Well, today was my first workout since last Tuesday – a week and two days. I don’t feel like I was slacking – there were storms, then we moved a bunch of stuff all weekend and on Monday and Tuesday. The moving stuff counted as exercise, I think. It definitely worked me. Yesterday I didn’t do anything because … well, because I needed a rest. And it was good. But today was the first structured workout in over a week. I’m happy with it. It was a little short, but I worked hard, and the sprint triathlons’ swim distances are usually between a quarter and a half mile. So now I’m back to it. Tomorrow: Bike.
Monthly Archives: August 2006
8/31/06 Workout – Swim
I swam today, my first workout in over a week. Good one, too. I swam a half mile all at once, no breaks. took me 20 minutes and 20 seconds, which is my fastest half mile so far. Unfortunately, I pushed myself a tad too far. I was going to try to go a full mile today, but after pushing hard for the first half mile I couldn’t go on. I tried doing a warm-down 1/4 mile with extra pushes off the side of the pool, but after doing 100 yards I just couldn’t continue. So I did a float-on-my-back lap as a final cool down and left.
Excuses and Excuses
So i haven’t worked out since Tuesday. Feel pretty crappy about it, too.
Yesterday should have been a bike or run, but I went to bed too late Tuesday night. Not enough sleep. This morning I was going to bike, but it thunderstormed all night and morning. Also, my wife woke me up and asked me to hold our daughter at right about the time that I would have gotten up to exercise. Apparently she’d been up all night. 
I think I’m going to swim tomorrow morning. I’ve got to renew my membership, and I might as well get in another swim. Next bike? Monday, probably.
8/22/06 Workout – Swim
I only had time for a short swim Tuesday, and it was hard. I only did 1/2 mile, but I just couldn’t get comfortable in my stroke until about halfway through. It was rough. Otherwise, it was fine. 1/2 miles at a time are doable now, so I imagine I’ll do those. My next goal: 1 full mile, in 1/2 mile increments. We’ll see how that goes!
8/18/06 & 8/21/06 workouts – Swim & Bike
More workouts, less posting!
The 8/18 swim was good – I swam 3/4 of a mile again, only this time I went 1/4 mile, rested, then went 1/2 mile without rest! That was pretty cool. The 1/2 mile took me about 23 minutes. Ugh. That’s a long time, but that’s okay. Endurance first, then speed!
This morning’s bike ride was great. I went about 6 miles, with a big push for the last mile. I really pushed hard for the last mile. I got off the bike, and started walking to cool off and both of my legs buckled at the same time. I caught myself before falling, but I know now what to expect for the 2nd transition! Ha.
Obstacles & Spending
I was slated to run this morning, but I rolled my ankle (again) last week, and it’s been hurting more recently. So I decided to swim this morning. Last night, though, we were remodeling the basement (tearing out wood), and I punctured m y arm with a nail. It didn’t hurt that much, but this morning it had not healed all the way. Still oozing, so I couldn’t swim. So I biked. 
Apparently there are a few items I still need to get. I’m trying to start saving for a bike, but these things will help now.
- Slicks for the bike. The knobbies have got to go!
- Water bottle holder for the bike. With the rides getting longer, I’m going to need to bring water with me.
- A heart rate monitor. It seems I read or hear everywhere how beneficial these can be for exercising effectively. Last week alone I heard from 2 different people how great they are (bike shop guy & Mom!).
So, more money to be spent. :( Ah well. Then it’s on to Bike saving!
8/15/06 Workout – Bike
Biking went well this morning. I strayed from my usual mile+ loop. I rode about 5.5 miles, and went on a different, larger loop. It was nice. I paced myself, and did it in about 30 minutes. That’s roughly 6 minute miles, which is fine. I didn’t over work myself aerobically, but my leg muscles got a good workout! At one point in the loop there was a nice hill. I kept going on it, but it was tough. It popped up right as I turned a corner. Nice surprise! All in all a good workout.
8/10/06 & 8/11/06 Workouts – Swim & Bike
It’s been a few days since these workouts, so I don’t remember specifics. The swim was the usual 3.4 mile swim, with breaks at each quarter mile. The new stroke is coming along – not as hard as the fist time. The bike was better – I have a helmet & tri shorts now, so I feel safer and the shorts really feel … great. I just hope too many people don’t look my direction! If you do, here’s your apology. Maybe the sight will look better next year. :) The biking went better – I went 5 miles without a break. 5 – 6 minute mile for the first 4 miles, then I pushed it for the last mile and did that one in 4 minutes. I figured out how to pace myself on the bike! Haha. Never thought that that would be something that I had a hard time with.
8/9/06 Workout – Run
Just a quick workout note – it’s late! I ran (well, jogged) this morning, again for approximately 2 miles. It’s about the best I can do right now. That’s okay – at least I can do that! I seemed to do fine – I tried to pick up the pace at the end of the 2 miles. It was tough, but I did it.
Quick note – I got some tri shorts and a helmet today – So I can be safe on the bike, and my legs can be protected a bit when I ride.
8/8/06 Workout – Bike
Biking went … well … today. Definitely better than the first time. Jason told me that my pace of roughly 5 minutes per mile on a mountain bike isn’t bad at all, so I’m not as disappointed with my first bike outing. This time I went 4 miles, with 1 rest in the middle. I did roughly 5 minute miles again. My heartrate at the beginning of the rest was around 160, and I headed back out when I calmed down to about 130.
It was a nice ride, and I figured something out. My distance is limited, it seems, because I have a hard time regulating my speed. I always want to go faster, and that takes more energy than picking a speed and staying with it. Maybe I’ll get better at regulating myself and I’ll be able to go further next time.