It has always been a problem of mine: divided attention. I try too many things. You know what they say, "Jack of all trades, master of none." And I am only talking about athletics. I want to swim better, run better, lift better, cycle better, triathlon better. That is a bit broad to really do better.
Sometimes I embrace the breadth. It makes me healthier, happier, and a better all-round athlete. But, I leave a lot on the table, or in the gym, or in the pool. My dad told me once that I should take a year and focus on the 10K run. I certainly would perform much better at it if I did. That, however, is not the way I am geared.
I'm interested in too many things. That is both a problem and a blessing. When we took Trevor to that stongman contest in Arkansas, I was smitten with the event. I enjoyed watching it, was amazed at the camaraderie, and I immediately wanted to do one, to be a part of that group. Hey, I lift a lot of weights.
But I went home and did a little figuring. Unfortunately, I am just not strong enough to enter that world, although I certainly want to. It's not that I would mind finishing dead last. I am an endurance athlete and maximum strength and endurance are on opposite ends of the spectrum. If I could simply do the events I would enter the next one I could find. But of the five events in the one Trevor did, I could have successfully done exactly one event, the country crush dead lift. I could have gotten in on the opening round and made one lift. The next event was the circus dumbbell. For the lightweights, that lift started at 80 pounds. I cannot lift an eighty pound dumbbell of any sort over my head with one hand. In fact, I am a long way from that. I'm working on it, but will I ever make it? Frankly, it's doubtful.
The next event was carrying a 200 pound keg fifty feet for time. I'm out on that one too. I'm not sure I can even lift a 200 pound keg much less take off running with it. Event three was a 200 pound sandbag over a fifty inch high bar for reps within a minute, I think. That one also is beyond me as is the stone carry, 200 pounds of natural stone for time on a fifty-foot course. I just can't do all of that, but this has impacted my training.
Then there is triathlon. I wrote earlier that I enjoyed this one the most of any I have done. The reason for that is I relaxed and really didn't worry about the people passing me both on the bicycle and on the run. But after the race, I immediately began to think how I could come back in better form next year and perform much better. Will I carry out the necessary steps to do so? If history is any guide, I will for a while but will fall off somewhere along the year because I will focus on something else.
Swimming, of course, gets the lion's share of my attention and energy as it should because it is my best sport. Last April I competed in the Mississippi State Senior Olympics. I won four gold medals. That set me to scheming about future SOs. This upcoming year is a qualifying year for the National Senior Olympics. But, I checked past results and the only event I could possibly be competitive at is the 500 yard freestyle. My time last April would have placed 7th at the last Nationals. I am not travelling for seventh place in my best sport.
Sigh.
I have almost two years to train, and I will age up by the time the next Nationals roll around. But they will be contested a long way away, and I don't know if I would dare make that journey.
Then there is running. I know I would do better in road races if I ran fewer miles and focused more on quality. However, that is the kind of running that always got me injured in the past and the long stuff, the adventure runs and journey runs are what I enjoy the most. When push comes to shove, if you don't enjoy your workouts, you won't be doing them when you get may age, which is 63 years old. I am still out there doing it, not very well, but I am running, swimming, cycling, lifting, and traithloning. If i could just add strongman contests to that list, I would be happy.
And powerlifting, I'd like to add powerlifting.
Did I mention obstacle course racing?
Thank you, Jesus. Life is still interesting in a lot of ways.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Tuesday
John asked me to call him before we swam to make sure he was up. He begged off. I understand. He made a trip to Jackson the day before, and I can imagine how that tired him. It tires me.
I went to the pool alone and swam
1,200 30:24
4 X 50 decline one to four
6 X 100 @ 2:15
200 small paddles
total: 2,200 long course meters
I went out for my long run after debating with myself where. The temp was 86. That is cool for this time of year, but far from cool for running. I decided to go straight out Money Road. When I was coming back, John Bush stopped and gave me a bottle of water. That is the kindest thing ever. God bless him. I finished with 11.5 miles. My medius glutius muscles became extremely tight. What is going on with that? The pace was terrible, but I got in the miles, which was the goal.
Penny had supper ready when I got in. I ate, took a bath, and lounged for the rest of the night. Thank you, Jesus.
I went to the pool alone and swam
1,200 30:24
4 X 50 decline one to four
6 X 100 @ 2:15
200 small paddles
total: 2,200 long course meters
I went out for my long run after debating with myself where. The temp was 86. That is cool for this time of year, but far from cool for running. I decided to go straight out Money Road. When I was coming back, John Bush stopped and gave me a bottle of water. That is the kindest thing ever. God bless him. I finished with 11.5 miles. My medius glutius muscles became extremely tight. What is going on with that? The pace was terrible, but I got in the miles, which was the goal.
Penny had supper ready when I got in. I ate, took a bath, and lounged for the rest of the night. Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Monday's Tight Rope
John told me Sunday night that he could not swim Monday morning. I intended to go to the pool alone, but when morning rolled around, I rolled over. I need the rest, I thought. The Heart O' Dixie Triathlon takes a lot out of a body. Indeed it does. So I slept in with no guilt, no regret, no need to explain myself. Wait, that's what I just did.
I did a little shuffle in the afternoon. I went 2.17 miles. Lately I have been running long on Monday, but my legs were not ready to go long. They did that Saturday. So I went easy and short and hope to go long Tuesday. We'll see.
After the run, I got ready to ride with Forrest. He tool off work a bit early and we were in downtown Money by 4:00 p.m. We did twenty miles out there on Coleman and Wildwood Roads. That wasn't much but it was a decent day in light of the fact that I have to recover from the HOD. This week I face the same tension I had last week: getting some training in for future races while getting fresh for Saturday. What happens Saturday? you ask. Bikes, Blues, & Bayous, Mississippi's largest bicycle ride hosted right here in Greenwood, MS. Forrest and I are registered for the 62-mile ride, which we are minimally trained for. I think, however, we can do it. It will be a good workout. My plan is to ride gently from aid station to aid station. Ride gently, I say, ride gently. The HOD and BBB back to back will give the body a good training stimulus.
Thank you, Jesus, for fun training and the fun of trying to figure it all out.
I did a little shuffle in the afternoon. I went 2.17 miles. Lately I have been running long on Monday, but my legs were not ready to go long. They did that Saturday. So I went easy and short and hope to go long Tuesday. We'll see.
After the run, I got ready to ride with Forrest. He tool off work a bit early and we were in downtown Money by 4:00 p.m. We did twenty miles out there on Coleman and Wildwood Roads. That wasn't much but it was a decent day in light of the fact that I have to recover from the HOD. This week I face the same tension I had last week: getting some training in for future races while getting fresh for Saturday. What happens Saturday? you ask. Bikes, Blues, & Bayous, Mississippi's largest bicycle ride hosted right here in Greenwood, MS. Forrest and I are registered for the 62-mile ride, which we are minimally trained for. I think, however, we can do it. It will be a good workout. My plan is to ride gently from aid station to aid station. Ride gently, I say, ride gently. The HOD and BBB back to back will give the body a good training stimulus.
Thank you, Jesus, for fun training and the fun of trying to figure it all out.
Monday, July 29, 2019
The Heart O' Dixie 2019
When I warmed up, I noticed that even the lake was cooler than normal, not cool but cooler. It was nice. Walking around in the pre-6:00 a.m. morning had felt nippy, nippy in July. Lovely. Thank you, God.
When the swim to the 2019 Heart O' Dixie Triathlon started, I was ready to go. Not bursting with confidence, mind you, but ready to swim and ready to see later what my legs held for the day.
The staggered start of the HOD swim is the best thing since sliced bread. OK, that one is worn out. It's the best thing since coon dogs, the best thing since coffee, the best thing since Reese's. I remember back in the day when the swim start was a challenge just to live. Really, no exaggeration. Now with the staggered start (a swimmer begins every six seconds), not only is safety enhanced, but one can swim to his or her potential. I love it.
Once I was given the send off, I began passing swimmers which always gives me a charge. Surprisingly, I only passed three by the time we made it to the first big blue buoy. But I got another one going around it and one right after it. By the time I climbed out, I had counted fifteen. My transitions, however, suck, and I think they all passed my back before I ever mounted my bicycle.
On the bicycle, I pedaled with a little caution. Forrest and I only rode five times, maybe six. In the past, I learned the hard way that you can be in good running shape (and I am not), but without a decent cycling base, the bike will kill your run. I had that in mind the whole time I rode. I also had in mind gratitude to God for how cool the weather was. I cycled steadily with joy while a river of other riders went around me over and over and over like I was a rock in the stream. I paid little mind to being bested by other, but just trying to take it all in. I was happy to be here after missing the last two because my arm fell off on 2017.
We were fourteen miles into the bike leg before I ever noticed that I was sweating. The strap on my Garmin watch had broken when I tried to put it on after the swim. I tucked it under the leg of my trisuit, so I rode the whole thing without ever knowing what pace I was riding. The cool temperature, the riding blind, along with the fact that I had not placed myself under a time goal, no doubt contributed to me having a much more relaxed attitude than usual and, consequently, I enjoyed the ride a lot. I did push, but I pushed with some restraint, and I rode into T2 with a sense of adventure. The run was about to begin. How would the legs do?
I began the run at a good-for-me-at-this-time pace. I even remarked in my mind that the air still held a touch of cool. The cool was not to last, however, and neither was my pace. The only goals I placed on myself for the tri were to swim well and run the whole running leg without walking. I did walk about 50 feet through each aid station, but that was not what I meant by not walking. I pulled it off. After three miles, I said to myself, I can do this, not fast, but I can do it.
Slowly, the miles ticked off one after the other until I was turning onto the fairgrounds. That always gives me a boost, leaving the highway and running through the cabins. When you get a bit into the cabins, you can hear the loudspeaker at the grandstand where the triathletes are finishing. Those things, leaving the highway, the cabins, and the sound from the finish line make the final mile a lot easier. I hit the red clay/sand track and made the long circle and finished my 19th Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. This one was the most enjoyable one I have done. I think the two year hiatus may have affected that. The lack of a time goal had in impact also. I didn't suffer but I did work hard. It was a nice day.
My finishing time was 3:30:09, not good, but that is my time and I am proud of it. Yes, I am already planning my training for next year. I hope, by the grace of God, to be back and to perform much better. Thank you, Jesus for a good day.
When the swim to the 2019 Heart O' Dixie Triathlon started, I was ready to go. Not bursting with confidence, mind you, but ready to swim and ready to see later what my legs held for the day.
 |
| Lake Tiak O Khata in the early hours of July 27, 2019. The red buoys mark the swim course. |
The staggered start of the HOD swim is the best thing since sliced bread. OK, that one is worn out. It's the best thing since coon dogs, the best thing since coffee, the best thing since Reese's. I remember back in the day when the swim start was a challenge just to live. Really, no exaggeration. Now with the staggered start (a swimmer begins every six seconds), not only is safety enhanced, but one can swim to his or her potential. I love it.
Once I was given the send off, I began passing swimmers which always gives me a charge. Surprisingly, I only passed three by the time we made it to the first big blue buoy. But I got another one going around it and one right after it. By the time I climbed out, I had counted fifteen. My transitions, however, suck, and I think they all passed my back before I ever mounted my bicycle.
 |
| Coming out of the water |
On the bicycle, I pedaled with a little caution. Forrest and I only rode five times, maybe six. In the past, I learned the hard way that you can be in good running shape (and I am not), but without a decent cycling base, the bike will kill your run. I had that in mind the whole time I rode. I also had in mind gratitude to God for how cool the weather was. I cycled steadily with joy while a river of other riders went around me over and over and over like I was a rock in the stream. I paid little mind to being bested by other, but just trying to take it all in. I was happy to be here after missing the last two because my arm fell off on 2017.
We were fourteen miles into the bike leg before I ever noticed that I was sweating. The strap on my Garmin watch had broken when I tried to put it on after the swim. I tucked it under the leg of my trisuit, so I rode the whole thing without ever knowing what pace I was riding. The cool temperature, the riding blind, along with the fact that I had not placed myself under a time goal, no doubt contributed to me having a much more relaxed attitude than usual and, consequently, I enjoyed the ride a lot. I did push, but I pushed with some restraint, and I rode into T2 with a sense of adventure. The run was about to begin. How would the legs do?
I began the run at a good-for-me-at-this-time pace. I even remarked in my mind that the air still held a touch of cool. The cool was not to last, however, and neither was my pace. The only goals I placed on myself for the tri were to swim well and run the whole running leg without walking. I did walk about 50 feet through each aid station, but that was not what I meant by not walking. I pulled it off. After three miles, I said to myself, I can do this, not fast, but I can do it.
Slowly, the miles ticked off one after the other until I was turning onto the fairgrounds. That always gives me a boost, leaving the highway and running through the cabins. When you get a bit into the cabins, you can hear the loudspeaker at the grandstand where the triathletes are finishing. Those things, leaving the highway, the cabins, and the sound from the finish line make the final mile a lot easier. I hit the red clay/sand track and made the long circle and finished my 19th Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. This one was the most enjoyable one I have done. I think the two year hiatus may have affected that. The lack of a time goal had in impact also. I didn't suffer but I did work hard. It was a nice day.
 |
| That is me making my slow shuffle around the track. |
My finishing time was 3:30:09, not good, but that is my time and I am proud of it. Yes, I am already planning my training for next year. I hope, by the grace of God, to be back and to perform much better. Thank you, Jesus for a good day.
7/22 - 7/28
The tension I had at the beginning of the week was how to get my twenty miles of running in without wiping myself out for the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. I pulled it off. Monday I swam 3,000 meters in the long course pool and ran long, 9.71 miles. I had intended to go farther, but I ran out of water a little before 5:00 p.m., so I texted Penny to pick me up on her way home from work.
Tuesday I swam 1,800 straight, and then Forrest and I rode after work. We did 19 miles. I ran 2.58 when I got home from cycling. Wednesday I ran at lunch time (3.36 miles) and swam after coaching the kids. I did 1,500 yards.
Thursday I swam a mere 1,200 meters. For the first and only time of the week, I lifted at Plate City. I also ran a short, easy 1.78 miles. Friday I did nothing physical and slept in as late as possible, it think until about 8:00 a.m.
Saturday, of course, was the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon so I got a good workout. I swam 800 meter (plus my warm up), cycled 27.12 miles, and ran 6.6 miles. Most importantly, I had fun.
For the week, I
ran 23.93 miles,
lifted weights one time,
swam 7,778 meters, and
cycled 27.12 miles.
That was a pretty solid week and should aid my 300 Oaks training. Next up, the Bikes, Blues, & Bayous next Saturday.
Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday I swam 1,800 straight, and then Forrest and I rode after work. We did 19 miles. I ran 2.58 when I got home from cycling. Wednesday I ran at lunch time (3.36 miles) and swam after coaching the kids. I did 1,500 yards.
Thursday I swam a mere 1,200 meters. For the first and only time of the week, I lifted at Plate City. I also ran a short, easy 1.78 miles. Friday I did nothing physical and slept in as late as possible, it think until about 8:00 a.m.
Saturday, of course, was the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon so I got a good workout. I swam 800 meter (plus my warm up), cycled 27.12 miles, and ran 6.6 miles. Most importantly, I had fun.
For the week, I
ran 23.93 miles,
lifted weights one time,
swam 7,778 meters, and
cycled 27.12 miles.
That was a pretty solid week and should aid my 300 Oaks training. Next up, the Bikes, Blues, & Bayous next Saturday.
Thank you, Jesus.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Walking that Rope
Thursday morning I walked that thigh rope, first with a swim, then with a run, and finally at Plate City. At the pool, I swam an easy 1,200 straight and got out. Then after work, I ran an easy and short 1.78 miles. That brought my week's total to 17.33 miles, in easy range of my twenty-mile goal.
After all of that, I mowed the back yard and did some lifting. This was my first weight session of the week. I pulled the sled and did two sets of squats. The leg work may not have been wise, but I didn't want to go a full week with no weight training on the legs. I only did five total reps of squats so it wasn't much, but it was something.
It was also a bit late for upper body lifting since I swim Saturday and I want to swim well. I might not cycle well and run well, but I do take pride in my swim time. Again, I did not want to miss a full week of upper body lifting. I did seven sets of speed benching with 95 pounds. That felt really good. I did a bunch of other stuff also. Maybe next week, I can get back to lifting regularly.
This morning, I slept in. No pool, no run, no weights, no bicycle. Tomorrow is the 40th running of the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. Lord willing, I will be there. Thank you, Jesus.
After all of that, I mowed the back yard and did some lifting. This was my first weight session of the week. I pulled the sled and did two sets of squats. The leg work may not have been wise, but I didn't want to go a full week with no weight training on the legs. I only did five total reps of squats so it wasn't much, but it was something.
It was also a bit late for upper body lifting since I swim Saturday and I want to swim well. I might not cycle well and run well, but I do take pride in my swim time. Again, I did not want to miss a full week of upper body lifting. I did seven sets of speed benching with 95 pounds. That felt really good. I did a bunch of other stuff also. Maybe next week, I can get back to lifting regularly.
This morning, I slept in. No pool, no run, no weights, no bicycle. Tomorrow is the 40th running of the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. Lord willing, I will be there. Thank you, Jesus.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Wednesday
I slept in, tired. At lunch, Penny didn't come home so I took a shuffle before I ate. I went around the river for 3.26 miles, a little more than I set out to do, but it was cool, and I felt OK.
The swim kids came in early, 5:00 p.m. I worked them and when they left, I did my swim. I wore my new trisuit to see if it slowed me in the water. I did not swim much, but I did go long enough to determine that the suit is no hindrance, but maybe even a help. I swam
1,000 18:43 (1:52)
200 for time 2:57
300 small paddles
total: 1,500 yards = 1,371 meters
The 200 was the tester. That is a pretty good time for me swimming alone. I usually swim around 3:00, a tad over or a tad under. So the suit is OK. I will wear it Saturday.
Thank you, Jesus, for good health, and good training.
The swim kids came in early, 5:00 p.m. I worked them and when they left, I did my swim. I wore my new trisuit to see if it slowed me in the water. I did not swim much, but I did go long enough to determine that the suit is no hindrance, but maybe even a help. I swam
1,000 18:43 (1:52)
200 for time 2:57
300 small paddles
total: 1,500 yards = 1,371 meters
The 200 was the tester. That is a pretty good time for me swimming alone. I usually swim around 3:00, a tad over or a tad under. So the suit is OK. I will wear it Saturday.
Thank you, Jesus, for good health, and good training.
Tight Rope
I'm walking a tight rope. This is a problem I often have when an event comes up I am participating in. In my current case my fitness level is a little suspect, and I'm really training for future events. But, you say, how can your fitness level be suspect? Didn't you recently swim 12.75 miles? Yes I did, however, the race I am going to Saturday only has a wee amount of swimming in it. I am in pretty good swimming shape, but as far as the rest of it, not so much. Although I am training for the future, the need to taper for the upcoming event is still there. What to do? Three options exist.
Option one is to train through the nearest contest. By "train through" I simply mean one does not taper. One trains as if the event were not going to happen and then the athlete shows up not expecting to perform well and uses the race as another training exercise. I have done that much and I always thought when I did, I am not going to push it just complete this thing. But once the race starts, no matter how pitifully prepared I might be, the desire to do the best I can for my present fitness level always wins out and I push until I feel like puking. Not so much fun.
Another option is to do a full taper. By taper, the volume and sometimes the intensity of the workouts decrease at least for one week, sometimes two before the event so that the muscles are fully recovered from the previous training stress and can perform at their peak on race day. This is good for the current event, but sacrifices volume for future races, hence the dilemma.
Option three is to attempt to combine options one and two, thus keeping volume up and tapering down just a little at the end of the week. That is what I am trying to do for the Heart O' Dixie. I am aiming for the 300 Oaks in late September and my running is just getting voluminous enough to start getting me in shape for that. I feel like I can't dial back on the miles without sacrificing performance then. So I am walking the tight rope, threading the needle, trying to do conflicting things at the same time.
To keep my running volume up, I ran long Monday (9.71 miles). Any coach would say that is a mistake and will cost me Saturday. Probably. I have attempted to run as many miles as I could since to fill up my necessary volume without trashing myself beyond repair for Saturday. How am I doing? I won't really know until after the HOD. Will my legs hold up or will they die on my half way through the bike leg and then leave me to hobble in like a tired old man. Wait, I am a tired old man.
Yesterday I shuffled 3.26 to bring my weekly total to 15.5 miles. Wait, you say. With the seven miles of the HOD run, you have you plus twenty-mile week so you don't need to run anymore. But, I answer, I have, despite my determination not to do so, been reduced to walking parts of that run before. It could happen again Saturday. I need more of a cushion.
The legs were not fresh yesterday. I will run again today. How far? I'd like to go an easy 2.5, but even that is pushing it a bit. A 1.5 will take me to 17 and leave me only needing three miles at the HOD. Surely I can do that even if the old fatigue assaults me along the way. I think. My cycling is suspect, and in the past I learned the hard way that you can be in good running shape but if you don't have a cycling base, you can't run off the bike. You just can't, and my cycling is a bit thin.
So what will I run today? Will I run Friday? How will I perform Saturday? Only time will tell. Thank you, Jesus, for these problems.
Option one is to train through the nearest contest. By "train through" I simply mean one does not taper. One trains as if the event were not going to happen and then the athlete shows up not expecting to perform well and uses the race as another training exercise. I have done that much and I always thought when I did, I am not going to push it just complete this thing. But once the race starts, no matter how pitifully prepared I might be, the desire to do the best I can for my present fitness level always wins out and I push until I feel like puking. Not so much fun.
Another option is to do a full taper. By taper, the volume and sometimes the intensity of the workouts decrease at least for one week, sometimes two before the event so that the muscles are fully recovered from the previous training stress and can perform at their peak on race day. This is good for the current event, but sacrifices volume for future races, hence the dilemma.
Option three is to attempt to combine options one and two, thus keeping volume up and tapering down just a little at the end of the week. That is what I am trying to do for the Heart O' Dixie. I am aiming for the 300 Oaks in late September and my running is just getting voluminous enough to start getting me in shape for that. I feel like I can't dial back on the miles without sacrificing performance then. So I am walking the tight rope, threading the needle, trying to do conflicting things at the same time.
To keep my running volume up, I ran long Monday (9.71 miles). Any coach would say that is a mistake and will cost me Saturday. Probably. I have attempted to run as many miles as I could since to fill up my necessary volume without trashing myself beyond repair for Saturday. How am I doing? I won't really know until after the HOD. Will my legs hold up or will they die on my half way through the bike leg and then leave me to hobble in like a tired old man. Wait, I am a tired old man.
Yesterday I shuffled 3.26 to bring my weekly total to 15.5 miles. Wait, you say. With the seven miles of the HOD run, you have you plus twenty-mile week so you don't need to run anymore. But, I answer, I have, despite my determination not to do so, been reduced to walking parts of that run before. It could happen again Saturday. I need more of a cushion.
The legs were not fresh yesterday. I will run again today. How far? I'd like to go an easy 2.5, but even that is pushing it a bit. A 1.5 will take me to 17 and leave me only needing three miles at the HOD. Surely I can do that even if the old fatigue assaults me along the way. I think. My cycling is suspect, and in the past I learned the hard way that you can be in good running shape but if you don't have a cycling base, you can't run off the bike. You just can't, and my cycling is a bit thin.
So what will I run today? Will I run Friday? How will I perform Saturday? Only time will tell. Thank you, Jesus, for these problems.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
The Heart O' Dixie Triathlon
The sport of triathlon began in October of 1979 in Hawaii. On the second day of August 1980, this brand new challenge landed on the mainland of the United States in Louisville, Mississippi.
I was there.
I was one of the original triathletes.
This is my story.
An article announcing this unheard of event appeared on the front page of the Greenwood Commonwealth. It might have been June, maybe May. Contestants would swim a half mile in Lake Tiak O Khata, cycle 27.5 miles down Highway 15 to Philadelphia, Mississippi, and then run seven miles to the Neshoba County Fair finishing the thirty-five mile odyssey on the dirt race track at the fair. For me, it was love at first read.
That was before the internet. In those days, you wrote a check, licked a stamp, and mailed an envelope. The very next day my check was written, my stamp licked, and my envelope mailed. I was as excited as an eight year old on Christmas Eve.
Not knowing what a triathlon was, I certainly didn't know how to train for one. I figured I needed to swim some, so I secure permission to take dips in my wife's aunt's pool. I would run over to the Cooks' on Popular Street from our home on West Monroe early in the mornings and do a few laps in the small pool. It was maybe ten or twelve yards meaning I did literally a few strokes, turn around and do a few more strokes.
I didn't even own a bicycle. A friend, Danny Collins, loaned me his which I rode to work every day and out Money Road once or twice. I assumed the race organizers would supply bicycles, and I was really going to drive over there expecting them to have me a bike. It was my dad who disabused me of that idea. I wound up purchasing a real bicycle from a now defunct shop in Indianola. I paid $300 for a steel butted framed, aluminum parted, small tire bicycle that was equipped with toe clips. I was in business and in style. Instead of purchasing biking shoes, I took a power saw and cut a groove in my running shoes to clip in on the bike pedals. It worked.
If you were alive then and if you worked outdoors, or perhaps even if you didn't, you should remember that 1980 was the hottest year ever. People who saw me out running in the 100 plus degree heat would stop their cars and watch in amazement. No joke. The race officials even said they were going to weigh us before the race and after the bicycle portion and pull us if we lost (I forget how much) too much weight. But the heat wave had broken by August and that weighing stuff was dropped.
Race day arrived finding me on the banks of beautiful Lake Tiak O Khata as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. What had I gotten myself into? We had to supply the race directors with an estimated swim time which I did honestly. They lined us up in rows according to our estimated times to swim the half mile. I told them 20:00 minutes which is about what I actually swam it in. To my dismay, I found that many participants lied about their times. There were maybe three rows of people ahead of me who could not swim a single stroke of freestyle. That meant I was boxed in on the front side and had people literally swimming up my back. In those early years, the Heart O Dixie swim was a struggle just to stay alive. I am not exaggerating.
Even now, forty years later, I wonder how ten or twenty people did not drown on that first swim. Somehow we all made it, and today the swim runs as smoothly as my truck going to the bank on payday. With a staggered start (swimmers entering the water every six seconds), there is safety and no frustration as we have room to swim to our full potential. And now, forty years later, I swim the half mile in 12:00 to 13:00 minutes instead of the 20:00 I started with. How about that?
That first HOD I finished in 3:09. As times go, that's not a good one, but like children, that one was mine and I was proud of it. The run after the bicycle ride was and remains particularly tough. The course is hilly for a delta boy and shade is only a wish out there. When you cross that finish line, you know you have done something, and you deserve some ice-cream. The feeling of accomplishment is strong.
There were more people who finished ahead of me than behind me, but I had fun, and I wore that T-shirt like it was spun of gold by the world's to fashion designer. As soon as the race was over, I was already planning my training for the next year. I knew then what I needed to do. Or at least I thought I did.
Another thing that was different then and better was the fact that the race was during the second week of the fair. The stands would be full of people watching us come in. Now it seems that only family members of the contestants brave the heat to watch the weary finish their journey.
With forty years of hindsight, I continue to be amazed at the moxie of the Philadelphia Sertoma Club to put on this event the first year when nobody even knew what a triathlon was. As a point-to-point race, the logistics are complex, but their passion for excellence is astounding. And this year, the 40th running, has me once more exciting. The race is this Saturday. I am minimally trained, but maximally stimulated. I want that feeling of crossing the finishing line one more time. I want that T-shirt that I don't need. I want the training effect and the satisfaction of doing it one more time. I want to face the temptation out there on the run, the temptation to quit. I want to win that battle again.
I started this sport forty years ago. I hope one day to be the oldest finisher the HOD has ever had. Maybe if I can live that long, I will actually place there. That will be my crowning athletic experience.
I was there.
I was one of the original triathletes.
This is my story.
An article announcing this unheard of event appeared on the front page of the Greenwood Commonwealth. It might have been June, maybe May. Contestants would swim a half mile in Lake Tiak O Khata, cycle 27.5 miles down Highway 15 to Philadelphia, Mississippi, and then run seven miles to the Neshoba County Fair finishing the thirty-five mile odyssey on the dirt race track at the fair. For me, it was love at first read.
That was before the internet. In those days, you wrote a check, licked a stamp, and mailed an envelope. The very next day my check was written, my stamp licked, and my envelope mailed. I was as excited as an eight year old on Christmas Eve.
Not knowing what a triathlon was, I certainly didn't know how to train for one. I figured I needed to swim some, so I secure permission to take dips in my wife's aunt's pool. I would run over to the Cooks' on Popular Street from our home on West Monroe early in the mornings and do a few laps in the small pool. It was maybe ten or twelve yards meaning I did literally a few strokes, turn around and do a few more strokes.
I didn't even own a bicycle. A friend, Danny Collins, loaned me his which I rode to work every day and out Money Road once or twice. I assumed the race organizers would supply bicycles, and I was really going to drive over there expecting them to have me a bike. It was my dad who disabused me of that idea. I wound up purchasing a real bicycle from a now defunct shop in Indianola. I paid $300 for a steel butted framed, aluminum parted, small tire bicycle that was equipped with toe clips. I was in business and in style. Instead of purchasing biking shoes, I took a power saw and cut a groove in my running shoes to clip in on the bike pedals. It worked.
If you were alive then and if you worked outdoors, or perhaps even if you didn't, you should remember that 1980 was the hottest year ever. People who saw me out running in the 100 plus degree heat would stop their cars and watch in amazement. No joke. The race officials even said they were going to weigh us before the race and after the bicycle portion and pull us if we lost (I forget how much) too much weight. But the heat wave had broken by August and that weighing stuff was dropped.
Race day arrived finding me on the banks of beautiful Lake Tiak O Khata as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. What had I gotten myself into? We had to supply the race directors with an estimated swim time which I did honestly. They lined us up in rows according to our estimated times to swim the half mile. I told them 20:00 minutes which is about what I actually swam it in. To my dismay, I found that many participants lied about their times. There were maybe three rows of people ahead of me who could not swim a single stroke of freestyle. That meant I was boxed in on the front side and had people literally swimming up my back. In those early years, the Heart O Dixie swim was a struggle just to stay alive. I am not exaggerating.
Even now, forty years later, I wonder how ten or twenty people did not drown on that first swim. Somehow we all made it, and today the swim runs as smoothly as my truck going to the bank on payday. With a staggered start (swimmers entering the water every six seconds), there is safety and no frustration as we have room to swim to our full potential. And now, forty years later, I swim the half mile in 12:00 to 13:00 minutes instead of the 20:00 I started with. How about that?
That first HOD I finished in 3:09. As times go, that's not a good one, but like children, that one was mine and I was proud of it. The run after the bicycle ride was and remains particularly tough. The course is hilly for a delta boy and shade is only a wish out there. When you cross that finish line, you know you have done something, and you deserve some ice-cream. The feeling of accomplishment is strong.
There were more people who finished ahead of me than behind me, but I had fun, and I wore that T-shirt like it was spun of gold by the world's to fashion designer. As soon as the race was over, I was already planning my training for the next year. I knew then what I needed to do. Or at least I thought I did.
Another thing that was different then and better was the fact that the race was during the second week of the fair. The stands would be full of people watching us come in. Now it seems that only family members of the contestants brave the heat to watch the weary finish their journey.
With forty years of hindsight, I continue to be amazed at the moxie of the Philadelphia Sertoma Club to put on this event the first year when nobody even knew what a triathlon was. As a point-to-point race, the logistics are complex, but their passion for excellence is astounding. And this year, the 40th running, has me once more exciting. The race is this Saturday. I am minimally trained, but maximally stimulated. I want that feeling of crossing the finishing line one more time. I want that T-shirt that I don't need. I want the training effect and the satisfaction of doing it one more time. I want to face the temptation out there on the run, the temptation to quit. I want to win that battle again.
I started this sport forty years ago. I hope one day to be the oldest finisher the HOD has ever had. Maybe if I can live that long, I will actually place there. That will be my crowning athletic experience.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning I met John at the pool and swam
1,800
2 X 50 @ 1:21 small paddles
100 small paddles
total: 2,000 long course meters
The 1,800 was done as 1,000 easy, and then I went into my countdown set. The countdown takes the next 400 with a floating 25 in each 100. The first 100 I swim the first 25 fast; in the second 100, I swim the second 25 fast; in the third 100, I swim the third 25 fast; in the fourth 100, I swim the fourth 25 fast. The fifth 100 is all easy and then on the sixth, I swim the first 50 fast. On the seventh, I swim the second 50 fast. For the eight, it is all easy. The set is capable of infinite expansion, but I stopped there because that is the first time I have done that practice in a long time. That gave me 1,800 straight and a bit of a workout. Like the fast 100 repeats, this does something for the swimming muscles that nothing else does. I learned from Cagri the Mad Swimming Scientist that modulating the pace like that causes a burn that I get with nothing else. Oddly, I feel the burn on the easy parts of the swim right after the hard efforts.
Forrest and I rode after he got off work. We did 19 miles. It was windy out there but cool. The low last night hit 61. Wow. He opted out of the post ride run. I went home and did 2.54 miles of shuffling giving me 12.29 for the week. Remember, I am attempting to keep my volume up yet taper at the same time. What to do now?
Thank you, Jesus, for good health and lovely weather.
1,800
2 X 50 @ 1:21 small paddles
100 small paddles
total: 2,000 long course meters
The 1,800 was done as 1,000 easy, and then I went into my countdown set. The countdown takes the next 400 with a floating 25 in each 100. The first 100 I swim the first 25 fast; in the second 100, I swim the second 25 fast; in the third 100, I swim the third 25 fast; in the fourth 100, I swim the fourth 25 fast. The fifth 100 is all easy and then on the sixth, I swim the first 50 fast. On the seventh, I swim the second 50 fast. For the eight, it is all easy. The set is capable of infinite expansion, but I stopped there because that is the first time I have done that practice in a long time. That gave me 1,800 straight and a bit of a workout. Like the fast 100 repeats, this does something for the swimming muscles that nothing else does. I learned from Cagri the Mad Swimming Scientist that modulating the pace like that causes a burn that I get with nothing else. Oddly, I feel the burn on the easy parts of the swim right after the hard efforts.
Forrest and I rode after he got off work. We did 19 miles. It was windy out there but cool. The low last night hit 61. Wow. He opted out of the post ride run. I went home and did 2.54 miles of shuffling giving me 12.29 for the week. Remember, I am attempting to keep my volume up yet taper at the same time. What to do now?
Thank you, Jesus, for good health and lovely weather.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Them 100s
It used to be my favorite set, 100 @ 2:00 in a long course meters pool. Now I can't make the interval and thus I have avoided the set although I have dabbled with a @ 2:15 turn around every now and then. Monday was both now and then.
I needed some real work, and I felt like doing it. Of late my favorite punishment set has been 300 short course yards on 5:27. You would think that one would get me in really good shape, right? Well I learned something Monday morning.
Those long course 100s do something for you that nothing else does. I swam
1,000 22:55 (2:17)
4 X 50 @ 1:21
4 X 100 @ 2:15
1:51
1:55
1:56
1:58 (notice the drop off in pace)
200 medium paddles
4 X 100 @ 2:15
1:52
1:55
1:50
1:51 (I came back a bit on this set, but it took some grunting to get it.)
400 small paddles
total: 3,000 long course meters
That was one good practice. The 100s hit me hard. They are more difficult than the 300 short course intervals I do. I guess it is the long course swimming, the lack of the flip and glide at 25 yards. Anyway, my muscles felt the burn then the fatigue early on. I used to do 20 straight of these, sometimes more. I need to get back to that, to the sets of hard 100s that teach me to swim fast for a long time. A 100 isn't a long time, but if you keep doing them with a short rest (and it doesn't take many) the fatigue builds in a hurry.
A few years back, I would wear two Garmin watches (with 20 reps programmed in the first watch and six in the second. The interval was under 2:00, but I don't remember what, maybe 1:56. I would do 26 of those. That was when I was kicking Randy Beets' butt at Swim the Suck. Are those days gone? I sure hope and pray not. They are gone for now, but I will strive to get them back. I must make a commitment to hard 100s. That is the key to stamina.
I ran in the afternoon and it was very hot. After finishing my water supply while still on Money Road, I texted Penny to pick me up on the boulevard. She did. I finished with 9.71 of the slowest miles I have ever shuffled. It was really pathetic. My average pace was over 17:00 per mile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Jesus, that I am able to do that.
I needed some real work, and I felt like doing it. Of late my favorite punishment set has been 300 short course yards on 5:27. You would think that one would get me in really good shape, right? Well I learned something Monday morning.
Those long course 100s do something for you that nothing else does. I swam
1,000 22:55 (2:17)
4 X 50 @ 1:21
4 X 100 @ 2:15
1:51
1:55
1:56
1:58 (notice the drop off in pace)
200 medium paddles
4 X 100 @ 2:15
1:52
1:55
1:50
1:51 (I came back a bit on this set, but it took some grunting to get it.)
400 small paddles
total: 3,000 long course meters
That was one good practice. The 100s hit me hard. They are more difficult than the 300 short course intervals I do. I guess it is the long course swimming, the lack of the flip and glide at 25 yards. Anyway, my muscles felt the burn then the fatigue early on. I used to do 20 straight of these, sometimes more. I need to get back to that, to the sets of hard 100s that teach me to swim fast for a long time. A 100 isn't a long time, but if you keep doing them with a short rest (and it doesn't take many) the fatigue builds in a hurry.
A few years back, I would wear two Garmin watches (with 20 reps programmed in the first watch and six in the second. The interval was under 2:00, but I don't remember what, maybe 1:56. I would do 26 of those. That was when I was kicking Randy Beets' butt at Swim the Suck. Are those days gone? I sure hope and pray not. They are gone for now, but I will strive to get them back. I must make a commitment to hard 100s. That is the key to stamina.
I ran in the afternoon and it was very hot. After finishing my water supply while still on Money Road, I texted Penny to pick me up on the boulevard. She did. I finished with 9.71 of the slowest miles I have ever shuffled. It was really pathetic. My average pace was over 17:00 per mile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Jesus, that I am able to do that.
Monday, July 22, 2019
7/15 - 7/21
It was a pretty good week, as far as training goes, but I didn't seem to get much of anything else done. Monday I swam 1,300 meters in the morning and later ran 11.34 miles, my longest in about three years. Not surprisingly, I didn't have enough left in the tank to lift.
Tuesday I ran 3.23 miles and swam the little pool in the afternoon for 1,300 yards. Still I did no lifting.
Wednesday I rebounded with a pretty good swim practice of 3,150 yards with some quality. Later I ran 6.33 miles, but once more I failed to lift.
Thursday I had another sub-practice in the pool with 1,200 meters. I did not even run although I did lift some weights.
Friday was my most yardage in the pool since the Challenge. I did 4,400 with some quality 300s, a 200, and some paddle work. In addition, I shuffled 3.36 miles but did no lifting.
Saturday, Forrest and I rode 29.33 miles on our bicycles. I later had a good lifting session at Plate City to close out the six day. I always rest on the seventh.
For the week, I
ran 24.26 miles,
lifted weights two times,
swam 10,588 meters, and
cycled 29.33 miles.
That was a pretty good week, strong in the run, but a little light in everything else. Still, I was pleased. Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday I ran 3.23 miles and swam the little pool in the afternoon for 1,300 yards. Still I did no lifting.
Wednesday I rebounded with a pretty good swim practice of 3,150 yards with some quality. Later I ran 6.33 miles, but once more I failed to lift.
Thursday I had another sub-practice in the pool with 1,200 meters. I did not even run although I did lift some weights.
Friday was my most yardage in the pool since the Challenge. I did 4,400 with some quality 300s, a 200, and some paddle work. In addition, I shuffled 3.36 miles but did no lifting.
Saturday, Forrest and I rode 29.33 miles on our bicycles. I later had a good lifting session at Plate City to close out the six day. I always rest on the seventh.
For the week, I
ran 24.26 miles,
lifted weights two times,
swam 10,588 meters, and
cycled 29.33 miles.
That was a pretty good week, strong in the run, but a little light in everything else. Still, I was pleased. Thank you, Jesus.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Saturday
I didn't swim Saturday morning; I slept in instead. Sometimes rest is more important than busting you butt. Forrest and I had planned to do a long ride. We left East Harding Street at a little after 10:00 a.m. After parking in downtown Money, we rode to the end of Coleman Road and back. Then we did it again. After that, we road the east road to the end and back at Money, I told Forrest that I needed to go to the fire station. I was out of water.
"You want to call it a day?" he asked.
We had 29 plus miles in. It was hot. It was very hot.
We called it a day.
Late in the afternoon, I went to Plate City. I did a bunch of stuff and would have done more except it began to rain. On the bench, I pressed
10 X 85
6 X 95
4 X 115
1 X 135
1 X 145
1 X 150
Then I did two sets of dumbbell bench presses, some dumbbell overhead presses, and some triceps pushdowns. I also dragged the sled with thirty-five pounds in it. I need to drag it every day. It is the perfect exercise for running and cycling strength plus since it doesn't have a negative contraction, it can be done without a huge recovery penalty. Cha ching! In addition, if I keep adding to the distance, there should be a conditioning aspect to it also.
It was a decent day of training. I need more Plate City. I hope to implement the conjugate system next week. After the single speed session, I was surprised at how fast the bar moved for me. Obviously that work did me some good. Next Saturday is the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. I don't expect to do well there, but I like that race and it is a really good workout. Completing it will make a big deposit into my energy bank for the 300 Oaks.
Thank you, Jesus.
"You want to call it a day?" he asked.
We had 29 plus miles in. It was hot. It was very hot.
We called it a day.
Late in the afternoon, I went to Plate City. I did a bunch of stuff and would have done more except it began to rain. On the bench, I pressed
10 X 85
6 X 95
4 X 115
1 X 135
1 X 145
1 X 150
Then I did two sets of dumbbell bench presses, some dumbbell overhead presses, and some triceps pushdowns. I also dragged the sled with thirty-five pounds in it. I need to drag it every day. It is the perfect exercise for running and cycling strength plus since it doesn't have a negative contraction, it can be done without a huge recovery penalty. Cha ching! In addition, if I keep adding to the distance, there should be a conditioning aspect to it also.
It was a decent day of training. I need more Plate City. I hope to implement the conjugate system next week. After the single speed session, I was surprised at how fast the bar moved for me. Obviously that work did me some good. Next Saturday is the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. I don't expect to do well there, but I like that race and it is a really good workout. Completing it will make a big deposit into my energy bank for the 300 Oaks.
Thank you, Jesus.
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Fryday
John had a good idea: meet at the pool at 9:00 o'clock. I like that. I was there, I was rested, I was ready to go. He was late, of course. I started alone in the little pool and swam
2,000 37:14 (1:57)
3 X 300 @ 5:27
4:41
4:44
4:48
350 medium paddles 6:06
300 4:42
350 medium paddles 6:05
200 3:07
300 small paddles
total: 4,400 short course yards = 4,021 meters
That is the longest practice I have done since the Chicot Challenge. There was also a lot of quality in that one: four 300s and a 200 for time. That should help me at the Heart O' Dixie in a week from today.
Later I ran, 3.36 miles. It was very hot and I had planned for more, but I felt it in my hamstring so I cut things short. I needed to lift, but was too lazy to get dangerously hot one more time.
Not a bad day. Thank you, Jesus.
2,000 37:14 (1:57)
3 X 300 @ 5:27
4:41
4:44
4:48
350 medium paddles 6:06
300 4:42
350 medium paddles 6:05
200 3:07
300 small paddles
total: 4,400 short course yards = 4,021 meters
That is the longest practice I have done since the Chicot Challenge. There was also a lot of quality in that one: four 300s and a 200 for time. That should help me at the Heart O' Dixie in a week from today.
Later I ran, 3.36 miles. It was very hot and I had planned for more, but I felt it in my hamstring so I cut things short. I needed to lift, but was too lazy to get dangerously hot one more time.
Not a bad day. Thank you, Jesus.
Friday, July 19, 2019
Slow Down
Thursday was a bit of a slow down. I needed it. Having to work Thursday night meant something was going to have to be left off. I decided the something would be somethings. I decided I needed to lift and swimming is almost always on.
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 7:00 a.m. He wasn't there and I gave in indolence. I swam
800
100 small paddles
4 X 50 medium paddles @ whatever
100 small paddles
total: 1,200 long course meters
I continue to amaze myself at how lax I can get.
After school and after lunch, I went to Plate City. I only lifted once last week, and this time around was shaping up to be another sub-level week so I forced myself out the door. I am trying some new stuff, moving towards a new training system. I'm thinking about the conjugate, the Louie Simmons method. If you don't know who Louie is, he runs the most successful powerlifting gym in the country, Westside Barbell. He is not only involved in powerlifting, but he trains professional athletes and Olympians as well. His method comes from his experience (he was a very accomplished lifter) and the old Soviet Union training systems. They, the Soviets, took a more scientific approach to strength training from the beginning.
I did some speed benches Thursday, something I have never done before. The loading pattern is light, but I was surprised at how my muscles felt after only six sets of three reps at 50% of one rep max. That is 80 pounds, which is light even for me. The reason I only did six sets is this was the first time I have done this workout, and I thought discretion may actually be the better part of valor. The typical conjugate calls for nine sets or more. I plan to add one set per week until I hit the nine. I also plan to add a chain next week. I don't have bands, but they are on my list now. Speed benches are supposed to be done with chains or bands. I have chains.
I'm excited about trying new things with the weights. Praise be to Jesus who has given me the health to have some fun.
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 7:00 a.m. He wasn't there and I gave in indolence. I swam
800
100 small paddles
4 X 50 medium paddles @ whatever
100 small paddles
total: 1,200 long course meters
I continue to amaze myself at how lax I can get.
After school and after lunch, I went to Plate City. I only lifted once last week, and this time around was shaping up to be another sub-level week so I forced myself out the door. I am trying some new stuff, moving towards a new training system. I'm thinking about the conjugate, the Louie Simmons method. If you don't know who Louie is, he runs the most successful powerlifting gym in the country, Westside Barbell. He is not only involved in powerlifting, but he trains professional athletes and Olympians as well. His method comes from his experience (he was a very accomplished lifter) and the old Soviet Union training systems. They, the Soviets, took a more scientific approach to strength training from the beginning.
I did some speed benches Thursday, something I have never done before. The loading pattern is light, but I was surprised at how my muscles felt after only six sets of three reps at 50% of one rep max. That is 80 pounds, which is light even for me. The reason I only did six sets is this was the first time I have done this workout, and I thought discretion may actually be the better part of valor. The typical conjugate calls for nine sets or more. I plan to add one set per week until I hit the nine. I also plan to add a chain next week. I don't have bands, but they are on my list now. Speed benches are supposed to be done with chains or bands. I have chains.
I'm excited about trying new things with the weights. Praise be to Jesus who has given me the health to have some fun.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Shocked
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. Guess what. He was there. He was there! He was there!! He was there!!!
We swam in the little pool, and I felt a bit more like doing something. I stroked
1,200 23:33 (1:57)
9 X 50 @ 1:12
200 medium paddles
5 X 50 @ 1:09
150 large paddles
700 small paddles
total: 3,150 yards = 2,879 meters
That was a real swim. Not a real, real swim, but it was actual training not just getting wet. I needed to mow the lawn, run, ride a bicycle, and lift weights. What I did was go for a run and then mow the front lawn. It was hot out, but God gave a nice breeze that helped me make it but I didn't make it in style. I shuffled 6.33 miles, but the average pace was over 16:00 minutes per mile!!!! How the heck can a human body move that slow?!?!?! I am thankful to God that I can do that, but it is disturbing to me that I have gotten that pathetic. I keep thinking that when the weather cools my pace will quicken. I hope.
I couldn't make myself go to the gym. Being too hot for too long left me feeling like lounging. I lounged. Thank you, Jesus.
We swam in the little pool, and I felt a bit more like doing something. I stroked
1,200 23:33 (1:57)
9 X 50 @ 1:12
200 medium paddles
5 X 50 @ 1:09
150 large paddles
700 small paddles
total: 3,150 yards = 2,879 meters
That was a real swim. Not a real, real swim, but it was actual training not just getting wet. I needed to mow the lawn, run, ride a bicycle, and lift weights. What I did was go for a run and then mow the front lawn. It was hot out, but God gave a nice breeze that helped me make it but I didn't make it in style. I shuffled 6.33 miles, but the average pace was over 16:00 minutes per mile!!!! How the heck can a human body move that slow?!?!?! I am thankful to God that I can do that, but it is disturbing to me that I have gotten that pathetic. I keep thinking that when the weather cools my pace will quicken. I hope.
I couldn't make myself go to the gym. Being too hot for too long left me feeling like lounging. I lounged. Thank you, Jesus.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Surprised
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 7:00 a.m. He called about 6:40 and said he couldn't make it. I was surprised. I was shocked. I was elated. Don't tell me miracles no longer happen. As a result of actually knowing John was not going to be there, I waited and swam after lunch. I didn't feel it and did only
1,100
200 small paddles
total: 1,300 short course yards
I took my afternoon run in the rain. I was pleasantly surprised again, this time at how good my legs felt after Monday's 11.34-mile run. Not that they felt really good, but they felt OK. I shuffled around the bridge loop for a total of 3.23 miles.
If it hadn't been raining I would have lifted some weights. What is lifting in the rain after running in the rain, you ask. I can't answer that. I just did not want to do it in the rain. So it was another short day, but I was out there making an effort and dreaming. I am still dreaming of the fall. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dreams.
1,100
200 small paddles
total: 1,300 short course yards
I took my afternoon run in the rain. I was pleasantly surprised again, this time at how good my legs felt after Monday's 11.34-mile run. Not that they felt really good, but they felt OK. I shuffled around the bridge loop for a total of 3.23 miles.
If it hadn't been raining I would have lifted some weights. What is lifting in the rain after running in the rain, you ask. I can't answer that. I just did not want to do it in the rain. So it was another short day, but I was out there making an effort and dreaming. I am still dreaming of the fall. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dreams.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
More Musing
My wife says I have too much time on my hands. But I'm a dreamer, I've always been, and when I stop dreaming I will most likely die. Yesterday, I wrote about some of my musing for the coming cooler weather, runs I long to do. I left one out and thought up another one.
Sunita Sharma reminded me that I haven't run from Moorhead to Greenwood in a while. Probably I wrote about that earlier. I write so much I don't remember, but I do think I have probably scribbled several times about the adventure runs I want to do. If my memory is close, it has been five or more years since I shuffled from work home. It's a nice route that takes me down Colony Town Road, to Berclair, Mississippi, into Itta Bena from the rural south and then out some county roads to Canon Motor Company. Hot dog, I want to do it. Thanks, Sunita.
Recently, I had a faint memory of doing something extra at the Hospital Track. This is one of the thirteen parks I plan to do a mile on in the Parks Marathon. So I ran through there Monday to try to jog my memory (see what I did there). There was some kind of exercise equipment under a tree on the east side of the building. I couldn't remember what. I found it. There are two tractor tires out there, pretty large ones, but I think I can flip them, I think I did in the past.
Are light bulbs coming on in your head? Are fireworks firing off in your imagination? I can run a lap and flip tires; run another lap and flip more tires. Do you feel the beginnings of a dream, of a plan? I do.
Now connect that with the Greenwood Walking Trail on the river off West Claiborne. There are benches there that I have used for box jumps. There is also a pull up bar that I have also used in the past. Running and working out along the way. What an idea.
Then connect those to Twin Rivers where there are lots of weights inside an air conditioned building. But wait, don't you have the world's best back yard gym in Plate City? Yes I do. However, after running a substantial distance, the siren call of a bath, cold tea, and food is more than I can resist when I get too close to home. Thus a shuffle to Twin Rivers and a session in the gym there would keep the game going.
The possibilities are numerous. I could even stash a dumbbell somewhere like maybe on Wade Road. No need. I have done air squats on Wade Road. I did them out there because I was too self conscious to do them in town. Run, air squat, run some more.
Hot dog, I am going to be so fit I'll . . . I'll do something. I'll dream more, that's what I'll do. I'll dream up more runs and workouts and fun stuff to do. It beats shopping. It even beats fishing and that's hard to do. And at my age it certainly beats shooting animals which I used to love to do. It even beats watching football on TV. Sometimes. Sometimes it beats watching football on the tube. That is another thing I look forward to. College football comes with the fall. Hot dog.
Thank you, Jesus.
Sunita Sharma reminded me that I haven't run from Moorhead to Greenwood in a while. Probably I wrote about that earlier. I write so much I don't remember, but I do think I have probably scribbled several times about the adventure runs I want to do. If my memory is close, it has been five or more years since I shuffled from work home. It's a nice route that takes me down Colony Town Road, to Berclair, Mississippi, into Itta Bena from the rural south and then out some county roads to Canon Motor Company. Hot dog, I want to do it. Thanks, Sunita.
Recently, I had a faint memory of doing something extra at the Hospital Track. This is one of the thirteen parks I plan to do a mile on in the Parks Marathon. So I ran through there Monday to try to jog my memory (see what I did there). There was some kind of exercise equipment under a tree on the east side of the building. I couldn't remember what. I found it. There are two tractor tires out there, pretty large ones, but I think I can flip them, I think I did in the past.
Are light bulbs coming on in your head? Are fireworks firing off in your imagination? I can run a lap and flip tires; run another lap and flip more tires. Do you feel the beginnings of a dream, of a plan? I do.
Now connect that with the Greenwood Walking Trail on the river off West Claiborne. There are benches there that I have used for box jumps. There is also a pull up bar that I have also used in the past. Running and working out along the way. What an idea.
Then connect those to Twin Rivers where there are lots of weights inside an air conditioned building. But wait, don't you have the world's best back yard gym in Plate City? Yes I do. However, after running a substantial distance, the siren call of a bath, cold tea, and food is more than I can resist when I get too close to home. Thus a shuffle to Twin Rivers and a session in the gym there would keep the game going.
The possibilities are numerous. I could even stash a dumbbell somewhere like maybe on Wade Road. No need. I have done air squats on Wade Road. I did them out there because I was too self conscious to do them in town. Run, air squat, run some more.
Hot dog, I am going to be so fit I'll . . . I'll do something. I'll dream more, that's what I'll do. I'll dream up more runs and workouts and fun stuff to do. It beats shopping. It even beats fishing and that's hard to do. And at my age it certainly beats shooting animals which I used to love to do. It even beats watching football on TV. Sometimes. Sometimes it beats watching football on the tube. That is another thing I look forward to. College football comes with the fall. Hot dog.
Thank you, Jesus.
"I'll be in the pool in five minutes."
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 7:00 o'clock. He called at 6:32 a.m. and said, "I am getting in the pool in five minutes."
Hmmm.
I failed to get in a hurry. I showed up and 7:14, and the first thing I noticed is that John's car was not in the parking lot. Was he at Walmart, Sheila? I should have shot straight for the little pool so I could do some serious sets. Instead I naively went to the big pool thinking John would show up. You know how this dance goes.
I was also hoping to get to swim in the rain. There was no lightning as far as I could tell which is unusual for this region. Swimming in the rain is one of life's simple pleasures. It had rained all morning until I got into the pool, and it rained when I climbed out. But while I swam, I was bereft of that coveted experience of swimming in a downpour. I swam
1,300 meters and picked eleven cents off the bottom of the pool. Big haul.
We had class at 10:15, our first test, and then we started Oedipus the King. I had to pick Penny up for lunch because her truck wouldn't crank this morning. I jumped it then tried unsuccessfully to take a nap. Since the third Monday of each month is Over 60s at First Baptist in Itta Bena, I decided I needed to do some really long running to keep from swelling up to bad. I went out in the drizzle and shuffled for 11.34 miles, my longest in three years, breaking what I did on the Fourth of July by .34 miles.
Last month I became seriously ill in the early morning hours after Over 60s. I remember wondering then if I would ever be able to eat fish again. It wasn't the fish that made me sick. I am sure a stomach virus was the culprit. But it happened after the big meal of catfish.
I did eat, but I did not enjoy it as much as I always have. But that is good news on two fronts. One, I can still eat catfish. Two, I did not overeat. Last week I gained weight. With the big shuffle and the light meal, I dropped from Monday to Tuesday which isunusual unheard of following a catfish feast.
Thank you, Jesus.
Hmmm.
I failed to get in a hurry. I showed up and 7:14, and the first thing I noticed is that John's car was not in the parking lot. Was he at Walmart, Sheila? I should have shot straight for the little pool so I could do some serious sets. Instead I naively went to the big pool thinking John would show up. You know how this dance goes.
I was also hoping to get to swim in the rain. There was no lightning as far as I could tell which is unusual for this region. Swimming in the rain is one of life's simple pleasures. It had rained all morning until I got into the pool, and it rained when I climbed out. But while I swam, I was bereft of that coveted experience of swimming in a downpour. I swam
1,300 meters and picked eleven cents off the bottom of the pool. Big haul.
We had class at 10:15, our first test, and then we started Oedipus the King. I had to pick Penny up for lunch because her truck wouldn't crank this morning. I jumped it then tried unsuccessfully to take a nap. Since the third Monday of each month is Over 60s at First Baptist in Itta Bena, I decided I needed to do some really long running to keep from swelling up to bad. I went out in the drizzle and shuffled for 11.34 miles, my longest in three years, breaking what I did on the Fourth of July by .34 miles.
Last month I became seriously ill in the early morning hours after Over 60s. I remember wondering then if I would ever be able to eat fish again. It wasn't the fish that made me sick. I am sure a stomach virus was the culprit. But it happened after the big meal of catfish.
I did eat, but I did not enjoy it as much as I always have. But that is good news on two fronts. One, I can still eat catfish. Two, I did not overeat. Last week I gained weight. With the big shuffle and the light meal, I dropped from Monday to Tuesday which is
Thank you, Jesus.
Monday, July 15, 2019
Musings on Play
"My heart is inditing a good matter," the Psalmist wrote centuries ago (Psalm 45:1). So is mine.
I guess you could say mine is a little more secular, however. I am thinking about running. I suppose if push came to shove, I still consider myself a runner though swimming is by far my best sport.
Specifically, I am thinking about running this fall and winter. I don't enjoy the heat as much as I used to. But even when I did, I always considered the winter as the reward for running through the summer heat. When the weather cools off, the pace heads down, the distances angle up, and the adventures pop out. I have missed my adventure running the past couple of years and look forward to doing it this year.
I have several runs in mind. At the top of the list is one I have mentioned before, The Parks Marathon. This is not an official race, but one I have dreamed about for several years. I plan to run a mile at thirteen city parks. The distance to and between the parks should bring me close to the 26.2 mile distance. I can freestyle any shortcoming.
I also want to repeat a couple of runs I have done in the past. One is a loop out Highway 7 to Waley, across the bridge to Money Road and home. I don't remember exactly how long but I think that one is about 28 miles.
Going the opposite way is to Highway 49 north, hitting the turn row and going through Bledsoe Plantation to the bridge at Money and then home on Money Road. I think that one is about 25 miles. I remember doing that one on a rare Sunday we didn't have church when we still pastored the Moorhead Church of God.
Another run that I have long thought about is to run on Highway 12 north of Lexington. I hope to drive to Lexington, park on the square, and run ten or more miles on Highway 12. The purpose of that run is to have fun and to get some big hill work in. That road is relentlessly up and down, and every time Penny and I drive through there I think about what it would be like to ambulate those hills.
I also want to do some long Carroll County runs. That used to be a staple of mine. Almost every week I would to go to Hodge Ski Lodge and run eleven to fourteen miles, sometimes more. I miss that. While we still own the place, I need to do some more of those journeys. The time will come when someone else has a deed on those 172 acres in the hills that forms my parking spot.
In addition to my own creations, I want to do one or two official marathons. I am thinking about the Mississippi River Marathon in February and the Gulf Coast Marathon in December. I haven't penciled either of those into my calendar yet, but they are calling to me, and if I can remain healthy, there is a pretty good chance I will pull the trigger on one or both of them.
One more thing that keeps popping up in my mind is back yard and alley workouts. I have a lot of things in mind, things like crossfit workouts on steroids: spinning, squatting, running; lifting, sled dragging, and running; etc, etc, and etc, for hours and hours and hours. I could set the trainer up at Plate City and the workout possibilities are legion. In short, I could wind up being in the shape of my life next spring just in time for Chicot IX.
It's wonderful to be able to dream. When I didn't have that possibility, when I thought running and swimming were gone forever, I had difficulty getting out of bed some days. Heck, some days I didn't get out of bed. I know life is about more important things than playing and having fun. But all work and no play makes Zane a mighty dull boy.
Thank you, Jesus, for restoring my ability to have fun.
I guess you could say mine is a little more secular, however. I am thinking about running. I suppose if push came to shove, I still consider myself a runner though swimming is by far my best sport.
Specifically, I am thinking about running this fall and winter. I don't enjoy the heat as much as I used to. But even when I did, I always considered the winter as the reward for running through the summer heat. When the weather cools off, the pace heads down, the distances angle up, and the adventures pop out. I have missed my adventure running the past couple of years and look forward to doing it this year.
I have several runs in mind. At the top of the list is one I have mentioned before, The Parks Marathon. This is not an official race, but one I have dreamed about for several years. I plan to run a mile at thirteen city parks. The distance to and between the parks should bring me close to the 26.2 mile distance. I can freestyle any shortcoming.
I also want to repeat a couple of runs I have done in the past. One is a loop out Highway 7 to Waley, across the bridge to Money Road and home. I don't remember exactly how long but I think that one is about 28 miles.
Going the opposite way is to Highway 49 north, hitting the turn row and going through Bledsoe Plantation to the bridge at Money and then home on Money Road. I think that one is about 25 miles. I remember doing that one on a rare Sunday we didn't have church when we still pastored the Moorhead Church of God.
Another run that I have long thought about is to run on Highway 12 north of Lexington. I hope to drive to Lexington, park on the square, and run ten or more miles on Highway 12. The purpose of that run is to have fun and to get some big hill work in. That road is relentlessly up and down, and every time Penny and I drive through there I think about what it would be like to ambulate those hills.
I also want to do some long Carroll County runs. That used to be a staple of mine. Almost every week I would to go to Hodge Ski Lodge and run eleven to fourteen miles, sometimes more. I miss that. While we still own the place, I need to do some more of those journeys. The time will come when someone else has a deed on those 172 acres in the hills that forms my parking spot.
In addition to my own creations, I want to do one or two official marathons. I am thinking about the Mississippi River Marathon in February and the Gulf Coast Marathon in December. I haven't penciled either of those into my calendar yet, but they are calling to me, and if I can remain healthy, there is a pretty good chance I will pull the trigger on one or both of them.
One more thing that keeps popping up in my mind is back yard and alley workouts. I have a lot of things in mind, things like crossfit workouts on steroids: spinning, squatting, running; lifting, sled dragging, and running; etc, etc, and etc, for hours and hours and hours. I could set the trainer up at Plate City and the workout possibilities are legion. In short, I could wind up being in the shape of my life next spring just in time for Chicot IX.
It's wonderful to be able to dream. When I didn't have that possibility, when I thought running and swimming were gone forever, I had difficulty getting out of bed some days. Heck, some days I didn't get out of bed. I know life is about more important things than playing and having fun. But all work and no play makes Zane a mighty dull boy.
Thank you, Jesus, for restoring my ability to have fun.
7/8 - 7/14
Monday I swam 3,700 yards with some good sets, my only quality and quantity swim of the week. Forrest and I cycled 22.8 miles in the late afternoon, and we ran 2.26 after we got back to town. It was a solid day.
Tuesday I swam a mere 1,300. After work, Forrest and I rode 10.77 miles and we ran 4.06 miles. Not a bad day for the cardio.
Wednesday I swam 1,700. I failed to make it out the door after work until almost 6:00 p.m. when it was still 91 degrees out. I shuffled 5.33 pathetic miles.
Thursday I swam 1,700. Forrest and I did our longest ride of the season with a 34.25 mile effort. I failed, however, to run a step.
Friday I swam 2,000. The run was split between the treadmill at Twin Rivers and the streets around the house. I did 5.6 on the dreadmill and 1.4 on the roads for a solid 7 miles.
Saturday I finally lifted some weights after a 2.2 mile run.
For the week, I
ran 20.85 miles,
swam 10,081 meters,
lifted weights one time,
cycled 67.25 miles, and
gained five pounds.
That was a pretty solid week, a little light on the swimming, but still not bad. Thank you, Jesus, for good health, the opportunity, and the desire to work this ageing body.
Tuesday I swam a mere 1,300. After work, Forrest and I rode 10.77 miles and we ran 4.06 miles. Not a bad day for the cardio.
Wednesday I swam 1,700. I failed to make it out the door after work until almost 6:00 p.m. when it was still 91 degrees out. I shuffled 5.33 pathetic miles.
Thursday I swam 1,700. Forrest and I did our longest ride of the season with a 34.25 mile effort. I failed, however, to run a step.
Friday I swam 2,000. The run was split between the treadmill at Twin Rivers and the streets around the house. I did 5.6 on the dreadmill and 1.4 on the roads for a solid 7 miles.
Saturday I finally lifted some weights after a 2.2 mile run.
For the week, I
ran 20.85 miles,
swam 10,081 meters,
lifted weights one time,
cycled 67.25 miles, and
gained five pounds.
That was a pretty solid week, a little light on the swimming, but still not bad. Thank you, Jesus, for good health, the opportunity, and the desire to work this ageing body.
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Saturday
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 8:00 a.m. Penny's vehicle was parked behind mine and it would not start. I had to boost the battery and move it and by then I was in a different frame of mind. Since I had a sermon to preach Sunday and a wedding to do that very afternoon, I decided to go for a short run instead. I shuffled 2.2 miles to finish out my goal of twenty miles for the week.
Then, for the first time this week, I went to Plate City. I did a bit of everything. I benched with the new bar that I got back from Leflore Steel Friday. They put the larger diameter ends on it but did not move the weight stops out so it still hangs up on the rack. I hate to take it back because they will have it another six or eight weeks. What to do?
At 2:00 p.m. we met at Centerville Baptist Church to join in marriage Charlie Turner and Karen Kennedy. It was a simple but lovely wedding, and it was my honor to perform the ceremony. Charlie and I have been friends since 1973. I preached his dad's funeral. I preached his mom's funeral. Now I have performed his wedding ceremony. There are no friends like old friends. After the wedding, we all went to Crystal Grill for a meal. That was nice. I got the chicken livers, and they must have pilled a pound of them on my plate. I loved it.
Thank you, Jesus, for old friends, and thank you for being the friend that "sticketh closer than a brother."
Then, for the first time this week, I went to Plate City. I did a bit of everything. I benched with the new bar that I got back from Leflore Steel Friday. They put the larger diameter ends on it but did not move the weight stops out so it still hangs up on the rack. I hate to take it back because they will have it another six or eight weeks. What to do?
At 2:00 p.m. we met at Centerville Baptist Church to join in marriage Charlie Turner and Karen Kennedy. It was a simple but lovely wedding, and it was my honor to perform the ceremony. Charlie and I have been friends since 1973. I preached his dad's funeral. I preached his mom's funeral. Now I have performed his wedding ceremony. There are no friends like old friends. After the wedding, we all went to Crystal Grill for a meal. That was nice. I got the chicken livers, and they must have pilled a pound of them on my plate. I loved it.
Thank you, Jesus, for old friends, and thank you for being the friend that "sticketh closer than a brother."
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Lack of Resolve
Friday morning I met John at the pool, and I did a really complicated set. I swam 2,000 straight in 44:54 for a pace of 2:14. I know, I either need to swim longer, or swim sets. But I did what I did.
I wanted to run that day and needed a fairly long one. Despite the fact that I have been running in the heat everyday, or maybe because of it, I did not have the inner resolve to brave our current temperature for an extended run. What to do? I went to Twin Rivers and ran on the dreadmill. It wasn't so bad, and it least it wasn't deadly hot. But the machine I was on would only let me go an hour. I am stubborn enough to resist that kind of intrusion, and when the machine cut off, I refused to start the process again. So I got ticked and left. On the way home I decided to do some running on the street. I had done 5.6 miles on the treadmill and back home, I did another 1.4 for a total of 7.0.
I really needed to lift weights, but I didn't have the resolve for that either. Sigh.
Thank you, Jesus, for the resolve I did have.
I wanted to run that day and needed a fairly long one. Despite the fact that I have been running in the heat everyday, or maybe because of it, I did not have the inner resolve to brave our current temperature for an extended run. What to do? I went to Twin Rivers and ran on the dreadmill. It wasn't so bad, and it least it wasn't deadly hot. But the machine I was on would only let me go an hour. I am stubborn enough to resist that kind of intrusion, and when the machine cut off, I refused to start the process again. So I got ticked and left. On the way home I decided to do some running on the street. I had done 5.6 miles on the treadmill and back home, I did another 1.4 for a total of 7.0.
I really needed to lift weights, but I didn't have the resolve for that either. Sigh.
Thank you, Jesus, for the resolve I did have.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Same Ole
He was late. John. What else is new? And like lately, I was dragging, dragging through the water not feeling like swimming like doing anything. The pool was 93 degrees. That might have something to do with it. I don't mind warm water, but I don't seem to swim fast in it. I managed to stroke out
2 X 500
10 X 50 @ 1:21
200 small paddles
total: 1,700 long course meters
Yeah, that was it, I left John in the water and went home. Pretty pathetic I know. Maybe I can get it going today.
In the afternoon, I was too lazy to lift weights. I lay on the couch and watched the Paul Finebaum Show. Then at 5:00 p.m., Forrest and I drove to Money with our bicycles.
We had a good ride. Good for me anyway. Here is the thing. I have been feeling like riding. I really am not a morning person. We rode the Coleman Road with two turn arounds to try to draft high boys. Those things are too fast, faster than they used to be. I turned around and started gaining speed. The high boy passed me slowly and when I tried to jump in behind him, I could not hold the pace. I must have been going 30 MPH. I did not dare look at my watch for fear of crashing. That happened twice, and we still rode the whole road.
Next we headed north since we had a wind from that direction. "We can come back with a tail wind," I told Forrest. When we got to that log house, a yellow lab joined the party. He was all over the road and near our wheels. Forrest finally crashed, and I must admit I did laugh out loud. The dog who caused the wreck hung around and sniffed Forrest's bicycle.
We made it on to Highway 8 and turned. It was much nicer with the wind and we were moving pretty well. When we got back around the cemetery, the dog was there waiting for us. This time, however, he stayed off the road and ran through the cotton fields. I was a bit worried about him because we were going 16.5 MPH and it was very hot out. When we got to his house, he was beginning to trail behind us and he ran up on his porch. Thank you, Lord.
We went out the Six Mile Road, then the McIntyre Road the then the road at downtown Money. We finished with 34.25 our longest ride of the year. Yeehaa. Thank you, Jesus.
2 X 500
10 X 50 @ 1:21
200 small paddles
total: 1,700 long course meters
Yeah, that was it, I left John in the water and went home. Pretty pathetic I know. Maybe I can get it going today.
In the afternoon, I was too lazy to lift weights. I lay on the couch and watched the Paul Finebaum Show. Then at 5:00 p.m., Forrest and I drove to Money with our bicycles.
We had a good ride. Good for me anyway. Here is the thing. I have been feeling like riding. I really am not a morning person. We rode the Coleman Road with two turn arounds to try to draft high boys. Those things are too fast, faster than they used to be. I turned around and started gaining speed. The high boy passed me slowly and when I tried to jump in behind him, I could not hold the pace. I must have been going 30 MPH. I did not dare look at my watch for fear of crashing. That happened twice, and we still rode the whole road.
Next we headed north since we had a wind from that direction. "We can come back with a tail wind," I told Forrest. When we got to that log house, a yellow lab joined the party. He was all over the road and near our wheels. Forrest finally crashed, and I must admit I did laugh out loud. The dog who caused the wreck hung around and sniffed Forrest's bicycle.
 |
| "Thank the Lord that is over with," I told him. "It had to happen." |
We made it on to Highway 8 and turned. It was much nicer with the wind and we were moving pretty well. When we got back around the cemetery, the dog was there waiting for us. This time, however, he stayed off the road and ran through the cotton fields. I was a bit worried about him because we were going 16.5 MPH and it was very hot out. When we got to his house, he was beginning to trail behind us and he ran up on his porch. Thank you, Lord.
We went out the Six Mile Road, then the McIntyre Road the then the road at downtown Money. We finished with 34.25 our longest ride of the year. Yeehaa. Thank you, Jesus.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
John Late?
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 7:00 a.m. He got there about 7:30. What?!?!?!? Who woulda thunk it? I haven't been feeling it lately. Part of it is I am not a morning person. Part of it is I have been doing a lot of stuff. Part of it is the water temp in the big pool is above 90 degrees. I swam
1,100 25:45 (2:20)
4 X 100 medium paddles
200 small paddles
total: 1,700 long course meters
I had to teach my summer school class then throw them out early so I could go to main campus for registration. We met at 12:15 and worked until 4:00 p.m. which meant that I didn't get home until 4:30. The temps hit 95 so I didn't attempt to run until 6:50. I shuffled an embarrassingly slow 5.32 miles. Then I slammed down some food and went to Twin Rivers for my swim students.
This was the first time we had met in a month having missed the past three weeks. I took it easy on them figuring their swimming muscles had dropped a bit. Johnny is showing some real potential. He as a smooth stroke and responds well to anything I tell him to work on.
It was a good day. It was a full day. It was a good, full day. Thank you, Jesus.
1,100 25:45 (2:20)
4 X 100 medium paddles
200 small paddles
total: 1,700 long course meters
I had to teach my summer school class then throw them out early so I could go to main campus for registration. We met at 12:15 and worked until 4:00 p.m. which meant that I didn't get home until 4:30. The temps hit 95 so I didn't attempt to run until 6:50. I shuffled an embarrassingly slow 5.32 miles. Then I slammed down some food and went to Twin Rivers for my swim students.
This was the first time we had met in a month having missed the past three weeks. I took it easy on them figuring their swimming muscles had dropped a bit. Johnny is showing some real potential. He as a smooth stroke and responds well to anything I tell him to work on.
It was a good day. It was a full day. It was a good, full day. Thank you, Jesus.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Three Low Balls
I was supposed to meet John at the pool at 7:00 a.m. You are correct; he didn't show up and neither did my mojo. I swam a sleepy 1,000 at an alarming slow 2:16 per 100 pace. Then I did 4 X 50 with medium paddles @ 1:21. While I was hanging out at the wall, I kept looking for mo and jo. They never came. I finished with 100 small paddles for a whopping 1,300 long course meters.
I went to school and we started The Odyssey the easy way. We are watching the movie, or maybe I should say A movie. As usual, some of my students, despite my protestations on the front end, think a movie equals a skip day. This pisses me to no end.
After lunch, I tried unsuccessfully to take a nap. Then Forrest and I went to Money. The plan was for a short ride to save our legs for some running afterwards. We did 10.77 before going back to town and shuffling. The shuffle was slow and pathetic on my part, but I am still trying to build some fitness. We did 4.06.
I am looking at the week and thinking about how energetic I am not and wondering how I am going to get it done. All I can do is all I can do. I'll do what I can. Thank you, Jesus, for what I got done. Bless the effort that my body might respond well to it.
I went to school and we started The Odyssey the easy way. We are watching the movie, or maybe I should say A movie. As usual, some of my students, despite my protestations on the front end, think a movie equals a skip day. This pisses me to no end.
After lunch, I tried unsuccessfully to take a nap. Then Forrest and I went to Money. The plan was for a short ride to save our legs for some running afterwards. We did 10.77 before going back to town and shuffling. The shuffle was slow and pathetic on my part, but I am still trying to build some fitness. We did 4.06.
I am looking at the week and thinking about how energetic I am not and wondering how I am going to get it done. All I can do is all I can do. I'll do what I can. Thank you, Jesus, for what I got done. Bless the effort that my body might respond well to it.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Tensions
Don't you love them? Tensions? I am having some now. I signed up for the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon, July 27th, and will soon sign up for Bikes, Blues, and Bayous. Those events are on back-to-back weekends, and I wish to do well in both of them. I also hope to do well in the 300 Oaks Road Race, a local 10K, September 21, and I want to do some marathons this winter. Therein lies the tensions.
To do well in the soon-to-be events means I need to taper for each of them. To do well in the Oaks and run a lot of miles this winter means I need to keep the training volume up. Thus, the challenge is to figure a way to be as fresh as I can for the HOD and end the week with at least 20 miles of running. With my current state of fitness, that will be a bit tricky. The event itself will give me 6.6 so I need to go in fresh with at least 13.5 miles of running. Most likely that will mean I have to do a couple of big runs early in the week and hope to recover by Saturday.
The very next week, being fatigued from the triathlon, I need to get in another 20 miles of running and still be fresh to ride that Saturday for 62 miles. How to pull it off? I can only hope for a quick recovery from HOD and some easy miles early in the week. All I can do is all I can do.
These two events themselves will give me a strong training stimulus, but I need more than them alone. Experience has taught me that I need a minimum of 20 miles per week to build a base. A base is a fitness level broad enough to train upon for greater fitness. There is another triathlon on August 14th that I'd like to do. Again, I will have to train through it with as little taper as possible having the Oaks and my winter plans in mind.
I am not complaining, by the way. These are the kind of problems I want and the kind of problems I thought were gone from me forever. The weight training world calls this programming. How to program enough volume, be fresh, and stay injury free. It gets dicey sometimes. With the help of the Lord, I'll pull it off. Thank you, Jesus.
To do well in the soon-to-be events means I need to taper for each of them. To do well in the Oaks and run a lot of miles this winter means I need to keep the training volume up. Thus, the challenge is to figure a way to be as fresh as I can for the HOD and end the week with at least 20 miles of running. With my current state of fitness, that will be a bit tricky. The event itself will give me 6.6 so I need to go in fresh with at least 13.5 miles of running. Most likely that will mean I have to do a couple of big runs early in the week and hope to recover by Saturday.
The very next week, being fatigued from the triathlon, I need to get in another 20 miles of running and still be fresh to ride that Saturday for 62 miles. How to pull it off? I can only hope for a quick recovery from HOD and some easy miles early in the week. All I can do is all I can do.
These two events themselves will give me a strong training stimulus, but I need more than them alone. Experience has taught me that I need a minimum of 20 miles per week to build a base. A base is a fitness level broad enough to train upon for greater fitness. There is another triathlon on August 14th that I'd like to do. Again, I will have to train through it with as little taper as possible having the Oaks and my winter plans in mind.
I am not complaining, by the way. These are the kind of problems I want and the kind of problems I thought were gone from me forever. The weight training world calls this programming. How to program enough volume, be fresh, and stay injury free. It gets dicey sometimes. With the help of the Lord, I'll pull it off. Thank you, Jesus.
Over the Moon Monday
John called Monday morning early to say he would not be at the pool. I still intended to go in but CC crawled up in my lap and the coffee was good. I hit the little pool in the early afternoon for
1.800 33:56 (1:52)
5 X 300 @ 5:27
4:41
4:43
4:48
4:42
4:42 (1:33)
400 small paddles
total: 3,700 yards = 3.381 meters
That was the first time I have done five 300s. The set started with three, and last week I did four for the first time. The five put a hit on my muscles, and I felt it the rest of the day. Good.
Forrest and I took our bicycles to Money. His friend, Rachael, was supposed to ride with us, to meet us there. She wasn't on site when we arrived but texted Forrest for us to start and she would come on later. We cycled out Coleman Road to the turn around and had just started back when we could see a cyclist coming our way, it was Rachael and we all rode together back to Money Road and then out the Gary Farm Road to its end, and then they both wanted a little more. We went to town and then out the road that goes due east out of downtown Money. We went out there 2.5 miles and returned to the trucks for a total of 22.8 miles. This was Forrest and my longest ride of the year.
Back at the boy's we decided to take a run. We went 2.26 miles and for me it was a dreadful experience. But I needed some miles and I got them. Is that three workouts or two? You could call the run and brick except there were a good thirty minutes between the bike and the shuffle.
Whatever. It was a good day. Thank you, Jesus.
1.800 33:56 (1:52)
5 X 300 @ 5:27
4:41
4:43
4:48
4:42
4:42 (1:33)
400 small paddles
total: 3,700 yards = 3.381 meters
That was the first time I have done five 300s. The set started with three, and last week I did four for the first time. The five put a hit on my muscles, and I felt it the rest of the day. Good.
Forrest and I took our bicycles to Money. His friend, Rachael, was supposed to ride with us, to meet us there. She wasn't on site when we arrived but texted Forrest for us to start and she would come on later. We cycled out Coleman Road to the turn around and had just started back when we could see a cyclist coming our way, it was Rachael and we all rode together back to Money Road and then out the Gary Farm Road to its end, and then they both wanted a little more. We went to town and then out the road that goes due east out of downtown Money. We went out there 2.5 miles and returned to the trucks for a total of 22.8 miles. This was Forrest and my longest ride of the year.
Back at the boy's we decided to take a run. We went 2.26 miles and for me it was a dreadful experience. But I needed some miles and I got them. Is that three workouts or two? You could call the run and brick except there were a good thirty minutes between the bike and the shuffle.
Whatever. It was a good day. Thank you, Jesus.
Monday, July 8, 2019
7/1 - 7/7
God have me a strong week of training, and I both appreciated and enjoyed it much. Monday I swam 3,701 meters and ran 5.13 miles. My training journal notes that it was the hottest day of the year. I don't remember. We had a pretty cool June, but July is starting out normal which means as hot as Hades. I also did a small amount of lifting, some squats and sled dragging.
Tuesday I met John at the big pool early and swam 3,400 meters. I ran 3.12 miles and did some real weightlifting. Wednesday I swam 1,119 meters and ran a short 2.2 miles as I was trying to freshen up for the big run on the 4th.
For the first time in years, I was fit enough to attempt to run from home to Hillbilly Heaven on Thursday the 4th of July. I didn't make it, but I ran 11 miles straight and walked 1.65 miles before my wife picked me up. Now I can really dream about Buddy Bone Marathons this fall and winter.
Friday, Penny and I went to Jackson so I didn't do anything. But Saturday, I swam 3,200 meters, cycled 15.5 and ran 1.07 miles. In addition to all of that, I lifted weights.
For the week, I
swam 11,420 meters,
ran 22.52 miles,
lifted weights three times, and
cycled 15.5 miles.
That's good training right there, I don't care who you are. It was fun, and I feel a little more fit than I did. My legs aren't as dead after a longish run. The excitement is coming back as I am starting to yearn for some really long runs when the weather cools off. The winter is your reward for running through the summer. I am looking forward to the reward. Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday I met John at the big pool early and swam 3,400 meters. I ran 3.12 miles and did some real weightlifting. Wednesday I swam 1,119 meters and ran a short 2.2 miles as I was trying to freshen up for the big run on the 4th.
For the first time in years, I was fit enough to attempt to run from home to Hillbilly Heaven on Thursday the 4th of July. I didn't make it, but I ran 11 miles straight and walked 1.65 miles before my wife picked me up. Now I can really dream about Buddy Bone Marathons this fall and winter.
Friday, Penny and I went to Jackson so I didn't do anything. But Saturday, I swam 3,200 meters, cycled 15.5 and ran 1.07 miles. In addition to all of that, I lifted weights.
For the week, I
swam 11,420 meters,
ran 22.52 miles,
lifted weights three times, and
cycled 15.5 miles.
That's good training right there, I don't care who you are. It was fun, and I feel a little more fit than I did. My legs aren't as dead after a longish run. The excitement is coming back as I am starting to yearn for some really long runs when the weather cools off. The winter is your reward for running through the summer. I am looking forward to the reward. Thank you, Jesus.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Supreme Saturday
I met John at the pool at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. After being out of the water for two straight days, you would think I would be as fresh as a daisy. Not so. It wasn't bad, but I was shocked at how slow I was. I swam
2,800 1:06:06 (2:18 !!!!????!!???!???!?!???!?)
200 small paddles
4 X 50 medium paddles @ 1:21
total: 3,200 long course meters
I don't understand the slowness. It has been that way every time I swam the big pool since it reopened. Not having lane lines on the bottom is part of it, no doubt, but 2:18. That is really disheartening, and it makes me want to stick with the little pool where I feel faster, am faster, and am encouraged to swim faster.
About 3:30 Forrest and I drove to Money with our bicycles and took a ride. I felt pretty good, especially considering I had run eleven miles two days before. We did 15.55 and then I changed shoes, gave Forrest the keys, and headed towards Greenwood. No, I didn't run back, but I did do a transition shuffle of 1.07 miles.
Yeah, I did. Lift weights. Isn't that what you were wondering? Around 6:30 when it was no longer as hot as Hades but only as hot as Purgatory, I went to Plate City. I did a lot of stuff. On the bench, I pressed
16 X 95
12 X 100
10 X 105
10 X 110
10 X 115
Incline dumbbell bench press
17 X 30
10 X 35
I also did some squats, two sets of cleans, I experimented more with over the bar lifts, and I dragged to sled 457 feet with 33 pounds inside it. All in all, it was a solid day of working out. Thank you, Jesus.
2,800 1:06:06 (2:18 !!!!????!!???!???!?!???!?)
200 small paddles
4 X 50 medium paddles @ 1:21
total: 3,200 long course meters
I don't understand the slowness. It has been that way every time I swam the big pool since it reopened. Not having lane lines on the bottom is part of it, no doubt, but 2:18. That is really disheartening, and it makes me want to stick with the little pool where I feel faster, am faster, and am encouraged to swim faster.
About 3:30 Forrest and I drove to Money with our bicycles and took a ride. I felt pretty good, especially considering I had run eleven miles two days before. We did 15.55 and then I changed shoes, gave Forrest the keys, and headed towards Greenwood. No, I didn't run back, but I did do a transition shuffle of 1.07 miles.
Yeah, I did. Lift weights. Isn't that what you were wondering? Around 6:30 when it was no longer as hot as Hades but only as hot as Purgatory, I went to Plate City. I did a lot of stuff. On the bench, I pressed
16 X 95
12 X 100
10 X 105
10 X 110
10 X 115
Incline dumbbell bench press
17 X 30
10 X 35
I also did some squats, two sets of cleans, I experimented more with over the bar lifts, and I dragged to sled 457 feet with 33 pounds inside it. All in all, it was a solid day of working out. Thank you, Jesus.
Saturday, July 6, 2019
July 5th
I didn't do one single second of exercise the day after the 4th. Penny and I had already planned to go to Jackson. I thought I might get up and swim, but I rested in instead.
We left about 10:00 a.m., and I had my bicycle in the back of the truck. We took it to the Bicycle Revolution in Gluckstadt. The front derailleur wasn't working and she needed a couple of other things. Since they opened, they are now my bike shop of choice over Indian Cycle. The main reason for that is Jayce Powell. As Penny said, "Jayce was Indian Cycle." My sentiments precisely.
We left the bike and headed to Academy Sports in Madison. There I looked for a replacement bite valve for my Camelbak hydration pack. They didn't have any. I did pick up a cheap cycling jersey while I was there. I like to run in them especially in the winter. I know we are in the height of summer, but winter will make its way around. The one I bought is a short sleeve, but I can wear long sleeves under it. I like them because they are brightly colored and thus help you to be seen by the traffic. Not only that, but the rear pockets are great for holding a toboggan, gloves, and other things that come on and off during long winter runs.
After Academy Sports, we went to Jackson. I dropped Penny at one of her stores then I headed to Play It Again Sports. That is my favorite shopping spots. I love to browse their weight plates. I didn't buy any plates, however. I have so many now that I can't use any more. I did buy some collars and a baseball bat. The bat is for hitting a tire. The idea is to stimulate the fast twitch fibers in the muscles I use for swimming. I have tried this before with a sledge hammer and it produced some irritation to my rotator cuffs. That was disappointing to me. I finally hatched the idea of trying a baseball bat. Since it is so much lighter, maybe I can do it without damage.
After shopping, Penny and I went to PF Chang for supper. It was great as it always is. Then we headed back to the bike shop to pick up my steed. She is now ready to ride, and ride I must if I don't want to embarrass myself by walking on the track at the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. Even though I have running a bit, without riding, I can't do the ride there and then get off the bike and run. I learned that the hard way.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for a good day of rest, recreation, and time with the wife.
We left about 10:00 a.m., and I had my bicycle in the back of the truck. We took it to the Bicycle Revolution in Gluckstadt. The front derailleur wasn't working and she needed a couple of other things. Since they opened, they are now my bike shop of choice over Indian Cycle. The main reason for that is Jayce Powell. As Penny said, "Jayce was Indian Cycle." My sentiments precisely.
We left the bike and headed to Academy Sports in Madison. There I looked for a replacement bite valve for my Camelbak hydration pack. They didn't have any. I did pick up a cheap cycling jersey while I was there. I like to run in them especially in the winter. I know we are in the height of summer, but winter will make its way around. The one I bought is a short sleeve, but I can wear long sleeves under it. I like them because they are brightly colored and thus help you to be seen by the traffic. Not only that, but the rear pockets are great for holding a toboggan, gloves, and other things that come on and off during long winter runs.
After Academy Sports, we went to Jackson. I dropped Penny at one of her stores then I headed to Play It Again Sports. That is my favorite shopping spots. I love to browse their weight plates. I didn't buy any plates, however. I have so many now that I can't use any more. I did buy some collars and a baseball bat. The bat is for hitting a tire. The idea is to stimulate the fast twitch fibers in the muscles I use for swimming. I have tried this before with a sledge hammer and it produced some irritation to my rotator cuffs. That was disappointing to me. I finally hatched the idea of trying a baseball bat. Since it is so much lighter, maybe I can do it without damage.
After shopping, Penny and I went to PF Chang for supper. It was great as it always is. Then we headed back to the bike shop to pick up my steed. She is now ready to ride, and ride I must if I don't want to embarrass myself by walking on the track at the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. Even though I have running a bit, without riding, I can't do the ride there and then get off the bike and run. I learned that the hard way.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for a good day of rest, recreation, and time with the wife.
Friday, July 5, 2019
July 4th
I didn't check my records, but I think it's been since 2016 that I ran to Hillbilly Heaven on the 4th. I haven't been able the past few years on account of injuries. I have missed this tradition of mine. Even now, I knew I was pushing things a bit, that my fitness was a little short for that, but I was close enough that I had to roll the dice, to go for it whether I could pull it off or not.
I left the house shuffling west on Monroe at 9:10 a.m. On my back was a hydration pack with 50 ounces of Gatorade. My Fuelbelt held a mere single eight ounce bottle, my emergency stash of liquid. My phone said the temperature was 80 when I began my journey. It quickly warmed, however. I crossed the bridge on Highway 82, crossed Strong Avenue and ran the frontage road to the overpass.
With the overpass conquered, I crossed the highway and shuffled the frontage road on the south side of 82 until I got to MacDonald's where I turned onto Humphrey's Highway and headed south. The traffic was heavy but lightened as I got further and further from town. I was only around those first subdivisions just past the Country Club when Penny pulled up and asked if I was OK. She was early, too early for me to know if all was well. She always leaves earlier than she tells me she is and catches me too soon into the journey. An hour after she drove off, I knew I was going to run short on liquid.
When I got to the old Sun Williams house, I thought I would check to equipment shed next door and try to find some water. Someone came out of the house and I asked permission to get water next door. He went inside and emerged a half minute later with a 16.9 ounce bottle of cold water and handed it to me with a smile. Thank you, Jesus.
I drank that whole thing within 100 yards and stuffed the empty bottle into my pocket. I felt I could make it then, but still I knew I didn't have an abundance of liquid left. I turned at Don Corley's house because it is shorter that way, and I knew I was not fit enough to go the long way up the big hill. I shuffled to the concrete bridge and began to walk. I had done eleven miles and although I could still run, I thought it wise to stop since my longest run in three years was an 8.7 miler a week ago.
I drank the last of my Gatorade and then I only had the little bottle of water left. By the grace of God, I storm blew up dropping the temperature and soaking me with cool rain that took my excessive body heat away. I even caught the rain drops that dripped from the brim of my hat and licked them off my hand. It was now past 12:30, and I wondered if anyone was worried about me. I could use a ride, would accept one.
I walked all the way to the foot of the gravel hill and then I saw a dark Nissan truck coming down. It was Penny. Thank you, Jesus. I first told her to turn around, I wanted to walk up the hill. While she was turning, I decided that I had had enough exercise for one day. I got into the bed of the truck because it has cloth seats, and I was soaking wet.
Believe it or not, I was temperate with my eating and spent much of the day napping on the couch. Late in the afternoon, we watch A Dog's Purpose. That dehydrated me more than the eleven-mile run. Powerful. Thank you, Jesus.
I left the house shuffling west on Monroe at 9:10 a.m. On my back was a hydration pack with 50 ounces of Gatorade. My Fuelbelt held a mere single eight ounce bottle, my emergency stash of liquid. My phone said the temperature was 80 when I began my journey. It quickly warmed, however. I crossed the bridge on Highway 82, crossed Strong Avenue and ran the frontage road to the overpass.
With the overpass conquered, I crossed the highway and shuffled the frontage road on the south side of 82 until I got to MacDonald's where I turned onto Humphrey's Highway and headed south. The traffic was heavy but lightened as I got further and further from town. I was only around those first subdivisions just past the Country Club when Penny pulled up and asked if I was OK. She was early, too early for me to know if all was well. She always leaves earlier than she tells me she is and catches me too soon into the journey. An hour after she drove off, I knew I was going to run short on liquid.
When I got to the old Sun Williams house, I thought I would check to equipment shed next door and try to find some water. Someone came out of the house and I asked permission to get water next door. He went inside and emerged a half minute later with a 16.9 ounce bottle of cold water and handed it to me with a smile. Thank you, Jesus.
I drank that whole thing within 100 yards and stuffed the empty bottle into my pocket. I felt I could make it then, but still I knew I didn't have an abundance of liquid left. I turned at Don Corley's house because it is shorter that way, and I knew I was not fit enough to go the long way up the big hill. I shuffled to the concrete bridge and began to walk. I had done eleven miles and although I could still run, I thought it wise to stop since my longest run in three years was an 8.7 miler a week ago.
I drank the last of my Gatorade and then I only had the little bottle of water left. By the grace of God, I storm blew up dropping the temperature and soaking me with cool rain that took my excessive body heat away. I even caught the rain drops that dripped from the brim of my hat and licked them off my hand. It was now past 12:30, and I wondered if anyone was worried about me. I could use a ride, would accept one.
I walked all the way to the foot of the gravel hill and then I saw a dark Nissan truck coming down. It was Penny. Thank you, Jesus. I first told her to turn around, I wanted to walk up the hill. While she was turning, I decided that I had had enough exercise for one day. I got into the bed of the truck because it has cloth seats, and I was soaking wet.
Believe it or not, I was temperate with my eating and spent much of the day napping on the couch. Late in the afternoon, we watch A Dog's Purpose. That dehydrated me more than the eleven-mile run. Powerful. Thank you, Jesus.
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