Monday Dec 18 thru Saturday Dec 24th

Marc........I am still alive and doing everything but I keep on putting off the blogging and then its too late! Here is a quick run down:

Monday - Nothing.. did some x-mas shopping
Tuesday - 3 mile run followed by swimming about 3K meters
Wednesday - Went out to dinner :-)
Thursday - Swam only about 2500 meters
Friday - 5 mile run. A little sore, but successful. The time was a tad over 52 mins.
Saturday - Swimming was cancelled and I prepped for X-mas. Mom is coming up.
Sunday - I will report tomorrow. Easy day as its only 7 miles. Great way to start the holiday

Weight still isn't dropping. I think I just eat like a pig and eat the wrong things :-)

Sunday December 18th - 10 mile

So I bought my new water bottle belt so I would be ready for the 10 mile run. Since we were having out X-mas party at 11am, we decided to take the dogs on the run for 3 miles to tire them out. I never can get a good run in with the dogs, so I decided to use those first 3 miles as a warm up. We chose to run out and back and with all the delays, I just didn't even track anything via time. After the 3 miles, we refueled and were off. Drew said we should go a nice long easy run. With that I took my running gear from a 3/4 to 2nd gear and ran smooth. I took off from Drew since he's still recovering from being sick and not running as frequent as I am. So with only 7 miles to go, it was a piece of cake. I enjoyed the views of the water, the boats, etc and sure enough I was at mile 7 (of 10) already. I ran back still just easy/controlled/relaxed and it was nice. I didn't push it at all and knew I wasn't at my normal pace but was fine with it. When I finished, realizing that I just ran over 10 miles, the first thought that came to my head was, "That was awesome". I was ready to go again.

Next Sunday is only 7 miles.

Friday December 16th - 5 mile run

5 miles today.

Five miles are beginning to feel like nothing, as they should be. It only feels far for the first mile.

Today's run was good. The first mile hurt more than normal so I figured I was probably not going to have that impressive of a run. But suprisingly my 1/2 mile and mile marks were on track with my good days. That is motivating to know that I'm beginning to build a solid base. I hit 2.5 miles at 25:47. That puts me at about 10:19 miles. I'm happy with that time for now. As I turned around, my head once again knew I was 1/2 way done so it was a piece of cake from there. I'm not sure why its so easy for me after I reach the 1/2 way mark, but I'm not going to question it.

My body started feeling better and I ran the back half of the run. I reached the 5 mile mark at 51:00. That means I came back in 27:13. Or 10:05 miles. That's what I like to see. Out in 27:47, back in 27:13. Good ol negative splitting. So for an average for the entire race, I'm at 10:12 miles. I'm getting closer to 10 min/miles. I think Oprah is getting a little scared!!

Weight - 183

I'm ok with the weight since I have eaten like a pig with all this holiday food. But if I am not at 178 by mid January something is wrong.

Peace out!! :-)

Thursday, December 15th

Swim - LCM (50 meter pool)

Tonight's workout had a bit of mix emotions to begin with. The water was cold, it was a poor turnout and I lacked motivation. Dr. Tom gave us the workout in advance, as the main set totaled 3000 meters. With Drew in the lane next to me, it helped me keep motivated. A tough but good idea was to do the swims (the workout consisted of swims and pulls) IM instead of free. Here was the workout:

500 meter warm up = 500 meters
100 IM
200 free pull
300 IM
400 free pull
500 IM
500 free pull
400 IM
300 free pull
200 IM
100 free pull = 3000 meters

What was I getting myself into? As I started the 300 IM my brain clicked on and I realized that these are the kind of sets I need to do if I want to get back to having a decent IM and solid fly. I just don't do much fly in workouts and therefore in competitions the fly ends up being good, but unfortunately takes way too much out of me, thus not allowing for a good end time. My IMs felt like this.....First 1/2 of fly was good, then it goes down hill with a struggle to just finish the fly portion. Once I turn over on my back, I end of having to use the first 25 meters to catch my breath and get into my backstroke groove. But after that my back gets solid. Then on the breaststroke its a toss up. Somedays it feels great, other days I just can't put it together. This night was good for most of the distance with only the longer distances showing fatigue on the breast. The free is the same as always. As long as I don't put in a kick and I can come home strong. I want to improve on that so that in competition I not only come home strong, but catch anyone that is within striking range. I'm getting back my swimming motivation. yea!

Tuesday December 13th

Morning 3 mile run.

This hurt. My quads are still sore from the 9 miles on Sunday. I took it easy and just ran to run. I was very slow (probably slower than 11 min miles). This appears to be a pattern on Tuesdays following my long Sunday runs. But luckily Tuesday runs are never far and with time I hope my recovery will be better? Any input Marc, Elaine or stranger?

Swim LCM -

The swim workout was just about as good as the run. YUCK! It started off hard to get motivated as not many swimmers showed up and I was in the pain lane by myself. Add that to Marc reminding me that swimming can be unmotivating, I suck into a depression of not wanting to be there. But I stuck through the set and just kept on swimming because I needed to. 7 months until Gay Games and I don't want to swim slow. Here's the workout:

600 warm up
4 X 100s (50 fists / 50 swim) = 400 meters
4 X 100s (50 catch up / 50 swim) = 400 meters
Main Set
50 fly/150 free
50 back/150 free
50 breast/150 free
100 IM/100 free
repeat = 1600 meters
300 cool down

Total - 3300 meters

Sunday December 11th 9 MILES!

Okay...... wow. So I woke up still coughing but determined to run my 9 miles. I had some breakfast, drank water and was ready to go. Drew was up for it too. He has also been sick and missed the past few long runs due to being sick and the space mission.

So I stretch and off we go. Since I haven't run in a week and Drew had been sick, I felt that it would be best just to take it slow and go with flow. Plus I figure even if I felt better, I would still run with Drew and not push it by myself. Mile 1 was good, a little slower than my last few runs, but not by much. That was a good sign that I hadn't lost much running conditioning. The most boring part of the run are the first and last 2 miles since its along the LA river bike path. Just not eye appealing. But after that it gets more motivating. We hit mile 3 at around 32+ which wasn't too bad. I knew I was getting stronger as we ran. We stopped for water and were off again at around 3 1/4 mile. At 3 1/2 I felt great but then backed off and had Drew lead since I wasn't sure which way to go. We hit the halfway point (4 1/2) and I was feeling great. We each had a goo and some water. I had a cherry one and it tasted like sugar coated jam. Ugh. So off we went. I think we hit the 4 1/2 mark at around 47 minutes. The way back I felt great and when we hit the wood part I took the lead. I knew we would stop again at the water fountain and just enjoyed the rush of my run. At mile 7, Drew's knee began to bother him and he told me to just keep going. I was feeling great so I put it in a higher gear. Nothing crazy, but a tad more of a push. As always the last mile was the worst, only because mentally you know you only have around 10 minutes to go. I need to figure out a way to not think that way and I will be good. So I was really shocked when I crossed the 9 mile mark at 1 HR, 32 Min 45 Sec. Including the 3 stops we had, that puts me averaging about 10:20 / mile. Then if I wanted to see what it would be had I not taken those stops for Drew's water, it would probably push me closer to 10:12. Not too shabby!.

Side note - today is now Monday and my legs/thighs/etc are sore!!! OUCH. My knee was hurting me last night, but that is fine now.

Weight 183. (Drew says that we are at the mile marks now where we should begin to see weight loss..let's hope so!!).

Saturday December 10th

Good swim workout. I am still a tad under the weather but swam most of the workout:

500 warm up
12 X 50s IM order by 25 = 600 yards
300 kick = 300 yards
12 X 75s swim = 900 yards
200 easy

I think I did something after this, but not sure. Either way, without it, it totals 2500 yards. I felt ok. I am motivated to swim better after my poor performance at the swim meet the prior weekend.

Past 3 weeks 11-20 - 12-4

Ok... So I am still alive and doing everything. Its just been very hectic. I had a swim meet last weekend that I swam very poorly at due to being sick and all this running. My has it taken a toll on my body. This Sunday is my 9 mile run (WOW). Since I am still sick, I'm not sure my body is ready, but hopefully I can be recovered by then.

Sunday, November 20th - 6 mile run!!

Oh boy this hurt. I did a lot of things wrong. I didn't eat before the run, I only drank a little bit of water and ran at 11 am when it was HOT HOT HOT. Sure enough by 2 1/2 miles I was very thirsty. I stuck it out though and finished the 6 miles, a new personal distance best.

I was off and running good, hitting the 1/2 mile mark at a decent time. I hit mile 1 around 10:00 which is good since its a little off. Mile 2 1/2 was at 26:30 which I don't think is too shabby. Looking for the 3 mile mark I only had visions of water. I saw 2 signs approaching, one of which is where Drew told me the 3 mile mark is. I decided to run to a point in between the two since I wasn't sure which was the one. I found out later it was the first one, dang it!. That put me at 32:00. I stopped the watch for about 30 seconds in the shape to regroup and turned back around. And I was off. I kept thinking to myself, "Hey, already 1/2 way done!". I felt like a dog on rabies as my mouth was sticky,dry, blech! As I passed some motor homes I thought of asking one for some water but they were smoking and I wanted to get away from that smell. My main goal on the way back was to stay focused and have good rhythm. I think I did a good job at that. The finish seemed so far away though! Finally I reached the 5 mile mark and was just thought to myself that I only had a tad over 10 mins left of running. I was cursing that I wasn't hydrated enough and had no food. With a 1/2 mile to go, it happened. The dryheaving. I had nothing to throw up but it sure wanted to come out anyway. YUCK!. That last 1/2 mile was a decent run but I wanted water. I felt like I was in the desert crawling in the sad going "water? water? WATER!?!?!?". I finally reached the 6 mile finish at 62:40. That means I came back in 30:40. The average of 62:40, puts me running 10:27 miles for the entire race, but the back 3 miles at 10:13 pace.

Well I ran 6 miles. I never thought I would, but I did. And yes, I know soon that will be nothing compared to what I plan on doing.

Side note - bottom of my foot is sore. Its the inner part of the foot close to the side in the middle. I'm not sure if its sore from not stretching it well enough or the shoes. But ouch it hurts.

Weight - 184 after run. Lets weigh in tomorrrow morning too!
Weight - 183

Saturday November 19 Swim

We are approaching the end of breaststroke week. Weekend workouts are always good since they are early and outdoors. Its always nice to swim those. Brings back memories of both swimming in Almaden as a 9 year old and morning workouts in San Diego as a serious swimmer. Those always have a good chance at being the best workout just because they day is beautiful. Here was the workout:

500 warm up - 500 yards
200 kick - 200 yards
10 X 25s breast - nice and smooth - 250 yards
Main set:
200, 2 X 100, 4 X 50, 8 X 25
Do this twice, 1st round free, 2nd round breast - 1600 yards
2 X 50s in the middle and end - 100 yards
100 easy - 100 yards
10 X 25s - I chose all fly - 250 yards
100 cool down - 100 yards
Total - 3,100 yards

Strokes felt really well. No spectactular times, but I focused on breast and fly. I'm concentrating on bringing my hips forward more as I kick in breast. And with the fly I worked on my core and getting my butt up in the air.

Weight - 185

Thursday November 17th - Run/Swim

So the alarm went off at 5:40 this morning. Oooh girl I didn't want to get up. First thing I thought was, "hmmm, I can always run after work or even tomorrow morning instead". 5:45 comes around and I instead chose to get up. Better to get it out of the way.

It was cold this morning. As I began my walk to the bike path I decided to start an early jog to warm me up and get my blood flowing. Then I would stretch and begin my 3 mile run.

After the stretch I took off. After 5 seconds of running I was amazed at how well it felt. I didnt' need that 1/2 mile warm up when my legs all hurt which forces me to go a lot slower. I hit 1/2 mile at 5:20 which on Tuesday I hit at 5:40. Things were feeling great. At mile 1 1/2, the clock read 15:40. WOW! On Tuesday I was around 17:05. I really didn't feel like I was pushing it any harder. I was feeling great. I didn't want to push any harder than I normally do. If that means going slower or faster, so be it. But I want to keep the same efforts. I finished the run in 30:30. That means I went out in 15:40, back in 14:50. Yeeeeeeehaw! I went 33:40 on Tuesday. That means I ran about 3 minutes faster. I had a huge smile on my face since it was a nice strong run. I'm not sure if it was the pre run then stretch, the new shoes, becoming a better runner, or all of the above. Either way this morning's run is very motivating.

3 mile run

Swim - LCM

Jacquie was coaching last night so I knew the workout wouldn't be much distance and more stroke work. This week is breaststroke so I didn't care. It was good to work on everything from hips, to pull outs, etc. Distance in meters I have no idea, but I would guess 1800 meters.

Weight - 183

Tuesday November 15th

Double workout today.

Run -

Today was 3 miles. I woke up ready to go. New shoes, new attitude...LET'S ROCK AND ROLL BABY!.

The run wasn't too bad. The shin splints aren't as bad. I went out in 17:06 and came back in 16:35. Nothing too special, but I just wanted to run it smooth and not push anything. I am happy I did it!!

Swim -

Started not too motivated to swim. Drew starts his mission tomorrow and therefore will be in mission control center for 18 days straight. His shift is from 3PM to 12AM. So we won't see much of each other except for possible lunches and a little bit on the weekends.

Once I got in the water I noticed something that I had noticed a week earlier. The running I think has improved my swimming. My legs seem to be riding up higher on the water thus giving me a smoother faster 2 beat kick to match my arm speed. This hasn't happened since I returned to swimming. That extra motivation changed my negative into a positive attitude.

Workout : LCM

500 warmup - 500 meters
4 X 100s - breast kick - 400 meters
4 X 100s (IM order) kick down/swim back - 400 meters
main set
600 cruise
100 breast sprint
400 cruise
100 breast sprint
200 cruise
100 breast sprint - 1500 meters
200 cool down

Total - 3,000 meters

Good workout. My times for the 100 breasts were 1:37, 1:34 then 1:32. I'm not sure how pretty they were though. On the 2nd and 3rd ones I took the first 50 out smooth and really worked the back 50. I think a 1:32 isn't too bad for the end of the workout.

Great workout day for running and swimming

Weight following morning: 183 Yea!!!

Sunday November 13th NEW SHOES!

I skipped swimming yesterday. I had a lot to do. There was going to the CAS sale, buying new running shoes and prepping for the awards banquet that my swim team was having that evening. I had a lot to do and was going to be speaking a lot. I did a pretty good job up there. I was only nervous for the first 5 seconds then it was smooth. I just rolled with whatever came off my tongue and it seemed to work. I had everyone laughing at a lot of my comments. Yea!

Sunday morning -

Today was only a 4 mile run. I bought new running shoes and today's run was their break in day. They are Asics and seem to cushion my feet. I hope they work well. Of course since it takes a few weeks to really see, I can't be too judgemental yet. But so far not too bad.

I don't remember the exact splits for the 4 mile run but I think we were out in 23:06 and back in 21:40. Ya that sounds about right. I don't think we wanted to come back so much faster than going out, but that's how it happened.

I need to make sure to check my socks before each run. Normally I just put them on, but with this long running, I need to make sure they are on good.

Weight - 187 YUCK!! (too much eating)

Friday 11/11 New Shoes are needed!

So I was supposed to run on Thursday but I was still a little sore from the Sunday run so I decided to run Friday morning instead. The run was 3 miles and I was a little sluggish. Since today is really the following Wednesday, I don't have much recollection of it. But it was a little less painful and I did it.

Weight 185

Tuesday, November 8th OUCH!

OK today really really really hurt. I had just a 3 mile run and it hurt. My calves especially. At least it was only a 3 mile run though. I had the dogs with me and have decided that I can no longer run with them. Too many problems on top of my pain.

I'm having pains now on my left side of my arm/shoulder/neck. It used to just be the arm, now its travelled up. It may be a pinched nerve so if it doesn't get better its off to the doctor.

As for the run though, ouch. I just wanted it to be over. I sure hope it gets better as I run more. I think pushing it on Sunday might have been an error. Oh well.

TOTAL MILES RAN - 3 MILES

Tuesday night swimming:

My neck/shoulder hurts. So here is what I did in workout and then called it a night:

500 warm up = 500 meters
8 X 50s = odds on back/evens on side = 400 meters
4 X 100s - 50 drill / 50 swim back = 400 meters
I think I did a little bit more but then I called it a night.

Therefore its not an OFFICIAL workout since it was only about 1600 meters. Oh well.

Weight - 184

Monday November 7th

Today I normally coach, but Drew did instead so I took advantage of it and swam. This week swim workouts are emphasizing backstroke. Here is what the workout was:

500 warm-up = 500 meters
16 X 50s - IM order = 800 meters
9 X 100s backstroke = 900 meters
1 - 50 long axis, 50 swim
2 - 25 right arm/25 left arm, 50 swim
3 - 50 double pull , 50 swim
(repeat 2 more times)
100 easy = 100 meters
5 X 100s = 500 meters
1 - 100 free
2 - 75 free, 25 back
3 - 50 free, 50 back
4 - 25 free, 75 back
5 - 100 back
100 cool down

Total 2,900 meters

I'm still sore from running! OK....well this workout wasn't too bad. I mainly focused on pinky entry as that has become an issue with my swimming. I go fast, but I get slopping and just enter however.

Weight - 185

Sunday, November 6th - 5 mile run

5 Miles. A new personal record!! Only twice in my life have I ever run 4 miles. Today I surpassed that record and did 5 miles. We have decided to not run with the dogs on the log runs (weekends). I think its much better.

Since the mile markers are off, we only used them as guidance today. Previously Drew had measured the 2.5 mile mark with his bike a few years back so we knew where to turn around. With that we took off on our run. As always, that first 1.5 miles killed. My shins hurt more than normal. I'm not sure what to do to avoid any further future damage. Hopefully with each run they will get stronger. But back to the run. The markers were off so I won't even talk about mile splits. Instead we hit the 2.5 mile point at 26:44. Ugh! That's not fast at all. I knew we'd be back faster but that time times 2 equals 53:28. I guess its not too bad. So in my head I think oh well I guess 11 minute miles aren't that bad!! What, that is a 4H 48M marathon and change?? Still under 5 hours!!! LOL. We turn around and head back and I'm feeling really good. I don't feel like I am pushing it any harder but I know I am going faster. Around 3 or 3 1/2 I am feeling great but don't want to go faster. I just want to keep going stong. At the 4 mile mark, Drew decides he wants to take off. We have been figuring out if we can get under 50:00 for the 5 miles. Originally I think no way since 1/2 was 26:44. But since Drew picked it up, I figured I would put it into another gear, but not as high as his. I still want to run smart. At 4 1/2 miles I realize that not only Drew can get under 50:00, but if I push it just a little bit more, I can bring it home and be close. Sure enough, I finish at 49:55. That has me at 26:44 going out and coming home in 23:10. That's 3:34 faster coming back. WOW! That means for the back half I averaged 9:20 miles. I think the potential for 10 minute miles for the marathon might be there as long as I am consistent and get my weight down. (By the way, Drew went 49:45 for his 5 miles).

Weight - 185
(with all that I ate yesterday I am happy to stay at that weight. I really ate like a pig.)

Closing thoughts for the week - I am very proud that I have gone 5 miles. We back off by a mile next weekend which is good, and the week days are 3 I think. I am stretching more but my goal now is to research how to care for my shins. I get a gold star today for the 5 miles!!

Saturday, November 5th - Small Swim Meet

Today my swim team had a swim meet up in Santa Clarita. The pool was 25m (SCM). Here is a list of what I swam and the times:

200 free relay - 50 free (don't know split)
100 breast : 1:18.06
100 back : 1:09
200 back : 2:33
200 medley relay - led off 50 back (31.2).

So I'm not sure my exact times since I didn't pick up the results. This was a tiny meet and there was no backstroke competition. I finished about 20 meters ahead of the next person in the 100 back and about 40 meters in the 200 back. Good for the ego I guess. The swims themselves were nothing spectacular. Since I am just getting back to being motivated in swimming, I don't feel like I have the background yet to produce good in season times yet. Hopefully by the meet in December, that will change. I went a lot faster last year in the 100 back at this meet. 1:06.7 and this year I went 1:09.0. But I didn't really push it and my legs from running so much are going to make swimming fast difficult for a little bit. The 100 breast I had no idea what to compare it to, so I will be happy with it. The 200 back was ok. I really felt my legs hurt due to running. But a 2:33 is ok. I went around a 2:31 last year and that was only a few weeks after IGLA so not too bad. My 50 back at the end of the day was 31.2. Last year I went 31.8 so that is good. I went 30.97 a few weeks ago with more rest. So with it being the end of the meet and going that close to my 50 back time, I'm happy with it.

I ate a lot of crap on Saturday.

Weight - 185

Thursday, November 3rd

Double workout. Good day!

Running:

Today was my 3 mile run. I now have to say goodbye to 2 mile runs. The past 2 weeks I have had at least one of my 3 runs/week being 2 miles. Prior to marathon training, I would never run farther than 2 miles. Now that isn't even an option. No longer is that the case of 2 miles. Today it was 3, Sunday 5. So here is the breakdown of my run. As I have stated earlier, the mile markers are off so its really hard to gage how fast I am running per mile. Let me break it down by 1/2 mile. If anyone reading this thinks they can figure out my mile pace, give me a comment with your opinion. Here it was:
1/2 mile - 5:50
1 mile - 5:05
1 1/2 mile - 6:05 now I turn around and go back:
2 mile - 6:08
2 1/2 mile - 4:40
3 mile - 5:10

This totals 32:58. Went down in 17:00, back in 15:58. Broken by miles, 10:55; 12:13; 9:50. I know in my runs I increase my speed and loosen up as I go. Therefore I know that my slowest 1/2 mile or mile should be the first mile. So to show my 2nd mile being over a minute slower than the first and over two minutes slower than the last means the markers are off. Marc told me to go run at a track to get a good pace. Maybe I will go and run 33 minutes and see how far I go. I guess I could get up extra early and go run, but then I am stuck finding a place to shower. Maybe I can do it one time after work next week before swimming.

So ANYWAY, the 3 mile runs are getting easier. I like hitting the 1/2 way marks because then I know there is no turning back and that what I am about to do I have just done and it wasn't too bad. Since I am a distance swimmer, I know the games one has to play to keep motivated on long endurance events. Whatever keeps one going and motivated!! I think I will buy an Ipod for X-mas (unless Drew or my mother get me it). But it was a good run.

Total RUN : 3 miles

Swimming (50 meter pool LCM) :

This week is BUTTERFLY week:

Tonight I decided to take a mello look at the workout. Instead of Tuesday where I said I would swim 2000 and get out, this time I decided to play a different game. This was to do the entire workout but just push it enough to keep me going. In the end it turned out I worked pretty hard, but I let my body warm up a lot longer than normal. Here was the workout:

500 warm up (200sw/100k/200pl) = 500 meters

4 X 50s - right arm fly down, left arm fly back = 200 meters
8 X 25s - fly - work on dragging wrists and extending just a tad = 200 meters
8 X 100s - swim free - breath every 5 (HYPOXIC) for the entire set (tough!) = 800 meters
8 X 25s - fly - work on getting butt up in the air as we swim = 200 meters
400 pull
4 X 100s pull = 800 meters
4 X 50s - 50 good fly - 50 free (repeat) = 200 meters

Total SWIM = 2,900 meters (1.8 miles)

Good workout. I'm trying to learn more about fly and not rush my stroke. I think this will take time. The 8 X 100s hurt but I got better as I went on. I am still out of shape but averaged 1:25s for them until the final 3 which I went 1:20. I didn't push these at all as I was just concentrating on the breathing. The 800 pull was great. The 400 straight through pull was the best. I went out in 2:43, came back in 2:37. I didn't even push it any harder, but instead I just got warmed up. As always I can pull like a mad man!! the 4 X 100s pull were good too. I held 1:15s - 1:17s.

Recap - Looked and felt great today. I can feel my body slightly changing. My stomach is tightening up. It may be mental, but whatever keeps me motivated!!

Weight - 185

Tuesday November 1st

So I am writing about my run and will write about my swim later on. The run was a tad painful. I think the 4 miles from Sunday left my legs a little sore. I started off with my 2 mile run today and it was sore. But its always a little painful from the start. With that, I figured just get through these easy 2 miles. Now I have tried to figure out how far I should estimate that or what pace it is. With my Sunday run averaging 10:40, I figure that is safe to say to add 30 seconds to that first mile. I will have to give it more thought before I feel this is accurate though. With that I hit mile 1 at 10:40 and came back in 10:20. 2nd half I felt a little more warmed up but my legs were sore.

This week is butterfly week in the pool. Tonight is going to HURT!

Swimming was OK. The coach tonight decided to do a lot of kicking! OH joy! Here was the workout:

500 warmup = 500 meters
6 X 100s kick (alternate free/fly) = 600 meters
4 X 150s (50 fly kick on back/50 one arm fly/50 fly) = 600 meters
300 swim smooth = 300 meters
Total = 2000 meters

Boy my legs hurt. Running this much is makin them SORE! Today was a long day and non stop from 5:45 to 8:15. Therefore I decided to call it quits in the water once I hit 2000 meters. The rule is that once I hit 2000 meters, its considered an official workout. Therefore I did good.

Closing thoughts - I feel good. I feel the excess fat slowly turning to muscle. I had a big dinner so lets hope that didn't do anything bad.

Weight - 184

Goal weight by month end - Under 180.

Sunday October 30th - Good Day - Double workout

The morning started off not as strongly as I had hoped. With the time change, it looked like a good chance for me to get back into the training. I woke up fine but got "side tracked" and next thing I know its 7:30am. That's when swimming starts. I still feel week but figure why not just get in the water for an hour. I arrive at the pool and enter the water at 8. Swimming feels like crap. I don't really properly warm up and I can still feel the weakness from my cold. I really have nothing to give in the water. But instead of being down about it, I looked at it instead that at least I am in the water doing something. I do a 500 warm up and then about 6 X 200s with the people in the next lane (I don't feel like really being a part of the team workout this morning). I pulled one of the 200s and swam it in 2:10. Some say that isn't too bad, but for me its not that impressive for how much it hurt. With a few weeks of solid swimming my time would be closer to 2:02. But once again, I'm in the water and that's all that counts. We finish off with a fun relay swim with for me was 2 X50s sprint. Eh.

So tonight I matched my farthest run. 4 miles. Ya I know that it's not that far, but hey for me it is! I have only ran 4 miles on one other occasion, and that was the CSULB backwards triathlon 18 months ago. With me getting over the cold, I kept an open perspective on my performance. Since Drew and I ran together, it was much easier to control the dogs. One per person. I always have Max and he's turning into more of a lookyloo dog and I have to keep him in check. Mile 1 put us at 10:20 with a slight delay as Drew had to tie his shoes. I know this measurement is off, so instead I figure I will see what our time is at the 1/2 way mark and then compare it to the run on the way back. At mile 2 we clocked in at 21:22. This confirms that the first mile is a tad short, but also that the 2 mile mark total is probably accurate. That puts us at 10:20, then 11:02. Wrong, but lets just look at it at 21:22 (averaging 10:41). As we began our run back, I notice Drew picking it up. This is where I have to choose to either continue running at my own pace or pick it up with him. I decide to just increase a tad and see what happens. At this time he's pushing it more so I let him go. I am inexperienced at running so I'm humble enough to know I'm not going to be the best at this. I tell myself my goal here is to just keep on training, go with what feels good and finish every mile I set out to run. Drew keeps this pace for about a 1/4 mile. He didn't get too far ahead of me, but I'd say he began to average closer to 9 minute mile pace. After a 1/4 mile I gradually catch up to him. He tells me he just wanted to push it for a little bit because the pace felt a little slow for him. I told him that in the future to feel free to run away if he needs to. So we hit mile 3 at 31:50. This of course is off since the markers aren't accurate but due to experience lets me know that we are going at a much stronger pace and are going to have a good back half. I see the finish of mile 4 approaching and check the clock. I think to myself, "If I pick it up just a tad, I can finish my back 1/2 in under 20 minutes", therefore averaging under 10 min miles. Instead I choose to keep my pace. We hit our finish at 41:28. Not too shabby though. First 2 miles : 21:22. Second 2 miles : 20:08. I'm sure about 10 to 15 seconds of that negative splitting was the effect due to Drew's 1/4 mile increase in speed. Either way, my goal for each run, no matter of distance, will be to negative split. Even on marathon day, the goal will be to have a better back half. Is that possible? We will see!

Side note : Sunday, January 8th is our scheduled 13 mile run. Drew found the O.C. Marathon on that exact date and they offer a 1/2 marathon as well. Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect! Its $55. We already missed the cheaper price, so we can wait until last minute to register. But for the LA Marathon, early registration is only $75 but will only be available until November 1st. Hold and I will do it RIGHT NOW!.... I have finished. I am locked in. YEA! GO ME!

Closing statement: No turning back now! :-) Everything is going well now. Hopefully I will now begin to see my body transform and become healthier and more appealing (ya I know can it really get anymore appealing) :-)

Weight - 184

Friday/Saturday 10/28-29 still sick

OK.. this cold is a doozy. Now I am stuck coughing non stop. Everytime I feel like I am almost done, I start hacking away again. Saturday morning I went to swim practice but just couldn't stop coughing, so I turned back and didn't even get in the water.

Hopefully Sunday will be better as I plan on swimming and running.

Peace out!

Thursday, October 27

So I'm still feeling a bit under the weather but have decided that I will at least swim or run or do both. I set my alarm for 5:30 AM to go running, but that wasn't in the cards. Therefore I will do my 3 mile run after work.

Got home after work and was ready to run. Grabbed the pups and headed out for my run. With the dogs being locked up while the contractors are here, I knew at least one of them would poop on the run. Sure enough it was Josie. The good thing was that it was at the beginning of the run. Of course it slowed me down for about a minute or two. As I started off on my run again, I decided to ditch the dog poop. I placed it on some rocks along the bike trail and decided that I would just pick it back up on my return. Of course it was in a baggie!! So off I went. It felt good to exercise again as I began to feel my lungs drain. I didn't want to push it too hard though as I was still sick. This was to be another 3 mile run and aside from doing the Sunday jog for 34 minutes, I have not run that far before. Well I take that back...I think I ran 4 miles in my one and only triathlon...BUT STILL! As I ran down the path I passed a few homeless people and approved a lovely police car with two officers. Hmmmm........ Nice eye candy but nothing really going on. Of course they were blocking the entire path with the car so me and the two dogs had to maneuver around them. But this led to Josie looking back every few seconds to see what was going on. That of course made me do the same to check and see if they were on my tail. ANYWAY!.... I hit the 1/2 mark (1. 5 miles) around 17 minutes. With the minute or two delay that put me right around 11 minute mile pace. That's ok. At this point I am beginning to wonder if 10 minute mile marathon pace will happen, but I think its way too soon to think. The run back was much more smooth and solid. I finished the run back (1.5 miles) in about 14 or 15 minutes I think. Either way my last mile was under 10 minutes. It felt very controlled. I think that with some more training it will be easier and easier. Off to the pool.

So the swim didn't go as well as the run. Still being sick, I figured I would at least get in 2000 meters (hey its more than a mile!) of swimming. Here is what we did:

500 warm-up = 500 meters
8 X 50s (skull building to swim) = 400 meters
Main set:
400 pull
4 X 100s swim
2 X 200s swim
Do this 2 times through.
(actually skipped the 200s) so = 1600 meters

Total workout = 2500 meters (1.55 miles)

I was weak in the water. As always my pulling felt great though. Both 400s that I swam controlled, I swam 5:20s. My 100s without paddles and buoy were about 1:22s. They hurt so much. I think it was a mixture of the lack of swimming and recovering from being sick. Either way what's done is done.

No real statement for the day except my phlegm is a lovely color!! And yes, I remembered to pick up the poop.

Monday October 24th SICK TODAY!

I'm sick today. I got sick sometime last night right before a few friends and I went to dinner after my boyfriend's piano recital. It just got worse and worse. All I did today was sleep and watch tv. I feel like a fat slob. With the contractors here, the house is even more a mess.

At least today is my day off from running so that won't interfere with my training. Although I really wanted to leave work on time and hit the pool before I coached swimming tonight. Oh well. I am currently writing the team a workout so I am off. I also need to shower since I haven't showered in 32 hours. YUCK.

Weight - 186

Sunday, October 23rd.... better!

So today has started off much better than yesterday! I woke up first thing and knew that my job was to run 3 miles today. Since my mom lives next to the middle school and high school, I figured I might be able to run on the track.. But unfortunately, it was locked. So as I continued to run I decided to run around a parking lot which resembled a large track. So since I figured it would be safe to run for about 33/34 minutes, I would run until 17 minutes and then turn around and do the same thing back home. Unfortunately since I am down in SD, I wasn't able to make it to swim practice. Oh well at least I got my run in. (OK I really can't get too into this blog since my nephews are climbing all over me and wanting me to play.. I'm going crazzyyyyy ARGGHHH!). LOL.

Saturday October 22 BAD BAD BAD!!

OK I was a very bad boy on Saturday. Not only did I not do any exercise, I ate like crap!! I went down to San Diego to spend the weekend with my mother and my twin nephews. They had a t-ball game at 10 and then after that, the four of us went to another park and played tackle football, swung on the swings, etc. After that, we went and had pizza. Ugh.. too much pizza! Once we got back to my mother's home, we hung out a bit and then I took a nap. I awoke to them making Halloween cookies and decorating them. Great! More junk food. So of course I ate more crap that night. Oh well! I fear weighing myself so I won't. I also brought my swim stuff down, but as I figured, I didn't have time. Let's hope Sunday goes better!

Thursday, October 20

Today was a very busy day. I woke up running, then went to work, came home and took the dogs for a walk during lunch, went back to work, then had a coaches meeting followed by swim practice and now here I am. Feeling good now but I think I might go to bed soon. Here is how my athletic world felt today:

6:08 a.m. run. This was once again 2 miles. Drew decided to sleep in so it was just me again. Since the dogs were only 1/2 awake, I was able to get in a more consistent run. Also, the river path was opened up again which made it smoother. After doing some quick stretches (I think as my mileage increases I need to take stretching more serious), I was off running with the pooches. As always, the first quarter mile or so is the most painful as I get into my running mode. Some part of the trail is measured incorrectly so my pacing is somewhat off. As I looked at the 1/2 mile mark time, I wasn't impressed. As I approached the mile mark (where I turn around), I saw that my time was 11:10. Not too good. But still I wasn't going to pick it up because its all about pacing and being comfortable. The more I ran, the better I felt and my speed picked up without anymore effort. I finished my 2 mile run with my 2nd mile in 10:30. Total time 21:40. Good second mile. Since this is still officially my first week, I'm not complaining at all. Plus its such a nice way to start off the day. I feel like doing it more, but I know I should just stick with the program. Time for work.

Swimming was decent tonight. Just like in running, my swimming felt a little rusty after warm up. But it did feel better than Tuesday. I think the combined running/swimming are helping each other. Did a kick ass 200 free fast pulling on the main set, going 2:22. This was LCM. LCM means a 50 meter pool (olympic size), for anyone reading this who doesn't know. Here was my workout:

600 warm-up = 600 meters

8 X 50s (25 slow/25 medium/25 fast/25 slow/25 med/etc.... totaling 8X50s) = 400 meters

Main Set
200, 2 X 100s, 4 X 50s Do this set 3 times PULLED THIS = 1800 meters

Set #1 - easy 200, med 100s, fast 50s = fast 50s averaged 33
Set #2 - med 200, fast 100s, easy 50s = fast 100s went 1:11, 1:12
Set #3 - fast 200, easy 100s, me 50s = fast 200 = went 2:22

400 social kick = 400 meters

200 cool down = 200 meters

Total workout = 3400 meters

Very happy with the 2:22 200 meter free pulling. Considering I haven't been having that consistent of training, this is a good sign. I think my mental state is good and I feel better in and out of the water.

Weight - 185

Closing thoughts:
Today was a good day. Although I may not have lost any weight, I am beginning to feel more fit. I can actually feel my belly getting ready to say good bye!! :-)

Tuesday October 18th

And we're off! Originally my run was scheduled for 6AM but the rain decided to get in my way. Therefore I chose to sleep an extra hour and run after work before swimming.

Day 2 of running - 2 miles again. It was a bit awkward running with both dogs. They were very hyper and all over the place due to them being locked up in the kitchen due to contractors working on the bathroom. And to top if off, the gate was locked to run along the LA river. So I ran parallel on the residential street for a 1/2 mile until I could join the path. What a 1/2 mile. Dogs barking/running/peeing/etc. Felt more like a mile. Once I got to the path, of course Josie wanted to poop. Another delay. Finally we were ready to continue and as I dodged glass and homeless people I reached my 1 mile mark. Since it was probably more, I didn't really care about the time and with all the delays. But from what my watch was saying I don't think I am even running 10 minute miles yet. I think I am a tad above. But that's ok since the main thing is that I ran. Now its time to get ready for the pool. Be back!

Ok well my brain won over my body tonight in the pool. After about 35 minutes in the pool I so didn't want to be there. I started making excuses for me to leave the pool. I had already run tonight, I had done enough exercise, my shoulder, my arm, my hip. All which were valid but really not good enough. Then I said to myself, "Brian, how do you expect to complete a marathon if you can't even finish a workout when it begins to hurt?" Well that was all I needed. I felt like crap in the pool since I haven't been swimming consistently, but by the end I did a decent 300 IM. Here's the workout:

600 warm up = 600 meters
200 free - 100 IM kick - 200 back - 100 IM kick = 600 meters
100 free - 300 IM - 200 free - 300 IM - 100 free = 1000 meters (repeat) = 2000 meters
300 IM is to be 50 fly-50 free-50 back-50 free-50 breast-50 free.
200 cool down = 200 meters
Total workout = 3400 meters

Final 300 IM I did a 4:20. I was going about 4:45s on the other 3. 4:20 was decent but I swam in controlled and strong which is what I wanted to do.

Weight this morning - 186. Goal - low 160s.

I also want to close each blog with how I feel at the end of the day. Here is my first one:

I feel motivated and already in better shape. Its silly, but in my mind, its true.

Sunday 10/16/05 Let the Journeys begin!!

OK. So here I am again. A little over a year later with my new journey(s) just beginning in my athletic world. But now instead of just one journey I have added a 2nd one that in some ways surpasses my other current one.

Journey #1 - Gay Games 2006 in Chicago. Currently the dates are set up for July 16th through July 21st. If the competition stays like IGLA has for the past 3 years, then I have very good chances of winning some events. Of course Gay Games may bring out faster swimmers than IGLA. But I will just go in knowing that I have trained as hard as I could and the rest is out of my hands. But that means I need to train consistenly and not slack off. :-)

Journey #2 - Los Angeles Marathon XXI. This is set for March 19th 2006. 5 months away. OK so this is a huge one. Unlike Journey #1 where I want to win, this journey's goal is just finish! I have 5 months to prepare for these 26.2 miles and truthfully, I will have a bigger smile on my face finishing this one than any results from Gay Games. Drew and I have set up weekly run schedules on how far to run but I also need to read the rest of the book to make sure I am doing anything else that is recommended like nutrition/rest/etc. I currently have no goal time for the race except to finish, but maybe running 10 minute miles is reasonable. I will be able to tell more as the training continues.

Started today with a 2 mile run and finished well. Didn't push anything and felt in the end that I can continue. That is a good sign that increasing the mileage a little won't effect me too much. We will see. Running with the dogs to start off with, but will probably drop them off once we reach the 5 or 6 mile mark.

Need to read more about diet because I think I need to adjust it as well.