton cycling. I was just desperately trying to hold my line... imagining myself as the Apolo Ono of Northeast Indiana cycling.
We rode to Huntington in a headwind, and then made the turn for home, with a tailwind. It was at this point that the pace quickened. We kept dropping people like flies. Guys were attacking the front, attacking hills, and 'racing'. I enjoyed every second. At one point someone pushed me from the back - a little physical shove forward, indicating my turn to lead the front. That was my interpretation at the moment - I may have made a mistake and just gotten shoved! Regardless of the intent, in the vernacular of my youth: "I put the hammer down". I sustained 28mph for a while...and it hurt. There were a series of painful moments from that point as we returned home.
I finished with two other guys, we dropped everyone else. Then I meandered my 10 miles home with a headache and twitching legs.
There was a group ride leaving from a high school in town, so I rode there, about 10 miles, and hooked up with a group I've never ridden with before. There were about 25 guys all decked out in their team jerseys, with Zipp wheels, carbon bikes, etc. A serious group. They rode like it was the US National team try-outs. Two groups quickly formed once we started. I pushed into the lead group and started to feel a bit claustrophobic. We were rolling along at 22mph, cornering, hill climbing, and the guy next to me was about 3 inches from my handlebars. We were both about 3 inches from the wheels ahead of us. I've been here before - when I was a kid - but now, training mostly solo, I'm a little rusty from my old days of peloton cycling. I was just desperately trying to hold my line... imagining myself as the Apolo Ono of Northeast Indiana cycling.
We rode to Huntington in a headwind, and then made the turn for home, with a tailwind. It was at this point that the pace quickened. We kept dropping people like flies. Guys were attacking the front, attacking hills, and 'racing'. I enjoyed every second. At one point someone pushed me from the back - a little physical shove forward, indicating my turn to lead the front. That was my interpretation at the moment - I may have made a mistake and just gotten shoved! Regardless of the intent, in the vernacular of my youth: "I put the hammer down". I sustained 28mph for a while...and it hurt. There were a series of painful moments from that point as we returned home.
I finished with two other guys, we dropped everyone else. Then I meandered my 10 miles home with a headache and twitching legs.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Swim. And age
I swam today at Jorgenson, the Y. Not my usual pool. It's made of steel. Steel pools are cheap, and can lead to poor flip turns. For whatever reason I can't sight my turns as well in a steel pool either...I like to see the symmetry of grout and tile. Thankfully the downtown pool is constructed of tile.
Anyway, I got in a quick swim on my lunch, 30 minutes probably. I was planning on 2,000 yards, but some guy in the lane next to me asked a question in between sets. The same question as last time in this pool: "How old are you?". I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable swimming there, as my fellow lap swimmers want to know my age. I've never been asked that question in my old tiled pool downtown. Maybe it's the steel? So, the 'kid' was a fairly good swimmer - turns out he swam for Homestead, a high school here in the Fort. He was 28. I don't know a thing about their program, but I think they need to work on streamlining off the wall. I was killing him on the turns. Usually I like the enthusiasm - as he wanted to know how many yards I swim per week, what kind of sets I normally do, have I ever done a triathlon, and all kinds of other swimming gibberish that I know well. All I wanted to do was keep on swimming. I was polite though, and we'll likely swim again soon.
Anyway, I got in a quick swim on my lunch, 30 minutes probably. I was planning on 2,000 yards, but some guy in the lane next to me asked a question in between sets. The same question as last time in this pool: "How old are you?". I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable swimming there, as my fellow lap swimmers want to know my age. I've never been asked that question in my old tiled pool downtown. Maybe it's the steel? So, the 'kid' was a fairly good swimmer - turns out he swam for Homestead, a high school here in the Fort. He was 28. I don't know a thing about their program, but I think they need to work on streamlining off the wall. I was killing him on the turns. Usually I like the enthusiasm - as he wanted to know how many yards I swim per week, what kind of sets I normally do, have I ever done a triathlon, and all kinds of other swimming gibberish that I know well. All I wanted to do was keep on swimming. I was polite though, and we'll likely swim again soon.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Mid Week
Update.
Monday: I road 40 miles on my trainer in the basement. That's a long trainer ride for me. I started out reading the Catcher in the Rye. Easy I thought - like watching a good re-run of an old movie. You can't hold a book still enough to easily read while pedaling. I got to where Holden was telling his professor that he got kicked out and then had to abandon the book. So, next came a debate on CNN about whether or not to have killer whales in captivity, then a PBS story about Dolly Madison. Good stuff, boy did I feel smart. I put in some focused effort on my last 10 miles.
Tuesday AM: Got up after the 40 miles on the bike and swam 2,500 yards. The Y was full, I didn't get my lane. Had to swim for a time with a guy doing a very wide, slow, breast stroke kick...there's nothing worse, as his foot would whip near my face on every pass. Eventually my spot opened up and I was able to stretch it out. Did 4 x 400 Free for my main set.
Wednesday AM: Ran 7 miles this morning. Cold, dark, silent. Uneventful run. No one was at the park. There's a full moon out, but I didn't get to enjoy it due to the heavy low clouds.
This was supposed to be a light week - rest. But, I counted backwards from September 12th and need to skip the rest. I get a little break in May. I wish I was running right now...clear and pretty blue skies outside.
Monday: I road 40 miles on my trainer in the basement. That's a long trainer ride for me. I started out reading the Catcher in the Rye. Easy I thought - like watching a good re-run of an old movie. You can't hold a book still enough to easily read while pedaling. I got to where Holden was telling his professor that he got kicked out and then had to abandon the book. So, next came a debate on CNN about whether or not to have killer whales in captivity, then a PBS story about Dolly Madison. Good stuff, boy did I feel smart. I put in some focused effort on my last 10 miles.
Tuesday AM: Got up after the 40 miles on the bike and swam 2,500 yards. The Y was full, I didn't get my lane. Had to swim for a time with a guy doing a very wide, slow, breast stroke kick...there's nothing worse, as his foot would whip near my face on every pass. Eventually my spot opened up and I was able to stretch it out. Did 4 x 400 Free for my main set.
Wednesday AM: Ran 7 miles this morning. Cold, dark, silent. Uneventful run. No one was at the park. There's a full moon out, but I didn't get to enjoy it due to the heavy low clouds.
This was supposed to be a light week - rest. But, I counted backwards from September 12th and need to skip the rest. I get a little break in May. I wish I was running right now...clear and pretty blue skies outside.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday - I ran
I did a real run on Sunday. 1 mile warm-up, then 4 x 1 mile at 90-100% sustained output, then 1 mile warm down. This was some quality work. I was sub 7:00 miles on each. My best was maybe a 6:35mile. Foster was still a little slushy in spots, which slowed me down. And some guy walking a big pit bull looking dog on a long leash made me swing wide a few times to avoid loss of limb.
The weather is starting to make it's turn. I'm sure we'll have a few cold, snowy, horrible days yet this winter, but they will fade away to the coming Spring. I look forward to the sight of my first crocus.
This morning my alarm went off at 4:45am. I said 'rabbits' as I always do on the first of the month, following my mothers life-long proclamation that this will bring good luck... and then snoozed until 5:25am. After a few groggy thoughts of internal debate (I'd ran so hard the day before...) I decided not to work out. I committed to the idea and turned off the alarm, drifting back down into another hour, a full hour of sleep. It was at that exact final decision that my wife whispered "Are you working out this morning?".
That's all it took. I said "Yes", curtly, under my breath, half-cursing. Then I rose reluctantly and proceeded to the machine in the basement that allows me to pedal endlessly with no forward progress.
The weather is starting to make it's turn. I'm sure we'll have a few cold, snowy, horrible days yet this winter, but they will fade away to the coming Spring. I look forward to the sight of my first crocus.
This morning my alarm went off at 4:45am. I said 'rabbits' as I always do on the first of the month, following my mothers life-long proclamation that this will bring good luck... and then snoozed until 5:25am. After a few groggy thoughts of internal debate (I'd ran so hard the day before...) I decided not to work out. I committed to the idea and turned off the alarm, drifting back down into another hour, a full hour of sleep. It was at that exact final decision that my wife whispered "Are you working out this morning?".
That's all it took. I said "Yes", curtly, under my breath, half-cursing. Then I rose reluctantly and proceeded to the machine in the basement that allows me to pedal endlessly with no forward progress.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)