Racing for the Cross

PT Day 1-6-10

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:38:00 +0000

I started the day out with devotional time then to the YMCA for exercise. For 25 minutes, the treadmill, set at 4 mph and no incline, was my residence. I met a friend of mine who has been giving my ideas on how to build up my core muscles and get in good enough shape to run pain free. Sounds like a plan, doesn' it? After Robert spent some instructional time with me it was time to head to my physical therapy session. I have been looking forward to this for the express reason I want to get on with the required plan of action.

As best I can phrase it, my condition is the result of a hip that mechanically misaligned. This misalignment creates a condition where the muscles in my lower back have to compensate and consequently are forced to "lock down" and create pain. These muscles also swell and this contributes to back and leg pain. During the PT session, the therapist bends me up like a pretzel and in the process is able to mobilize my hip so I once again have free range of motion. This is a good thing but the problem is that my normal motion forces my hip back into an unnatural position. It is going to take time to develop a routine of stretching and strengthening muscles in my core to make a lastiing difference. The treatment plan seems to be fairly vague; I've just got to trust the therapist knows what he's doing. I really miss the running, though!

Sunday January 3, 2009

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:13:00 +0000

Happy New Year Everyone!

Its great to be writing in a new year my first blog of a new decade. I have every intention of being more active in my posting this year. It is really a paradox that I do not write more as I really enjoy writing. Could it be the time it takes to transfer thoughts to keystrokes? I guess if this was my day job I would be in trouble.

Since this is the inaugural passage of this new year, it would be appropriate to speak of new year's resolutions. The only thing with that is I do not usually make them. At least not intentionally. I guess we all make them in some indirect way, but I shy away from shouting it from the mountains. I guess my beef with verbalizing resolutions is we often make these promises that are not only unattainable but down-right unrealistic. How about this one. "Hey, I resolve to lose 50 pounds this year, but do I have to really change my eating habits and start exercising?" Or, maybe this one. "I vow to be a better person this year. Oh, but does that mean I have to stop my back-stabbing to get ahead at work?" Need I say more?

OK, so maybe my hesitancy with making resolutions is more about making commitments Wouldn't it be great if we could make our resolutions retroactively. I guess we would claim more victories than we could imagine. I had no idea when 2009 started I would train for and complete a marathon and do it in record time. So, my retroactive resolution for 2009 will be "To train for the Huntsville Rocket City marathon and complete it in record time." OK, enough of resolutions.

Three weeks ago, a visit to a Physical Therapist revealed my back pain of many years was probably caused by a hip misalignment. He (the PT) went on to recommend I stop running for a period of time while he worked with my condition in an effort to correct the underlying problem which was causing my back pain. Walking only. You could not have hurt my feelings any worse. I mean, just two days before I had started making plans to train for and run in the Albany marathon in March. I felt like I really could run a marathon in a time that would allow me to qualify for the Boston marathon. Then, I found myself sitting there realizing those plans would be shoved to the back burner. Its time for patience and healing.

So, on this third day of January, 2010, I continue a program of reduced physical activity meant to aid in the healing of my body. My hopes are that this will be a speedy process but I pray I will have the wisdom and patience to faithfully follow a plan of action that may take more time than less.

Answered Prayer 12-23-09

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:51:00 +0000

I started the day like I have so many times in the past with a devotional time and I prayed specifically that God would give me wisdom and direction about what to do about my back pain and treatment of it. Last week I had visited a local physical therapist that specializes in the the type of pain I am having. He said he could definitely help me solve the problem BUT no running for a period of time. I did not take that suggestion very well. As a matter of fact as early as this morning I had decided to not take his advice and continue my training regimen just as before. That was the impetus for my specific prayer request this morning.

After my prayer time, I headed to the downtown YMCA to walk on the treadmill and maybe even do some running. While I was there I met a friend I had not talked to in several months. He is an active runner who you can see at any time of the day running all over Columbus. I knew he was training for a marathon so I stopped to catch up with him on how the training was going. He asked me about my recent marathon race results and was impressed with my time of 3:40. I told him about the back pain I had been having and he commented he was recovering from the very same thing. Furthermore he strongly suggested I follow a regimented program for treating the condition that included stretching and strengthening my core muscles that include back muscles. He warned if I did not take of the problem now, it would turn into a huge issue going forward. Well, talk about an answered prayer. Praise God! Just when I had asked for wisdom to guide me in my decision whether to follow my physical therapist's advice or not, there it was. My friend gave me the answer I needed and along with it a great deal of encouragement and praise for my recent accomplishments in the Rocket City marathon. We certainly serve an AWESOME God.

What a way to start the day. Now I need the strength and courage to follow a strict training program that gives my back a chance to heal while keeping me in shape from a cardiovascular standpoint. It is going to be a challenge for no other reason than the fact that running is such an addictive sport. I am craving the experience of getting out and pounding the pavement. All those who have gotten to this point knows what I am talking about.

Rocket City Marathon 2009

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Here I sit; recalling the experiences of the past six months and realizing how long its been since I last wrote. There have been so many memorable things happen in that period, it is a shame they have not been chronicled properly.

It is now post four days from the 2009 Huntsville Rocket City Marathon and I need to record the events surrounding that race. From my perspective it was very successful. The training period, which occupied a good portion of the past six months, went as expected and my performance in the race reflected that result. I followed a modified schedule I found in a Runners' World article and it proved to be a good one. The bottom line in my training regimen was; I ran a lot of miles and did a lot of speed work.

A few days before the scheduled race on 12-12-09, forecasts revealed less than desirable weather. The idea of temps in the mid to upper 30s and wind and even possibly ice was a little daunting. My wife, daughter and I traveled to North Alabama on Friday afternoon and after I dropped them off with family in Decatur I headed to Huntsville to pick up my race packet and shop for cold weather gear. I was fine in all areas except my legs so after a trip to Fleet Feet Sports and after spending more than I had planned I was fixed up with a pair of super duper tights. The salesman there promised me these tights would help me in the later parts of the race when my legs would be fatigued. My race day attire was now complete.

Race day started at 5:00 am as I got up and started my pre-race routine. Actually my routine is far from ritualized as this was only my second marathon and I have not really developed the perfect combination of food and drink to best fuel me for the long morning to follow. More importantly, I spent the hour and half before we headed to Huntsville trying to get myself psyched up for the race both hoping I had prepared properly and fearing the occurrence of some mid-race ailment that would do me in. Whatever the result, I rested in the assurance I had done my best to train and whatever would happen would happen. Good preparation is always the best cure for nervousness and apprehension.

My wife and I headed out the door at 6:30 to make the 45 minute drive from Decatur to Huntsville. She had planned on meeting my parents at the start, watching me off, then heading back to Decatur to have breakfast with her family as I ran the first leg of the race. As she did two years ago on the occasion of my first race she would make it back to the race as I entered the latter stages.Kellye, Mom and Dad ready to serve as my support team

The weather was cooperating as the rain (and ice) stayed away until much later in the day. I had decided to stick with the tights and it is a good thing I did. The wind was pretty stout and it was cutting through the two layers of tops I had on. But, for the most part, with the postponement of precipitation, the weather was not too bad.

The RCM is always a well organized event and this year was no different. the race began in the nice wide street in front of the Holiday Inn. Due to my previous race time of 4:33, I was taking my place toward the middle of the pack. I surely did not want to get up in the mad rush at the start but also didn't want to get stuck behind packs running slower. I had made my pace card and copied the same information on a map of the course I gave to my crew. I had hoped they would be able to meet me at certain checkpoints past the half-way mark to keep me fueled.

At exactly 8:00 AM, the musket was fired and the runners were off. I passed my family, gave the thumbs-up and started getting into the rythym of the race. I felt really good and as the first two to three miles slipped away I found myself settling into a comfortable 8:15 per mile pace. Wait a minute, this was much faster than the 9;10 pace i needed to finish under 4:00, but I had told myself previously that if I felt good I was going to go out and run as fast as I could. I believed I had the stamina to beat my goal and getting way ahead of the pace at the start was the way I decided to go.

After the 4 mile mark, the race has pretty much left the downtown area and started into neighborhoods south. Unfortunately, my Garmin Forerunner had died weeks before so I did not have the luxury of mile splits. This was no big deal during the race as the course organizers were well prepared with volunteers calling out split times. The big drawback to not having the Garmin is trying to remember my times later. Most of the splits, obviously, escape my memory but the one at the 10K (6.2 miles) mark I do remember because it is the first time in a long time I have run this distance this fast. My 10K time was right at 48 minutes putting my per mile average at better than eight minutes. I can remember now hearing the time and thinking I needed to slow down and run a few slower miles.

At the seven mile mark the course passed through the parking lot of Whitesburg School, past an aid staion and through a pedestrian tunnel that took runners under the busy auto traffic on Whitesburg road. After this point the course began a loop that will not revisited. Up until this point, most the course would eventually be retraced back to the finish.

The race pack had started to thin out by this distance and a lot of the runners' chatter had subsided. As is commen for me in races, I like to keep to myself. I tend to "zone out" and focus on my running stride and lose track of the runners all around me. However, in any race, there are always groups of loud, chatty runners who break the silence and either amuse you with their wit or aggravate you with their arrogance. A group of six or eight runners who were obviously doing the race together passed me somewhere in the eight to nine mile mark. Though I have since forgotten most of the scant conversation I either had or heard form others, I do remember some of what said among the group. The comment by one in the group was loudly proclaimed of how easy the race had been so far and how the race would not really begin until mile 20. Well, I can tell you, I was proud of well I had run until that point and I didn't need some self-proclaimed marathon expert to tell me what the race was all about. Of course, as I would later discover, what he said was true, but I would rather have not wanted to hear him crowing about it.

At the 10 mile mark the race course took another turn south on a fairly busy road. Having been previously shielded from the wind by tree-lined streets in neighborhoods, this area wa wide open and offered no protection from the elements. It was on this road where runners would pass miles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 and be spared none of the stiff wind coming from the south. Though this was generally a downhill orientation, because of the wind, it felt like I was running uphill.

This was to be the longest single stretch of the race and where I first met up with my support crew. Just before mile 13, my parents were stationed on the right side of the road. This road was busy with car traffic and runners only had use of the right lane. It was good to see them and I was offered gatoraide and water and I gladly partook. I also swapped my billed runners cap for a toboggan as my ears were frozen and I needed better protection for my head.

Here I am looking refreshed at the half-way point

As I left my parents I quickly passed the half-way point in the race and remembered hearing my split of 1:47:45 which was one minute faster than my race time at the Atlanta Half-Marathon two weeks prior. I started thinking at this point that if I could keep up this pace I could break the 3:30 barrier which would qualify someone of my age for the Boston Marathon. Of course, i also knew I was running faster than how I had trained and more than likely I would feel serious fatigue later in the race that would slow my pace considerably. But, still, it was exciting to think I was even close at this point.

At the 15 mile mark the course took a right turn and headed north for the first time in the race. It was here where thoughts of how I would complete the race started filling my head. I remember two years previous, during my first marathon, this is where I started crashing. I was able to assess my present condition in comparison and made the conclusion I was in so much better shape for this 2009 race. I was so proud I was able to train properly to place myself in that position. I can't really remember anything noteworthy happening in the race for the next few miles as the course continued north heading back to the downtown conclusion. I did learn later, however, my support crew, which now had grown in number to include my wife and daughter, had stationed themselves at the 18 mile mark. Using the 4:00 completion time mile splits I had given them, they got there after I had passed. After waiting and watching for almost five minutes, they reasoned I had either died somewhere out on the course or I was way ahead of my scheduled time. Choosing the latter alternative, they packed up and sped ahead to the 23 mile mark hoping to catch me there.

Meanwhile, back in the race, the 21 mile mark brought the biggest hills on the course. At least that is the way I remember them. A one mile stretch between 21 and 22 presented an incline that has probably been responsible for finishing off many a struggling competitor. Thankfully, my training regularly included hills so I bore down and charged through that section with little effort. It was here where I was thankful Columbus is such a hilly place to run.

At mile 24 I finally saw my family. They had stationed themselves at the Holy Spirit School parking lot and I got to run with my wife and daughter for about a quarter mile. They offered me more gatoraide and water and more importantly encouragement as they exclaimed how surprised and excited I was so far ahead of schedule. It was just the boost I needed for the final three mile leg of the race.

Kellye and Mary Kellye giving a much-needed boost

Last Gatoraide break until the finish

With just a short distance to go, you would think you could sprint effortlessly to the finish. But, those of you who have run one of these know; its not that easy. Most of the energy I had left was rapidly waning. I had long since abandoned the idea I could break the 3:30 mark when I was around miles 17 to 18. Now, I was simply trying to preserve a time that was going to be much faster than I had envisioned. These last two to three miles were fun, though, and I remember the comment made earlier by the braggadocios runner that the real race starts at mile 20. He was right. Breathing was harder as I knew my muscles were filled with lactic acid and not taking oxygen like they were earlier in the race. I felt some minor cramps beginning and hoped they would hold off until I crossed the finish line.

For a good part of the race, I had run alongside a female who who had a personal trainer running with her. This trainer would tell her when to stop for breaks, when to walk up hills and when to resume her pace. Well equipped with her Garmin GPS, the trainer kept the runner on pace. I once again encountered this female at mile 25 and ran pretty much beside her (and her trainer) for the rest of the race. Except for the last 1/2 mile. I had determined that anyone who needed a trainer running with them was not going to beat me; and the race was on! I had to really kick to keep ahead of her but as we turned the corner for the remaining 0.2 mile I turned it on and left her in the dust. It is amazing how restricted your breathing gets at this point in a race but I am so glad I was able to suck it up.

Kicking it in at the finish

The finish was exhilarating. I saw my family there and heard them calling my name and cheering me on and I heard the loud speaker announcer doing the same. Another marathon under my belt. Another 26 miles 385 yards covered. This was a really great race! As I would comment later, I was proud of the way I had conditioned myself to do so well. It was a huge affirmation that doing the proper training produces proper results. Other than fatigue in my legs, I had no pains anywhere. This is quite different than the last marathon where I severly injured my left foot which forced an unplanned three month hiatus from running.

Until next time!

The 2009 Rocket City Marathon was complete. I want to thank the organizers and volunteers who always make this a popular event. Traffic control was perfect, aid stations were spaced just right and the after-run food was great. All those involved need to be commended.

I sit here now contemplating where I go from here. Immediately upon completion of the race I was planning the next marathon. I had just about decided to sign up for the Albany, GA Snickers Marathon that is run in March when I had some change in plans. A visit to the physical therapist this past week resulted in a cancellation in these plans. Because of back pain I have endured for many years and which is now causing numbness in my right leg, it was strongly suggested I not run for a period of 8-10 weeks while PT treated my condition. To say the least I was unhappy with the report. But, I have decided to give the treatment plan a try and have now put off plans for another marathon until later in the spring, maybe even next fall. This is a disappointment but not the end of the world.

Tuesday 3-3-09

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:55:00 +0000

Once again I find myself trying to play catch up with my blogging. I need to stay current with this thing. I have started posting on Twitter. I guess it is kind of "nerdy" but it is a quick way to stay connected with those in your social network.

I had a good run this morning. Started out for a regular 4-5 miler but felt so good, i just kept on. I ended up running over the Chattahoochee River to Alabama and back, 8.5 miles. I felt a little like Forrest Gump as he made his way across Greenbow County on his way across the country; well maybe not that extreme. It does help pass the time to occupy my mind with thoughts like that.

My right heel is still a little sore but the pain is nothing like it was before the heel lifts and new shoes.

Christmas Day 2008

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Merry Christmas! I just looked back and realized it has been JULY since I last posted. What kind of testament is that? This year has absolutely disappeared and now I find myself sitting here at the end of it wondering wher.e it went. The last time I posted, I was beginning a marathon training program in the heat of the summer. Now I can report after struggling through a three mile run this morning I did not continue that training having abandoned it later in July.

I continue my studies at the University of Alabama as I near the half-way point of the Masters program. Taking these classes has occupied much of my time outside of work and I have used this as an excuse to put my marathon training on hold. I plan on focusing more on running this next year as my weight and mid-section have grown to a point that warrants a change. Getting out and running when it is cold and wet is hard to do. I have just got to take it a day at a time.

Thursday 7-10-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:50:00 +0000

Up at 4:00 this AM to get my day started. Didn't have much luck as I drug around until about 5:30 when I finally got out the door for my Thursday run. I am now on week four of my marathon training schedule and it feels like I am not making much progress. I can remember last year getting ready for the Huntsville marathon and sweating through the summer months thinking I would never make it through to the race. Now, I am in the same boat thinking I will never get back in shape. Why is it that it takes months to get in shape and only weeks to get out of shape?

I managed to complete 5.6 miles in 53 minutes for a pitiful 9:30 pace. This was supposed to be a tempo run where I run at a faster pace. I barely was able to finish much less do it at a faster pace. I think the heavy pasta I ate last night may have had something to do with my sluggishness. i have got to get my diet in check and lose some weight. Trying to run these progressively longer runs carrying around 205 pounds is a challenge.

Wednesday 6-11-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:17:00 +0000

Out this morning for a 3.3 mile run. I felt better today. Weather was cooler, dryer. It was a good run in all.

Tuesday 6-10-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:53:00 +0000

I think it is pretty pitiful to see a blog that is inactive. I know mine has looked that way the past couple of months and I need to change that. I began last week on a training program for my next marathon. I expect to train for at least 16 weeks, maybe longer, with the goal of besting my time in the Huntsville marathon in December. The big difference in my training this time will be that I am going to incorporate more speed work in with the distance.

I ran 4.1 miles at 5:30 this morning. Temperature is pretty brutal as the whole country is locked in a heat wave of sorts.

I am still feeling pain in my side identical to what I felt all last year during my training. I am planning on having something done about it this time. I go see the surgeon next week for the prescribed plan for taking care of it.

Friday 5-2-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:41:00 +0000

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

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:45:00 +0000

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

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:39:00 +0000

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

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:12:00 +0000

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

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:00:00 +0000

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

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:07:00 +0000

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

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:50:00 +0000

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.

Scott Matty

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:52:00 +0000

The Columbus cycling community suffered a huge loss this past Sunday when one of its own, Scott Matty, was killed while riding on a local country road. Our prayers go out to his family and friends as they suffer through this tragedy. I did not know Scott but I understand he was a fine individual and super athlete. I am taking a Masters swim class at the YMCA with a young man who was a very good friend of his and to him I offer my deepest sympathies.

I join with another local blogger friend of mine in stressing the importance of being safe while riding and running on the open roads. People in cars generally DO NOT watch out for you so you have got to be very defensive.

Wednesday 2-6-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:21:00 +0000

The Masters' Swimming program continues at the Y at 5:00 am. We had a fun class today; we are starting to do back stroke which few swimmers know how to do. I have always enjoyed doing back stroke. I was an AAU area champion in this stroke back in the day; WAY back in the day when I was still in grade school. This class is going to help my swimming tremendously. I will comment on anyone who has gotten swimming advice from online swim coaches; use caution not to get bad advice. I remember following the advice of a coach a couple of years ago that has messed up my swimming. I developed some bad habits that are proving tough to break. One is the tendency to hold my head too deep in the water; this creates too much drag and slows you down. The other is the advice to use your legs sparingly if you are doing triathlons. I am having a tough time learning how to kick and getting my legs in shape. This has got to help my running strength! Each class finds me in better shape and less whupped when it is over.

I still have not gotten in the groove in my running and biking. These college classes I am taking are keeping me up late at night and early in the mornings and on the days I am not swimming I am taking time to study.

Friday 2-1-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:27:00 +0000

I made it on time to the masters swimming class at 5:00 am. That is not easy, in itself, because I have to get up at 4:00 and not waste any time getting ready. I like to take my time getting woke up in the mornings but not on swim day.

The pool was a little warm, but at least that is better than being too cold. The class went well and I feel like I am getting stronger every class. The hardest part is the kicking exercises. I thought my legs were strong but evidently not strong enough. That is going to be the best part of this class; learning how to kick efficiently. This is going to help my running endurance also.

Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona 2008

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:01:00 +0000

I went with my brother and his family down to Daytona Speedway last weekend to watch the Rolex 24 Hours endurance automobile race. It is hard to appreciate the skill involved with driving a race car at high speed until you have done it yourself. These guys are good! I along with many others dream of getting to drive in a race like this. It must be a neat experience to actually get to do it. I guess I am just going to have to settle for the occasional drive at a driver education class.

The winning car is shown here. This team has won this race three years in a row.

In 24 hours at speeds averaging over 100 mph, the winner made close to 700 laps. That is pretty impressive for 24 hours non-stop.

Wednesday 1-30-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:56:00 +0000

It was back to the Y pool this morning at 5:00 for another masters' workout. For various reasons, we had a 1-1/2 week layoff and that surely did not help matters. This is a good class and if I can keep struggling through I will become a stronger swimmer. I am a little discouraged at this point, however, because I have been actively swimming now for three years and it now feels as if I have not swimming at all. These workouts bring back memories of summers at swim team practice when I was young.

Friday 1-25-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:51:00 +0000

I know I really don't want to stoop to the level of whining and complaining about my physical state of being for that is certainly not what my blog is intended to do. But, it is going to be tough getting back in shape after a six week hiatus from running. I had hoped the Masters Swimming program would help keep me in shape but with this bad cold I have had the past two weeks I have regressed to an out-of-shape condition I didn't want to reach.

I ran at the Y on Wednesday for 3 miles and the next day my legs were sore! I ran 4 miles this AM and felt tired and sore. The bright spot is my feet have healed completely and there is no pain. I am ready to start back on some kind of training program. I am probably going to look at a triathlon training scheme because I do not have time to start training for a marathon AND do the Masters Swimming thing. After the class ends in March I may consider the marathon. Whatever I do I need to have a goal to keep me committed to staying in shape.

Monday 1-14-08

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:26:00 +0000

Monday morning, 5:00 am. Despite being sick all weekend I decided to go on to the swimming class at the Y. The water was 76 degrees and took your breath away but we went ahead and held class. I quickly discovered how much my bout with bronchitis affected my lung capacity and I stopped after only a few laps. May be Wednesday I will be in better shape to swim. It is such a bummer to get sick.

Masters' Swimming Program

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:39:00 +0000

I have decided to participate in a masters' swimming program at the Y. I went to the first class Friday morning. Boy, what an eye-opener! I never knew I was in such poor shape! I think it is going to be a great experience; surely one that will get me in shape for doing triathlons. The class is from 5-6 am on M,W,F. It is just the thing to get the blood pumping. More on my progress in that class later.

I start my college classes next Wednesday. Remember me as the time crunch will be on.

Wednesday 12-26-07

andy81563@charter.net (4bimmers) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:29:00 +0000

The Christmas feasts are over and its back to a sensible lifestyle. I swam one mile at the Y during lunch today. I need to hit the pool in a disciplined way especially with the lack of running I have been doing.

I have been accepted in the Masters' of Operations Management program at the University of Alabama. I will be taking classes online so my evening schedule is going to be busy. This is going to mean I am going to have to get my exercise regimen done in the mornings or at lunch.