attack dogs come in all shapes and sizes

Ran to the track this morning for a couple pickups. Legs felt fine, I actually had to tell myself to slow down to preserve myself for Sunday. On the way home this little white mop dog on a leash decided to charge me. Its attempts at tripping me with the leash failed. Sorry dog, better luck next time! His owner was clearly embarrased. I just said, "Don't worry about it....dogs love me that much!"

toasty arms

Got back into the pool tonight and repeated most of the drills that I did from my class Monday night. The dreaded drill where I am 45 degrees rotated face down with my arm 45 degrees extended downwards went a heck of a lot better. Prolly 300% better! I am finally getting the hang of this drill. FINALLY!

I only did about 900 yards in 30 mins. I was finding that by the end of the night I was pulling way left, even more left than usual.

My arms are freaking sore!

no knee pain

No knee pain this morning during my adventures on the dreadmill. I did just 30 mins with 3 short 30 second intervals to get me through the last 6-8 mins of boredom.

It was ~42 degrees this morning. Time to buy some warm weather running gear!

swim class, week 1

Just got back from week 1 of my 10 week underwater video swim analysis class. There are 11 or 12 of us, so a pretty good sized class with 4 people in each lane. I'm in the middle speed lane, but about the slowest in the middle lane. Oh well, we aren't here for speed, just technique.

We started with an 8 minute warmup and I swam however far it takes to do in that much time. I was feeling it by the end. I have only been in the pool once since the Westchester Tri over 2 weeks ago. I soon found my rhythm again.

Then we moved onto drills. The first was easy, just kick on your stomach while pressing your chest down. Then we did that dreaded drill that I always choke on water on. Swim 45 degrees on your side with your arm 45 degrees down. Every time I roll I sink and I swallow water. Well guess what I get to work out this week!! Yay..........blah.....

Then we got to the swim video part. Upon review of the tape, I actually looked pretty good in the water. My body was horizontal and my kick was nice and conistent. My arm work is what was pointed out as not being so good. Basically I am trying to do a catch drill and I am letting my forward arm hang out in front too long. I am also crossing my arms over, which is making me zig-zag in the water, also not good. So already I am getting some great feedback.

LSD

Did my first LSD run this morning. LSD stands for "Long Slow Distance," and I think I accomplished that. A coworker and I ran 9.85 miles in 1:44:01. Yeah that definately accomplishes the slow part. We averaged 10:34 min/mile averages. haha

Eh whatever. I'm not out to set any records next weekend other than finishing my first half marathon. Besides, I am done with speed work for a LONG LONG LONG time. My body and mind is pretty cooked from this past season. It is good though to accomplish some goals through this off season.

As for today's run, I ran on a new (to me) path that is well paved the entire way, has some decent scenary and has some small hills. Its always good to find new terrain to switch things up from time to time. By the end of the run I felt really good, besides my knees being a bit sore. But my legs felt fine and I wasn't hungry or tired or wrecked. When I got home I was extremely hungry and I could feel my legs starting to feel a bit sore. Now my quads are pretty sore.

Tomorrow night I start my swim classes. Then Tuesday and Thursday I will be putting in some short runs for next Sunday's half marathon.

getting recovered

Just ran an 8:23 min/mile pace for 3.5 miles this morning. 8:23?!?! Where did that come from? Does this mean that I am finally recovered? I didn't feel like I was running that fast, but I guess I did!

I mean since the last two races I have done a 9:30, 9:15, 9:08. 8:53 min/mile paces, but then all of a sudden it DROPS to 8:23? Well the numbers don't lie, and I think that I have finally recovered.

And I just signed up for the Westchester Half Marathon for the 12th. No backing out now!

registered for my first HIM

Just registered for my first HIM (half Iron Man 70.3), Timberman, in Gilford, NH. This race is only 25 mins or so from where I grew up and is on the very same lake that I grew up on. I am excited as this will be a "home" race for me.

Wow, Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles, then run a half Marathon (13.1 miles). Should take me 6 hours or less. GULP!

Oh its gonna be awesome!

Timberman is one of the signiture races of the season, especially in the northeast. They had Kona's female winner, Chrissy Wellington, win the the female Pros this past year, along with Andy Potts, who almost made the US Olympic team. Who knows if they will repeat next year, but the race draws some big names.

August 23, 2009, here I come! Oh, and my race age @ that time will be 27. Yikes! I'm still ONLY 25!!!!!