It's Wednesday morning and another 6:00am swim with Barb and KK on the agenda. There was a tremendous Monsoon storm last night which filled the pool with leaves and debris, so this mornings swim included many water obstacles. The lifeguards did the best they could to clear out some of the stuff in the pool, but there is only so much they could do.
Just like yesterday, the water temperature is perfect. Jumped in... and away we go.
300 warm-up
4x150(600) swim
5x50(250) swim
200 flutter kick
200 butterfly kick
50 back
200 swim
That's 1800 for those of you counting at home. So, once again... second day in a row with yardage of 1 mile+. Another good workout.
About 2/3 of the way through my workout, Dean (NC)comes strolling into the pool. Dean is a fellow soccer coach and a fitness enthusiast. Dean usually spends most of his time cycling and running, but a recent ankle injury has reinvigorated his interest in swimming. So, whenever I can, I give him a hard time about getting in the pool.
When I left the pool today, instead of heading to work, I headed to a doctor's appointment. 7:45am on Wyatt (across the street from TMC). Well, it turns out that KK's office is in the same area. So, after I finished up with my appointment, I stopped by and got the grand tour. Said hello to her and her lovely co-workers. Finally, I was off to work.
Another great day in the Old Pueblo underway.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
When is a mile not really a mile?
6:00am at Udall. And when I say 6:00am, on Tuesday's what I really mean is 5:45am. Because if you don't get to Udall at least 10 to 15 minutes early on Tuesdays, you will not get a lane (or... half a lane actually). Tuesday morning's seem to be the only day with this issue. But, if you want to swim. Be there early and get in line. Wait for the pool to open.
So, I was on time (i.e. early) and waiting in line. KK was in line with me. Barb showed up a few minutes later (still early) and got in line about two people behind us.
Both Barb and KK are great in the pool. Impossible for me to keep up.
Today I manged to eek out:
200 warm-up
800 swim
200 flutter kick
200 butterfly kick
100 back kick
200 swim
Which is a lot for me. Barb and KK did way more, but I am not disappointed with my effort. 1700 yards total (1 mile).
So, this is were a swimming explanation might be helpful. For those mathematicians among us, you might be looking at that number and saying, "1760 yards equals one mile, so you are 60 yards short my friend". And technically, you would be correct. But, it turns out that swimmers consider 1650 yards to be equal to one mile for swimming purposes. Therefore, I completed a one-mile swim this morning. Even a little over. Either way, I'll take it. Good distance for me.
So, I was on time (i.e. early) and waiting in line. KK was in line with me. Barb showed up a few minutes later (still early) and got in line about two people behind us.
Both Barb and KK are great in the pool. Impossible for me to keep up.
Today I manged to eek out:
200 warm-up
800 swim
200 flutter kick
200 butterfly kick
100 back kick
200 swim
Which is a lot for me. Barb and KK did way more, but I am not disappointed with my effort. 1700 yards total (1 mile).
So, this is were a swimming explanation might be helpful. For those mathematicians among us, you might be looking at that number and saying, "1760 yards equals one mile, so you are 60 yards short my friend". And technically, you would be correct. But, it turns out that swimmers consider 1650 yards to be equal to one mile for swimming purposes. Therefore, I completed a one-mile swim this morning. Even a little over. Either way, I'll take it. Good distance for me.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Just couldn't do it...
So, you know that I ran both Saturday and Sunday. Now it's Monday morning and since this is our week off from lifting (I will explain later), I decide to meet BC at B's place for the 5:15a run.
BC decide today will be a Canyon Ranch run (which, as KK later put it, means that Charlene was there and she got her way). Which means 4+ miles of hills and desert. But, that seems fine to me. Well.. it seemed fine until we got going. Ran the first mile which seemed hard, but is an uphill climb, so it is always a bit difficult. But, this seemed even harder today. Not to mention the fact that less than 100 yrds into it, I got a side stitch which was a little painful and incredibly annoying.
We stopped to walk and I just could not get comfortable. So, throughout the rest of the 4 mile loop we made a few more valiant attempts to run, but spent the majority of the time walking and talking. It worked out well for me. But I'm sure B and C were disappointed we didn't run more. It would appear, at least at this point, that three consecutive days of running is just too much for me. Tomorrow's swim will be a good change of pace.
As usual, coffee and bagels (and protein shakes) at Barb's house. So, even though I didn't run much, I still got to enjoy the spoils of the morning workout. I should be ashamed of myself... but, I'm not!
BC decide today will be a Canyon Ranch run (which, as KK later put it, means that Charlene was there and she got her way). Which means 4+ miles of hills and desert. But, that seems fine to me. Well.. it seemed fine until we got going. Ran the first mile which seemed hard, but is an uphill climb, so it is always a bit difficult. But, this seemed even harder today. Not to mention the fact that less than 100 yrds into it, I got a side stitch which was a little painful and incredibly annoying.
We stopped to walk and I just could not get comfortable. So, throughout the rest of the 4 mile loop we made a few more valiant attempts to run, but spent the majority of the time walking and talking. It worked out well for me. But I'm sure B and C were disappointed we didn't run more. It would appear, at least at this point, that three consecutive days of running is just too much for me. Tomorrow's swim will be a good change of pace.
As usual, coffee and bagels (and protein shakes) at Barb's house. So, even though I didn't run much, I still got to enjoy the spoils of the morning workout. I should be ashamed of myself... but, I'm not!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saguaro East trails... again!
It's Sunday morning and I am back out in the Saguaro National Park East. Yesterday, I ran with BC, 5:30a at the end of speedway. Today, I am meeting Corey and Ced (NC) at 6:00a at the end of Broadway. The three of us did a similar trail run last weekend. Two weekends ago, Jag (NC) and Charlie (NC) showed up as well, but I haven't seen them for a while.... slackers.
As we did last week, we start our run on Douglas Springs Trail. The most difficult part of this trail run is the first three miles, which is ALL climb. Just as I hit the 3 mile mark, I take the right and start heading south (more southwest really) on Three Tank trail. Apparently, this trail is not a popular one because the overgrowth is amazing. In fact, at times, it's hard to determine where the trail is. By this time my legs are heavy and I am struggling a bit.
Just before I reach the steel tank, I see Corey and Ced stopped up ahead. Corey said the trail markers were kind of confusing so he came back to make sure Ced and I took the correct trail. (The reason this is so significant relates to two weeks ago when Jag was gone for more than an hour after everyone else was back. Jag's explanation for the whole incident is still highly suspect and of considerable debate. But, that is a story for another day).
At the steel tank, we exit Three Tank trail and pick up Carrillo. Carrillo takes us back around the backside of the small mountain range and up the back way to Garwood Dam. This is the second time in two days I have been to this dam. Finally I pick up Garwood Trail again and follow it north toward "home". After all is said and done, that loop was 7.07 miles. A whole lot of climbing and on more than one occasion I looked down at my Garmin to see my heart rate at 160+.
More than 13 miles in trails in a 48 hour period was quite the weekend. Finally it was time to head home. The wife is still out of town and the kids will be waking up soon.
As we did last week, we start our run on Douglas Springs Trail. The most difficult part of this trail run is the first three miles, which is ALL climb. Just as I hit the 3 mile mark, I take the right and start heading south (more southwest really) on Three Tank trail. Apparently, this trail is not a popular one because the overgrowth is amazing. In fact, at times, it's hard to determine where the trail is. By this time my legs are heavy and I am struggling a bit.
Just before I reach the steel tank, I see Corey and Ced stopped up ahead. Corey said the trail markers were kind of confusing so he came back to make sure Ced and I took the correct trail. (The reason this is so significant relates to two weeks ago when Jag was gone for more than an hour after everyone else was back. Jag's explanation for the whole incident is still highly suspect and of considerable debate. But, that is a story for another day).
At the steel tank, we exit Three Tank trail and pick up Carrillo. Carrillo takes us back around the backside of the small mountain range and up the back way to Garwood Dam. This is the second time in two days I have been to this dam. Finally I pick up Garwood Trail again and follow it north toward "home". After all is said and done, that loop was 7.07 miles. A whole lot of climbing and on more than one occasion I looked down at my Garmin to see my heart rate at 160+.
More than 13 miles in trails in a 48 hour period was quite the weekend. Finally it was time to head home. The wife is still out of town and the kids will be waking up soon.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
KK's first trail run
For those of you who have been following Loca Tri Vida for a while, you are familiar with BCJ. For those who are new, BCJ is Barb, Charlene and Jeannie. Three great ladies who I had the good fortune to meet and subsequently exercise with on a regular basis.
Well, while B and C are still part of many of my workouts during a typical week, J, that is Jeannie, is off running a very successful business in Fleet Feet of Tucson, and probably completing workouts which are well beyond my current capabilities. So, for a while, it was just kind of me and BC. Enter, stage left, KK (NC). KK is the newest member of our fitness circle. With her long black hair and smiling face, not to mention here gift for conversation, KK has added a little spice to our group. Hence forth, I think I will drop the J and add the K, and get BCK. So it is written.
While KK has been running and swimming with us for a while now, she had never been on a trail run. So, I decided today would be the day for her first.
I met B & K at the east end of Speedway, Saguaro National Park East, at 5:30a. After a little chit chat, or course, and applying some sunscreen, we were off. Since Garwood Dam was the destination, we started east on Shantz trail and took a right on Pink Hill trail. Followed Pink Hill to Squeeze Pin and again took a right and finally a left on Carrillo. Then, followed Carrillo all the way to Garwood Dam.
I felt pretty good and I think the ladies thought I was going a bit fast, but they had no problems keeping up. After resting a bit and appreciating the dam and a great view overlooking Tucson, we headed back down. We completed the 6 mile run in just over 90 minutes and everyone, including KK, seemed pleased with the experience. A finishing touch of coffee and pastries at Le Buzz, completed a great Saturday morning workout.
We will definitely need to revisit this trail run and coffee workout.
Well, while B and C are still part of many of my workouts during a typical week, J, that is Jeannie, is off running a very successful business in Fleet Feet of Tucson, and probably completing workouts which are well beyond my current capabilities. So, for a while, it was just kind of me and BC. Enter, stage left, KK (NC). KK is the newest member of our fitness circle. With her long black hair and smiling face, not to mention here gift for conversation, KK has added a little spice to our group. Hence forth, I think I will drop the J and add the K, and get BCK. So it is written.
While KK has been running and swimming with us for a while now, she had never been on a trail run. So, I decided today would be the day for her first.
I met B & K at the east end of Speedway, Saguaro National Park East, at 5:30a. After a little chit chat, or course, and applying some sunscreen, we were off. Since Garwood Dam was the destination, we started east on Shantz trail and took a right on Pink Hill trail. Followed Pink Hill to Squeeze Pin and again took a right and finally a left on Carrillo. Then, followed Carrillo all the way to Garwood Dam.
I felt pretty good and I think the ladies thought I was going a bit fast, but they had no problems keeping up. After resting a bit and appreciating the dam and a great view overlooking Tucson, we headed back down. We completed the 6 mile run in just over 90 minutes and everyone, including KK, seemed pleased with the experience. A finishing touch of coffee and pastries at Le Buzz, completed a great Saturday morning workout.
We will definitely need to revisit this trail run and coffee workout.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Who is that?
Since my posting, and at times my training, has been on hiatus, I have met and interact or workout with some new people. So, in order to keep everyone in the know, anytime I introduce an new person in a post, I will annotate their inaugural mention with an "NC" for New Character. Hopefully, that way, you don't have to scratch you head and say... "who was that? And have we met them before?".
I'm baaaacccckkkk!
Hello there. And how have you been? I'm sure you are wondering where I have been. Well, that is a long and complicated answer that I will not bore you with so soon upon my return. But, over the next few weeks, I will introduce new people, places, things and activities to my Loca Tri Vida blogsphere. For now, suffice it to say that I am back and ready to pick up my training (and my blogging) right where I left off. So, I hope you find yourself here more often and always entertained, and possibly even inspired, by my stories as I pursue the peak of physical fitness.
So grab you goggles, your sunscreen and your running shoes... let's get fit.
So grab you goggles, your sunscreen and your running shoes... let's get fit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
