4 - Four weeks into the new running program and now starting my first down week. I contemplated skipping it and continuing to build, but I quickly decided I'm running enough. Planning to run 6 days a week in the winter in Wisconsin has been a gamble, but to date it has paid off. The weather has been extremely cooperative. Knock on wood. I've run 16 of 19 days so far this month. Most recently I ran Saturday morning then yesterday (Monday) after work. Seemed like an eternity between runs. I'm almost kind of starting to feel like a runner.
3 - Three days of work left until Christmas Vacation, then 11 days off. Can't wait. No plans, maybe it'll snow, the kids want to go sledding.
2 - On week 2 of Jorge's winter cycling plan. Loving it, and the powertap. Being a numbers geek, and having meaningful numbers to target, equates to me actually liking the trainer so far this winter. Knock on wood, again. Next week is the first official round of testing. I may start to dislike the sessions a little more if I test significantly higher, but at least I'll know the program is working.
1 - Times I've been in the pool this month. Sigh. I want to swim, I really do. Schedules just have not been working out.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
da Pool
Made it back to the pool with Mel this afternoon. Swimming still sucks. I'm thinking now this every other week swim program isn't going to cut it.
I really like swimming with the kids. My endurance isn't to the point where I need, want, or even can swim longer than their attention span or endurance, and I'm no faster than either of them. Trouble is, with their schedules, we'll be lucky to be able to do this more than once a week. The thought of solo time in the pool is not appealing at all.
But today was fun. Mel tried to teach me how to butterfly. First was dolphin kick with a board, that was as far as we got. It wasn't pretty.
The rest was also Mel's choice. 50's mostly. Free, kick, breast, back, mostly relays (us taking turns doing 50's). 40ish minutes of this and I was done. I thought running fitness may have carried over to the pool at least a little, not so much apparently.
I really like swimming with the kids. My endurance isn't to the point where I need, want, or even can swim longer than their attention span or endurance, and I'm no faster than either of them. Trouble is, with their schedules, we'll be lucky to be able to do this more than once a week. The thought of solo time in the pool is not appealing at all.
But today was fun. Mel tried to teach me how to butterfly. First was dolphin kick with a board, that was as far as we got. It wasn't pretty.
The rest was also Mel's choice. 50's mostly. Free, kick, breast, back, mostly relays (us taking turns doing 50's). 40ish minutes of this and I was done. I thought running fitness may have carried over to the pool at least a little, not so much apparently.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Nov. Recap
November fell short in some areas, and excelled in others. But overall, I feel pretty good about the month, and even better about where I am in relation to where I need to be. To summarize the month....
Swim
I stated long ago that November would be the start of my swim training, and it was, in as much as I did make it into the pool. Twice. 1,800 yards. Total. And it didn't completely suck, only because the kids were with me both times. I don't think I'm ready to swim alone.
Funny story. First time in, first time down the pool, we all grabbed kick boards and I started off. Less than 10 yards down the lane both kids (10 and 7) go absolutely flying past me, big ass grins on their faces. I felt like the slowest piece of crap in the world. Absolutely destroyed whatever ego I had, crushed my hopes of picking up with swimming again fairly quickly. Took me about 5 seconds in that deflated state to realize they both had flippers on, little shits. Hope restored.
Bike
Wilson found his way to the trainer in the basement and I actually found my way down there to ride a handful of times. Nothing strenuous or long. Just enough to get used to the trainer again and prepare for the hell that will be the next 4 months. I bought a Powertap, and combined with Jorge's winter cycling plan, the two should bring the trainer experience to a whole new level of hell.
The highlight of the month was a return trip to Ray's and a day after Thanksgiving mountain bike ride at Camrock, in shorts, in Wisconsin. Ray's was a blast, no blood shed, no broken ribs. Left very tired after over 8 hours there with Patrick. The Camrock ride was just a beautiful fall day solo go. Mid-50's, sun shining. Sigh, winter is going to suck.
Run
This seems to be the only aspect of "training" that is actually on track. Ran just shy of 80-miles in November including the two races. This is 60 miles more than I've ever run in November, so I feel pretty good about the run going forward.
Mid-month I completely revamped my run training plan. Where as previously I was trying to run at most every other day, I am now looking to run 6-days a week. My weekly mileage is still low (20ish), so these are all fairly short efforts, but I have a plan laid out to take me all the way to IMMT if I choose to continue with it.
December
While IMMT training doesn't officially start until mid January, I intend on continuing to build my run base from here on out (please weather cooperate). Will start Jorge's 16-week bike plan in mid-December, this will allow me to complete it about the same time spring comes around and I'll want to be riding outside.
That leaves swimming. Seeing as I swam twice in November, maybe I'll shoot for four times in December, or twice a week, or something along those lines. If I can get up to about 2,000 yards per session by mid January I'll be happy.
And there you have it.
Swim
I stated long ago that November would be the start of my swim training, and it was, in as much as I did make it into the pool. Twice. 1,800 yards. Total. And it didn't completely suck, only because the kids were with me both times. I don't think I'm ready to swim alone.
Funny story. First time in, first time down the pool, we all grabbed kick boards and I started off. Less than 10 yards down the lane both kids (10 and 7) go absolutely flying past me, big ass grins on their faces. I felt like the slowest piece of crap in the world. Absolutely destroyed whatever ego I had, crushed my hopes of picking up with swimming again fairly quickly. Took me about 5 seconds in that deflated state to realize they both had flippers on, little shits. Hope restored.
Bike
Wilson found his way to the trainer in the basement and I actually found my way down there to ride a handful of times. Nothing strenuous or long. Just enough to get used to the trainer again and prepare for the hell that will be the next 4 months. I bought a Powertap, and combined with Jorge's winter cycling plan, the two should bring the trainer experience to a whole new level of hell.
The highlight of the month was a return trip to Ray's and a day after Thanksgiving mountain bike ride at Camrock, in shorts, in Wisconsin. Ray's was a blast, no blood shed, no broken ribs. Left very tired after over 8 hours there with Patrick. The Camrock ride was just a beautiful fall day solo go. Mid-50's, sun shining. Sigh, winter is going to suck.
Run
This seems to be the only aspect of "training" that is actually on track. Ran just shy of 80-miles in November including the two races. This is 60 miles more than I've ever run in November, so I feel pretty good about the run going forward.
Mid-month I completely revamped my run training plan. Where as previously I was trying to run at most every other day, I am now looking to run 6-days a week. My weekly mileage is still low (20ish), so these are all fairly short efforts, but I have a plan laid out to take me all the way to IMMT if I choose to continue with it.
December
While IMMT training doesn't officially start until mid January, I intend on continuing to build my run base from here on out (please weather cooperate). Will start Jorge's 16-week bike plan in mid-December, this will allow me to complete it about the same time spring comes around and I'll want to be riding outside.
That leaves swimming. Seeing as I swam twice in November, maybe I'll shoot for four times in December, or twice a week, or something along those lines. If I can get up to about 2,000 yards per session by mid January I'll be happy.
And there you have it.
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