Friday 5-2-08

Up early this AM and wanted really badly just to sleep in. But, I managed to drag myself out to swimming practice. man, what a tough session! We did shorter distance sprints with very little rest in between. Something on the order of (1) 200 yard, 20 seconds rest, (2) 175 yards, 20 sec. (3) 150 yards, 20 sec, (4) 125 yards. (5) 100 yards, (3) 75 yards. Cool down. In all we did over 2100 yards. That is pretty good considering the speed we were swimming. Of course, the fast swimmers went further but for me, this was a great feat. Now if I can just get back into the running mode I will feel better about getting ready for some triathlons this summer.

Wednesday 4-16-08

The second Masters' swimming class has begun and today was another interesting workout. It seems when I can do no more the coach wrings out a little more. I know I have come a long way since the beginning of these classes in January but there is no letting up. I guess it is a good thing, because I have been on a three month sabbatical from running and this swimming is the only thing keeping my gut in check. I just love to eat. My weight is still hovering around 195-200. I know the only way it is going to drop is to get serious about running again and with my school schedule I am limited on my free time. Oh, yeah, and there is work, as well. I am wanting to start getting in shape for a few summer triathlons so I have got to get some running and biking in.

Wednesday 4-2-08

Swimming today at 5:00 am for the last time in a week. My first Masters' swim class is history. this has been quite a learning experience and I hope I am in better shape now than I was three months ago when it started. I know I am a better swimmer but I still need a lot of work building up my stamina. In the class this morning we were timed on our best lap times for various strokes. The most dramatic was my time for 500 yards which came in at a little over 9 minutes. This is a little less than a 30 minute mile average. Just for comparison, three months ago I was swimming a mile in 42-44 minutes. What a change!

In order to get ready for triathlons this summer, I have got to start back running and biking, though. It seems i just don't have the time since I started back to school. It definitely is going to require more discipline than I presently am showing.

By the way, another Masters' swim class starts next Friday. I am planning on being there.

Wednesday 3-26-08

March is almost over and my blog entries have been fairly sparse this month. I still have not locked into a good running regime since the marathon in December having only run twice this month. BUT, I am continuing the masters swimming program which will conclude next week. Then, the next session will start a week later. This has been an excellent workout for me and an intersting experience. The workout today was probably the toughest yet. After warming up (500 yards) we had to swim 30 50 yard sprints at one minute intervals. Well, needless to say, after three or four laps I was sucking wind and making a lap in about 1:15. This meant I had no time for resting between laps (not good). The coach did show me some leniency and allow me a 5 SECOND rest between laps. After time had expired I had done 27 laps to the other swimmers' 30. I consider this to be an achievement as three months ago I probably would have been at least 10-15 laps down. I am getting stronger but it do hurt.

Friday 3-7-08

I guess its been almost a month since my last posting. Time sure gets away and I have not been making the time to write lately. I have been exercising, though. The masters swimming class is going great. We did a one mile timed swim today and I came in at 33:20. Almost 10 minutes faster than my last time. There is no doubt this class is making me a better swimmer. I have got to start running again and getting back on the bike. The weather is starting to warm up so the opportunity is going to become available soon.

NationRun Guys

The young men on the NationRun team left out of Columbus and the state of Georgia on Wednesday morning. It was cloudy and cool with threatening rain. They were in high spirits and eager to get moving. We were motivated by their commitment and were glad they decided to stay with us while they were in town. Follow their progress on www.nationrun.com

Monday 2-11-08

It was hard getting out this morning...not enough sleep last night and a swim class at 5:00. Well, gone are the days of a leisurely one mile swim. I thought I had it tough back when that was all I was doing! The swim workout this morning was one of the toughest yet. I don't think I have ever been so out of breath. I know I am getting in good shape but it sure hurts. I will put in a plug for these Masters Swim classes; they are designed to get you in good shape. I like they way they are structured and our instructor, Rochelle, is doing a good job.

If any of you have been following the Nation Run guys, they are to be in Columbus today and tomorrow. they are actually planning on staying at our house two nights. My wife is so excited. She sent them an email the end of last week offering our services and they heartily accepted. They are only about two weeks into the trip and they have had to spend several nights in their tents. This will be a good chance for them to get some rest.